Bringing Your Dog Home

Congratulations on adopting your new family member.  We have prepared this list to help you and your dog adjust to living together.  Please remember that you, your family and your home are all very new to your dog and allowing your dog the time to adjust is imperative to a lifetime of love and friendship.  This list was made as a guideline for you to follow – if any questions should arise that are not covered by this list, please feel free to contact us at Adopt A Boxer Rescue.

Prepare For Your New Dog

1.      Your dog’s foster family will give you the brand of dog food, eating schedule and amount of food to feed your new dog.  Do not attempt to change your dog’s diet for at least 1 month and then you should introduce a new food slowly.

2.      Purchase food and water dishes, bedding you want to use, toys, etc., prior to the dog’s arrival.

3.      Investigate obedience schools prior to your dog’s arrival.  Note:  your dog does not need a choke, prong or pinch collar or a gentle leader.  We use only flat collars or harnesses on our dogs.  If the training facility you investigate recommends a choke, prong or pinch collar or gentle leader, prior to even meeting your dog, we recommend that you find another school.

4.      Your dog will be up-to-date on all vaccinations and will be spayed or neutered.  We recommend that you make an appointment with your own veterinarian within one week of adoption so that your dog may be immediately placed on heartworm preventative.   

Taking Your New Dog Home

1.      If you have a dog in your home already – do not bring your dog with you when you pick up your new dog.

2.      If you are traveling a long distance to pick up your dog, please use the facilities and have a meal prior to picking up your dog – do not, under any circumstances, leave your dog alone in the car on your way home. 

3.      No more then 2 people should come to pick up your new dog.

4.      Your new dog should ride in the back seat of your car with the windows up. 

5.      If you are traveling a long distance to pick up your new dog and wish to stop for a break, before opening your car door be certain that you firmly have your dog’s leash in your hand.

6.      Do not play with, grab at, give a toy to or feed your new dog in the car.  Allow your dog to adjust to its surroundings and you.

7.      Talk calmly and confidently to your new dog, using its name whenever possible.

Once You Arrive Home (For homes with dogs)

1. Prepare to meet someone with your present dog at a neutral place – perhaps a park or sidewalk. Do not have a group of people standing around, just you and your new dog and another person and your present dog. Talk calmly and don’t attempt to hurry the introduction.

2. When you feel comfortable enough to go into your home with both dogs do so naturally – do not anticipate any problem.

3. Do not feed your dogs together. Each dog should have their own dish and each dish should be placed on opposite ends of the room they will eat in. Do not allow the dogs to investigate the other dog’s food dish. Once the meal is over, pick up the dishes. Never feed your dogs without supervision.

4. Until you feel comfortable, keep your dog’s leashes on in the house. This can be helpful if you need to separate them for a short time out.

5. Do not leave your dogs alone until you are completely comfortable with their acceptance of each other.

6. Do not allow either dog to mount the other. Mounting is not sexual – it’s dominance and the only dominant one in the house should be YOU.

7. If your dogs begin to posture (standing tall and straight), growl or begin to fight, do not interfere unless you think it is getting out of control. Usually a stern ‘NO’ will calm the situation down. Your dogs however will begin to sort out the ‘pecking order’ and will usually do so much more easily without your input.

Once You Arrive Home (general guidelines)

1.      Bring your dog into your home and leave him/her alone.  Do not show your dog around, your dog will investigate the home when s/he feels comfortable doing so.

2.      Do not have guests come to the home to meet the new dog. 

3.      Do not grab at, push or pull your dog.

4.      Do not grab your dog’s collar.

5.      Keep your home calm and quiet.

6.      If you have children, do not allow them to bring their friends to the house.

7.      Never leave a young child alone with your dog.

8.      When taking your dog for a walk, do not grab at the dog’s collar.  Talk to your dog, and calmly place the dog’s lead on.

9.      Set a routine, both feeding and out time with your dog and stick to it. 

10.  Do not shake your finger, hand or any object at your dog.

11.  Do not corner your dog – always give him/her an escape route.

12.  Do not yell at anyone in the house, including and especially the dog.

13.  If your dog is going to sleep with you, talk to him/her when you are getting into bed.

14.  If you get up during the night, talk to the dog – announce yourself.  Your dog can and will startle easily during these first few days.  It is a good idea to leave a light on in the house so if you get up during the night, your dog can more quickly identify you.

15.  Do not allow your dog to lay on top of you or stand over you.

16.  Do not rough house play with your dog.

17.  Keep a running dialog going with your dog whenever possible.  The more your dog hears your voice, the more your dog will look forward to hearing it.

18.  If your dog gets overly excited during play, stop playing.  Allow your dog to calm down and re-group.

19.  Boxers make lots of noise during play, growling and barking being only part of the noise.  Listen to your dog.  You will know his ‘play’ noises and his ‘alert’ noises.  Learn to know the difference.

20.  Never challenge your dog.  If your dog growls at you, calmly and firmly say ‘NO’ and turn your back on your dog.

21.  Leave your dog alone when s/he is eating.  Do not stand over him; do not attempt to put anything into his bowl.  Do not attempt to pick up his dish while s/he is still next to it.

22.  Feed your dog in a low traffic area to avoid having people walking around when your dog is eating.

23.  Do not attempt to take a toy away from your new dog.  Allow the dog to bring it to you.

24.  Young children should never be allowed to walk your dog.  Another dog, squirrel, cat or car backfire can spook your dog and your child will loose control of the lead.

25.  Call Adopt A Boxer Rescue IMMEDIATELY if your dog should ever get lost.  We have many contacts in the dog community and can help relocate your dog.  

26.  Do not take your new dog into crowded areas – i.e., malls, parks or stores.

27.  Do not take your new dog to a dog park.

28.  Always leave identification on your dog.

29.  Never leave your dog outside unattended.

30.  Never leave your home unless your dog is inside the house.

31.  Never tether your dog and leave him unattended.

32.  Never leave anything on your dog’s neck, including a collar, when your dog is in its crate – a collar can get caught on something and choke the dog.

33.  Never put 2 dogs in the same crate.

34.  Your new dog will be looking to you for guidance.  A calm and easy introduction into your family will make your new dog feel welcome and unafraid.