Do’s & Don’ts of Introducing a New Dog to Your Home

The idea of welcoming a canine companion into the home is an exciting time. From purchasing all the fun things like: a new bed, cute food bowl and water dish, a snazzy collar, and of course all the new toys to actually welcoming that new furry-friend, it’s a whirlwind of emotions and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement.

Regardless of whether you’ve decided to purchase from a breeder or adopt, whether it’s your very first dog or you are introducing a second dog into the home, remembering these Do’s and Don’ts will be beneficial to creating a less stressful, positive experience.

Do:

• Take your time

  Bringing a new dog into your home is a big decision and should not be rushed. Not only is it important to make sure that everyone in the household is ready for the responsibility, but you also want to make sure that you aren’t rushing the process.

  If you’ve made the decision to purchase from a breeder make sure that you’ve done your research and that you are going through a reputable breeder (not someone you found off of Craigslist). Not only that, but do your research on the breed of dog that you are interested in. Learn what their requirements are, such as: diet, grooming needs, exercise requirements, temperament, etc. This will help ensure that you are making the right decision and finding the best fit for your lifestyle.

  If you’ve decided to adopt it is important that you make multiple visits with your potential new family member along with asking the rescue worker important questions that will help you decide if your home is the right fit for him/her. Although you may be adopting a mix breed it would be a good idea to also consider doing research on the types of breeds they are mixed with, this will give you a good idea on what type of care he/she will need once they are in your home.

• Provide a safe environment

  Along with preparing the inside of your home, you’ll also want to be sure that you are providing your new furry-family member with a safe outside space too. Do you already have a fenced in yard? Great! If not, will you invest in one? If you do not have a fenced in yard yet or are looking into different alternatives, it’s important to supervise your new furry-friend when they are outside by keeping them on leash in order to help them establish boundaries.

• Establish boundaries

  Establishing boundaries isn’t just for outside either! It’s important create house rules that everyone agrees to follow, such as: whether or not they are allowed on the furniture, will they have a feeding schedule, whether or not they will be allowed human food, and what behaviors you will and won’t tolerate. It is important to be on the same page with house rules so as not to cause confusion and miscommunication. It isn’t fair to the dog for one person to encourage a behavior, but to be scolded by another for doing the same thing.

• Invest in training

  Whether you decide to do One-on-One sessions or Group Classes, not only is training a great opportunity for you to create a bond with your dog, but it gives them a chance to work. Dogs love to work and love to please. Giving your dog something to do and having them work for what they want will encourage positive behaviors versus negative ones. Remember: A well-mannered dog is a well-rounded canine citizen.

• Socialize your pet

  There are many great ways to socialize your dog. Take them to pet-friendly stores, check out a dog park, or have them participate in Doggie Daycare. All of these are great ways for you to introduce your dog to new people and a great opportunity to teach them to properly introduce themselves to new people (nobody likes it when a dog jumps on them). Doggie Daycare is a great because not only do you not have to worry about your dog being bored at home (or bored while you work from home), but it also allows them to socialize with other dogs in a safe, controlled environment. Introducing them to proper socialization early on will help you out in the long run.

  What if your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs? That doesn’t mean that they won’t be able to benefit from doggie daycare! If proper socialization is an issue, it’s never too late to start. Understanding your dogs behavior by working with a trainer or by receiving feedback from doggie daycare will help you better understand your dogs body language and how they communicate or miscommunicate with other dogs. Regardless of how you intend to tackle socializing your new furry family member, consistency is key!

• Create a routine

  From establishing boundaries to training to socialization, creating a routine is important because, much like consistency, creating a routine for your dog teaches them what to expect each day and when to expect it. By nature, dogs thrive on having a routine because of their tendency to be creatures of habit. Your dog likes to know when to expect things, such as: mealtime, walks, playtime, and more. Having a routine makes training easier as well because your dog will already have some sort of understanding for consistency.

Don’t:

• Ignore negative behaviors

  It is important to correct negative behaviors as you see them. Don’t accept it as a part of the dogs personality. For example: If your dog jumps up on someone every time they meet a new person, it’s a negative behavior and not because they are “overly friendly”. This is an easy behavior to correct as long as you are consistent in your training. By ignoring the issue, you are encouraging it. If you’ve tried to correct the behavior to no avail, seek professional help. Under the guidance of an experienced trainer you’ll be able to learn how to correct those negative behaviors without the stress of trying to figure it out on your own.

• Don’t leave them unsupervised

  If your dog is new to the home, whether they are an adopted adult or newly purchased puppy, they should not be left to roam the home free of supervision. Not until they can be trusted. You are not there to enforce the rules and boundaries that you have set, so this could have a negative impact on the consistency that you are trying to create.

  Don’t leave them unsupervised with young children. Adult supervision is strongly suggested when children and dogs are interacting together to ensure that everyone is behaving in a kind and safe manner. It is not fair to blame the dog for reacting appropriately. For example: If the child decides to grab onto the dogs tail and tug several times, ignoring all the warning signs, they might receive a snap from the dog. Think of it from the dogs perspective. How would a dog communicate to another dog that they don’t like how that dog is playing with them? Through their body language (check out our blog all about dog body language). Dogs give warning signs that other dogs (when properly socialized) pick up on. When the initial warning signs are ignored, the signal escalates. As the adult, it is important to have some understanding of dog body language and to watch for the warning signs and correct the child’s behavior before the situation escalates. Teaching your child how to properly interact and play with their new furry family member will help prevent serious injury from occurring.

• Don’t leave your current pet and new pet to “work it out”

  Plan ahead and take your time. Establishing proper introductions is important. If you have other pets (cat or dog) in the home, oftentimes it is recommended to separate them for the first 24 hours. When you are ready for them to interact, supervise their time together and give them a break when needed. Keep in mind that dogs and cats, like people, need time to get to know each other. Allowing for your pets to “work it out” could result in serious injury for both human and pet.

• Don’t rush the process

  It. Takes. Time. So take the time. We understand that you want everything to be peachy keen as soon as possible, but understand that it will require time. Be patient, with both yourself and your new furry family member, especially if you are introducing a second dog to the family. It will be an adjustment for everyone involved. Take a deep breath and remember that there are plenty of resources for you to lean on for help.

In the end we know adding another furry family member is an exciting time, but it is always best to be patient in the process and trust your gut for what lifestyle you want your family to have. Every new addition to the family will have an adjustment period where everyone needs time to get comfortable so make sure you are following with these tips to ensure the smoothest transition into your home.

Let us know in the comments some of your tips for welcoming in a few furry family member!