Bringing home our new dog--outside for 3 years?!

[carfreemama]

Well, we're bringing home a new dog in a couple of weeks. He's 5 or 6 years old and has been abandoned by his current family. Apparently he is excellent with children and has been around them all his life. We are very excited.

My only real question is what to expect from a dog who has basically been living in the country outside, either running loose or chained. The rescue coordinator says he was originally housebroken and she has had him in her basement/garage several times overnight and he has not had accidents there.

Do dogs "forget" housebreaking? How should I approach this?

Also, what about the transition from country to city? We are a very urban family, though we walk a lot.

I am not worried about this dog's temperament. I have been in extensive communication with the rescue agency and it is actually one of her neighbours who has abandoned the dog. She knows him really well and says he's a great companion. I just want to prepare the way for Sparky as well as I possibly can. Anyone have experience with older rescues or outdoor dogs?

[Ola_]

That's so sweet! We have one older rescue and one former outdoor dog, but not one that is both, so I'm not sure how helpful that will be. Housebreaking was not difficult with either - supervision and plenty of trips outside at first, praise when he goes outside, the usual stuff.

Chaos was a stray dog living outside before we got her. At first she was afraid to come inside the house (I suspect she may have been punished for it by her previous owners). We tried to lure her in but she wouldn't come in even for a piece of steak - eventually we picked her up and brought her in, rewarded lots, and she figured out it was ok. Other stuff that freaked her out in an urban environment: elevators, automatic doors, traffic noises, vacuum, popcorn maker, laundry room, hardwood floors, etc. I basically started carrying a handful of kibble/treats in my pocket and tossing it on the floor (first close to us, then further) to encourage her to explore. I'd also often sit by/near the offending item and hand out treats - sometimes she'd get a whole meal that way.

Temperament really is the key thing I've found, it makes it possible to work through a lot of other stuff.

[carfreemama]

Thanks, Ola! I guess we'll just have to wait and see what her triggers are. According to her rescue coordinator, he really does have an exceptional temperament. He seems to be fine in her garage when he sleeps overnight there. He's even okay in a crate, which could be really useful if there are transition issues. But she says he seeks out people to "just hang out" and has a calm and relaxed disposition in general. I do plan to take him to positive-reinforcement (very GD) classes near us pretty soon after he comes to us. She says mostly it'll be manners we need to teach him--literally how to be a pet and live in the house and play. He's great with other dogs, too, so I'll set up some playdates. We do live near traffic--not a highway, but a busy/trafficky residential area. He does do well with car rides, though we don't have a car! So maybe traffic won't freak him out too much. We do have a backyard and a sunny deck. I just want him to get used to a nice cozy bed (with us, if he wants). I want him NOW, but it'll be a couple of weeks yet.

[Sailor]

He may have accidents anyway, as it's a new place. It's not uncommon for rescues who were potty trained to have a few accidents in a new place. I volunteer heavily at a GSD rescue, and this is the number one issue for a lot of new owners. We always warn them that accidents may happen.

But, the good news is, it won't take long for him to remember where to go. It won't be like dealing with an untrained puppy.

Definitely the manners thing is spot on - you'll have to teach him inside doggy manners. And like a pp mentioned, he may be afraid to come inside or to come upstairs (if you have them). Just be patient. The first few weeks are a huge adjustment.

[carfreemama]

Thanks, Sailor. I just can't wait to get him. I work from home, so he'll rarely be alone and I can take him out often. I'll get the cleaning supplies ready, just in case.

Should I give him the run of the house right away, or introduce him gradually? There's a part of the house downstairs that's tile that I can baby-gate him in for the first few days, I suppose, if necessary. There's carpet everywhere else.

I plan to have him sleep in his crate (he's crate trained) in our bedroom at first. I'd like him to be able to sleep wherever he wants (even our bed is fine with me, but not sure if that's frowned on by doggie experts). My only concern there is my daughter sometimes comes in to sleep with us and I wouldn't want her to step/roll on him accidentally. But I want him to be close to us, to know he's wanted.