Be sure you have all the basic equipment. Your dog will need a collar, leash, water bowl (and food bowl, unless you hand feed), good quality dog or puppy food, chew toys, special treats, and a place to sleep. BEBHS offers many of these items for sale or you can purchase them at your local pet store.

Crate train your dog or puppy. Crate training takes some time and effort, but it is a proven way to help train dogs. You can use the crate to limit your new dog’s access to the house until the house rules are learned—like what can and can’t be chewed and where it’s okay to pee and poop. A crate is also a good way of transporting your dog in the car or taking him places where he may not be welcome to run freely. If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he will think of it as his safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed. More info...

Teach bite inhibition. Puppies naturally learn to inhibit their bites by biting their littermates and getting feedback. If your dog bites you during play, squeal "ouch!" and then withdraw your attention for a moment until the dog settles down. Taking the dog to a neutral area, such as a bathroom, for a short "time-out" is also an effective "stop it" message. Never hit or physically punish a dog. After the "time-out" you can resume handling and play.

Encourage appropriate chewing. Provide ample, appropriate chew toys such as a Kong stuffed with kibble or treats so your dog has a suitable outlet for his/her perfectly normal drive to chew. Your shoes and your couch will thank you. More info...

Praise and treat the dog for successful interactions. Introduce him/her to a wide number and variety of people and dogs. Your dog will become a social butterfly at the dog park.

Get your dog to love your touch. BEBHS’s Kennel Concierges can often give you some background information about how comfortable your dog is with handling, and if there are any particular body areas about which the dog is unusually sensitive. Teaching your dog to accept handling is good "anti-bite insurance" for trips to the veterinarian, the groomer and the playground!

Keep your dog safe. When outside, keep your dog on a leash and in a martingale-type collar at all times. Remember, your house is not "home" until the dog recognizes it as such; if s/he becomes separated from you, s/he may get lost or injured.

Purchase a collar and leash for your puppy as well but, if your puppy has not completed his/her vaccinations and is susceptible to disease, carry him/her from the shelter to your car and then into the house.

Educate your dog. Socializing and learning will make for a successful adoption. A puppy kindergarten class is an excellent way to start socializing your new pup with people and other dogs. Basic obedience for the adult dog will improve human-canine communication and develop important manners your dog can use at home and out in the world. BEBHS offers several play groups and training classes.

Lost Dog Prevention:

Below is a list of things you can do to help prevent losing your dog.

• Make sure your dog is microchipped.
• Make sure your dog always wears a collar, even if your dog is an indoor-only dog.
• Repair loose boards and holes in your fencing to help prevent escape.
• If your dog has behavioral problems (like digging, chewing, etc.), contact a reputable trainer or behaviorist for assistance.
• And if you ever find a dog, remember to think LOST, and NOT STRAY.

Behavior Advice Line:
Don't forget that the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society has a Behavior Advice Line to answer any behavior questions about your dog. Call (510) 845-7735, ext. 22, or fill out our online form.

Other Resources:
We have a collection of articles, brochures, and other websites on the Dog Resources page that will provide you with more information about caring for your dog.

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• Assemble your crate and place it where people will be passing by. Leave its door open so your dog can investigate
• Stuff a Kong with lots of special treats, place it inside the crate, and close the crate door. Your dog will probably try desperately to get inside the crate to get to the Kong
• Open the crate door and let the dog go inside. Let him enjoy the Kong inside with the door open. If s/he tries to remove the Kong from the crate, tie the Kong to the back side of the crate so the dog has to be inside to enjoy the Kong
• Praise, play, treat and pet your dog when inside the crate. The crate must be a friendly place
• When the dog willingly goes completely into the crate for food or a treat, close the door, praise and reward the dog with a couple of small dog biscuits or any special treat that he enjoys
• When you close the door, do a fake departure each time for the first day or two. In other words, leave the room only for a few seconds, then return and give the dog a food reward before releasing him from the crate. Gradually increase the time interval of the fake departure. Work up to longer periods slowly
• Keep your dog in the crate overnight. Place the crate in your bedroom so the dog will be near you. Hustle the dog out to his/her elimination area first thing in the morning. When s/he is successful, be lavish in your praise, and reward the dog with supervised freedom indoors
• Give your dog plenty of exercise. A tired dog is more likely to fall asleep in his crate
• A puppy who has eliminated outdoors and is rewarded with a tasty stuffed Kong will more than likely chew him/herself to sleep inside the crate

Crate Training "Don'ts"

• Never use the crate as a punishment place
• The crate is not a lifelong prison. Don’t leave the dog inside endlessly
• Never force your dog into the crate
• Never leave your dog in the crate so long that s/he eliminates from desperate need

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What better way to pass the morning or evening than working away at a tasty Kong?

At BEBHS, every dog has two Kong toys of his/her own. A Kong is an indestructible rubber toy that is hollow on the inside. We use Kongs to teach appropriate chewing, and to deliver part of the daily food ration in a way that provides entertainment for the dog. Our special Kong stuffing recipe will work at home when you need your dog to occupy him/herself for a while. Here it is, sized for a single portion:

1. In a large pan, measure out 2 cups of kibble. Pour 2-3 cups of hot water on top and let the kibble soak for at least 30 minutes. Stir softened kibble into mush.
2. Pick up a Kong and drop a single piece of cheese or freeze-dried liver into the larger hole; jam the cheese/liver piece into the small hole at the bottom so it is plugged. Drizzle honey down the insides of the Kong and roll it around.
3. Fill the Kong with wet kibble mush.
4. Seal the top of the Kong with a spoonful of canned (wet) food.
5. Freeze the Kong for at least 3 hours.

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