Two Week Shut Down

stardogs

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#1
This has been tossed about a lot recently, so I figured I'd start a separate thread to make it easier to find. If we could get it stickied, that would be amazing!

Some links:
http://www.bigdogsbighearts.com/2_week_shutdown0001.pdf
http://www.wagsandwhiskersrescue.org/uploads/TWO_WEEK_SHUT_DOWN.pdf
http://hugabull.com/home/shutdown/
http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanad...w-to-introduce-a-new-foster-dog-to-your-home/

This is not just for the challenging breeds - ANY dog in a rehoming scenario could benefit from a structured settling in period.

Also note: tossing dogs in with resident dogs with little introduction is ill-advised. Slow is fast in these situations and the time you spend setting everyone up for success will pay off in the long run!
 

DJEtzel

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#2
Great idea.

I've used the two week shut down more than once, and I love it!

I also edit it a little bit for dogs that don't need it quite as much/for as long, still very helpful!
 

Sekah

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#3
I did something like this when I first introduced Megatron (intact, reactive, loud, resource guarder) to Cohen (energetic, loud, resource guarder, bull in a china shop). I absolutely believe that the manner through which I introduced them is the reason they're so tolerant and good with each other now.
 

Southpaw

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#5
I should have done this with Cajun - although it totally never would have worked out (yay family members). Didn't know this was a "thing" until seeing it mentioned with Tulip and Hank!
 

Dekka

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#6
I think it might be a little overboard for all dogs. No training? But training should be fun and games. I find one of the best ways for a new dog to gain confidence and bond is to play a few minutes with the clicker each day. Helps instill that I am a fun person who pays out when we play and reinforces I am a fun leader and that listening is always a great option.

What if you dont' have a yard? No dog for you? I am about to get a new dog, if he doesn't go on walks he is stuck in the apt.

I get giving them a quiet down time to settle in. And I get that most owners don't see warning signs of stress in their dogs. But just like some people go new places and want to PARTAY some dogs will go stir crazy with going to a new place with nothing to do.

Look at it the other way, you have left home never to come back and now you are stuck in a small place with people you dont' know and all the time in the world to dwell on how weird and boring this new place is.

It all depends on the dog.
 
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#7
I see the staycation as more of guideline, to help keep the dog out of stressful situations while he is settling in, as opposed to a schedule.

I think training during their break is absolutely super important. So is the chance to exercise. What's most important though is that they aren't stressed, overwhelmed, or overstimulated when this is happening.

When I adopted Venice I did a modified shut-down. Since she was so well-adjusted she met my foster on the second day and they were allowed brief playing bouts throughout the day. But we still mostly hung out in the house and did training and playing and getting to know one another. Her potty walks were short, down to the corner and back. And once a day I drove her out to a fenced in ball park that nobody ever visited and let her rip. She was still exercised mentally and physically, but I kept her world very small for the first week so I could get to know her without any distractions or scary experiences clouding my judgement.

I started expanding her world gradually - our potty walks went around the block for a few days, then two blocks, and so on. We had friends come over for drinks or for games to meet her. She'd tag along in the car when my BF picked me up at the barns. I took her to the bank, and the pet store when it was quiet. Somewhere between the two and three week mark she was fully caught up and doing normal dog stuff.
 

SaraB

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#8
I absolutely agree with dekka on the training aspect. I add a lot of dogs, whether they are permanent additions or fosters and absolutely every single one of them starts training with their first meal with me. All positive, no pressure training. I teach them their names, I teach them that if they give me eye contact they get good things, I teach them to follow my hand. So many little things that 99% of dogs from shelters or even rehomed dogs have no idea on. Why not do this? It's such a bonding activity. I can't remember a single dog that became stresses out by my doing this.
 

k9krazee

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#9
I do think it's important to treat the new dog like the "dating peroid" per one of the articles, and not the honeymoon. You are both learning from each other and you need to keep things as stress-free and light as possible. I like a few of the ideas in the article -- such as keeping resident dogs separated for a period of time and not thrown together immediately. I think an xpen in the main room of the house for the new guy is a good idea. But being "shut down" like a puppy's first two weeks of life seems a bit overkill for most stable dogs.

As for training-- I started teaching Crossbone tricks the minute we walked in the door to the house -- after traveling for 2 days and staying in a hotel room and he loved it! :p
 

Dekka

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#10
I like the dating idea too. However what they describe is more like a boring long term marriage in some ways lol.

Dating is often exciting. You do fun things together. You constantly are checking to see if the other person (in this case dog) likes this activity, is ok with that one etc. I think its great to get a young or stable dog out and about when you get them. But being very observant to see what the dog likes, doesn't like, starts to get uncomfortable with etc.

I could hand, and did, Kaiden over to someone he didn't know and he would be quite happy to go out and do things immediately. He is well socialized and stable as can be. A less stable dog or a dog already stressed by rehoming would not be a candidate for going out and doing fun things.
 

Laurelin

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#11
I wish my guy would stay in an x pen lol.

Tethering and going slow is helping a lot. Hank's energy level is so high we are doing more activity than probably advised. But I just don't know how else to do it with him.
 

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