Advice for taking your dog home.
- Identification: Ensure you have an identification disk with your name and telephone number engraved on it. This should be attached to your dogs collar before you leave the Rescue Centre.
- Safe travel: Remember, by law your dog must be restrained or crated while travelling.
- Time to settle: Avoid overwhelming your dog with too many visitors or activities during the first few weeks. Provide a safe place for the dog to go and do not allow this space to be invaded. This could be a crate or bed.
- Take it slowly: Don’t pressure your dog, this is a time to build trust and mutual respect. Let them settle at their own pace.
- Safety first: Dog proof your home by removing any items he/she might chew.
- Set boundaries: Start as you mean to go on. After a few days the dog will test the boundaries, and it is important that you stick to the ones you have set.
- Avoid upset tummies: Moving home is very stressful for the dog and this is often reflected by a dodgy tummy! Avoid the overuse of treats and should you wish to change the dogs food then do this gradually.
The First 8 Weeks
Week 1
- Start on lead walking on
- Introduce the dog to the concept of a crate if applicable
- Allow the dog to meet and interact with people living in the home
- Learn to read the dog's body language and understand calming signals
- Gradually increase the time the dog spends alone, starting with short periods
- Ensure the dog wears a collar with an ID tag
- Introduce other animal family members gradually and under controlled circumstances
- Avoid overwhelming the dog with too many experiences, both positive and negative
- Delay formal training classes and unnecessary vet visits until the dog has settled in
Week 2-3
- Continue on-lead walking, gradually increasing the duration and exploring different environments
- Test the dog's recall in a controlled setting within the house and garden
- Introduce the dog to important family members, one at a time, in a calm and controlled manner teaching them to act calmly – avoidoverwhelming situations.
- Slowly increase the duration of time the dog spends alone, monitoring their comfort level
- Focus on establishing house rules, manners, and basic obedience tasks at a suitable pace
- Utilise scent work and engage in quiet activities like playing with toys and improving recall
- Refrain from engaging in rough play with the dog to prevent potential episodes of heightened excitement or fear responses
Weeks 4-5
- Start using a long line or extendable lead to work on recall in safe and open spaces
- Controlled introduction of the dog to the next circle of friends or extended family members
- Introduce the dog to other known dogs outside the house, ensuring positive interactions
- Work on the dog's behaviour around food bowls, reinforcing positive association
- Seek professional help if the dog exhibits resource guarding tendencies
Week 6
- Attempt walking the dog in a more urban environment, focusing on calm behaviour and training
- Reward calm behaviour when passing people, other dogs, and potential triggers
- Introduce known dogs into the house, ensuring proper introduction and prior walking together
- Continue using a long lead for recall until the dog's reliability improves
- Gradually introduce the dog to other unfamiliar dogs, always monitoring their comfort level
Week 7-8
- Address any specific challenges or issues observed in the dog's behaviour
- Consider joining a training class or introducing the dog to a fun dog sport with guidance
- Seek professional help for ongoing behavioural problems
- Adjust the pace of activities according to the individual needs and progress of the dog
