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Training Your Rescue Dog – What to Do in the First Month
The first month with your canine is a crucial. It’s a time for bonding and to begin training your rescue dog.
Your rescue might have had some traumatic experiences before meeting you. So, take the time to welcome your dog into their new home properly; make sure your home is calm and quiet which will help to set your dog up for a successful transition.
In this article we share 7 tips for training your new rescue or shelter dog. There are many articles online such as, YouTube videos, and, online training courses that can help. Just be sure that they teach positive reinforcement methods that are fun for both your and your new family canine.
1. Acclimation Period – Allow Your Rescue Dog to ‘Decompress’
First things first, it’s time for your canine to get comfortable in their new environment. Remember everything is new. There are new smells, sounds like a tv, new voices, and sensations, it’s all new. Some rescue and shelter dogs have never been inside a home before. So even the touch of carpet may be strange and new. Worry not, they will adjust to the changes. With a little time and patience your shelter dog will be right at home.
Decompression
If you read about shelter or rescue dogs you likely heard the term ‘decompression’. This a time that a dog takes to orientate himself. He has likely experienced many changes and has no idea what to expect next.
You can help your dog to settle down ‘decompress’ by:
- Playing calm and quiet music
- Limiting the people you introduce
- Creating a safe place for your dog
- Allowing him to have some time to himself
- Being aware of fast moves – such as waving arms or grabbing
- Avoid vacuuming, using tools or any extreme noises
- Letting him wander and sniff around
- Placing water and food in the place you plan to leave it
- Introduce him to his bathroom place – so he can relieve himself
- Avoid jumping into training
Remember to take him/her regularly to their food and water, and, of course give lots of opportunities to go to the bathroom.
As your dogs acclimates, you will start noticing that your dog adjusts and starts learning even when you aren’t trying. Be sure to reward your dog when he is doing something positive. Use positive words, and treats. Avoid scolding, positive win when you are training your rescue dog.
If your dog sleeps a lot don’t worry. Shelters are often loud and busy. Quality sleep is likely hard to come by. This initial adjustment period can take up to 3 weeks. The first few days are crucial when introducing your dog to his name home.
2. Introduce Children and Other Pets Slowly
Give your rescue an opportunity to get acquainted with you, the new smells and sounds of your environment, and where things are. Be sure to do this in a controlled environment away from children and eager relatives who have not yet met your rescue. Be sure to introduce your rescue to your children in a calm way. And let your rescue meet other pets slowly in neutral territory such as the back yard and in short bursts. This way your rescue won’t get overly excited not stressed.
3. Stock Up on Treats and Essentials
Before bringing your new dog home, ensure you stocked up on the essentials.
Healthy dog food, lots of treats, a strong leash, toys, an escape proof harness and a pet gate (baby gate) and a cozy bed so she can lay her head. This way everything is on hand when you are ready to start training your rescue dog.
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4. Veterinary Visit
Many rescue and shelter dogs will have been checked over by a vet, and even received their vaccines. If she’s not already been seen by a veterinarian at the shelter, be sure to set an appointment up as soon as you can.
5. Establish a Routine – a Crucial Step for Training Your Rescue Dog
One of the most important steps in training your rescue dog is to establish a routine. By nature animals are creatures of habit – in the wild its the time of the day the sleep, hunt and so forth.
Routine helps build confidence in a dog. They know what is to happen and when it will happen.
A really important component of training is establishing a routine and house rules. Not only for just yourself and your new dog, but for the rest of your family as well. If your daughter lets your new dog says yes to feeding your dog under the table and that is not what you want, it’s going to cause confusion.
Be sure to set the precedent early on for how a day will look for your dog. Things like being on letting her out first thing every morning to do her business, eating times, play time and when it’s time to settle down. All is part of a routine that your will create and follow through with your new family member.
6. Start With the Bare Necessities
Your rescue may very well be house trained already . But it’s important to establish a baseline and get your dog familiar with obeying you as opposed to the care givers from her previous foster or shelter. Start with the 5 basic commands that every dog should know: Come, heel, sit, lay down, and stay.
Go over these first for the first few days, being sure to establish a consistent reward system.
6. Consider the Help of Professional When Training Your Rescue Dog if…
If your dog has extreme behavioral issues such as anxiety or aggression. While it can be disheartening, try not to be too discouraged. Your dog is a rescue, and it’s natural that some comes a bit of baggage.
Getting the help of a professional can be expensive but worthwhile when helping you and your rescue overcome any issues. Professional dog trainers will come to your home or you can visit them at their location.
If appropriate you may enroll your rescue into a group class for dogs. Make sure you clear this with the trainer first. You don’t want to throw your dog in at the deep end. That would cause overwhelm and add to any ongoing issues.
7. Consistency and Patience is Key to Training A Rescue Dog
It is paramount that the day to day routine of your new rescue and her training has consistency. If one person in your family behaves differently from you or even if you yourself are extremely involved in training one day and barely touch it the next, this will delay proper training for the dog.
Concluding Training a Rescue Dog in The First Month
Training is constant process. Just like a child your dog may try and get away with things if he can. Stay on track with your routine and reward positive behavior. Dogs love to please and are happy to show you with the patience and guidance. In no time at all your dog will reward you in leaps and bounds, and sloppy kisses too.