Welcome new Adopters

The first few days in your home are special and critical for your pet. Your new dog will be confused about where they are and what to expect from you.

Adopting a rescue dog

It helps to be able to understand that the human and dog will have very different views of this re-homing. However, you must NOT feel sorry for your new rescue dog. They will sense this through your energy since dogs are very receptive to it. By giving your new rescue dog clear structure and you being their pack leader, you are allowing them to adjust at their pace. If you are consistent and disciplined in following these guidelines, explained below, you are setting them up for success and a smooth transition for everyone!

The human beings’ view of adopting a rescue dog:

I just rescued a dog. I will love it, feed it, and look after all its needs. I saved it from its awful previous life and it will have a wonderful life with me. I will spoil this rescue dog and he/she will recognize this and be grateful”.

The dog’s view of the adoption and its new environment:

“I recently experienced abandonment, I am terrified that I might lose this family at any moment. I am new to this new home and pack, and don’t understand what I did to get ejected from my last one. Will I be accepted or rejected, do I need to be submissive or dominant, which is my place, should I take care of myself? I must watch for signs to know where and how I will fit in. I hope my new family will show me they will care for me and be patient. Right now I need a leader than can show me the way, I am scared and confused”.

You adopted a husky, now what?

In this video you will learn about the following topics and it’s a must watch for every adopter.

*Medical and vaccine records

*Veterinary first visit

*Heartworm dangers and prevention

*Flea/tick prevention

*Martingale collars & leashes

*THHOFL tag, microchip tag, rabies tag, ID tag

*Microchip information and registration

What to do if dog needs to be returned to rescue

The 3-3-3 Rule of adopting a Rescue Dog

This graphic will help you know at at a glance what to expect in the next few months. This will vary from dog to dog and circumstances.

INTRODUCING DOGS TO EACH OTHER

*If you have a dog and a new one will be entering or visiting your home, there are things you can do to ensure that the meeting goes off without a hitch. A new dog can mean you are bringing home a foster or a new family member, someone who has a dog is moving into your house, or someone is visiting with a dog.

*If you know that both dogs are very social with a variety of other dogs, the meeting should be easy. However, some dogs don’t get out and mix with other dogs that much, or may have only had one or two dog friends in their lives. These dogs may seem to have better social skills than they actually do, so introducing them to new dogs may require more care and effort. Another factor to consider is whether or not the dogs have been spayed or neutered; if not, the meeting may be more difficult. All of our adopted dogs have been spayed or neutered.

Introducing your current dog(s) to your new rescue dog(s)

If you are uncertain how one (or both) of the dogs will react, be cautious. First, plan to have the dogs meet on neutral ground. Choose a place where neither dog is likely to feel territorial.

Meeting your dog in the foster home or your home

When the meeting occurs, have each dog on lead, each with a calm, relaxed adult handler. Keep the leads loose, since tension on the leash might communicate to the dogs that you are fearful or anxious about their meeting, which will in turn make them more fearful and anxious. Walk the dogs side by side with a safe distance between the dogs. Then, cross paths (still maintaining that distance) and allow the dogs to smell where the other has walked.  Next, let the dogs meet. As the dogs approach each other, watch their body language closely, paying attention to the entire body. The dogs may need to do a little posturing or make a little noise, but if you don’t know how to tell the difference between dogs getting to know each other and dogs who don’t like each other, have someone there who does.

If the dogs have shown no signs of hostility toward each other up to this point, take them to an enclosed area, drop their leashes, step back and give them space to get to know each other. We have a tendency to micro-manage these interactions, but in general it’s best if we allow the dogs to work it out with minimal interference. Humans hovering and getting too involved can be frustrating to the dogs, which can make them tense and spoil the interaction.

For the most part, dogs in this situation respond well to verbal feedback from humans. For example, if the dogs are getting too tense around each other, saying something in a soothing tone of voice (such as “It’s OK, guys, cool your jets”) can help them to take it down a notch, shake off and start fresh. If one dog is getting too overbearing and the other isn’t correcting them, we can often help out by saying something like “Hey, knock it off!” If the dogs do shake off their tension and engage with each other in polite, appropriate ways, we can reward them for those behaviors and encourage more of them by speaking in a happy tone (“Good dogs! Well done!”). In most cases, that kind of verbal guidance is all the interference they need from us. We must only step in and physically separate them when they are becoming too excited and cannot give themselves a break, or when it becomes clear that their relationship is headed for conflict.

Once at home, just like humans, even the best dogs need time to adjust to new members of the pack. Be cautious and observant, but most importantly be patient and ask for guidance if needed.

Name changing

While we all have our favorite names and might want to change his/hers, here are a couple of things to consider. If a dog comes from a shelter, the name given is usually not their name. Changing his/her name in this case is fairly easy.  They just need time to adjust to it since we do not have a background.  This also depends if the dog has been called and is listening to new commands with the name we have given them.

If the dog was owner surrender to our organization or to the shelter, please remember this might be the ONE and ONLY thing they are familiar with.  Not only will they respond better, but it’s one less traumatic experience for them.  Just imagine if someone changed your name.

New Home

Moving is stressful. Your new dog feels the same way! Give them time to acclimate to your home and family before introducing them to strangers. Make sure children know how to approach the dog without overwhelming them.

Set up assigned spaces in your home

Determine where your dog will be spending most of their time, where they will eat, sleep, crate, and go potty. Because they will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (foster home to your house), they may forget any housebreaking they have learned.

Feeding Schedule

They will need to follow a feeding schedule, please be observant if any food aggressions exist. Please feed separate from other dogs until you can determine if they have food aggression.

Routine

Start your schedule of feeding, toileting, and play/exercise. From day one, they will need family time and brief periods of solitary confinement. Don’t give in and comfort them if they whine when left alone. Instead, give them attention for good behavior, such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly

Transitions

For the first couple of weeks, remain calm and quiet around the dog, limiting too much excitement (such as the dog park or neighborhood children). Not only will this allow the dog to settle in easier, it will give you more one-on-one time to get to know them and their likes/dislikes.

Dog proof your home

Just like babies, dogs need a safe environment. Dog-proof the area where they will spend most of their time. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards; storing household chemicals on high shelves; removing plants, rugs, and breakables; setting up the crate, and installing baby gates.

Set them up for success

Training your dog will start the first moment you have them. Take time to create a vocabulary list everyone will use when giving your dog directions. This will help prevent confusion and help your dog learn their commands more quickly.

Transportation

Make sure when transporting them to have him tethered/secured at all times in the vehicle. They are quick to jump out.

Language

If they came from another home, objects like leashes, hands, rolled up newspapers and magazines, feet, chairs and sticks are just some of the pieces of “training equipment” that may have been used on this dog. Words like “come here” and “lie down” may bring forth a reaction other than the one you expect. Maybe he led a sheltered life and was never socialized to children or sidewalk activity. This dog may be the product of a never-ending series of scrambled communications and unreal expectations that will require patience on your part.

Grooming

Please do not take them for a bath during the first couple of weeks. A bath for them is as personal as it is for humans. Please give them time to acclimate prior to giving them one. For some dogs, baths are very traumatic. Also, if your foster has been spayed/neuter recently, they can’t be bathed prior to 14 days from surgery

Toys

We highly recommend removing all toys during the first couple of weeks if there are other dogs at home.