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Remember your first day at a new school? Remember how you kept to yourself, hoping no one would be mean to you at recess, wondering how you were supposed to behave? That's what it's like and more for the first day in a new home for a rescue dog. You as the new owner probably have no idea of the animal's past. Even if the dog wasn't physically abused, he's obviously been abandoned and he may think of you as just a temporary human in his life.

1. Don't expect anything the first few days. Keep the surroundings calm and stress free. If you have children, talk to them first in terms they understand about what the new pet may be feeling. Caution them to move slowly. Often a dog will warm up to children before adults and that will be their reward for being part of the process. Let the new dog eat in private. He may have had to defend his food in the past. Make it clear that the food is his and no one, not even the family cat, is going to interfere with his dinner. Give him the chance to join you in the living room but don't force it. One trick that works is to put a tasty treat in the doorway and then each night move it a little closer to you.

2. Introduce your dog to everything slowly. We once adopted a dog who had never climbed stairs before. It totally freaked her out the first time the kids tried to get her to go upstairs with them. So, we went outside and "practiced" on the three steps leading to our front door. In no time, she was running up and down stairs. Dogs have to learn the rules of the house just like you had to learn the rules in your new school. Even if your dog wets in the house, try to be very calm in correcting him. Just assume he's not housebroken and start from scratch the way you would with a puppy. Take potty breaks outside every 30 minutes and give gentle praise when the dog performs.

3. Ignore fear; praise confidence. If a dog shakes with nervousness and you pet him, you're rewarding that behavior you're telling him he's correct in assuming he needs to be nervous. As much as you want to comfort your dog, it's better to distract him. Try walking away and bouncing a ball or walking out in the yard calling him to come along. Sometimes a new dog is fearful of walking on a leash. Coax him out the door with a treat and give him a treat every few feet until he gets the idea that walking brings rewards.

4. Learn dog body language. Most dogs will respond to you if you assume play poses such as being on all fours with your rear end up in the air. It doesn't look dignified but it means "I want to play." Keep trying until he responds. Watch dogs play and do what they do including rolling around on the floor. We knew our new dog was watching us the first time she "smiled" back at us. We praised her and she was a grinner the rest of her life.

5. Reward, reward, reward. It works with pupils in a classroom; it works with animals. If you reward good behavior, they'll do it again. Many of the most complicated tricks in Hollywood come about after a watchful trainer rewards the beginning of the desired behavior. Once the animal figures out what you want, he'll do it again and again.

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If your dog is not warming up after a few weeks, consult your veterinarian or ask for a referral to an animal behaviorist. There may be subtle tricks you can do that will east the transition.

I was a shy kid in school and it took me a month to feel at home. The same may be true for your new dog.

Learn more about this author, Cynthia Wall.
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