Proper Introduction Instructions 

Please watch this video to prepare yourself on what to do the first 48 hours of bringing your new dog home. 

Watch this First 48 "Preventative Measures"

Link:  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/first48

Code: AAUFirst48

To ensure your dog adjusts well, is comfortable and acclimates in its new home please read these helpful tips. 

Preparing for your dog 

• Have an ID tag ready before you pick your dog up along with a collar. As soon as you bring your dog home, show him where to potty. Praise him when he goes there. 
• Even housebroken dogs have accidents, especially their first week adjusting home. Be prepared with plenty of paper towels and urine-scent-killing cleaning products like Simple Solution. 
• Make sure you have a crate before bringing your dog home. For our two week trials we provide a crate for you and you can purchase them from us if you decide to finalize the adoption. 
• Make sure to feed your dog a good grade of dog food. It saves money on health care in the long run. When you change their diets make sure to do it gradually to avoid an upset stomach. 
• Feed the dog a set schedule, typically twice a day. To prevent fights, feed peers separately. 
• On the first day, don't stay with your dog the whole time - that can lead to separation anxiety. 
• Chewing is a normal dog behavior, make sure when you leave your dog alone that you pick up anything off the floor that you don't want your dog to chew. 
• Don’t stick your face in the dog’s face until knowing the dog is settled in and you can trust him.
• Make sure you buy your dog year-round heart worm preventive and flea medicine. 
• Make sure you enter in your calendar when your dogs rabies and vaccines are due. 

The first week The first week your dog is home it is best to keep your dog in a crate so they can decompress and settle in. Leash walk only! When you get home let them walk around the house ( with no other dogs out ) and let them smell and get to know everything around them. Keep their crate in a low traffic area where they can relax. Please understand that transitioning into a new home should be a gradual process. 

What you can plan to see in the first few days: 

Lethargy: Your pet is going to be exhausted from the last few weeks. Your dog will need time to rest and recover from all excitement. Don’t over do it. 

Loss of Appetite: It can take some pets a few days to build up their appetites. Don't stews too much if they don't want to eat right away. If this persists for a few days, call your veterinarian. 

Diarrhea/vomiting: Dog’s react to stress with their stomachs. They also get an upset stomach from switching their food. Sometimes seeing mild, loose stool or an episode of vomiting is normal. If it more intense than this call your vet! I suggest feeding them boiled chicken and white rice for the first few days and then gradually add dog food. 

Introducing your dog: It’s best to let dogs become familiar with each other on neutral territory: outdoors. Each dog should be walked separately on a leash, and each walker should have a bag of high-value treats or food broken into small pieces. At first, walk the dogs at a distance where they can see each other but are not too provoked by each other’s presence. If the dogs are not showing any negative behaviors, reward them with treats just for seeing each other. For example, when the dog you’re walking looks at the other dog, you can say “Good boy!” in a happy, friendly voice and give him a treat. Repeat often. Do this about 3 times a day. Watch carefully for body postures that indicate a defensive or wary response, including hair standing up on the dog's back, teeth baring, growling, a stiff-legged gait or a prolonged stare. If you see such postures, either when the dogs are at a distance or near each other, immediately and calmly interrupt the interaction by interesting the dog in something else. If the dogs seem relaxed and comfortable, you can shorten the distance between them. Again, offer treats to the dogs any time they look at each other in a relaxed manner. It’s possible that the dogs will just want to play with each other by the middle of the walk. It’s also possible that it will take more time before the dogs are comfortable enough to walk side by side. The most important thing is to take this introduction slowly. The more patient you are, the better your chance of success. Do not force the dogs to interact. Once the dogs are able to view each other at a close proximity, allow one dog to walk behind the other, and then switch. If the dogs remain comfortable, allow them to walk side by side. Finally, let the dogs interact under close supervision. If one or both dogs show any signs of stress or agitation, proceed more slowly with the introduction.

Feeding and Toys Make sure that there are no toys, food or treats left around the home that the dogs could potentially fight over. Also, be aware of situations that could lead to conflict—for example, when the dogs get overly excited. Closely monitor the dogs when they are together, rewarding them with treats, until you are 100% confident they are comfortable and safe with each other. Make sure to feed them separately until you get to know your new dog more and feel completely confident and safe. 

Crating Always crate your new dog while you are not home. They will want a safe place to be in when they are alone in a new environment. You can throw a treat in their crate as they go in which shows them that their crate is a fun and rewarding place to be. 

Training You can build up respect, pack structuring, training and communication by practicing commands 3-5 times a day for 3-5 minutes. ( Sit, yes, treat ) , ( Come, yes, treat ) A dog needs to be mentally stimulated and theres some fun mental games that will exercise and wear your dog out mentally. 

First- Time Dog Owners 

• Consider how you are going to schedule time to walk and play with the dog each day? At what times will you take the dog out for poppy breaks and exercise? ( Review a schedule; dogs typically should be taken outside upon waking, after breakfast, mid day or right after work, after dinner, and before you go to sleep at night. ) 
• Can you always get home after work, before going out again? Do you have a reliable pet-walker or neighbor to take your dog out when you cant get home on time? 
• Dogs are like children - you must educate and guide them. Are you willing to take the time to teach them acceptable behavior with consistent, positive reinforcement? 

Homes With Children

• Make sure you obtain a crate before bringing a new dog home. 
• Advise parents never to leave the dog alone with their children or their children’s friends until you 100% know your dog. 
• Explain to the whole family “ A dog can’t cry or whine when he is unhappy Instead, he may growl or try to bite.” When a dog shows signs of getting tired, leave him alone. 
• Share the “dog/ doorknob” rule with your family. “ Don’t turn the doorknob until you know where the dog is, and that your dog cant run out the door. Or else she could get hit by a car! “ 
• Young children should not walk the dog by themselves. 
• I suggest obedience training for the whole family. 

If you have any questions or need advice please get in contact with me. I am more than happy to help in anyway I can. 

Caitlin Beadles : 404-951-8330

        caitlinsvineofbravery@gmail.com