Introducing an adult dog to the home

There are several important reasons for taking care to introduce your dog properly into your home. How he behaves in the future depends largely on the parameters you establish for him in that initial introduction.

Plan to stay home with him for at least a week. Be patient with his behavior for three or four weeks. It takes time for him to get over the stress of being surrendered by his previous caretaker. Give him time to make the adjustment to his new home.

Keep him in the house during this three to four week period to allow him a chance to become comfortable with the household routine. Take him outside on a leash only to go for walks or for housetraining routine.

Your new dog may already be housebroken. If he is not, there are reasons for this. A change in diet is going to cause some digestive upset until he is accustomed to the kind of food you are serving him. Feed him a good quality dry dog food twice a day and give him water only at feeding time. After he is housetrained, water can be available at all times. Do not feed him tablescraps or give him any between-meal snacks. Within an hour after feeding and watering him, take him outside to the place for urinating or defecation. Do not punish him for having an accident in the house.

A dog needs lots of exercise and prefers the company of people. Take him for walks. Take him with you in the car. If he must be left alone for long periods of time, do not leave him tied in the yard or confined in a garage or basement. Leave him in the house. Before you leave him, however, take him for a long run or play with him for at least thirty minutes. When you leave, do it without fanfare. Turn on a radio to keep him company.

Most dogs want to sleep close to their caregivers, so a doggie bed in or near your bedroom will comfort him and eliminate nighttime behavior problems such as barking, whining, and wandering.

To lengthen your dog’s life and to keep him healthy, get him neutered and keep him in your house or yard.

Never physically punish your dog by hitting or screaming at him. The way to teach a dog is to tell or show what you want him to do. Catch him doing something right, then use verbal praise, food tidbits, or a pat on the chest to reinforce this good behavior.