The Rescue Dog's Transition

So you’ve decided to do a great thing and rescue that dog that has been returned back to the shelter on more than one occasion. How do you introduce this guy to his new environment, dog-brothers and sisters, and home dynamic? Very delicately.

Most families hold on to the back story of abuse or neglect and coddle, baby, and over spoil their new rescue not realizing this will fuel those problematic behaviors he was surrendered for originally. Doting on an overly aroused, pushy, reactive dog will only get you more of the same. Additionally, if you currently have a couple of dogs within the household, there already is a hierarchy set amongst them. A new dog will disrupt this if not given proper guidance and structure while advocating for the current dynamic.

Routine and rigorous structure are of utmost importance for no less than the first month in the new home. Dog privileges, couch time, affection, play, must be earned through good, consistent behavior. Routine needs to be established so the new member of your pack isn’t left guessing or filling in the blanks where you haven’t communicated your intent.

EVERYTHING should be scheduled and controlled from the minute you wake up to when you lay back down. At no time should the new dog be able to make decisions or choices on his own regarding ANYTHING.  No free-roaming. He should always be kept in command, in either a Down, or Place. Practice massive amounts of Permission Based Training (Waiting for Food, Thresholds, Crate Manners, Controlled Heal, Place Duration). Crate your dogs when you are unable to fully attend to their business. No free roaming should be allowed. Play time is left for the outdoors in a controlled setting while advocating for each and every dog.

Only when you get consistent, AMAZING behavior, all of the time, should you start doling out rewards strategically: affection, play time, free-roam. If any regression toward bad choices occurs, dial back the amount of freedom. 

This type of intiial structure is far more important for your new dog's state of mind than your cozy bed, treats, hugs and kisses, and endless toys could ever be when transitioning into his new home.

Calm On Command

Why so much focus on creating CALM with our dogs? Aren’t they supposed to have fun and run around like little maniacs? Creating Calm On Command can have a major impact on arousal and anxiety issues. By changing the overall state of mind of the dog, he will be able to make great choices, showing his best behavior.

Most dog owners are all too familiar with pets that are in a constant state of arousal. Arousal in our dogs can oftentimes be confused with excitement and happiness. When there is no on/off button to press, arousal can perpetuate really bad decision making, such as escalation into a dog fight, biting, charging the door, or barking incessantly at the cat passing by the window. 

Anxiety, on the other hand, comes in the form of heavy panting, shaking, drooling, whining, barking, or destroying your household items. An anxious dog doesn't have the ability to make good decisions either. Oftentimes, dog owners tend to feel bad for dogs in this mental state, and offer affection to sooth and comfort, Unfortunately, dogs see affection as a reward, and this then creates more of the same unwanted behavior.  

So how do we cultivate Calm On Command?  The Place Command is great place to start. Place encourages relaxation and impulse control. We trainers like to call it puppy meditation due to its ability to transform the dog's state of mind. It helps condition the dog to be relaxed. Giving your dog a non-negotiable task to perform, allows him to focus. Soon you see all of the arousal and anxiety dissipate, allowing for your best dog to shine through. 

All of those dogs you see charging the door, barking at guests, pacing in the crate, or whining, are in a constant unhealthy mental state. It's actually unfair to the dog to allow the behavior to continue.  Having that on/off switch is clutch in cultivating that healthy dog we all want to be a part of the family! 

So my story on creating Calm began with the inability to take my pack anywhere out in public. Porter would scream as soon as the keys jingled. Pulling the parking brake in my Jeep, forget about it! I had three hairy maniacs going completely bazerk! Porter and Harlow teamed up to let any guest know that they weren't welcome! Barking and growling at the slightest knock at the door was inevitable. If you could have seen how unstable my pack was, you would have laughed, or just not come over! Implementing the Place command on a daily basis when I'm cooking, working, reading, or cleaning has really transformed my house to one that is totally Calm. Reading and training with some of the world's best dog trainers, has inspired me to help others that may be enduring the same, or similar circumstances. 

So I'm telling you, Place is where the magic is at!