You’ve done an awesome thing saving a dog’s life! Life isn’t all fun and games tho, now the work starts.
Here’s a few tips to help him stay home with his new family:
Rules and Boundaries: Love alone won`t keep him home. Set your rules from day one! Many dogs get returned or given up on because we allow certain behaviors at first, which can quickly become nuisance behaviors. You don't have to be mean about it but be confident, consistent, patient & persistant.
Acclimation Time: You may have gotten lucky & found the perfect dog that fits in from the first minute, but remember you don't really know how your new best friend's life started. Pretty typically we say 3 to 5 days for acclimation - he might start perfect, but start showing you his true personality after this period. You might have a couple potty accidents, he might try to chew things he shouldn't, don't get mad, he doesn't know - teach him what you want, prevent what you don't, be patient, consistent, & persistent.
Exercise: Exercise is the most important thing you can do to prevent "bad" behaviors. Don't just throw your new best friend in the back yard! I'm talking exercise with you - walking is great bonding time, at least 15min w/ small dogs & 30min with med to large dogs. Playing tug or fetch is great if you want to just put him in the backyard, if he doesn't know or care about play at least have your coffee out there with him. Play builds engagement.
Train: You're dog will dictate the amount of training he needs. What you want comes second. You're dog wants to work for and please you, give him what he needs. The more you reward the more you get, focus on rewarding behaviors you want. You should teach him basic obedience but in the least all dogs need to have a good recall, stay/wait, leave-it/no. Training is all about patience, repetition & consistency. You can't blame him if you don't train him.
Responsibility: If you rescued your dog to "teach your kid responsibility", you've got it wrong! You need to teach your kid to be responsible for the dog. You are the teacher, not the dog! It may get hard after working hard all day, but as the adult you signed up for the responsibility. And look, a year or so of good work, and you'll have 10-15 more years of satisfying, happy & balanced friendship.
Quick Mulit-dog Tips: 1. Feed separate and observe for at least one month, be careful with toys at first as well. 2. Alone time: this is a big change for all involved, absence grows fondness - walk together, separate; supervised play, separate. 3. Solo time: this is different than "alone time"; this traning, walk, and/or play with just you/another family member, they need to continue bonding with you. 4. You're new dog is not your original dog's equal, he needs to earn the same freedoms, crating is helpful in helping your new pup acclimate as well as learning the rules and boundaries he needs to succeed in your home.
Be patient with your new best friend, his life may not have started out great, but you’ve changed that! There are some great videos on youtube to help you out, and if you need more than just videos – find help, one-on-one instruction can be super beneficial.
You’ve changed this dog’s life, don’t give up on him.
