TRAINING RESOURCES
what is decompression
Guidance for introducing a new dog into a home, focusing on the decompression phase, house training strategies, supervised dog interactions, child safety practices, recognizing signs of stress, building trust through positive reinforcement, and creating structured routines to support long-term success.
Dogs and Social Dynamics
Dogs, much like people, form bonds on their own terms. Some connections are instant, others grow slowly, and some may never fully blossom. When introducing a new dog into your family, be prepared for shifts in the dynamics of your current pets. It can be difficult to witness a once-dominant dog step into a more submissive role, but it is essential to resist the urge to intervene. Allow the dogs to establish their own social order naturally, with patience and trust in their instincts.
Decompression: The Critical First Phase
Decompression is the essential adjustment period when bringing a new dog into your home. It refers to the time a dog needs to unwind, acclimate, and achieve a relaxed state of mind in a new environment with unfamiliar people and animals. On average, decompression lasts about two weeks, but the duration varies for every dog.
This phase is critical to the success of introducing a new pet. It sets the tone for long-term harmony in the household and can determine whether the transition succeeds or fails. Proper decompression is just as important for the resident dog(s), who also need time to adjust without feeling overwhelmed or threatened. It is vital to understand that decompression cannot be rushed.
For the first two weeks, all dogs must remain separated, following a strict “crate and rotate” system. When one dog is out for free time, the other should be securely crated or kept in a separate room, ensuring no off-leash interactions occur.
If you’re interested in adopting, please confirm with your entire household before notifying us.
If you’re not considering adoption, please also confirm this with your household before informing us.
Once you decide not to adopt, the adoption team will proceed with the applicant, conducting a home check, vet check, and arranging meet and greets.
after the first week
If both dogs are tolerating each other's presence calmly—still while remaining separate—joint walks may be introduced. These walks should be conducted at a distance, and all interactions should proceed very slowly and carefully. If the dogs remain relaxed during these walks, short, supervised indoor sessions can begin, with both dogs dragging leashes.
important
Dogs must never be left unsupervised during this phase. Only once they have consistently demonstrated calm, appropriate behavior while dragging leashes should the leashes be removed—and even then, supervision must continue.
Some dogs may require longer than two weeks to fully decompress. Patience is not just encouraged—it is absolutely required to set all dogs up for long-term success.
