You can make a difference in your new dog's life.
Regardless of your experience with dogs, whether you've had 1 companion or 20, bringing a rescue into your home can be a joyful, entertaining, but sometimes challenging endeavor. Each dog has his own unique set of characteristics and experiences—
some good, some not so good—and it's up to you to help him learn how to live harmoniously within your family.
Rise to the challenge and ensure your new rescue has a successful entry into your home life
by educating yourself about rescue dogs, training methods, crate training, and more.
Ready to adopt? This is WHERE TO BEGIN your education
Start with our Guidance for Adopters of Rescue Dogs. These Guidelines offer suggestions for picking up your dog off transport, introducing your new dog to your current dog and/or cat, and more.
Your new dog doesn’t come to you with a set of perfect behaviors in place. A little attention to leadership in the beginning will strengthen your bond and will result in a happy and well-behaved dog.
The top experts give you their tips for training. Get a jump on training with these Top 10 Training Tips.
We recommend crating your dog until you are certain that he/she understands the "rules of the house." Learn how to size a crate, why crating is beneficial, and more.
Be sure to watch all the videos in the next section so you're fully informed about what lies ahead for you and your rescue dog. If you're adopting a puppy, don't miss the puppy training videos at the bottom of this page!
Videos*
Before you Adopt
WHAT RESCUE DOGS
GO THROUGH
Understanding what your new rescue dog has been through can help you make his/her transition easier.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING FOR YOUr NEW DOG TO ARRIVE
WHAT TO GET
BEFORE YOU ADOPT
In addition to the items discussed in the video, be sure to purchase an ID tag with your dog's name and your address and phone number. We also highly recommend crating your dog until you are certain that he or she knows your house rules and can abide by them when you are away. Learn more about crate training by reading the handout above.
BRINGING YOUR NEW DOG HOME
BRINGING YOUR DOG HOME (PART 1)
Follow these easy and fun steps when introducing
your new dog to your home. The time you spend together will strengthen your bond and ensure that your dog
understands what you want from her.
BRINGING YOUR DOG HOME (PART 2)
From entering your home to identifying potty space,
these simple guidelines will help you create
a plan for a smooth transition.
your first 30 days with your new dog
What to expect with your new dog (part 1)
Commitment and exercise are important for a happy, healthy dog. This video is for active people and nonactive people alike.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH YOUR NEW DOG (PART 2)
Develop a schedule to help create a calm attitude in your dog.
*Thank you to InsideOut Dog Training for these informative videos
Additional Links and Information
Love Has No Age Limit by Patricia McConnell and Karen London. Read an excerpt here.
Introducing a New Dog to Your Pack
Five Common Mistakes Adopters Make When Bringing Home a New Dog
Navigating the first weeks after adopting a dog
It's All About Quality Ingredients: Best Food for a Safe and Healthy Dog
Everything you wanted to know about caring for your dog (from the ASPCA)
Read this wonderful article from The Boston Globe: Buffy the three-legged pit bull
PAWSitive Pantry, a Vermont-based nonprofit organization, coordinates the donation, packing and distribution of dog and cat food and makes the food available to those in need for free via local food shelves and pantries. What started out as a volunteer project for a few friends quickly grew into a vibrant network of volunteers and supporters responsible for delivery of over 3,600 pounds of dog and cat food per month to food shelves and pantries across the state of Vermont.
Recommended trainer: https://www.integratedcanine.com/