Introducing new dogs into your home.

When you are bringing a new dog home either for foster or because you
have just adopted a new family member how you interact with the dog in
the first 24 to 48 hours is critical to the dogs perception of its new
family.
Bring the dog into the home on leash. DO NOT let the dog run all over
your house sniffing and possibly marking. This is your home and you want
him to understand from the beginning that he will be required to respect
it as yours. Make sure all existing family dogs are crated or shut away
and don't parade your new dog past them. Children should be calm and
respectful of the dog and his space and don't crowd the dog or become
over excited. Take the dog to the room his crate is in. For foster
dogs this should be in a somewhat isolated area such as a laundry room or
spare bedroom but should not be in an area exposed to the general
populace of dogs. (IF THIS IS A DOG DIRECT FROM A SHELTER HE MUST BE KEPT
IN THIS AREA 7 TO 10 DAYS). Let the dog stay in his crate to adjust to
the sounds and smells of your house- hold. If he is throwing a temper
tantrum, let him IGNORE IT!!!!!! The dog is testing you. If you let him
out now you will have continued struggles with the dog and may have to
return it to the foster home or area rescue coordinator. The dog
should be taken out only for potty and exercise times. Often times your
new dog may have already met his new doggie brother or sister at the
foster home. This is not the same, please give your new rescue dog time
to adjust so that he is not forced to show unwanted behavior like growing
in either dominance or submission.
Now is not the time to invite family and friends to meet your new
dog or take him on a trip to the pet store. Give him a day or two to
adjust to his new home. Take him out on lead this dog has not bonded to
you do not trust him off line even in a fenced in area. He needs to
learn that the come command can be reinforced. Keep him on line for at
least 30 days. If this is an adopted dog your new dog should be
started in obedience classes after he has been in your home for 3 or 4
weeks. Give him a hobby. If Weims don't have a job to do they get
fixated on their owner in an unhealthy way such as separation anxiety.
Introduce current dogs one at a time in a non overwhelming way don't let
the dogs rush up to one another or intimidate. The dogs should not be
alone together unsupervised in the house or yard until they know each
other well.
If you have cats in your home keep your new dog on leash until you feel
safe he will not go after them. Do not "show" the cat to the dog or try
to introduce them.
Feeding should be done twice a day in the crate. Food should be left out
for 15 minutes or so then taken away. Your dog should have access to
water when not crated.
You have to use the crate as a ritual part of his day when you are at
home sometimes as well. Otherwise the crate is associated with
separation. The crate should be in a portion of the household you
actively live in. (if you wouldn't go there to sit and read a book he
doesn't want to be there either) Be very careful about tone of voice when
kenneling. Aww come-ooonn you gotta get in your kennel nowww, won't
work. Sounds like you feel guilty. Should be Kennel up in a firm
commanding voice. Crate him at least 15 minutes before you leave. He
should be left in the crate five to ten minutes after you get home. He
should then be let out and ignored for two minutes. Don't let him out of
the crate if he is barking. Ignore any behavior he exhibits in there as
if he was invisible and you were deaf.
Adopters please maintain a leader ship role with a maximum of routine and
try not to give free love or cuddle the dog excessively the first 48
hours. Then your new pet will enter the household feeling like he must
make an effort to belong to you. Much better than spoiling him with
lavish attention and letting him think he can get away with anything.
Most of all good luck and have fun.