Bringing Your New Dog Home

So, you've recently adopted a dog! What are the things you should prioritize? There's so much information out there, but here's the 10 things I would prioritize, as a holistic dog trainer, right away:

1. Teach your dog how to "do nothing": a critical skill for all dogs to have, learning the "art of doing nothing" is especially essential for a dog who is adjusting to new home. One of the best ways to teach a dog to "do nothing" is to teach them place training. Check out the Place Training guide to learn how!

2. Be curious about who your dog is, and how they respond to different things: do they have any fears? How do they respond when they see a dog? What about a new person? What do they do after a long walk...do they lay down and sleep? Or do they need to be told how to lay down and sleep?

3. Limit affection: I know this one can be hard! But I do not suggest giving your new dog a ton of affection. If you're overdoing the affection, this can make you seem much less valuable to your dog. Additionally, if you give your dog affection and they get more amped up, you're only teaching your dog that your presence = overexcitement. I would want my dog to find my presence calming rather than exciting.

4. Focus less on thinking you have to "introduce them" to everyone, and more on teaching them to be neutral to the world around them: I know you're excited about your new dog and want to show them off! But you're new dog is undergoing a massive change, and they need calm, balanced, daily structure over lots of chaotic introductions. I don't suggest introducing them to lots of new people and dogs, and rather focus on #5 instead...

5. Focus on creating routine: creating a structured routine that looks similar most days is going to be the most helpful for helping settle your dog's nervous system. Things like getting them to eat their meals at regular times, exercising at similar times each day, and pooping at the same times each day are what I would strive for! Here's my own daily routine for you to look at!

6. Teach your dog to walk on a leash (don't buy tools to band-aid any leash pulling): ditch any "anti-pulling" harness or collar, and instead focus on teaching your dog leash pressure instead (If you go to my Instagram, you can check out the start of any of my story highlights to see how I teach a dog leash pressure).

7. Nip any problematic behaviors in the bud right away: don't give your dog time to "settle in" before addressing problem behaviors like jumping, mouthiness, or counter surfacing. Don't allow those behaviors to exist at all, and see them disappear quickly!

8. Ask for eye contact at all thresholds and before meals: the first rule I implement is I wait for eye contact before a dog goes out a door. That includes out of the crate door, or the car door, or a door out of the house. I also ask a dog to give eye contact before giving them permission to eat their meals.

9. Use a leash on them inside the house and in the yard: I wouldn't give any dog freedom inside the house until they know the rules! Keeping them on a leash at all times ensures you can move them out/away from getting into things,

10. Use a crate, daily: focus on crate training right away, and use it anytime you leave the house and I suggest overnight too. This will help your dog feel safe and secure and adjust to his/her new life much more quickly.

Bonus for multi-dog households: don't introduce them to your other dog(s) right away and "see how they do". Make sure everyone gets plenty of neutral time together before doing a free-time introduction. I suggest having all dogs on place together for several times before doing a full introduction.

Have so much fun with your new dog, this is a wonderful journey you are both on! An incredible chance for you to learn more about yourself through bringing a new dog into your life.