Main Goal: Integrating into a New Home Environment and Routines

It is important to follow these steps to help successfully integrate the dog into a new home and routine. They are used to experiencing the same noises, people, and environment. It is important to start slow.

Note: Dogs will not be sent with capes and should not be taken on public outings.

Days 1-7: Integrate the dog into your home and life routines.

1. Set yourself up for success.
   1. Knowing what behaviors to expect as the puppy develops is important to understand.
      1. Follow our Canine Development Guide.
   2. Understand how the dog trains and learns.
      1. Training Guidelines
      2. Animal Learning Theory
2. Introduce the dog to you, your household, 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.
5. The dog is still learning and may not know what you are asking at times.
6. Refrain from having the dog be a part of puppy play dates including with other Can Do Canine dogs.
   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.
7. 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.
8. Offer outside playtime in a fenced yard or on a long line.
   1. Playtime is useful to get out energy, especially if the dog struggled with a walk.
   2. This gives the dog more freedom to explore their new surroundings.
9. Dogs experience stress just like we do. Follow our Stress and Dogs guide to help the dog through a stressful situation.
10. 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.
11. Reinforce the dog’s performance of Common Cues and Key Behaviors they know in the home.
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.

Main Objectives for You and the Dog During Your Time Together

Integrate the dog into a new home and expose them to new experiences and exposures. See Key Behaviors for further description.