New Pup In the House

First of all, I want to say that having a dog is a lifestyle. You will have to get a dog sitter or find a good boarding facility when you travel and create a daily routine that includes walking and spending some time with your dog because they need attention. 

You're so excited about bringing your new friend home and you have all these fantasies about what it's going to be like- the hiking trip, walks around the neighborhood and all the amazing tricks that your dog will be able to do. Then a week into it, you realize that this does not happen automatically. Your dog doesn't walk properly on the leash, barks at other dogs, has accidents in the house, sheds and doesn't listen to a word you say. 

Let's think about what the dog may be going through. 

Dogs live in the moment. You're a stranger to them and you speak a different language. To be quite honest, the dog doesn't know if he/she should trust you- you look frustrated a lot. There are new smells everywhere and everything is so exciting and new! 

Many shelters and rescue organizations recommend the 2 week rule which is that you should keep your new pup solely at home for the first two weeks so that they can acclimate to their new routine and environment. If the dog has had the misfortune of going from place to place or been in the shelter a long time then they may not realize that they are now home and may become overwhelmed. 

Boundaries

Before even bringing your new pup home, it's important to think about the boundaries that you want to have for your new friend. It's also important to discuss these boundaries with your partner and family so that everyone agrees on what is allowed and what isn't. Consistency is the key! Will your dog be allowed on the couch or in the kitchen? Some people are comfortable with their dogs on the furniture and some people are not. Dogs will get as comfortable as you let them- so best to know what you want ahead of time so that you get started on setting these boundaries right away. It doesn't matter if you're bringing a puppy home or an older dog- they will need to know what the rules are. Some standard boundaries that I would suggest are no begging at the table, jumping on people or rushing the front door. Also, it is important to be realistic about how much time it will take for your dog to understand that you are communicating these boundaries to them. All dogs are different - dogs are very smart but stubborn and some just want to please you and do what makes you happy but some have their own agenda. You really won't know what kind of dog you have until you spend some time getting to know them. No matter what your dog's personality is, one thing is true- if you set the boundaries, be consistent and patient, your dog will become accustomed. 

Crate training/ Kennel 

I talk to people all the time who misunderstand crate training and I want you to know that crate training is a skill. Crate training is a great way to give your dog a space that they know is solely their own and that they can retreat there when they want a rest, feel safe or get some space. This is especially important if you have children or other dogs in the household. Children can be very overwhelming for a dog and the dog needs a safe space where they can get some alone time.  In addition to this, there are more benefits of crate training such as keeping your dog and your belongings safe when you leave the house. Not every dog does naughty things when you leave the house but some dogs are opportunists just waiting for you to leave so they can get into all the "off limits stuff", such as the trash or the counter tops. My older dogs are just fine when I leave but my two year old Teddy Bear isn't there yet, so the crate is the best place for him to be if it's too hot or cold outside and I need to go to work. There will also be times when you have a service person coming over or a social gathering and you want to keep your dog out of the mix. If they're already used to their crate then it will be easier to just ask them to take a break from all the chaos on that occasion by retreating to their safe space. 

Obedience 

Basic obedience includes manners, commands, and some aspects can fall under the boundaries category. From experience, the most important command that your dog should have is the recall command. Your dog needs to come to you when you call them- this can literally save their lives in a dangerous situation. From day one, you should practice calling their name and reward them for coming to you. If this is new to your dog then you will need to start this on a leash and pull them gently towards you- communicating to them what you are wanting and rewarding them. This is a great start and can be a game the two of you play at home, then on a long leash at the park and later, a very important game you play everywhere you go! I have personally experienced the benefits of teaching my dogs the recall command. On a windy day, my fence was pulled open and I was easily able to call my dog to come back to me after getting out- she heard me when she was halfway down the block and returned immediately. I've also known people who were able to save their dogs from snake bites or coyotes because despite their instinct to chase things- they came back to their owner. But.. you have to put the work in! Practice, practice, practice. This is the way with all obedience training- sit, stay, leave it etc... A beginning obedience class or training session with a trainer is an excellent idea if you don't have experience doing this because after all... the class is actually for you to learn the skills to teach your dog.

Routine

Dog life may seem like a difficult one with a new pup but dogs are actually very routine creatures. They thrive on a healthy routine! Take them out to go potty at the same times each day, feed them at the same time, walk them regularly and they will be very happy! They find comfort in knowing what to expect so if you are going to change their routine - do it gradually. 

Let's talk about just setting up their routine:

• Potty
• Let them out at the same exact time each morning, day times and before bed to eliminate accidents. When you first bring them home, go out with them on a leash and say something like, "go potty" and "good boy" or "good girl" after they do it. If you have other dogs in the house then they will just follow suit but if they are the only dog then you will have to teach them when and where to go potty and then reward them with praise or treats. They get the idea. 
• Eating
• Feed them at the same time each day so that they feel secure as to when their food is coming. If you are adopting a shelter pup or a dog that has been raised with a lot of other pups then they may have some food insecurities. This is also a time when their crate is helpful. I feed my dogs in their crates since I have 3 large rescue dogs and I don't want any of them going around sniffing each other's bowls inadvertently upsetting each other.
• Sleeping
• They should have a safe, warm and cozy place to sleep and their sleeping times should also be routine. I have my dogs go to bed by 9:30 and they like that schedule. They put themselves to bed at that time.

• Walking/ Exercise 
• Walks are essential for their health and the good news is that it's good for your health too so if you get a dog, you should take advantage of having your own 4 legged personal fitness trainer. Honey Bear, my first dog, would wake me up every morning and let me know it's time for her daily walk. Even 10 minutes is a good walk for them on a busy day. You leave the house for work, social events etc... but your dog stays home waiting for you all day so this outing is a big deal. Even if you have a large backyard- dogs live to smell new things. If you do have enough space, play some games to engage your dogs mind and help them get their exercise. 

  

Owning a dog will be a lifestyle change but it is also very rewarding and can help us maintain our mental and physical health. In order to have a happy and well behaved pup, it will take effort, consistency, and patience.