What Not to Do When Adopting a New Dog

Adopting a new animal is fun for the entire family. But even though your dog is new to you and your home, he still requires structure and rules to thrive. As tempting as it may be, it’s not a good idea to just play things by ear. Here are 5 things you shouldn’t do when you bring your new dog home.

1.      Don’t Forget about Rules Altogether

It can be really tempting to throw all the rules out the window when you get a new dog. After all, it’s his first day at your home, and you don’t want to start off by being mean and disciplining him. However, not enforcing important rules from day 1 sets a bad precedent for your dog.

Think about it from your dog’s perspective. You laughed when he stole your slippers, and you didn’t get mad when he chewed them up. Obviously, he thinks that’s a fine occupation since it meets your approval. What will stop him from doing it again? Unless you really don’t mind him chewing up your shoes, you need to establish right away that that’s not acceptable behavior.

Obviously, there’s no need to inflict pain or even yell at your dog. Dogs can sense rather quickly whether their actions please you or not. And sometimes a non-reaction is even better, because it shows that the behavior is not worthy of praise or acknowledgement of any kind.

2.      Don’t Expect Too Much at Once

Your dog has a new home now, which means there’s a lot to learn. To make it easier on him, you shouldn’t expect too much at once. Many things might be different in your home than what he’s used to. If there are several behavioral issues you’d like to work on, then it might help to start with one at a time.

For example, if your dog likes to jump, it’s important to cure him of that habit. If he squeezes out the door when you go for a walk without waiting for you, you need to address this, too. But it might help to focus on one or the other first before tackling the next problem. But even if you only focus on one habit, you should always praise him when you observe the desired behavior, such as greeting you without jumping or waiting for you to go through the door first.

3.      Don’t Overwhelm Your Dog

Your dog needs some downtime just like everyone else. Meeting new people, exploring a new home, and discovering new smells is very stimulating for him. For the first few days, you can take him for a walk through the neighborhood, but you probably shouldn’t plan a road trip or invite lots of visitors to your home.

If the neighborhood walks seem to be too stimulating for your new dog, then you can dial it down even more by sticking to your backyard or the front lawn. It’s also a good idea to show him where to do his business from the beginning if you have a preference.

4.      Don’t Expect Him to Want Company All the Time

If your dog has a safe place to retreat to, he can seek some calm whenever he needs it. It’s important to teach everyone in your family to respect the dog’s privacy in that location, whether that’s his crate, a special blanket, or a corner under the desk.

To show him his safe area, you could place his food dishes nearby or put down a special treat, such as a chewy bone. Every dog is different. Some may crave company and enjoy being around you from the start, where others need more time alone until they feel comfortable with their surroundings. If possible, follow your dog’s cue.

5.      Don’t Expect Same Behavior You Saw Initially

People act differently around other people. It’s almost as if we all have several personalities. There is the working you, there is the domestic you, there is the parent, child, or sibling in you, and then there’s the you as you present yourself to strangers. It’s similar for dogs.

Your dog is still the same dog that you saw at the shelter, but you’ll probably explore new sides of him as you get to know each other. He may be shy with strangers, or he may be playful with everyone he meets and only show you his vulnerable, calmer side. Part of the fun of adopting a dog is enjoying this getting-to-know-each-other phase.