Homecoming for new dogs

Congratulations. You have a new member of the family and you're taking her home.

Now what?

You must be excited and looking forward to creating a lifelong friendship with your new canine pal. How does your new dog feel? Keep in mind the bewilderment she is feeling. Whether you purchased or adopted a puppy or an adult, going home with you is a new experience. Your new dog is likely to be a little disoriented.

It's important to help your new pet acclimate to your home by being prepared and being patient. It may take anywhere from a few days to two months for you and your new dog to adjust to each other.

Consider the following tips to make the transition a smooth one:

Have supplies ready

Get the things your dog will need ahead of time. You'll want a leash and collar, water and food bowls, food and treats, and, of course, some fun toys. And be sure to order an identification tag right away.

Quality time

Bring your new dog home when you can put aside a lot of time to get acquainted. Time her arrival for a weekend or when you can take a couple days to be home. Spend some quality time together and really get to know each other to make your new dog feel secure and at ease, and connected with you.

Health check-up

Schedule a veterinarian appointment within a week after you bring your new dog home. Fido will receive a health check and any vaccinations she might need. Talk to your vet or read more about the benefits of spaying and neutering! With far too many homeless dogs and puppies, don't let your new dog add to the problem of pet-overpopulation.

Establish rules and responsibilities

Who will take responsibility for the dog's daily care? Work out your dog-care schedule ahead of time with the members of your household. Dogs need a routine and they need to know the rules of the house. Whatever routine you establish, stick to it and your new dog will quickly adapt.

Training and discipline

Dogs are pack animals so they need order. You need to make yourself the "pack leader" and let your dog know who's boss from the beginning. If you catch her doing something she shouldn't, just stay calm and let her know right away, in a loud and disapproving voice, that she has behaved badly.

Always reinforce the positive and reward your dog with praise when she does well. Your dog will learn more through positive reinforcement. Make sure you sign up for a dog obedience class or hire a trainer to help you. A well-trained dog will make all the difference in your relationship with your canine pal.

Housetraining

The key to housetraining your dog is to be consistent and maintain a routine. Even if it requires coming home at lunch or straight home from work every day, the extra effort will pay off with faster housebreaking.

Crating

Dogs like to create a den for themselves. It's a natural instinct. So while a crate may look harsh to you, for your dog it's a room of her own. A crate can make housebreaking and obedience training a whole lot easier, and saves your dog from being yelled at unnecessarily for their behavior.

You don't want to crate your dog all day or all night, or she will consider it punishment. Just a few hours a day (no more than four hours at a time) should be more than enough. Make sure you buy a crate that doesn't have wire where her collar or paws can get caught. The crate should always be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and be comfortable in.

An alternative to crating is to find a dog-proofed area of your home for temporary confinement. A baby gate can work very well to portion off a part of the family room or kitchen. Crated or confined to a separate area, your dog will feel a lot more comfortable (and will whine less) if she can see or hear the other family members and know that her new pack is near.

Time to play

A well-exercised dog is a happy dog. A happy dog is more well-behaved, and that will make you happy as well! Dogs need an active life to be content and well adjusted. A planned activity with your dog should be scheduled every day. Depending on your dog's energy level and need for stimulation, that could mean several play-time events a day.

Go for a long walk or jog together, try throwing the ball or a stick for a game of fetch, or take a drive to your local dog park. Most dogs really thrive on playing with other dogs so socialize your new dog with other canines so she learns good social skills early on. Consider taking your new dog along when you hit the road for a drive in the country or to visit friends and family. They love new adventures!

Friends for a lifetime

Life with you is a different experience for your new dog, so give her time to adjust and manage your own expectations. Soon enough you'll find out that you've made a new friend for life. No one will ever greet you with as much excitement, or give you the unconditional love and loyalty your new companion will. You will be thoroughly rewarded, but it requires patience.

Source: Adapted from the Humane Society of the United States