Adopting a rescue dog can be very exciting! For your new pup though, moving into a brand new situation can be very scary. Especially if they are coming from a constant ear-piercing bark, noisy, stressful shelter. TAKE IT SLOW! Patience will be needed by your whole family, to help your dog settle in and succeed in your home. 

Give them time to decompress. You may be tempted to bring all  of your friends and relatives over to meet Fido. Please don't. They need time to get to know your family, humans &  house dogs and cats. SLOW IS KEY! The tall wall-mounted walk through gate shown in the photo makes a great way for your dogs/cats to become familiar with each other in a slow and safe manner, while your rescue dog is acclimating to all of the newness. This gate can be found on Amazon.

Another very important necessity is to be sure to feed everyone separately, having their own eating space. And absolutely NO BONES should be given to anyone until everyone has gotten to know each other. Only give treats that can be eaten quickly and supervisor closely. Many rescue dogs have come from not-so-great homes or situations where they have been food deprived. It's best to OVERFEED them so that they realize that they will always have enough food. This simple step can prevent potential food guarding of a once food deprived dog. 

Sleeping in your room versus a separate room or basement, even in a large cage placed in your bedroom in the beginning, can help provide a bond with you and also provide the pup with a sense of security, reinforcing that you are their new pack. Dogs are pack animals by instinct and sleep with the pack. 

Be sure to EXPECT HICCUPS. Don't throw the towel in when you have setbacks. Seek help from a FEAR FREE trainer who can provide you with the tools you need to help your dog succeed. Do your research when it comes to selecting a trainer. There are far too many trainers that use shock collars or fear inducing training methods. This will end up causing more fear in your new addition, and even possible aggression. Even the AVMA, American Veterinary Medical  Association does NOT condone adverse training methods. Many studies have revealed that they just don't work and cause future serious behavior issues. 

Good luck and THANK YOU for adopting a dog in need!!

SEPARATION ANXIETY REHAB

It's a long process and you have to do this slowly and methodically BUT IT REALLY WORKS and will pay off in a huge way.  

Get into a routine before you leave to prep your dog and signal that you are leaving. Put on the tv, give them a special treat, and tell them you will be right back.  Do this for just a minute or so at first, even if you just go to your car.  Set up a camera to see what pup is doing as well.  As soon as they get upset (give at least 30 seconds), come right back in and don't make a fuss.  Increase the time as pup increases their calmness. REPEAT OVER AND OVER. 

It will take time and repetition but it WILL WORK. If you leave pup too soon, and force the separation anxiety, it will worsen and it will trigger more.  
A great thing to do is to make the safe space to be in front of a window so they can watch for your car and your return. And provide lots of chew toys to keep them occupied. And soothing doggy music or TV.

If you force kenneling when they already have severe fear of being locked in a cage and having separation anxiety, they will likely completely freak out in the kennel and it probably won’t get any better until you work through the fear.  Being locked away is too much for some dogs to handle because of their past baggage. You have to get to the root cause. Desensitizing really works!! 

They will eventually do so well with being able to watch out the window, knowing that you WILL return. 

For more important info: https://www.wikihow.pet/End-Dog-Separation-Anxiety-With-Desensitization

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP!

​Did you know that every single time a rescue dog is "returned" to the shelter or rescue group, for whatever the reason, they end up with more baggage; more fear and more uncertainty. 

If your dog is struggling or having behavior challenges after moving into your home, chances are VERY highly likely that there are solutions to the problems. Chewing, separation anxiety, having accidents in the house, are ALL FIXABLE. There are solutions to every single behavior quirk.

PLEASE, PLEASE give them time and find the resources needed to help them succeed. Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment and they are counting on you not to give up. 

*SEE "HOW TO DESENSITIZE YOUR PUP WHO HAS SEPARATION ANXIETY" BELOW