How to Socialize a Rescue Dog

Here are the quick tips on how to socialize a rescue dog

Realize there’s a honeymoon period

Keep their world small

Have rules, be consistent

Introduce things slowly

Spend some time with your dog do some training

If you want to know how to socialize a rescue dog then great! This probably means you adopted a new dog. I will go through some tips that will hopefully help you with your new pet.

Honeymoon period

First of all, you need to realize there’s a period of time when you first bring your dog home that will be an adjusting period. Your new guest will be more careful in the beginning.   He or she won’t know how much they can act up so they will seem to be on their best behavior. This will probably not be the way they act once they get more comfortable in their new environment. This can be known as a honeymoon period.

Be prepared for a more adventurous attitude once they get a little more comfortable with their environment. This is something that may surprise you when it happens. so be warned once your new dog sees what he can get away with, you’ll probably notice some behavior problems that weren’t seen when you first brought your dog home.

But this is just part of your new pet becoming comfortable in their new home. It’s actually a good sign. It shows that they are becoming more accustomed to you and their new environment.

Start them out small

To start with you may want to put them in a crate. This may sound cruel to some. However, dogs originally are den dwellers. They actually like small enclosures.  Don’t force them in, just open the door and try to coax them in. It’s best if you offer them a treat. You want them to go in on their own accord.

Using a crate may help with potty training. Let them out often to see if they need potty training or not. Usually, a dog won’t go to the bathroom in the same place as where they have to sit or lay down. If you don’t have a crate or don’t want to use a crate, then find a small space that’s out of the way that’s kind of a nook area.

Once they become more comfortable with their new surroundings let them explore more areas.  They may want to get a look around the whole house, and if so that’s fine. But once they look around, bring them back to their small area. They’ll feel safer there.

This is the time to decide on some rules

It’s best to have rules right away. This way you don’t have to retrain them later. Where do they go to the bathroom? What are they allowed to do? What are they not allowed to do? And then decide who feeds him who cleans up after him and all the things that need to be done for your new pet. Remind that kid that said, “I’ll take care of him, I promise” I don’t know if you have kids but you know what I mean. Rules apply to whoever takes care of him or her. Decide who will do these things.

Be consistent with these rules. Your dog will learn quickly if you stay consistent. If you have rules sometimes and then sometimes not, your pet will just get confused and never learn. Be consistent.

Introduce things slowly

This is new to them, and it can be scary. You want as little as possible for them to worry about as you can hand them. You want to introduce people and other animals in small amounts. A bunch of people, pets, and noise all at one time will be a tough thing to endure for a new pet.  Especially the first night. Just take it slow. As your new dog becomes more comfortable you can introduce new things. Maybe you have other pets. Or maybe some other people. Just do it slowly and in small doses. This is probably the most important step that will help you with how to socialize a rescue dog.

Spend time

As soon as you can see your new pet is starting to get more comfortable with you then you can start with some training. You want to start with the simple things. Come when you call, give attention, sit, stay, lay down. You may find that they have already learned some of these things, if so great! If not, then you need to spend some time with them. Patience is, of course, the key here. This is a learning experience for both of you.

You’ve done a great thing

You’ve taken in a dog that may have otherwise have been put down. This is a good thing. You are now responsible for your dogs well being. This can be a great experience for both you and your new pet. A dog can be a loyal and good friend.

Just remember this may take a while. Most times you may not know what your rescue dog has gone through, so be prepared to take as long as need be.

So just a quick recap:

There will probably be a honeymoon period. What might seem like a well-behaved dog just may be a dog that’s afraid and not ready yet to miss behave.

Start them out in a smaller area. Dogs feel safer in a small space. Something they have more control over. Not as much territory to worry about.

Set up rules. Both for you, and your dog. You might as well start out on the right foot.

Introduce things slowly. This means people, new environments or anything new. Just take it slow. Your dog may be able to adjust quickly, or may not. You’ll be able to tell if you are going to fast. Just adjust going forward accordingly

Spend some time finding out how much your new pet may already know. Do some basic training. Training your dog can be fun for the both of you, and will make life a little easier.

So hopefully this has helped you with your task at hand “How to socialize a rescue dog” Now go and have some fun with your new pal.

Check out this video below. It goes over some of the same things I’ve gone over in this article. And some additional things that are good to know. So take a look if you like.