Congratulations! You've Adopted. What Happens Next?

It's imperative that they first bond with you, their humans. The new dog should build a connection or trust with you, before being introduced to the resident dogs.

• During this initial period, if the new dog seems ok with things, place a resident dogs bed or blanket under the his crate. Also do the reverse, once the new dogs scent has made it onto bedding or a towel or something.
• After the initial settling in period, where the new dog has developed some trust you can introduce them on neutral territory, taking a walk through the neighborhood or a nearby park. With aid of another adult, walk the dogs together. First handler will leash and walk with your dog, while the second handler walks behind with the new dog. Let them see each other while maintaining a safe distance. When dogs have acknowledged each other, walk side by side leaving plenty of space between you. Allow them to sniff each other if appropriate. When you return home from the walk, separate the dogs again. DO NOT FORCE THE DOGS TO INTERACT Once the dog’s “graduate” this step, and are able to walk together comfortably for a few days in a row, you can move to the next step.
• The next step will be limited play or leashed interaction time on the walks. If they seem to be giving the play bow or are eager to sniff and run around each other a bit, let them do so on the walks. It’s important to note that these interactions should never go on too long. They should always be redirected towards “the walk” when they are enjoying themselves the most. You want to always end these interactions on a positive note so that is all that they remember the next time they see each other. Once they’ve graduated this step, they are finally ready to “see” each other in the house, on a very limited and restricted basis.
• When they can acknowledge each other under the same roof, across a buffer zone, place one in his or her crate, and allow the other one to come visit his area and sniff around the crate and look around his room. Then you put the visitor in his crate and let the other one come visit him in his room. And keep walking them. When they’re able to visit each other in a crate then you can move to the next step.
• Next step would be letting the dogs interact in the yard. It’s important that they still have plenty of room, but that they are allowed to get a bit more personal with each other. Leashes should still be used, but should be kept loose. Let them get used to the yard, sniff around, and get comfortable. Keeping a close eye on the body language of both dogs. If they begin to play, or, once they begin to play, limit that for 5-10 minutes. As soon as they seem to be having a lot of fun you stop it. This way the next time they see each other, that amazing fun time they had becomes ingrained in their memory. During this step, keep up with all the previous step, and every few days if things are going well, increase the play time a few minutes.
• Final step is getting the dogs together inside the home. It is very important at this step to make sure there are no toys, bones, food, or treats that could cause scuffles. It is important to always keep a close eye on body language and that they are always supervised. Having each dog leashed is suggested for the first several sessions, or until you are comfortable removing them. Give each dog his own water and food bowls, bed, and toys. Always only give toys and chews to the dogs when they are separated. Some dogs can be possessive and toys could cause a scuffle between even the most bonded pair. Be sure to pick up food bowls when you are done feeding. Some dogs will fight over bowls that recently contained food. Letting the dogs see each other and interact but using a baby gate to separate is a good way to let them move freely, but still feel safe. This is an important tool to use while they are getting used to each other.

For potty training, patience, consistency, and close observance are the keys. For potty training, patience, consistency, and close observance are the keys. Constant vigilance!

• Keep the pup on a leash in the house to keep him close and watch him like a hawk every second.
• If at any point the pup stops and gets into potty position or squats even a little, scoop him up with a "no" or "uh-uh" and take him outside to his potty spot.
• If you can't watch him for even a minute, put him in his crate. Use a crate divider if you have a big crate so the pup doesn't have room to sleep/lay in one spot and go potty in another. Just enough room to lay down and turn around comfortably. Animals will typically not potty where they sleep or eat.
• Take pup out every 30-60 minutes at first - and always after eating, drinking, playing/running around, chewing, and immediately after waking up from a nap.
• If you see the pup sniffing around, go immediately outside.
• Praise and treats every time pup goes potty outside. As he's going (not before – he needs to learn the association first), say "go potty!" or whatever command you want.