- 1). Confine the rescue dog to a small area of the house at first. If the dog has the run of the house, it may frighten or confuse the dog. Start out by keeping the dog in the kitchen (no carpet) until you see that the dog feels comfortable and understands that this area marks its new territory. Slowly allow the dog access to different parts of the house. If the dog needs paper training, keep it in uncarpeted areas of the house until it learns when and where to do its business.
- 2). Develop a program of obedience training to prevent behavior problems or eliminate bad habits that the dog may bring from its previous life. Consider enrolling the dog in a dog training class to encourage it to socialize with other dogs and strange people. Involve the entire family in the training program to teach the dog that it must obey all members of the family and to accustom family members to the training methods.
- 3). Maintain consistency with the dog to prevent the dog from becoming confused over conflicting expectations in its new home. Everyone in the family should use the same commands when working with the dog. Ensure that all family members hold to the same standards and expectations for the dog. If you've decided that the dog should not get on the couch, don't let your child sneak the dog up. The dog will feel more secure if it knows its place in the household.
- 4). Remain calm around the dog. Many rescue dogs have had a stressful life and may react badly to yelling and screaming. Give the dog a sense of security by keeping your voice steady and even when you speak. Try not to raise your voice around the dog. If you need to correct bad behavior, do so with a quick "no."
- 5). Stay patient. The dog can't tell you what traumas or distress it has had in its life, but many rescue dogs have lived through difficult times. Care for your rescue dog patiently and give the dog time to settle into its new home.
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