So you are getting a new dog or just brought one home. What should your next steps be? Listen as Erika shares helpful tools to set you up for success

We’re going to talk about what to expect for bringing home a new dog… we’ll cover what your expectations should be, setting ground rules, and of course, how to set your new dog up for success!

CCDT with 9 years of experience. She specializes in coaching pet parents to train their dogs for basic life skills and behavior modification. She is the founder of From Dusk Till Dog, LLC and is a mentor-trainer for CATCH Canine Trainers Academy.

In her spare time, Erika and her husband John, enjoy decompression walks with their two dogs, Jade (American Staffordshire Terrier) and Freddie (Chihuahua mix), watching good movies, and spending time with family. Erika’s mission is to not only bring you value through her content, but to enhance the relationship with your dog along the way.

Erika's Website: https://www.fromdusktilldog.com/

Erika's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGLy20lhLasdOZMOAILPsQ

Erika's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FromDuskTillDog/

Erika's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromdusktilldog

Erika's Podcast: https://anchor.fm/dogtrainingaudioex/

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OVERVIEW OF NEW DOG GAME PLAN AND EXPECTATIONS

QUESTION: I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ABOUT BRINGING HOME  A NEW DOG IS… WHAT SHOULD OUR EXPECTATIONS BE? AND HOW WILL THOSE EXPECTATIONS AFFECT OUR DOGS?

Keep your expectations on your puppy low, and your expectations on you, as the pup parents, very high

Get your pup used to you - your voice, talk to them a lot, touching them gently, rewarding them for anything good

Don’t expect too much from your pup. Avoid stress and fear. Keep things simple

QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW PUPPY? ANYTHING THAT IS VITAL TO BE ‘PUPPY PROOFED’?

FIrst and foremost, safety hazards, like cords, can be dangerous. Take out cords, or put them in places that your pup can’t get to. Put little toys away (like legos), put a gate by stairs

Put things away you don’t want your pup to chew up. Think like a dog. What do you think your dog will be interested in? Keep things tidy and clean, inspect things, and think about what your dog could get into.

Think through where your pup’s toys, bed, crate, food and water bowls will be. Have those spaces ready to go when your pup gets home

Management: Manage gates, leashes, treat stations, etc. Have your “tool belt” ready to go.

QUESTION: IN THOSE FIRST HOURS OF BRINGING A NEW DOG HOME, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND DOING?

In these crucial beginning hours together, keep things simple

Walk your pup around your property, make sure they go to the bathroom before going inside

If you have other animals, keep them apart

Sit with your pup in a quiet area, where they will be spending time, have some toys available. 

Short amounts of time in the crate will be good (short positive bursts - give them some of their meal, something to chew on)

Bring them to the Vet in the first 48 hours ( call or have that set up)

Kind of like a “spa” day. Keep things relaxed and low-key

Try not to have a lot of people over or a huge gathering, just let them take in their new environments

Small amounts of training are OK, but that really shouldn’t be a focus the first 24 hours

QUESTION: WHAT TYPE OF GROUND RULES CAN WE SET WITH OUR DOGS? IE FENCING OFF AREAS, NOT GOING ON CERTAIN FURNITURE, ETC. 

There are boundaries and structure to be followed - but make sure you do it in a kind and trusting way

Rule of thumb: whatever your dog is doing now as a puppy (jumping on you, on furniture, etc.) Imagine your 90 lb (or whatever size dog you will have) dog doing that… is that still okay to you? 

Use management to make sure that your dog does not make mistakes - the more access we give our dogs, the more potential for problems (stealing shoes, food, etc) - those things can be avoided if you are strategic in planning. Block off areas, close doors, put your pup away while cooking, etc. 

At the end of the day, it’s your dog, so you get to set your ground rules. You get to decide if your pup can go on furniture, etc. Just prevent anything that you don’t want happening, and stick to your rules.

QUESTION: HOW CAN SOMEONE BEST SET UP THEIR NEW DOG FOR SUCCESS IN THEIR HOME?

Learning starts early - so once your pup has settled, start socializing your puppy to make sure that they don’t have potential behavior issues down the line. 

Generally speaking, socialization period closes around 14-16 weeks

COVID has made socialization a little harder, but make sure to have positive experiences with those you can see. Have a long leash, so you can maintain social distancing. Make sure they don’t feel stressed. Reward your pup when they go up to other people or dogs. 

Exposure to people, other dogs, other things in your life (sports, music, etc)

In terms of at home training: nipping, jumping, potty training, crate training, meeting people that come inside, and vet visits

Understanding dog body language will help you know if an experience is positive or negative

Bringing home a new dog is both exciting and nerve-wracking, but with the right expectations and ground rules… you can set your new dog up for success!

And for more tips from Erika, listen to our last podcast episode with her, Puppy Biting Tips, here. 
 

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New Dog Game Plan and Expectations: An Interview with Erika Gonzalez CCDT | Pupford