Bringing a New Dog into Your Home: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re adopting a puppy or an older dog and bringing him or her into your home, there will undoubtedly be a period of adjustment for your furry friend to get comfortable and to learn the house rules. For puppies in particular, it’s important to establish clear boundaries of what is acceptable behavior and what is off-limits (both for the pup’s safety as well as the maintenance of one’s home property) from the beginning. Consistency amongst all members of the human family in how behaviors are managed helps ensure a smoother transition and more successful uptake of training principles. Understanding the needs of your particular canine companion will be key to a long-lasting, successful relationship. For example, if you have a border collie or an Australian shepherd, count on getting Fido out for a major outing such as a long walk, jog or hike at least once a day. This will allow him to put his extra energy to good use that might otherwise manifest in destructive ways such as pulling down the curtains or chewing on your favorite shoes.

If you have a young puppy, regardless of breed, be sure to restrict access to any potential ingestible foreign objects such as cords (including electrical cords, which can cause shock if chewed!), string, clothing (socks and underwear are often the worst offenders) or pieces of toys that are small enough to be swallowed. Cats and kittens are especially known to ingest linear foreign bodies such as carpet threads, yarn, string, dental floss and even holiday decorations containing ribbon or tinsel, so keep these out of reach when not under close supervision, especially during the holidays. There have even been cases of expensive jewelry such as wedding rings being swallowed, followed by determined efforts to retrieve the prized possessions from the suspected pooch.

Utilizing bitter apple spray on an item not fit for a dog to ingest can be an effective way to deter an overly inquisitive puppy from damaging it or, worse yet, swallowing it. Crates, when used in moderation and not for long stretches of time, can offer security in knowing Fluffy can be left alone while errands are run or even overnight to prevent any unforeseen house soiling or mischief from unfolding. However, overreliance on these crates can lead to insufficient socialization and delay the inevitable training that must take place if a dog is to be an active part of his human family. Observe closely for signs of restlessness or circling that could indicate your pup needs to be let outside. Have food treats handy to reward the desirable behavior so it is reinforced. Verbal praise and affection will also help your pup remember the appropriate behavior, while strengthening the human-animal bond.

Puppies have a window of about six months for optimal socialization. It is crucial to expose your dog to as many new faces, pets and places as feasible during that time period, so that s/he is well socialized in adulthood. Finding a similar-sized play companion to enable the puppy to learn bite inhibition is also very important, as well as have a healthy way to express the mouthiness puppies are known for, since clearly a human hand is inappropriate for a pup to chew on. This will teach the puppy to not bite too hard so as to break the skin, so if there is ever a time later on when the dog is suddenly frightened or in pain and bites out of instinct, there is less likelihood of a serious injury occurring. Remember that puppies are exploring the world with their mouths, so they need safe and appropriate chew toys to help them express this instinct without harming their teeth or their guardian’s furniture. An excellent choice is the rubber kong chew toys that are not too hard on the teeth yet are nearly indestructible. They can be filled with peanut butter, placed in the freezer to make a peanut butter popsicle, and offered to your precious pup to keep her safely occupied and entertained for hours.

For more guidelines on shaping your dog’s behavior, “How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves” by veterinary behaviorist Sophia Yin, DVM, is an excellent resource. QCBN

By Armaiti May

Armaiti May, DVM, is an integrative housecall veterinarian for dogs and cats practicing in the Quad Cities area. She graduated with a B.S. in Bioresource Sciences from UC Berkeley in 2001. After graduating from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, Dr. May worked at an emergency dog and cat hospital and then trained in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She also founded a non-profit organization called the Veterinary Association for the Protection of Animals, to provide education about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.