Before You Bring Your Dog Home ▼

• Determine where your dog will be spending most of their time. Because they will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (from shelter or foster home to your house), they may forget any housebreaking (if any) they’ve learned. At first it might be a good idea to limit your new dog’s access to your home and often a kitchen works best for easy clean-up.
• If you plan on crate training your dog, be sure to have a crate set-up and ready to go for when you bring your new dog home.
• Dog-proof the area where your pooch will spend most of his time during the first few months. 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.
• Training your dog starts the first moment you meet them. Taking time to create a vocabulary list that everyone will use helps prevent confusion and helps your dog learn their new commands more quickly. Whether you plan on training yourself or attending a group obedience class you should have a plan before you bring your dog home. Visit our Rescue dog training tips page for more information.

First Day ▼

• We know moving is stressful — and your new dog feels the same way! Give them time to acclimate to your home and family before introducing him to strangers. Make sure children know how to approach the dog without overwhelming him.
• When you pick up your dog, remember to ask what and when he was fed. Replicate that schedule for at least the first few days to avoid gastric distress. If you wish to switch to a different brand, do so over a period of about a week by adding one part new food to three parts of the old for several days; then switch to half new food, half old, and then one part old to three parts new.
• On the way home, your dog should be safely secured, preferably in a crate. Some dogs find car trips stressful, so having him in a safe place will make the trip home easier on them and you.
• Once home, take them to their toileting area immediately and spend a good amount of time with them so they will get used to the area and relieve themselves. Even if your dog does relieve themselves during this time, be prepared for accidents. Coming into a new home with new people, new smells and new sounds will throw even the most housebroken dog off-track, so be ready just in case.
• If you plan on crate training your dog, leave the crate open so that he can go in whenever he feels like it in case he gets overwhelmed.
• From there, start your schedule of feeding, toileting and play/exercise. From Day One, your dog will need family time and brief periods to themselves. 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
• For the first few days, remain calm and quiet around your dog, limiting too much excitement (such as the dog park or neighborhood children). Not only will this allow your dog to settle in easier, it will give you more one-on-one time to get to know them and their likes/dislikes.
• 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.
• Or maybe they led a sheltered life and were 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.

Following Weeks ▼

• People often say they don’t see their dog’s true personality until several weeks after adoption. Your dog will be a bit uneasy at first as they get to know you and your family. Be patient and understanding while also keeping to the schedule you intend to maintain for feeding, walks, etc. This schedule will show your dog what is expected of them as well as what they can expect from you.
• After discussing it with your veterinarian to ensure your dog has all the necessary vaccines, you may wish to take your dog to group training classes or the dog park. Pay close attention to your dog’s body language to be sure they’re having a good time — and is not fearful or a dog park bully.
• To have a long and happy life together with your dog, stick to the original schedule you created, ensuring your dog always has the food, potty time and attention they need. You’ll be bonded in no time!
• If you encounter behavior issues you are unfamiliar with, ask your veterinarian for a trainer recommendation. Select a trainer who uses positive-reinforcement techniques to help you and your dog overcome these behavior obstacles.

Training Tips ▼

Are you struggling with training your new lab? Take a look at our training tips!

Food/Vetting Resources ▼

Finding a food that is good for your dog is hard. It’s even harder to find a vet that will care for your dog as much as you do. Take a look at our food and vetting resources.