Main Goal: Integrating into Home Environment & Society

It is important to follow these steps to help the dog integrate into a new home and routine, even more so if they are transitioning out of prison. They are used to experiencing the same noises, people, and environment. It is important to start slow and create a bond with the dog.

“Raiser” role defined: hosting a Can Do Canine (of any age) for a period greater than seven days. Volunteers in this role have greater responsibility for training, public outings, grooming/husbandry, ensuring preventatives are given, and transport to events (health clearances, BCLs, etc.).

Week 1 - Integrate the dog into your home and life routines.

1. Set yourself up for success.
   1. Email communications will come from Puppy Program on a regular basis regarding the care and training of the puppy in your home.
   2. Knowing what behaviors to expect as the puppy develops is important to understand.
      1. Follow our Canine Development Guide.
   3. Understand how the dog trains and learns.
      1. Training Guidelines
      2. Animal Learning Theory
   4. Learn how to make a training plan.
      1. Sample Training Plan
   5. Review program standards.
      1. Program Standards
   6. Review future required events at the bottom of this page.
2. Introduce the dog to you, your household, your children, and any pets.
   1. Take time to introduce every member of the family slowly and at the dog’s pace.
      1. Supervise these interactions. Dogs may need to learn appropriate interactions. Follow the guides below for proper introductions.
         1. Introducing Can Do Canines to Your Pets
         2. Introducing Can Do Canines to Your Children
   2. It takes most dogs at least 24-48 hours to settle into a new home environment.
3. Let the dog decompress; lay low and go slow.
   1. Take some time to let the dog settle in and get used to the house and routine.
      1. This is a new and different experience for them, so be patient.
4. Make sure to watch where they go in your house. You may need to close doors and block access. Baby gates and ex-pens are available to borrow from the puppy program if needed.
5. The dog is still learning and may not know what you are asking at times. Asking for simple cues first (sit, nudge, name response) so that the dog can be successful (and earn rewards!) can be very helpful in forming that initial working relationship.
6. Refrain from going on any public outings until at least day 7.
7. Refrain from having the dog be a part of puppy play dates, including with other Can Do Canine dogs, for the first seven days.
   1. The dog needs to settle into your household before interacting with dogs outside the home. Interacting with other dogs outside the home can be very stressful for them as they are adjusting to the change of environment.
   2. They can only interact with dogs that have been approved by staff or other Can Do Canine dogs.
8. Walks are okay as long as the dog is successful.
   1. Start with short walks.
   2. Remember: Walks are a privilege, not a right.
      1. See Loose-Leash Walking under Main Objectives for information.
9. Offer supervised outside playtime in a fenced yard or on a long line.
   1. Playtime is useful to get out energy, especially if the dog struggles with a walk.
   2. This gives the dog more freedom to explore its new surroundings.
10. Dogs experience stress just like we do. Follow our Stress and Dogs guide to help the dog through a stressful situation.
11. Perform the Level Assessments starting with Level 1.
    1. This will help you to understand what the dog knows.
    2. It can take a while for the dog to understand the cues and behaviors in your home. Click here to understand why the dog “doesn’t know” what you are saying.
    3. If the dog performs all of the skills in Level 1, move to the Level 2 assessment.
    4. Have the dog perform the Common Cues and Key Behaviors they know in the home.
       1. This will help continue to create a bond between you and the dog.
12. Practice your bedtime routine.
    1. You may notice it will take some time for them to adjust to your sleep schedule.
    2. It is best to have the kennel in your bedroom, but it is not required.
       1. Prison dogs are used to sleeping in the same room as their person.
       2. This should help prevent whining/barking at bedtime.

Week 2 & 3 - Work with the dog in public and on Key Behaviors. Start grooming and care requirements. Schedule a one-on-one session with a prior to attending group class, especially if you are hosting a dog that recently came out of prison.