First 30 Days

You did it! You found and adopted the most perfect dog in the world. One who will love you forever and ever and will never run out of tail wags and licks.

Now what? Here are just a few important tips for your first 30 days of adoption.

BEFORE:

• Even before your new doggie comes home with you make sure that you have the space and the materials you need. Think crate, gates, dog beds, toys, food and food bowls, treats, and puppy pads. Some ideas below, and a longer new doggie checklist here.


Try a few different toys to figure out what your new dog prefers: chewy bones, squeaky toys, or food-filled Kongs.


Baby gates are a great way to contain your dog - bathrooms and kitchens work well because of easy clean up. 


Crate-training is imperative, so make sure you chose the right crate for your pup.


Be sure to ask what food your dog enjoyed at his foster home or shelter. Make the change gradually, adding new food to the old food over the next few weeks. 

• Doggie-proof your home, especially if you're adopting a puppy. Puppies are curious and will explore with their noses and their teeth so make sure that valuables (think shoes, rugs, breakables) and dangerous items (think electrical cords, sharp objects, cleaning supplies) are out of reach.

FIRST DAYS:

• Set-up the introductions. First impressions are important, so if you have other pets or children in the household make sure they are properly introduced to your new dog. Here's one article on how to do so with dogs, cat, and child.

• Microchip your dog, if she's not already. Even if your dog spends all her time inside, there is still a risk of her getting out or getting lost. Make sure she's found and returned safely with microchipping.

• Crate-train. This has many benefits for the dog and the human: the pup has their very own safe and comfortable space and the human can leave their dog alone knowing they will not come home to a destroyed living room. Not sure how to crate-train? Check out this article.

• Bathroom time - make sure that your dog knows where to eliminate from the very first day and give praise when he does it in the correct place. Be ready for a few (or more) accidents and be patient as your doggie adjusts to his  new environment and his new routine. It might take time, but it will happen.

• Go slow - acclimating to the new environment, people, food, noises, and smells may take some time. There will be bad days and good days. You will take steps forward and steps backwards. The important thing is not to give up. 

FIRST WEEKS:

• Create a routine - this applies to feeding, play time, and potty time. A feeding routine will help your doggie eliminate in a timely manner while play time is instrumental in having a happy dog.
  
  Focus on reward-based training, rewarding good behavior (going to the bathroom, not chewing, staying in the crate etc) and ignoring bad behavior (whining, barking, begging, potty accidents).

• A vet visit is highly recommended during the first month. Even if your new doggie has all his shots and vaccinations, it's a great idea to have your local vet do a work-up to make sure that everything is in order. 

• Start training the second your puppy is home. Teaching commands such as 'potty', 'crate', 'wait', and 'no' are essential for a well-behaved dog. Make sure you and your family members use the same commands to avoid confusion and speed up the training process. Check out this article to learn how to talk to your dog. 

Training classes could be a fun experience, both for you and your dog and there are plenty to choose from, starting from your local pet store to specialized trainers.

• Be patient - your new family member has gone through a huge change, especially if your doggie is older. They may have to learn new behaviors or relearn behaviors previously considered absolutely normal.

• Enjoy! Be consistent and patient and soon you'll have the most well-behaved dog on the block!