By Cesar Millan
Introducing a new dog into your home is an exciting and joyful experience. However, it requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry family member. In this article, we will explore the essential steps you need to take to bring a new dog into your home and establish a balanced and harmonious environment.
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Set Rules From The Beginning
In order to have a well-balanced dog, it is crucial to establish clear house rules and set boundaries from the moment your new dog enters your home. The message you send your dog during this initial stage is vital, as it sets the foundation for their behavior and understanding of your expectations. By allowing your dog to freely roam without any guidance, you inadvertently communicate that there are no rules or limitations. This can lead to a range of behavioral issues such as chewing on shoes, not being housebroken, excessive begging, and jumping on furniture or people. To avoid these problems, it is essential to follow these eight essential steps:
1. Remain Calm
When you bring your new dog home, it is important to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. While it may be tempting to shower them with excitement and affection, this can overwhelm the dog during an already stressful period of transition. Instead, accept them into your space with a minimum of attention or affection. Remember, this calm approach should be maintained throughout the entire process.
2. Take a Long Walk
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Once you arrive home, take your dog for a long walk around their new neighborhood. This serves two purposes – it helps drain their excess energy and brings them to a calmer state, and it allows them to become familiar with the new sights, sounds, and smells of their surroundings.
3. Introduce Your Home
After the walk, keep your dog on a leash and properly introduce them to their new pack den – your home. Stand at the front door and ask them to sit or lie down before allowing them to enter. By leading the way, you establish yourself as the pack leader and demonstrate that they must wait for your invitation.
4. Take The Tour
Once inside, lead your dog from room to room while keeping them on the leash. Use the leash to keep them by your side and prevent them from wandering or sniffing excessively. Spend a few minutes in each room, ensuring that you enter first before allowing your dog to follow. Every door presents an opportunity to reinforce your leadership – always go first, and wait for your dog to receive permission before entering or exiting any space. If you have an outside area, treat it the same way.
5. No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact
During the tour, communicate with your dog using only body language or simple sounds such as “Tsch!” or a finger snap. Refrain from speaking and keep stimulation to a minimum. Your dog may be overwhelmed by the new environment, so reducing distractions will help keep their focus on you.
6. The Feeding Area
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After completing the tour, bring your dog to their designated feeding area. Offer them a small reward of water and a few bits of food, but not a full bowl yet. Remember to keep your dog on the leash during this time.
7. The Dog’s Bedroom
If you have a specific area where you want your dog to rest or stay when they need to be out of the way, bring them there next. This could be their bed, a corner in the living room, or their crate. Once you arrive, you can finally let your dog off the leash, signaling that this space belongs to them. Don’t be surprised if they choose to settle down and observe their new surroundings for a while. It’s a natural process for them to find their place within their new home.
8. Exude Calm-Assertive Energy
After completing the previous steps, establish yourself as the Pack Leader by exuding calm-assertive energy throughout the rest of your day. Encourage everyone in the household to ignore the dog, providing only minimal acknowledgment if they approach you. This consistent approach will reinforce your role as the pack leader and help your new dog understand the rules and dynamics of their new pack.
By following these eight essential steps, you will effectively introduce a new dog into your home, establish boundaries, and promote a harmonious environment. Remember to stay calm and assertive throughout this process, as your energy and guidance play a critical role in your dog’s successful integration into their new pack. Happy dog parenting!
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Category: Dog rescue
