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 Tips for New Dog Adopters
• Supervise your new dog--even indoors. Keep her on a leash and introduce one room at a time. Never leave young children unsupervised with your new dog, for the child’s protection and the dog’s.
• Housetrain immediately. Take her outside, on a schedule, to the same spot every time. When she eliminates, redward her with praise and playtime. If you catch an accident in progress, instead of punishing her, issue a firm “no” and immediately take her outside.
• Introduce crate training. It gives your dog a place to escape family hubbub and you a place to confine her when you can’t supervise her. But go slowly, and always make crate time a positive experience.
• Establish a feeding schedule. Stick to it, and make your dog sit before eating.
• Get established with a vet immediately. Get your dog all necessary shots and GIVE MONTHLY HEARTWORM TREATMENT! This is not an option--this is an absolute necessity! Also, treat for ticks and fleas, preferably with a monthly preventative.
• Keep your dog properly groomed with bathing, brushing, and nail clipping.
• If an outside dog, DO NOT keep her on a fixed chain. Have a fenced-in back yard or a tie out cable for the dog. Have a dog house for shelter and always make sure she has access to plenty of clean water!
• NEVER leave your dog inside a hot car!
• Enroll in a group training class. Regardless of how well trained your dog seems, training will help you bond and provides needed socialization.
• Provide plenty of exercise.
• Deal with aggression or serious problems. Call a professional right away.
• Above all, be patient and give lots of praise.
FOR PUPPIES: HOMES CONSIDERING PUPPIES MUST BE PREPARED FOR:
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES FOR POTTY TRAINING-THEY CAN ONLY "HOLD" IT FOR ONE HOUR PER MONTH OF AGE.
CRATE TRAINING FOR THE NEXT 10 MONTHS KEEPS THEM FROM CHEWING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT.
SUPERVISION WITH CHILDREN, AND OBEDIENCE TRAINING.
SOCIALIZATION-A GOOD DOG MUST BE EXPOSED TO A LOT OF STIMULATION AS A PUPPY SO THAT NEW PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENTS DO NOT INTIMIDATE THEM AS ADULTS. THE MORE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES -IN AND OUT OF THE HOME- AS A PUPPY, THE BETTER.
ADOPTERS THAT WANT TO HAVE GOOD DOGS MUST BE PREPARED TO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT INTO TRAINING. PUPPIES IN PARTICULAR ARE A LOT OF WORK !! THEIR BEHAVIOR AND STAGES ARE EQUIVALENT TO A 2 OR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD. IT TAKES A FULL YEAR TO HAVE A CALMER, WELL ADJUSTED DOG! PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER ADOPTING A PUPPY IF YOU HAVE NOT THOROUGHLY THOUGHT THROUGH THE PROS AND CONS OF A PUPPY...PUPPIES CHEW, JUMP AND THEY CAN BE HYPER. THIS IS NORMAL PUPPY BEHAVIOR.
PATIENCE, TOYS, SOCIALIZATION, SUPERVISION AND OBEDIENCE TRAINING IS A MUST!!
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