Your new dog may take four to six weeks to adjust to your home. Try to schedule some down time to spend with your new dog while he adjusts. the more time you spend on this initial stage, the easier things will be later on.
From day one, you should take your dog for a walk every day. Take him on different routes and introduce him to his new neighborhood. This will help your dog find his way home if he ever runs away and reduce stress and anxiety as your dog becomes familiar with his surroundings and meets new dogs in the area (or at least smells where they’ve been! ).
There are now many areas for dogs to run off leash. If you think your dog won’t come back, ask someone to bring your dogs too. Dogs are very likely to play together and will not run away if they are in a group. Ask around, there may be a dog walking group you can join.
Some websites are springing up all over the world where you can meet other dog lovers online; share your story and meet your dog for a game day. I joined one and started an online group for dog owners in our area. You will also get a lot of support from people who love dogs and have happily relocated them.
Keep the routines. Feed your dog at the same time and in the same place. Only adjust feeding times if you are going to potty indoors at night or need to be left alone for long periods of time. This includes weekends.
Give your dog at least a week to adjust before introducing him to extended family. Dogs can develop fear in uncertain situations, so you don’t want to put him in a situation that he feels he can’t get out of. This could lead to aggressive behavior, such as growing or nipping. Don’t host parties or social functions for the first four to six weeks at home, as too many crowds or too much noise can distress your new dog.
Some dogs have used aggression to deal with situations where they felt threatened or hurt. Fear-based aggression stems from the dog’s belief that it is better to attack than to be attacked. He must not tolerate any form of aggression. If your new dog exhibits aggressive behavior such as growling, eye-gazing, hair standing on end, leaning forward and looking bigger, barking and of course biting, remove the dog immediately and leave him somewhere alone. Don’t stare at him or challenge him in any way. Consult an experienced behaviorist who will support the use of positive training techniques.
Some dogs will attempt aggression to see if it will discipline them, and therefore won’t necessarily do it again once you’ve established yourself as pack leader. You should consult with a dog behaviorist and ask for advice. You are also more than welcome to email me and I will better respond to your concerns.
If you have planned the arrival of your new dog well, you will have consulted with your children and given them firm instructions on what to do and what not to do. Here are some points to consider:
* A child under 7 years of age should not feed or handle a dog
* Never leave any dog alone with children, especially your new dog for any length of time.
* Always supervise children under the age of 12 around dogs and show them what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
* Give the dog his own time-out area where he can escape from noisy children if he needs to too.
* Do not let children sleep or lie on the dog bed. Dogs are territorial and may not like what they consider to be an intruder (your five-year-old, for example) sleeping in their bed.
* Do not let children play with your dog’s toys or take them out of their mouths.
However, involving your children in dog training will really help the children and the dog to understand each other better. It is imperative that the dog learns that he is below the children in pack order. The best way to do this is to take your dog to a training center and allow your children to participate in their training.
You are not confined to places of strict obedience; there’s agility training, lure training, pack training and much more. Choose the center that best understands your dog’s needs. And most importantly, have fun. Any type of training will strengthen the bond between you and your new dog, as long as it’s positive training that doesn’t rely on the use of pain, like a corrective chain, to ensure your dog follows your commands. Choose your training facility wisely and your dog will look to you for guidance and reassurance and will eventually learn to trust you.