Expect any puppy or dog coming into a new home to need a period of adjustment, especially if that dog is over the age of five months. An eight week old puppy is usually quite at home after waking up from its first nap and a five month old puppy will probably adjust in a few days to a week. But a dog that is any older will take longer - perhaps as much as several months for a 3 year old.

Here are some important rules to follow with your new dog whatever his age in order to keep him safe:

• Always have the dog confined when you are not at home (a crate is best).
• Be sure that all outside entrance doors are closed securely before letting the dog out of the confined area and the gate is latched in a fenced yard.
• Be sure that the collar the dog wears will not come off of the head, even when pulled.
• Always have the dog attached to a leash before leaving the house.
• These two rules are absolutely necessary for the dog older than 5 months:
• For the first few weeks familiarize the dog with its house and new yard - forget visits to the neighbors and walks until the dog is comfortable with you.
• Whenever possible attach the dog to a leash and take it with you every place you go in the house - don't let it go off into a corner and worry and sulk.

Being Careful

Below are some situations where you need to be particularly careful during the first month or two with an older dog. Any of these scenarios happen quicker than you can blink an eye.

• You have the dog by your side when someone holds the front door open for an UPS delivery - dog sees an opening and dashes out.
• The dog is loose in the house while you run out the talk to a neighbor or get the mail - you open the door to walk back in and the dog slips out through your legs.
• A young person in the house "forgets" about the dog and runs out a slow closing door - the dog follows the person out the door and is gone.
• You let the dog go out into the fenced back yard without checking to see if the gate is closed.
• The dog is unsupervised in the fenced yard and digs out underneath, wiggles out through a large opening (or not so large) or goes "over the top".
• You are out for a walk and something startles the dog. Your leash is not held tightly and the dog pulls away or the collar is not tight and slips over the head.
• You are taking a ride in the car and the dog is not secured in a crate or with a "doggie seat belt". You stop the car to get out (at home in the driveway or garage or at the vet's office). As soon as the car door opens the dog is out and gone.

Bonding

The term "bonding" is often used when describing the relationship that is built between two individuals. An eight week old puppy will bond with a new owner in a matter of hours or days. A dog that has matured and become more of an independent spirit (one that is over five months old) takes much longer to "bond" with a new owner. It will continue to see itself as a "temporary visitor" (like at the vets office or a kennel) and believe that its owner will be back to pick it up shortly. It is usually on its best behavior and will appear to have "bonded" because it will follow the new owner around and greet him when he comes into the room. Don't misread these actions as "bonding". The new owner is the only familiar person in the room and because dogs are very social, they will want to be close to a FAMILIAR person. It is still confused and worried and though happy to see its new "friend", has not bonded and feels no loyalty.

There are some horror stories about older dogs "escaping" from a new home because the new owner thought they had "bonded" and relaxed their care about doors being closed or leashes being attached. Feeling abandonded, the dog sees the chance to "get back home" and takes it - in a flash.

The more you keep your new dog with you the better. When you are at home with him, attach a leash to the collar and take the dog with you where ever you go - even to the bathroom! When you are not at home - confine him. He will be more secure confined and less likely to break some rule you have made that he doesn't understand.

Smile a lot and try not to be concerned if the dog is "sad" looking or gets sulky. Continue to tell it how much you love it and how great things are going to be. If you worry too much, your new dog will read this as clearly as if you put out a sign. Older dogs are successfully adopted every day (from breeders and shelters). Eventually, this short period of adjustment will be forgotten and you will have a wonderfully happy, well adjusted dog.

Eating

It is easy to worry if your new dog doesn't eat at first. Try feeding it in its crate. Many dogs have been either crated at their original home or have eaten in a crate or cage at the shelter. They feel very comfortable eating while confined - safe, in fact. Leave the food down for about 20 minutes and then take it up. Offer it twice a day, perhaps adding a bit of canned food to tempt the picky eater after a day or two.

If you know the brand of food your dog was eating before coming to your house make every effort to feed the same food for at least two weeks before slowly (over a period of a week) changing to a new food if you need to. Unlike people, dogs like consistency in their diets and don't like changes or variety.

Training

Assume that the puppy has not been housetrained and discuss this training with your breeder. The older dog probably does understand that is supposed to "go outside" to relieve itself, but it will not know where and when.

You can begin by taking your dog (on leash of course) to the place you want it to use as its "bathroom area" as soon as you get home. Take it there several times (still on leash) until it does void. Lots of praise and maybe a treat follow. You can help your dog to understand the "when" by asking it, "do you want to go out?" at the door in an excited voice and put on the leash for the trip to the "place".

Obedience Training is a must for the older dog. Even if your dog has already had classes, it is a good place for you and this new critter to form a working relationship. Group or private classes are available in almost every community. Talk to your friends who have dogs - or better yet, go to the park and ask the people who have well trained dogs where they went for their training. Call, visit and evaluate the facility and the trainers before you "put your money down".

Barking

During the first few weeks, your dog will most likely be quiet and stay in the background. Should your dog begin to bark at people coming in the house or at the door when someone knocks, tell it to be quiet and discourage continued noise (but at the same time celebrate, because barking at the door is one of the first signs that a dog is starting to "feel at home".) BUT this is not a signal that you can lower your guard! No matter how comfortable you think the dog is, continue to be vigilant for at least 2 - 3 months after the older dog comes home.

LOVE

Love makes up for the loneliness the dog has felt. You have lots of room in your heart for the love this dog has to offer and the dog will reward you with love of its own. When you start to feel sorry for the dog that hasn't had "enough freedom" because of the confinement necessary to keep it safe - step back and remember the key word safe. You want this dog to be a major part of you life for the rest of its life. Keep alert - protect this dog - follow the suggestions above and you and your dog will share years of love and companionship.

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