Ground rules from day 1 for a rescue dog?

I know it is important for rescue dogs to settle, but what 'rules' should be enforced from day one (if any) ??

What routines have you done for bringing a dog into their new home?

I was thinking something along the line of a long tiring walk before taking them into the car and bringing them into their new home........

Should we let the dog venture every room, or perhaps restrict access to the whole house using stairgates.....?

Thanks for any advice!

I don`t really `get ` what you`re asking tbh. Every person and every dog and every house is different.
My house is calm, geared up to dogs, with a secure garden and no precious or easily damged furniture and someone is always in. The resident dogs are well socialised and understand the routine.
So introducing a new dog is simply a matter of allowing the newbie to work out the routine.
In a different house - like one with small children or cats - it would be different. Dogs want to `fit in`. They are adaptable. But they need time to understand what is required.
Personally I would never be inflexible about `rules`. Rules are guidelines, not laws. If a dog didn`t settle in one place, (where I wanted) and preferred another - what`s the harm.
I would try to remove pressure from the dog though. No visitors, keep everything calm. Don`t fuss him. Let him explore and he will start to relax.

Im not sure what your really asking, but here I don't do a long walk, I do find with my other dogs that meeting the rescue previously is good for them and walking the dog in the house with them as they find that more acceptable rather than just bringing it in.

We have a busy household so really I just allow the rescue to nosie about and just keep an eye on things, often picking up the balls and popping them away.
With feeding obviously I start from day 1 as to where they stand to eat and what dish is thiers. Sleeping arrangments are managed too as I would not leave a rescue dog alone with the gang just incase. The same with going out but all that is really just sommon sense.

As for the rest of it I like to allow the 'honeymoon period' that gives me a much better idea of what little habits bad or good the rescue has and gives me the clues I need to start regards boundries

I think mainly the question is should you be strict on rules from Day 1 with a rescue dog?

I dont have a rescue dog myself, but probably what I would do is definitely a nice long walk before bringing them back into the house. As I would prefer would happen with any new dog coming to see us. I would take them on a long lead to let them sniff out the different rooms - one at a time. Lots of fuss and attention - bearing in mind they will prob be really excited and a bit anxious and maybe nervous with all the new smells and things.

With the rules I would encourage the dog to fall into your routine as much as possible - but BE FLEXIBLE and understanding. If you dont have them up on the sofa and they jump up for example calmly show them to get down - if you can see its cause they are needing a bit of reassurance then get down on the floor with them rather. Just take it easy, remember they might not know certain commands so dont expect an awful lot, but start training and using your "normal" commands that you will continue to use. Keep confusion to a mimimum basically. Start with the routine you mean to keep on with so there is only one disruption to them.

Try and establish where the toilet is, keep a close eye on them and maybe take them outside every hour or so (depending on age) to go to try and get that routine established as quickly as poss.

Just take it easy and see how you get on. Just do what feels right and see how the dog responds to what you are doing - take it all at their pace.

I have 2 rehomed dogs from rescue and one thing I would add is that think what "ground rules" you want and establish them from day one.

For example-my previous 2 (small) terriers were never allowed upstairs or on the furniture. They never attempted to go upstairs and we didn't have a stairgate-they were just trained not to.

We allowed or 2 (medium-sized) terrier on the furniture and upstairs as they don't moult but I wish we had stuck to the old rules we had with my previous dogs as they are quite big and even though we have a large settee it is a bit of a squash with all 4 of us on there! Wouldn't be fair to change things now after 7 years though.

Best wishes with your new dog and I hope he/she settles in really quickly.

It depends on lots of factors really
A walk so they can go to the loo, and letting them know where water is and stuff

after that it depends on your household and the dog and your other dogs

I kept my dogs seperate for a little while, gave Mia alot of quiet time in her crate for the first few days (and im glad I did because she has issues with other dogs - but taking it slow her and Ben are best friends)

If the dog is coming with issues then you will have to take them into account

Yes stick with your rules for things like if they are alowed on the sofa or not into some rules - much easier if the rule is a rule from the start

They might need a few days quiet just to get the hang of things - or they might slot in great right away - you cant really know till they are there

If you dont know what they are like expect the worst
Pick up all toys and chews, keep dogs seperate and slowly introduce
one to one walks and on lead walks with the other dogs too
Do some training as well to help speed up the bond

- and prob assume they are not toilet trained so train for that too

- and assume they have no recal

Good plan!

As others have said, much depends on the dog involved, the household involved - whether there are other dogs, children etc.

My first rescue dog came to me when I didn't have any other dogs or children etc. I think I did give her a nice walk before bringing her home and just tried to stick to rules I wanted long-term, such as no dog on furniture etc.

The second dog I got as an adult (he was a part trained sheepdog, so not from a rescue centre, but needed a home nonetheless, as his owner had died), had to fit into a busier household, with two dogs already here (but still no children - they came a bit later on ). I collected him from the farm on his own and left my other dogs at home. I took him home and let them all have a play in the garden before taking them all for a nice walk together. He is an exceptionally well behaved boy anyway, and never tried to push his luck (ie get on furniture, steal food etc ... in fact I had to coax him upstairs as I don't think he had been in a house before).

I think if you do have particular rules you would like to stick by - ie the no furniture rule/no dogs upstairs etc then personally I would encourage them from day one. It isn't fair to allow a dog to sit on the sofa for a week and then start telling it off.

Do you have any other dogs? Make sure your dogs are all acquainted and settled.

A long walk might be the wrong idea. Introducing a dog to a new environment, however friendlily, is a very demanding on the dig's brain.. A short walk, to make sure your dog is happy/voided, would be better. A tired, impatient dog, no matter how well trained, is likely to be miserable and snap. A light exercise and a fun introduction would be better: try fetch and a snack.

When I first brought Dexter home I just let him enter the house and then explore as much as he wanted. He ended up in the garden with us, after having roamed around the inside for a bit.

It's important with a new rescue dog to remember that although you will want to make a fuss of them and show them affection, they may need a bit of space. Certainly this was the case with Dexter. He needed time and patience and did not want to be touched or hugged or fussed over.

It depends on the dog of course. Some rescues will enjoy more attention

It's a good idea to have a few *basic* rules in mind. E.G is your new dog allowed to jump up on the sofas? Is he allowed in your bedroom? Things like that are good to decide in advance.

You should also ensure you have a nice big bowl of cool water in a place where your dog will be comfortable drinking - take him to this and also to wherever he will be sleeping. Make sure he knows which space is 'his' - i.e. a crate, a basket, a mattress.


Take your cue from your dog, though - give him some space and you'll soon know if he wants more affection and interaction with you


Also bear in mind that it can take months for a new rescue dog to settle in.