(By Debbie Winkler CABC, CPDT and Dorothy Ruck, BA, MPA)

In rescue, we do our best to fully temperament test each dog prior to placement. We tend to work with selected shelters for this very reason, but there is no guarantee that the dog you adopt will not experience some type of behavior that is unacceptable.

We ask that you follow these basic guidelines to help with the transition for the dog and your family to have a successful match. Please remember that the dog will be experiencing stress with the changes he/she has recently gone through and now in a new home. One important way to reduce stress is to understand that it will take time for the new dog to adjust. It can easily take up to a year but most dogs will adjust within a few weeks. BE PATIENT!!!

The family members should act calmly about the new dog in the home. If each person is calm, then the dog will also act calm. If the dog does something inappropriate, DO NOT YELL OR HIT THE DOG. Redirect him to other activities that are acceptable, i.e. exchange a dog toy for your shoe. If the dog is jumping on you or your children, turn away and walk away... he's doing that to get your attention.

For the first 2 weeks, do not bring new people to meet him or take him new places. Let him get used to his new home and own yard... he needs to know who/what/where he is and belongs. There will be plenty of time for others to meet your new "kid".

Plan ahead with where the dog will sleep, crating, will the dog be allowed on furniture, do you understand housetraining and most importantly, be prepared to devote the necessary time to the dog for training, playing and caretaking.

GO SLOW, give him room to understand and adjust, limit social outings, stay away from the bathtub... and above all else, BE POSITIVE!!!

For help, please contact rorrcanine@gmail.com, or the email address which appears on your dog's webpage, or you may contact the Reach Out Rescue & Resources representative who assisted you in the processing of your application.

Here are some things to remember about newly adopted dogs and puppies:

• Your home will be at least the 3rd home your newly adopted dog/puppy has known - his/her original home, the shelter or foster home, and now your home.

• Adopted dogs have never had forewarning about anything - they have just been moved from place to place. This can create some uncertainty in your dog until he/she gets used to your home.

• Keep in mind that grabbing at, hugging, and kissing are all primate behaviors, not canine behaviors. Many dogs can learn to tolerate and even enjoy these things once they are comfortable with a particular person (or people). Think how you would feel if a total stranger grabbed you and held you close!

• Grabbing a dog by the collar can be perceived by a dog as very threatening and can provoke a bite. Grabbing any collar, especially a collar that will tighten around the dog's throat, affects the dog's ability to breathe and swallow. Think about what you would experience if someone grabbed you around the throat.

• In order for a dog to trust, familiarity and predictability are necessary.

Key points for bringing a new dog into your home:

• Allow the dog to explore your home while leashed for several days and do not force him/her into any area if there is resistance.

• Use gates to keep your dog with you until you are certain that he/she is comfortable and behaves predictably in your home.

• Use barriers such as doors or gates, or a leash, to prevent your dog from slipping out of any open doors.

• It is best if the dog sleeps in the same area as the owner, even if the dog is crated. This simulates natural pack behavior and promotes a feeling of safety and security. Pack animals always share a defined space while sleeping.

• Keep water available for your dog/puppy at all times. Don't ever limit your dog's/puppy's access to water. If your dog is crated, you can use a water bottle designed for use with crates if he/she knocks water bowls over.

• Take your dog to the same area of the yard to eliminate and praise and give a treat as soon as he/she finishes urinating or defecating.

• Choose pull control harnesses for walking instead of choke or prong collars if your dog has a tendency to pull on the leash.

• Enroll your dog/puppy in a training class about 2 weeks after obtaining him/her. Choose an instructor who uses motivational training and who does not promote the use of choke, prong, or shock collars.

• Ask visitors who come into your home to ignore your dog by not looking at, touching, or speaking to him/her until you're certain your dog is comfortable interacting with guests.

• Recognize that protecting food and toys is normal canine behavior and is known as resource guarding. Choose a qualified animal behavior consultant to help reduce this behavior instead of trying to change it yourself.

• Establish a routine for feeding walking, exercising, etc., to help your dog get used to a predictable environment. Knowing what to expect is comforting to your dog and will help him/her adjust to your home.

• Take very brief trips (5 minutes or less) with your dog in the car, using a seat belt harness for restraint, to help him/her gradually get used to riding in the car.

• When walking your dog, if he/she becomes fearful or agitated by another dog, child, adult, or object, immediately turn around so the dog understands that you recognize the distress and that you are handling it. This may prevent your dog from developing unwanted behavior as a response to things that may upset him/her.

• Use treats to help your dog make a positive association with things that might be perceived as threatening, i.e., visitors, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, musical instruments, alarm clocks, etc. However, give the treats before your dog reacts negatively to anything he might consider to be threatening.

• Do not correct problems because this can be perceived by your dog as threatening; instead teach your dog the behavior you want and reinforce that behavior with praise and a treat EVERY time the dog exhibits that behavior until it becomes almost second nature to your dog.

• Contact the rescue for a behavior consultant as soon as an undesirable behavior occurs. A behavior consultant can help you manage the behavior in a constructive way.

You might also find these helpful:

• Do not let your fenced yard leave you with a false sense of security. There are more and more cases of dogs being stolen.

• Dog "attacks" can be avoided. Please read "The Anatomy of a Dog Attack", from DogMagazine.com.

• Looking for some basic training tips? Check-out our "5 Minute-a-Day Dog Training" page!