Start right away with the routines I must follow.

Take me out to potty using the same door each time and taking me to the same spot outside. Do this often so that I can quickly learn where to go and so that I won’t have accidents in our house. But I might have one or two at the beginning. Start right away showing me house routines like where I will sleep at night and what I should do when you are eating dinner. Please tell me how good I am when I do what you want. I need positive reinforcement not negative reinforcement.

Show your children how to play politely with me and always be there to make sure we are being polite with each other.

Dogs like me who’ve grown up at the shelter, or spent time on the streets usually aren’t used to being around children. Closely supervise children around me at all times & don’t let children near me when I’m eating. Sometimes I can get too excited or too tired and forget my manners, just like children can. 

 Please supervise us both and separate us if either of us gets out of hand.

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Let me stay home for the first two weeks I am here so that I do not have to meet new people and dogs, or deal with new places and activities.

 

I know you want to share me with family and friends, but that will have to wait. I first need to feel relaxed and fully at home with you, willing to engage with you, both when I want and when you want me to. Until then, please do nothing to add to my stress. If strangers of any age come to visit, please explain that they will have to leave me alone for now. And please tell your friends not to bring their head in front of my face or place their hand over my head. It might scare me. Once I can trust that I will remain safe, introductions to other people and animals should be done slowly, allowing me to make the choices about whether or not to interact.

When you do have to leave me at home please start doing it gradually so I get used to you being away from me, like maybe an hour then two.

If I am shy you may have to introduce me gradually to every new person, animal, and place with which I come in contact. People can gently toss small treats to me (I would suggest something yummy like small pieces of boiled chicken). You can tell children that I am like a stranger from another country who does not understand your language, doesn't know how you do things, needs help understanding the rules of this new place, and that you are teaching all of this to me. It will be a while before they can play with me. If I begin to show signs of stress, either quietly remove whatever triggered my behavior, or take me far enough away to allow me to relax. Please wait for me to do so. Stand quietly with me: do not pet me or try too hard to comfort me. I might misinterpret this as praise for acting frightened. Talking quietly to me and remaining calm will convey to me that all is well and that I can relax. 

I also might suggest a flower-essence mixture called Rescue Remedy. Most pet stores carry this product.

Just a few drops a day may help me to relax. It is not a drug and is perfectly safe. It just has a calming effect. It was originally for people and now they have one for pets.