The most important phase dogs go through after the shelter or in our case, after transport, is the Decompression Phase, also known as the Two Week Shutdown. The Decompression Phase lasts anywhere from the first day to a few weeks to even, in extreme cases, months. This guide will show you step-by-step what to do from the moment your rescue arrives through the first days and weeks to set up your foster or newly adopted dog for success.
What IS the Two Week Shutdown?
A very brief overview of the Two Week Shutdown is this:
Your new dog needs time to adjust and there are many scenarios that people put their new dog through that only encourage negative behaviors to surface. Dogs may be resilient creatures, but they do also need to know that we are in control of situations, that we will protect and provide for them, and give them clear expectations and routines to follow.
Two weeks is just a guideline. Most dogs advance faster but depending on the individual dog and how closely you follow the guidelines, it may take longer.
Many people do not realize how crucial decompression is and how this will make or break how your dog is introduced into the new home. Please set your dog up for success!
MEETING RESIDENT DOG(S)
It is also imperative that the new dog and resident dog(s) have time to adjust to a new dog in the home. Many people do not realize that this takes time and cannot be rushed.
First, let me go ahead and say that the initial meeting of the new dog with resident dog(s) needs to happen OFF your property in a quiet, neutral setting. We don’t need your resident dogs to feel the need to “protect what is theirs” without having the opportunity to get to know one another first.
After the initial meeting has passed, do another outdoors meeting on leash first, then bring them indoors and let them further interact. KEEP LEASHES ON. This is just in case something unexpected DOES happen. You’ve got leashes on to help keep things under control. It can also help when you interject a too hyper play session to encourage the dogs to settle and relax. Keep new interactions VERY short initially. I’m talking 10-15 minutes. End things on a positive note and give the dogs’ time to process everything that happened. Doing things this way does a couple of things. It gives the dogs the opportunity to enjoy one another’s company without becoming overstimulated and it also gives them the desire to want MORE interaction.
In the first couple of weeks when keeping dogs separate, it is essential to “crate and rotate”. This means when the new dog is due for some time out of the crate, please be mindful that the other dog is in a separate room or in his/her crate, so there are no opportunities for off-leash interaction.
Over the course of a few days, slowly increase the time they are out together. Remember to end things on a positive note and be on top of their play 100% of the time. Do not allow over excited play because it can quickly amplify. If one of the dogs is walking away from play, step in and separate. Pay attention and supervise and you can help keep a peaceful multi-dog home.
Make sure to monitor toys. Actually, at the very beginning of interactions, I recommend not having any toys at all for them to play with. Let the dogs learn one another first before introducing things which may be of high value to one or all. Give them the chance to realize one another’s signals for play and for agitation.
COMMON DOG SIGNALS
- Tails- dog tails can tell you SO MUCH! The "wigglier" the tail wag (does it wiggle the whole body?), the more relaxed the dog. The quick, fast tail wags can indicate a dog is hyper aroused/stimulated. Also, a tail held higher might indicate a dog is more dominant, which can lead to issues if not watched.
- Raised hackles- this does NOT necessarily mean the dog is aggressive. Similar to a quick tail, it can indicate hyper arousal. It's not a voluntary reaction, similar to goosebumps in humans!
- Posturing- a dog leaning forward or putting its head on another dogs back can be showing signs of dominance and is crucial to monitor as a lot of dogs don't appreciate others being dominant
- Play bows- you want play bows! When a dog lays its chest on the ground with its butt in the air, this is indicating the dog wants to play!
- Yawning- dogs not only yawn when they are tired, but also when they are stressed
- Lip-licking- this is another signal dogs give when they're stressed
- Sneezing- dogs will often sneeze when they are playing as a way to communicate with each other they are only playing
HELPFUL RULES FOR NEW DOGS
- NEVER leave dogs unattended with toys or bones
- No food bowls left out (even if empty) and dogs should be fed separately at least for the first few months (preferably indefinitely, but at least until you are absolutely sure there is no resource guarding on either side)
- Do not leave dogs unattended for at least the first few months and then ONLY if and when you are absolutely sure they are safe together (and there are no bones, toys or anything that could trigger a fight)
- We prefer all fosters to sleep in their crate at least for the first few weeks during decompression and separation time- unless otherwise agreed upon with the rescue (due to crate anxiety, etc.), and thereafter they are to sleep in their own bed. We do not like to encourage furniture or human beds as some adopters will not like this and it can be a hard habit to break.
- We do not suggest any kind of retractable leashes whatsoever, as they give you absolutely no control. Please use a leash that you can easily and swiftly bring your dog to you and away from danger/other animals. We also highly recommend a martingale collar as this prevents dogs from backing out of the collar or harness and escaping. We also recommend double leashing bigger dogs, as all new dogs can be flight risks.
CHILDREN AND DOGS
- Please teach your children and any children that visit, never to pull, hit, or poke any part of your dog and never to tease, frighten, or scream around the dog. Please provide reasonable supervision for children at all times with a new dog.
- If children are visiting and your dog or the child appears at all unsure or nervous, be safe and put the dog in another room or outside. Dogs should have a safe place in the house they can go to at all times.