Welcoming Your Newly Adopted Shelter Dog:

Thank you for choosing to adopt a shelter dog! 

 Our goal at Shelter Survivors is to find loving, permanent homes for allof our rescued dogs.  We strive to find the best possible match for our dogs.  In order to do that ALL of our dogs are in foster homes until they are adopted.  Our dogs are given needed medical care, socialization, basic training, and most of all, love.  We feel we can then present our prospective adoptive families with the most complete evaluation of the dog they are interested in adopting.

Once our dogs are adopted, our volunteers are here to offer advice, support and training techniques.  Here are some tips we’ve put together to help ease the transition period for you and your new family member!

 Prior to Arrival:

There are some basic items you should purchase prior to the arrival of your new family member:

• 6 foot leash
• Collar that fits well
• An identification tag with your name and phone number on it
• Bed
• Food
• Food Dishes and Water Bowl
• Toys
• Grooming supplies unless you chose to bring your dog to a groomer
• Crate (The foster family will let you know if this is necessary)
• Nature's Miracle and cleanup supplies

The Arrival:

Remember, all of the dogs at Shelter Survivors have been in a shelter and then a foster home in the past few weeks.  Their stress level may be high due to all of the changes they’ve experienced.  Therefore, they may be nervous and frightened and will need time to just “settle in”.

During this “settling in” time it is important to keep things as calm as possible.  We understand that getting a new dog is EXCITING!  However, keep visitors to a minimum during this time. Too much activity or attention may overwhelm your dog and your dog may react in fear or confusion. It is not uncommon for dogs to be uncertain during this initial adjustment period.  This uncertainty can exhibit itself in different ways:

 -          Cowering: Many dogs will cower, hide or refuse to come into the house at first.  Please be patient, calm and reassuring and they will recover.

-          Hyperactivity: Some dogs will become overly excited in their nervousness.  They will pant, pace, run from room to room and even attempt to escape.  Again, be calm and patient during this time.  Go for a walk to burn off that nervous energy and use a crate to give the dog some “down” time.

Recognize that these initial behaviors stem from the dog's insecurity. Give them time to learn about their new environment and take it slow. You have many years to enjoy your new pet so don't overdo it the first few days.

Introductions:

Your dog’s foster family will assist you in the initial introductions, so don’t worry!  Here are some tips for the initial introduction and advice for the “settling in” period:

Other Dogs:

It is important for your new dog to meet your “old” dog on neutral territory.  Opening the door, taking off the leash and just letting them go is a recipe for disaster.  Meet outside the house, take both dogs on a walk and let them get to know one another before going into the house.  Understand that dogs are pack animals and will attempt to establish dominance during the initial meeting.  You may see some posturing and even a little growling at first.  As pack animals, dogs will naturally decide a "pecking order" among themselves. However, you must maintain control during this process.  Do not give the dogs toys or rawhides during the first several days.  This can create conflict and lead to possessiveness. 

Children:

Your children are excited, your new dog is nervous, so things need to be taken VERY slowly and cautiously.  It is important that you supervise your children around the dog for the first several days.  Until your new dog has settled in it is important for your children to know:

- They should never disturb a dog while it is sleeping or eating.
- The should speak softly, do not shriek or scream at the dog.
- Respect a dog's need for peace and quiet.

Regular Routines:

It is important to get your dog adjusted to your normal routines right from the beginning.  Dogs thrive on routines and will become nervous if they are suddenly changed, so it’s important to get them into your routine right away.

 Alone Time:  We live in a busy, hectic world and many of us are out of the house for 8 hours a day.  It’s important you get your dog used to some alone time right from the beginning.  Many people are excited with their new dog and want to spend every minute with them for the first few days.  Your new dog will become used to this and may panic when you suddenly change that routine and leave him alone.  From the first day, leave the house for a bit and leave your new dog alone.  Place him in a crate or confine him to an area in the house.  Leave him with his bed, toys and some water.  Don’t make a big deal as you leave or when you come home.  

Sleeping: Decide on an area in your home for your dog’s bed. Find a place that is out of the way of foot traffic, but where your dog will still be able to see all of the goings on. This way the dog will not be underfoot and yet will still feel a part of the home activities.  It’s also a good idea to have a bed on the floor next to your bed for nighttime sleeping.

Eating: Place the dog's food bowls in a quiet, low-traffic areas and begin feeding on a regular schedule. Teach children to never touch or approach a dog while it is eating.

Housebreaking: All of our dogs are in foster homes and the housebreaking process has begun, or is already completed.  Your dog’s foster family will give you tips and advice and fill you in on the schedule your dog has been on.  When a dog is stressed or nervous they may urinate more, so it’s important to take frequent potty breaks for the first few days.  Be sure to walk your dog to the same area each time and praise him when he relieves himself. 

Photos: Be sure to take a few good head shot photos of your dog in case your dog becomes lost. Pictures are important to post in flyers in the search process.  And please send us some of these photos for our Happy Endings page on our website!!

Checklist for the First Week:

• Contact a local veterinarian and schedule your dog’s initial exam.
• Locate your local emergency 24 hr pet hospital and place the information in a handy place.
• If your dog is already microchipped, contact the company and have them transfer ownership to you.  
• Continue to dog proof your home.
• Inform neighbors that you now own a dog. (extra help if your dog gets lost).
• Gradually introduce your dog to service people (mailman, pool cleaner).
• Continue to learn as much about your new dog as possible. Research books, magazines and the Internet.
• Observe your dog.. The more you watch your pet's behavior the better you will start to understand the dog itself.

Pending:

During the first week, we will list your dog as pending on our website.  This is the period for you and your new dog to settle in.  If you are experiencing problems with your new dog, re-examine your expectations. Understand that both you and your new dog are settling in and getting to know each other. It is normal for new owners to be stressed out and worried about their decision.  Remember, we’re here for you and will help you through this period.  Our volunteers are a wealth of knowledge and experience, take advantage of what they have to offer!!

 We strongly recommend all new owners bring their new dog for professional training.  We are happy to recommend trainers we use.

Success:

We at Shelter Survivors wish you and your new pet a long, happy and healthy life together. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for opening your home to a shelter dog.  Your new dog thanks you as well!!  We know from our personal experience that "shelter dogs" often prove to be some of the greatest pets we know.

 Please send us updates and photos now and then.  We love to hear how our former fosters are doing!!