Rescue tips/suggestions

[stacwase]

I thought it would be nice to start a thread where people who have adopted adult dogs can post their tips and tricks. How did you introduce your new dog to the family? How did you make his/her transition into the new home as smooth as possible? Where did you keep the crate (close to family activity vs in an out-of-the-way place)? How did your new dog establish it's place with your other dog or dogs? Where did you feed the new dog? Etc. etc.

[aly]

I adopted Reece at 1 yr old and Lolly at 5 yrs old. I've also had several adult foster dogs. One of the best things is the crate. If used properly, it really helps smooth the transition.

Another important thing is spending one on one time with the new dog and also the dogs you already had. This helps form a bond with the new dog and lets the old dogs know they're still loved and spoiled rotten

[NWS_Haven]

My major piece of advice to people is to not treat the new dog better than the dog that was there first. This can cause problems.

For example: Feed, pet, give treats, praise, etc., your current dog first. Let your current dog lay closest to you. If you can only take one dog for a ride, take the current dog. You can ease up on this once the pack order has been established and everyone knows where they belong.

When you first bring the new dog home, take them to neutral territory, like a park, to introduce them for the first time. Do NOT start out the meeting by throwing a ball and seeing who get it first. Remember too that dogs will do better meeting off leash. Being on leash makes them feel trapped and defensive.

Just a couple of my favorite basics.

LOL sometimes I come home with a new dog and just put it in the backyard right away with my GSD female and hope that nobody gets killed. She is the absolute best when it comes to integrating new dogs into the household. Once she gives the all clear, all my other dogs just fall in line and god forbid if one of them should bite the new dog. They would have to answer to her. She's also my puppy raiser and teacher of all rules of the house. I love that dog.

[4 Dog Mother]

We decide on how to introduce each dog depending on the age and temperament of the new dog. Dazzi came into Oreo's and our life when Oreo was 11 1/2. Dazzi was 1 1/2. We brought Dazzi into the house and let them smell each other. Oreo always barks at other dogs but that is usually it. They have had their differences and have gotten into several fights but since they both think they are the alpha female that is not so unusual. But neither have hurt teh other seriously.

Taggert was a 2 month old puppy (or so we thought - later we found out he was 4 months old) and we let the older ones meet him in the front yard. No problem. He was a puppy. Dazzi still thinks of him as her pup.

Snoopy was a five month old pup and again we let each meet him individually in the front yard. Again he was a pup so the acceptance was just there.

Jack was 4 when we added him 2weeks ago. We took Dazzi along to meet him because if she accepts you, you are part of the family and everyone will accept you. Because of the time of night we came home and the fact that he needed an immediate bath, his arrival was to the rest just after his bath. Hey all, here's Jack. Snoopy and Taggert barked at him but because he growled they decided they would ignor him. They are best buds so if you don't want to play, forget it, we will ignor you. And that was the way it was for the first 10 days or so. They ignored him, he ignored them unless they irritated him adn then he would growl and they would back away. Now they are all beginning to play together.

I agree that crates can be a big help. Dazzi and Oreo retreat to theirs when things get too hectic or loud or annoying. It is their safe place. At night and whenwe are gone they each have their own crate. And it is important that they each get petted the same, greeted teh same, praised the same and treated (with dog treats) the same. Until you are sure of the competitive spirit of each dog it is better not to play fetch the ball or toy because there can be spats over whose ball it is.

Feeding can be a problem. At first we try to make sure they eat from the same bowl and no one gets into the others bowl. Once they get to know each other adn to know you won't allow aggressive behavior, it doesn't matter so much.

Probably the most important thing is to let them work out some of their problems themselves. You can't watch them 100 % of the time so they have to learn to let the others know what is acceptable and what isn't. Of course, if it turns into an all out fight, you will have to stop it but let some of the growling and banter go on so they can learn to accept each others ways. (Unless you one dog is much smaller and non-aggressive than the others of course.)

Water is a great fight breaker upper. We have used on on Dazzi numerous times at the dog park when she decides someone is not behaving up to her standards.

[stacwase]

How about introducing your new dog to the family members? On or off leash? How should the family members treat the new dog on arrival? Should they be introduced one at a time? Should the crate be kept in a quiet area or close to the family?

[stacwase]

Has anybody here read "Good Owners, Great Dogs?" I read it last year and used it to train Jake. Training him was so easy, it was almost disappointing! I was like "Where's the challenge in this?" It's a great book. I lost my copy so I'm getting another one from ebay.

[Rachel]

Funny you should mention, Good Owners, Great Dogs. I buy a copy of that book for every one of my friends or neighbors who acquires a new dog or puppy. I just bought my umpteenth copy on Saturday. They also have a website which is very good.

When we were looking for another dog to add to our family, I was very apprehensive, much like you, in wanting to get a dog who would fit the mix of Hannah and my husband and me. I had my mind set on another female and simply did not want a dog that shed. My husband's coworker had adopted a dog from the shelter for their daughter. The daughter was not taking care of the dog and they were going to take it back to the shelter. The coworker asked if we would be interested. Because I wanted a female and a dog that wouldn't shed, I almost said no. But I also wanted to know how Hannah would react to another dog, so this was an opportunity to find out. We told the lady that she should bring the dog over and we would take a look. When she arrived, this little guy stopped to squat (just like a girl) on the grass (sign #1), was the same size and coloring as Hannah (sign #2) and jumped into my lap and gave me a big kiss (sign #3) . Although Hannah did not fall all over him and there was a bit of grrrr on her part, neither one tore into the other. The lady asked if we would like to keep him for the weekend (no obligation). He wasn't there 30 minutes (acting like he knew the whole routine) before I knew that he was in his forever home. Forgive me for telling this story as I know it isn't all that helpful in terms of what you are looking for, but I guess the message is to keep an open mind. No, I didn't get my female (but I did get a male who doesn't mark) nor a dog who doesn't shed, but I did get a *lover* beyond any other I have had and a dear, sweet little boy. Yes, he has his *baggage*. He literally cannot tolerate being locked in a crate, but he really doesn't need to be crated! He gets up one or two times in the night to *go*, but then so do I!

You may not get exactly what you think you want, but you may find that what you get is better than you could have ever imagined.

[stacwase]

Thank you, Rachel! Isn't that how life is, though! Things never go exactly as we plan, but everything always seems to work out for the best.

[4 Dog Mother]

How about introducing your new dog to the family members? On or off leash? How should the family members treat the new dog on arrival? Should they be introduced one at a time? Should the crate be kept in a quiet area or close to the family?

A lot depends on how many family members there are and what age they are. If young children are involved and are afraid of the dog, you would want to keep it on a leash when they first meet. A new dog in a new environment is going to be a little nervous so having too many people approaching it, trying to pet it, talking loudly (as kids often do) may be a little overwhelming. If it is possible let the dog take the lead. Let him approach the family members, sniff them, be petted by them.

As far as the crate goes, a lot of the books say to keep the crate near you. However, our crates are in the family room area and the dogs seem to accept that. I think whatever you decide the dogs will adjust and accept.

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by stacwase
Has anybody here read "Good Owners, Great Dogs?" I read it last year and used it to train Jake. Training him was so easy, it was almost disappointing! I was like "Where's the challenge in this?" It's a great book. I lost my copy so I'm getting another one from ebay.

I haven't read it yet, but I just got a copy at a used bookstore this weekend for $2!


When we got Spot, we took Sadie and Cincy with us. I tokk Cincy into to meet him first, becuase she is ,more meollow. They werenoth on leash, sniffed each, didn't seem to be any problems, so we let them on leash. That was fine. Then I got Sadie, same routine, all was fine. Dogs weren'tmuch inereted ineach other at that pint. They did really good all the way home (230 miles!). Once we got here, their was a little growling, but it quickly worked itself out and now they have become 3 of a kind