Home Fur Good: Helping Your New Dog Feel At Home

Helping Your Dog Adjust
🐾  Start Slow – Let your dog settle in at their own pace. Too much too soon can be overwhelming.
🐾. First Things First – Take them outside to potty right away. Then, let them explore a small, safe space with supervision.
🐾  Set a Routine – Feed, walk, and take potty breaks at the same times each day. If you’re home a lot at first, practice leaving for short periods so they get used to being alone.
🐾  Limit Freedom – Don’t let your dog roam the house alone yet. Use a crate or gate to keep them safe.

House Rules
✅  Potty Training – Take your dog outside every 2-3 hours (more often for puppies) and praise them when they gopotty outside.
✅  No Jumping – Ignore jumping and reward them when all four paws are on the ground.
✅  Chewing – Give them dog toys to chew. If they grab something they shouldn’t, trade it for a toy.
✅  No Stealing Food – Keep food and trash out of reach.
✅  Safe Play – Avoid rough games that encourage bad habits.

DO:
Stick to a schedule, use positive reinforcement, and have fun bonding with your dog.

DON’T:
Overwhelm them, let them off-leash too soon, or grab things from their mouth without offering a trade.

Building trust with your new dog takes time, patience, and love. By setting clear rules, keeping a routine, and using positive reinforcement, you’ll help them

feel safe and happy in their new home. With kindness and consistency, you’ll create a strong bond that lasts a lifetime!

This handout is sponsored by Arfordable Dog Training.