Bringing a dog home

Bringing a Dog Home

You've just picked up your new dog, be it a foster or a newly adopted pet. So what now?

Stray to Play will always be there for you, whether you are a foster parent or the forever home of one of our dogs.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

Prepare a safe space

Your house is an uncharted territory for your new guest.

Set up a crate in a safety zone where you can house your dog while you're away from home or unable to supervise him - this area should be climate controlled, dog-proofed, easy to clean and secured. This space shouldn't be an isolated room, dogs are pack animals and want to spend their time around you.


Dog proof your home

Due to curiosity, stress, or boredom, your foster/new dog can get into things your resident dog never would. They can ruin rugs, curtains, furniture or accessories. If this happens, we won’t be able to reimburse you for damages so carefully preparing your foster's area will keep both your dog and your belongings safe.


Checklist:

  • Put away any small items that your dog can swallow
  • Hide any breakable items and toxic plants out of the dog's reach
  • Remove (or cover) any carpeting and rugs from the dog's area - your dog may have accidents
  • Make sure electrical wires are out of reach
  • Keep trash cans covered, or inside a latched cabinet
  • Keep all human food, medication, cleaners out of reach
  • Check for objects that can get knocked off by a wagging tail

Adjustment period

Your dog has had a stressful few days. Imagine flying to a different country and being placed in a home with complete strangers!


  • Take your dog for a long walk. Let it get used to you and the leash, and explore its new outdoor surroundings a little bit.
  • Give your foster dog at least three days to decompress - some dogs take longer, while others settle right in.
  • Please try to avoid having visitors over in the first few days.
  • If your dog is afraid, please do not comfort them, as this could lead to reinforcing fearful behaviour. Instead try redirecting to a positive activity or give him space.


Introduction to resident dogs


  1. Choose a neutral space where neither of the dogs would be territorial.
  2. Make sure both dogs are leashed - you need to have complete control of the situation (yes, even if you have the friendliest dog in the world).
  3. Take both dogs together on a loose leash walk (tension on the leash will make your dogs think you're anxious or scared, reinforcing reactive behaviour).
  4. Walk around the neighbourhood in a single file, not letting much interaction between the dogs.
  5. Praise your dog, no matter what they do. The goal here is to help both dogs relax.
  6. Slowly let them sniff each other while walking.
  7. After you've been walking for a while, and have given your dogs a chance to sniff each other, move so that they're walking next to each other.
  8. Please watch for body language - dogs can say a lot without saying a word.
  9. If they seem fine together, time to take them home!
  10. Let them settle in, keeping both dogs leashed for the first little while.


Introduction to resident cats


  1. Keep your cat away from your dog for the first few days - the goal here is to get your pets used to each other's presence without face-to-face contact. They can still hear and smell each other.
  2. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. This will help them associate each other's presence with a pleasant experience, such as eating.
  3. Once your pets can eat calmly right next to the door, conduct meet and greets in neutral areas of your home. Keep the first few visits short and calm, gradually increasing time spent together. Your dog should be leashed during these meetings.
  4. If any of the pets shows signs of fearfulness or anxiety, redirect them to a positive activity. Throw a toy, give a treat and end the session.
  5. Repeat the sessions on a daily basis and monitor their behaviour.
  6. End each session before either animal shows signs of distress.
  7. Once they appear to get along, allow them loose in a room together, keeping the dog's leash dragging on the floor.
  8. If tension erupts, go back to step 2 and repeat until they're comfortable with each other.


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