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Dog Adoption Tips
updated: Jan 12, 2013, 2:00 PM
Dog Adoption Tips As You Embark on Your New Life Together
Dear Dog Parents,
Welcome to the New Year! With the paw-liday season being a popular time to fetch a new dog or puppy,
I thought it'd be a good idea to share a few helpful dog-training and management tips to help all of you
start out on the right paw.
Here are the four tenets of my Mutt Model:
Know Your Animal!
Settling in to a new home and lifestyle takes time for any animal -- human or non-human,--especially
when cultural norms vary. We inquisitive canines come with a pre-installed list of species-specific
behaviors, such as jumping up to say hello, eliminating where and when we feel the urge, and chewing
whatever strikes our fancy. These traits are what make us dogs dogs. If you find them to be more
annoying than cute, it'll be important for you to take the time to teach your pooch what it is you want,
and where and when you want it.
Whaddya Want?
Do you want your dog to know the rules of the household such as where and when to go to the
bathroom, sitting, and lying down? How about walking on a leash? If any of these behaviors, or others,
strike your fancy, then plan a routine right away. Puppies, adult dogs, purebreds, rescues; it doesn't
matter how old or where they came from, every dog will need to be taught what you want. Just because
an animal knows how to behave in one place doesn't mean they'll figure out how to transfer these skills
to their new home without a few instructions. You might want to sign up for a class, or take the DIY
approach and homeschool. Either way, your dog will learn, plus it'll be a nice way to strengthen your
new friendship.
Reward. Reward. Reward.
Whether relocating from a shelter to a high-rise in the city, or from a breeder's home to a ranch out in
the country (and everything in between), you'll need to take the time to reward your new pooch for
doing what you want, when you want, and where you want. You can never thank an animal enough for
making good choices, especially for things like going to the bathroom outdoors in the middle of winter!
Ease Into the Transition:
Dogs in general are social animals. They do better when they're with family, friends and/or siblings--
even those of another species--than when left alone. If you intend to leave your dog alone, help him or
her to ease into the new routine by making it fun. Avoid the risk of destructive behaviors and/or
isolation distress by taking the time to teach your dog to be independent and to enjoy being alone. This
is as important for them as it is for you. Providing enrichment activities, making sure they've been given
adequate mental and physical exercise before being left, and starting out with short absences are just a
few things to add to your action plan.
Paws and Reflect
From what I've witnessed, it seems that becoming a new dog parent is super exciting, even during those
moments of panic when you're asking yourself, "What do I do now?" But before you decide to crawl into
a dog-crate and hide, remember that a little planning can make for a smooth transition. Take the time
to understand what your dog or puppy needs, go over the house rules, teach any skills that go along
with those rules and manage their environment to help prevent mishaps. Soon it'll be as if you've been
BFF's --that's "best fur-friend"--all along.
____________________________________________________________________
Poncho Mayer is a 10-pound inquisitive canine who knows a lot about human and canine behavior.
He and his mom work together running the family business, providing dog-training services to other
inquisitive canines and their humans. For additional training and behavior tips, subscribe to their blog.
Let's connect!
www.inquisitivecanine.com
www.twitter.com/ponchothedog
www.facebook.com/inquisitivecanine
Got a question about behavior, training or daily pup life? Email Poncho directly at
advice@theinquisitivecanine.com
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