Dog FAQs: Adoption:
Once We Are Home

Try a few of these tips:

• Take it slowly! Don't overwhelm your new friend with too much information all at once
• Introduce your dog to the household slowly, starting with the areas he will be spending most of his time
• Set up an eating area with food & water bowls
• Don't forget the food (FYI - shopping at IGive.com helps you, your new companion and Stray from the Heart)
• If your animal requires a special diet or medication, make sure that you have it before hand.
• Don't forget a collar and leash
• "Puppy proof" your home by removing all enticing, destructible objects from areas where the puppy will be
• Have some toys and treats to help make your new friend feel at home

Deciding What To Feed Your Dog
There are several steps to be taken once your new dog is home. Your pet may be used to a certain food that he or she has been eating at the kennel or at a foster home. If he or she is relatively young, your puppy may also have a fairly sensitive stomach. Find out what kind of food your dog has been eating and make every effort to start him or her out on the same diet. Over time, feel free to feed your new pal whatever you feel is appropriate, but make sure to change his or her diet in a gradual fashion. Start by mixing a little of the new food in with the old and then slowly increase the percentage of new food until the old stuff is completely phased out.

Housetraining
Some of our dogs come to us house trained and some don't. Unfortunately, one of the problems with the kennel is that those that are house trained when they arrive may lose some of that training during their stay. Although the dogs do get a chance to do their business outside while being walked, they are not discouraged from doing so indoors. Once you get home, the best way to minimize accidents is to take your dog on frequent walks for the first few weeks. If your new dog is young, he or she will have to go often anyway. In our own experience, we have found that if your dog is having problems, positive reinforcement for going outside works better that yelling at your dog for an accident indoors. There is no shortage of information on the subject of housetraining in both printed form and on the internet so it would be helpful to do some research on your own.

The Vet
Hopefully, by the time you bring your new friend home, you've already done the necessary research and chosen your veterinarian. (If not, please refer to How to Pick a Good Vet or New York Vet Referral List.) It's important to bring your dog in for a check-up soon after you've taken over his or her care. Not only do you want to make sure that your dog in good health but it will be helpful to start your relationship with your vet as soon as possible.

Getting a License
Finally, New York City law requires that all dogs be licensed. If you adopt one of our dogs, you must get a new license even if the dog currently has one from our shelter. The easiest way to do this is to go to the website at www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vet/vetdog.php. Or, simply call the New York City Department of Health at 212-676-2100 for assistance. For those of you, who live outside of New York City, please contact your local government for all dog-related ordinances.

Remember, be patient with your dog. He or she wants desperately to please you, but it's your job to bridge the communication gap. If problems persist, it may help to call a professional trainer. We provide a New York Trainer Referral List in the Behavior and Basic Training section.

Firstly, if you can afford it, we would suggest getting professional training. Once again, check out our New York Trainer Referral List in the Behavior and Basic Training section (coming soon), or give us a call at 212.726.DOGS. If you don't get training, you should at least familiarize yourself with basic training methods by purchasing one of the many of books on the subject. We would also suggest reading up on dog behavior and communication by purchasing Dr. Stanley Coren's "How To Speak Dog".

Secondly, get your dog plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Its amazing what a difference this can make for any behavioral problems your pet may have. A tired dog is usually a happy dog.

Finally, always remember why you chose to adopt one of our dogs instead of taking the easy road by getting a young puppy from a breeder or pet store. Your new pet has had a hard time in this world. He or she has been abandoned and probably abused. It may take some time for your new dog to learn to trust human beings again. Try to be the true friend that he or she so desperately needs.

Please read the the Behavior and Basic Training section.

One main point to keep in mind is that it is NEVER good to strike your companion! The consequences of inappropriate discipline can be disastrous. Hand shyness, fearfulness, avoidance, aggression and submissive urination may all result from physical punishment. One of the most important things that your dog must learn is trust for you and also that the human hand is a friend. You're building the foundations of a new relationship with an animal with whom you've chosen to spend many years of your life. You want that relationship to be based upon love and mutual respect. To that end physical punishment or 'corrections' have no place in a successful relationship between you and your dog. A firm "no" should be completely adequate to punish undesirable behavior.

Don't take good behavior for granted. Remember, your new friend was not born knowing your expectations. It is up to you to show them what you want them to do and then reward that behavior and praise lavishly. You cannot be upset with an animal for doing something it has no idea is wrong. Take every opportunity you can to catch your dog doing something right and then reward that behavior.

• Make sure you pick a good vet (Please refer to How to Pick a Good Vet or New York Vet Referral List)
• Get your dog (and YES even your indoor cat) spayed or neutered.
• Stay up to date on ALL shots and heartworm prevention.
• Have your companion animal licensed and wear ID tags, even microchipping can help. If lost, these may make it possible to have your pet found.
• Leash your dog when walking.... accidents can and will happen.
• Keep up to date photos ready for emergencies.
• DON'T EVER leave your pet in a backyard unsupervised or for prolonged periods without proper shelter and plenty of fresh food and water.

If it is an emergency and you are in New York City, bring your dog to the emergency room at the New York Animal Medical Center, open 24 hours everyday. The Animal Medical Center is located at 61st and York Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. This is the place for all emergency and chronic ailments. They do everything; major surgeries, orthopedic procedures and even cancer treatments.

The dog is not allowed in the house....
Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms....
Fine, The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture....
Okay, The dog can get on the old furniture only....
Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed....
Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation....
Fine, The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers....
Okay, The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only....
Fine, The dog can sleep under the covers every night and the humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog....
;)