BY FRAN JEWELL
Bringing a new dog into your life is an exciting new time. It’s so much fun to get to know your new dog—the things she likes or doesn’t like, what are special toys to her, going on walks and watching her explore her new environment with you and your family. I especially remember bringing my Mavis home. She had lived with a breeder in a kennel for her first three years. It was a gorgeous facility and she got plenty of exercise and training. But, Mavis was one of many, didn’t get to come into the house, and she had no one that she “belonged” to. That is so important for a German shepherd—to have that special person. When I first brought her home, I had to teach her housetraining, not to jump on the furniture, no counter surfing and that night was quiet time. She was much like a puppy, but she was 3 years old!
As I began to trust her to “come” to me in the backyard with the distraction of the other dogs, I decided it was time for a walk in the woods. This was not something Mavis had experienced before, nor had she been a member of a pack before. She had never played in a stream and surely never had the fun of scenting wild animals in the forest! When we got to our secret walk area, we practiced a few “comes” on a long line before I went farther. I wanted to make sure she would indeed come, even with all this new distraction and scent overload. Mavis is extremely food motivated and quick to return to me, so I let her off the leash to run. To see her run free in the woods, explore the stream and be a member of my pack gave me a lump in my throat. I felt so blessed that I could give her this experience and know that she would continue to have these experiences the rest of her life.
Anyone who has rescued a dog, regardless of the dog’s previous situation, knows that incredible feeling of being able to give this incredible lifestyle we have here to a new dog.
But, what I tried to include here are some of the things that were critical to helping Mavis adjust. The first seven weeks that you have a new dog in your home is called the “honeymoon period.” During that time some dogs will be angel dogs and lure you into believing that life will be very simple with your new pet. Other dogs are full of complicated behaviors and destruction. When that seven weeks passes, that is when we will see the true nature of your new dog shine through.
What you must do is to make this transition period as comfortable as possible for your dog. Comfortable doesn’t mean no rules, no boundaries, sleeping on the sofa or in your bed. It means letting your dog know what the rules are at your house—no going potty in the house, no jumping on the counters, sleeping should be in a controlled area for now, and sitting for everything your dog wants. Establish your benevolent leadership in a manner the dog understands. This is for the dog’s comfort. Spoiling a new dog will not help her feel more comfortable; it will only confuse her and create stress.
Mavis learned very quickly what the program was at my house. Her transition was pretty darned good and now, 13 years later, she has been such a joy to live with!
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.