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The most important thing you can do during these first few days is to help your just-arrived dog decompress and not to immediately start practicing.
Your dog surely can be a nose-work or parkour superstar in training, but for now, he or she needs to decompress and feel safe and comfortable at home.
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Instead of "training," think setting your dog up for success so he or she will have many, many opportunities to be rewarded (with a highly desirable food reward) for simply settling in and beginning to get a sense of where things are and how to adjust happily to this unfamiliar life. Make it easy for your dog to get everything right (and no punishment ever for "mistakes")!
Nothing confuses a dog or derails your progress more than conflicting messages from you and different family members. Dogs thrive on predictability - especially a new dog who is trying to figure out this new world and how to make everyone happy.
Many dogs find playful learning relaxing though, so do give your dog opportunities to interact with you in light games as your dog learns with plenty of verbal praise and treats.
Always have food rewards handy so you can positively reinforce your dog immediately and often when any good behavior or just positive connection, happens anywhere in or around your home - and elsewhere as you eventually venture out. Your dog's confidence and bond with you will grow with each of these wins - during training games or just living your lives together.
When we say reward your dog immediately and often for any good behavior or connection, we mean reward the simplest of wins! For example, if you get your puppy's attention by saying your dog's name and your dog turns to look at you, treat immediately!
And if your dog is across a room and it takes a minute to deliver the treat, say "yes" or click your clicker immediately then deliver the treat. (That immediacy, by the way, is based on how dogs' brains work and the connection they make with what behavior was rewarded. You can learn much more about that in Dogly's Manners Channel when you and your dog are ready.)
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It's a fun, engaging way to teach your dog that when you say his/her name good things happen. It is also very useful if you want to change your dog's pre-adoption name to one of your choice and for any pet parents wondering how to teach a dog its name.
With this game, you're establishing a positive association with your pup's name and setting up and reinforcing a dependable way to get your dog's attention and have your dog respond consistently to their name. If you happen to have adopted a new puppy, you probably already know getting a curious puppy's attention can be even more challenging, so this game can be especially helpful in positively reinforcing your puppy's responses.
(Remember to only use your dog's name positively; never for scolding or anything negative. Otherwise, you deplete its value for getting attention and communicating with your dog.)
This game is great for dogs who may be unsure of their new surroundings.
This game will help your dog to understand that good things happen when his/her head and attention is oriented toward you. And remember, the key to success is keeping it short and sweet!
Most important for this first week, the Pendulum/Orientation Game is a super fun game for you and your dog to play together and build your relationship and bond. For both now and the long-term, it helps your dog focus, builds the foundations for recall and orienting to you, develops check-ins with you, and is a great energy releaser.
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Simply focus on these two games and let your dog decompress in his/her new home. Don't start other training practice until your dog has started to adjust from the move, instead learn through fun and keep it simple!
Both of these games are easy to do and don't require any special equipment. You can do them anywhere, anytime! Do always start training in a low distraction, quiet, and calm environment like inside your house or in your backyard.
Soon enough, you'll be able to move on to gradually increase your learning work together and add more distractions in the outside world in more advanced future training!
Now that you know how to have a successful first week with your new puppy or dog, continue on to the next guide to learn how to set your new dog up for success with enrichment games.
If you have any questions about acclimating your new dog as a happy member of your family, just ask in the community discussion in the New Pet Channel.
Or if you ever need more personalized dog training guidance, please reach out!
DISCLAIMER: The content of this website and community is based on the research, expertise, and views of each respective author. Information here is not intended to replace your one-on-one relationship with your veterinarian, but as a sharing of information and knowledge to help arm dog parents to make more informed choices. We encourage you to make health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with your vet. In cases of distress, medical issues, or emergency, always consult your veterinarian.