Adopting a rescue dog is an incredible experience, filled with joy, challenges, and countless rewarding moments. But how do you ensure your new furry friend feels right at home?
In this episode, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know when bringing a rescue dog into your life. I’ll share practical tips to help you navigate potential challenges and make this transition as smooth as possible. Plus, stick around for some fun holiday gift ideas for your dog that will bring joy to both of you this season!
What you’ll hear:
- How to set your home up for success before your new dog arrives.
- Ways to help your dog feel secure and stable.
- Tips to gradually ease your dog into new environments, people, and pets.
- The 3-3-3 rule: the common phases of adjustment—3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months.
- When to seek help and consider rehoming as a last resort.
- Holiday gift ideas: I share my top picks for toys, treats, and other gifts your dog will love.
Adopting a rescue dog can be life-changing—for both you and your new pet. With preparation, patience, and plenty of love, you’ll create a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Thank you for taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive more training tips, canine wellness advice and fun activities for dogs and their owners!
If you have questions about today’s episode, or if there’s a topic you want to learn more about, come connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @mannersformutts. If you enjoyed this podcast, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review – I’d love to hear what’s been helpful for you and your canine friends. Talk to you next time!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Staci Lemke:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
Staci Lemke 00:00:00 Adopting a rescue dog can be an exciting and rewarding experience. You’ve taken the opportunity to give a deserving animal a new, wonderful life, and you’ve earned the right to be proud of yourself. What happens after you bring your new dog home? Do they settle right in? Well, probably not without some help from you, their new parents. In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt podcast, I’m going to share with you seven tips that will help your newly adopted rescue dog thrive in their new home. Hello and welcome to The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast. I’m your host, certified professional dog trainer, and registered veterinary technician, Stacey Lemke. Join me as I discuss all things dog, from canine wellbeing to basic training to modifying problem behaviors. Whether you’re a first time puppy parent or have had dogs your whole life. This podcast will help you have a better relationship with your best friend. My passion is to help you have the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. Now let’s dive into today’s episode. Tip number one. Prepare for their arrival.
Staci Lemke 00:01:14 Gather necessary supplies. Make sure you have everything you need before your new dog arrives. You’ll need things like food. Try to feed the same food the dog was eating. You can switch later if you want to, but for now, it’s best to make as few changes as possible. You’ll need food and water bowls, some kind of bedding, a collar, leash, harness, ID tag, a variety of toys and shoes, and a good enzymatic cleaner for cleaning up accidents. Also any grooming supplies you may need. Once you’ve gathered the supplies, it’s time to prepare your home. Remove or secure anything harmful, such as electrical cords, toxic plants, or items they could chew. Designate a quiet area for your new dog to decompress, like a crate, pen or quiet room. Initially, you’ll want to limit the dog’s access until you gradually introduce them to your home. And you can do this using baby gates or by closing off doors to off limit rooms. Tip number two establish a routine. Dogs thrive on routine.
Staci Lemke 00:02:16 Familiar routines. Build trust and help your new dog feel secure in the new environment. Plan a consistent schedule for feeding potty breaks, walks, alone time and playtime. Decide on the house rules. Will the dog be allowed on the furniture? Where will the dog sleep? Make sure that everyone in the household follows the new rules. Tip number three go slow with introductions. It may be tempting to show off your new dog to all your friends and family, and most of them will also be chomping at the bit to meet your new BFF. However, greeting strangers is a stressful experience for a dog, even if they might appear happy and excited at the time. It’s much better to take things slow. Avoid having guests until your new dog is more settled. This allows the dog time to bond with you, their new family, and learn the routine. The first interactions in the home should be calm and quiet. Ask family members to sit down quietly and not push interactions. Allow the dog to approach the person when ready and instruct them to give the dog space when needed.
Staci Lemke 00:03:23 Tip number four use positive reinforcement. Reward good behaviors with treats, praise and affection. This helps your new dog associate the new environment with positive experiences. Avoid punishment as it can increase fear and anxiety. You want your new dog to learn that they can trust you, and positive reinforcement will help build your bond and develop a trusting relationship. Be patient when starting training. Remember that some rescue dogs may have had little to no training or have had negative training experiences, so start slow with easy behaviors. Also, don’t hesitate to hire a positive reinforcement dog trainer to help guide you and your new dog through this transitional phase. Tip number five. Observe and adapt. Watch for signs of stress or discomfort, such as hiding, excessive panting, or avoiding eye contact. You may need to adjust your approach based on their needs. New surroundings, unfamiliar people, new routines, and unfamiliar situations can be overwhelming for any dog, no matter what their background is. It’s not uncommon for a rescue dog to hide at first or appear anxious or shy.
Staci Lemke 00:04:41 They may show a decreased appetite or lapses in potty training. Remember, be patient. Take things at your dog’s pace. Do not push for too much. Too soon your dog will open up and start to relax when they’re ready to. Tip number six. Understand the 333 rule, which is really more of a general guideline than a rule for the adjustment period of a newly adopted dog. The first three days, your dog may feel overwhelmed, unsure, or even scared. They might hide, test boundaries or refuse food. Focus on giving them space, establishing a routine, and being patient. The first three weeks they start to settle in, understand the routine and feel more at ease. You might notice more of their personality emerging and this is a good time to begin with. Some basic training and socialization. The first three months, your dog will start to feel like part of the family and more secure in their surroundings. The trust deepens and they more fully adapt to their new lifestyle. Remember that this is just a rough timeline, and individual dogs will vary based on individual factors.
Staci Lemke 00:05:49 Things that may affect how quickly and newly adopted dog adjusts include past trauma. So dogs with histories of abuse or neglect may take longer to adjust. Breed traits. Since some breeds of dogs are naturally more outgoing than others, they may naturally adapt more quickly, while others take more time. Age puppies may adjust faster than older dogs, but again, this is an individual thing. It depends on the individual and environment. A quiet, consistent home can speed up the adjustment process. Tip number seven. And this is probably the most important tip that I can give you. And that is have patience. While some dogs may settle in within days, others could take several months to fully relax and feel at home. By providing consistent routines and plenty of positive reinforcement, allowing them to adjust at their own pace without forcing interactions. Observing their behavior and adjusting your approach to meet their needs, your rescue dog will gradually learn to trust you and feel at home in their new environment. It may be frustrating at times, but your patience and hard work will be rewarded and you’ll have a happy, wonderful relationship with your new furry family member.
Staci Lemke 00:07:05 So there you have it. My seven tips to help your rescue dog settle into your home. Is your cute and cuddly puppy suddenly misbehaving? That same puppy that wanted nothing more than to be with you 24 over seven now, doesn’t even seem to know that you exist. Your dog is not a puppy anymore. He’s now an adolescent. If you’re missing out on the true joy of sharing your life with a dog because of your puppy’s new naughty behaviors, then check out my online course, Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence. This course will help you understand the changes your dog is going through, and will give you a simple, step by step training strategy. You’ll get all the tools you need to eliminate unwanted behaviors and create the well-mannered dog of your dreams. Simply go to manners for mutts. Com Backslash Adolescence to sign up today. Welcome to Trainor’s choice. This is where I share with you my favourite toys, treats and activities for you and your dogs to enjoy. With the holiday season upon us and Christmas just around the corner.
Staci Lemke 00:08:17 We’re all thinking about gift giving. Well, I’m here to remind you that the pups in your life are expecting gifts too. Now, I know there are people out there who love the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. However, I’m not much of a shopper, and even less so this time of year. I don’t like battling for parking, being swallowed up by large crowds, or standing in long lines. So if you’re anything like me, not a huge fan of shopping in person, never fear. I have put together the ultimate wish list for your dog with my top four favourite toys and treats that you can order online and get delivered right to your door. No hassle shopping for your furry family members. On the list you’ll find Bark pouch Lickable dog treats. The pouches look like those food pouches that you give kids that have applesauce or veggie puree in them, and the kids kind of suck the food out. Well, that’s bark pouch only with flavors dogs like, such as beef and liverwurst or salmon and ricotta cheese.
Staci Lemke 00:09:21 Five different flavors altogether. Bark pouch is super easy to use. Simply unscrew the top, squeeze the pouch, and allow the dog to lick at the food. Also included on the list are Fig and Tyler 100% meat freeze dried treats. These treats come in a variety of flavors of meats, fish, and even cheese. And I love these treats for dogs with allergies because they only have one ingredient. Next up is the tugging of faux fur. Squeaker dog toy this dog toy is extra long, which makes it great for chasing, and it has a bungee cord handle to absorb shock when playing tug. And finally, the ultimate gift for the most discerning of dogs the pup Pod Rocker Interactive puzzle toy. It has six levels of difficulty. So as your dog gets better, the game gets more challenging. It comes with a camera so that you can watch your dog play from anywhere and has a mobile app, so you can also start the game from anywhere. And this one is a bit pricey, but it is the most advanced interactive food dispensing puzzle toy ever created.
Staci Lemke 00:10:27 And as a special gift from me to you, I’ve included discount codes so that you can save money too. There’ll be a link in the show notes so you can download this wish list. Happy shopping! Before I sign off, I want to address an issue that’s often not talked about. And that is what you can do. If, after following these helpful tips and taking your time, you feel you’ve done your best and your rescue dog just isn’t fitting in. There are many reasons why an adoption might not work out. Behavioural issues. Hidden health problems. compatibility issues, and lifestyle differences can all cause an adoption to fail. What seemed like a great match at the shelter may turn out completely different once in a home environment. It can be heartbreaking when a rescue dog doesn’t seem to work out. However, this does not make you a failure. In fact, according to the Humane Society of the United States, between 7 and 20% of pets are returned within the first six months. So if you do feel the need to rehome your rescue dog, first contact the shelter or rescue.
Staci Lemke 00:11:39 You acquired the dog through many have trial periods and a policy to take the dog back. If for any reason the adoption isn’t working out. If that fails and you have to rehome the dog yourself, network responsibly. Speak with friends, family and acquaintances. Social media can help, but you have to be very careful and thoroughly screened potential adopters to ensure a good match and that the dog will be treated well. Be honest about why you need to rehome the dog. For example, if you have kids and your rescue just hasn’t adapted to the kids. The next potential owner needs to know this. Don’t be discouraged if the first adoption wasn’t a match made in heaven. Hopefully after listening to this podcast episode, you’ll be better prepared to try rescuing another dog. Thank you for taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you have questions about today’s episode, or if there’s a topic you’d like to learn more about, come connect with me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for months. You can also find any links and resources mentioned in the show over at mannersformutts.com if you enjoyed this podcast, head over to iTunes and leave us a review. I’d love to hear what’s been helpful for you and your canine friends. See you next time!
