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Guidelines for Adopting a Shelter Dog
(from Second Hand Dog by Carol Benjamin)

It is not true that a puppy will only make a strong bond during the first few months of his life.  And while it is indeed wonderful to bring home a wooly ball... a "second-hand dog" can also become a fast friend.  He can indeed bond well to a new owner, and he can indeed provide the kind of loyalty and companionship that bonds all of us to the family of dog.

The rehabilitation of a second-hand dog is in fact a rich project, one you're unlikely to regret or forget...here are some guidelines for helping a slightly or very used dog to adjust well to your new and loving home.  Remember that you may not be able to do all of these things with every pass-around dog...

• Buy and use a crate...In most cases the crate will offer security to the dog who badly needs just that.  Some dogs will do better with the crate in the hub of the house...others need a quiet place.  Some like a good view...others need a towel draped over the crate or the comfort of a semi-closed up, airline crate rather than the all-wire models...
• Bonding is urgent...Tie your new dog's leash to your belt and keep him attached for give minutes at a time, working up to an hour a day, indoors and out...Let him understand the full implication of the physical attachment to you and let him make the decision to watch you...He'll become attached to you as figuratively as he is literally in this exercise.
• Train with patience, affection and quiet firmness.  Your rules and regulations will help make the dog secure in his new home.   But...he'll need reasons to feel proud of himself again...Whenever he does something worthy, let him know it...Work is the best medicine for anxious, insecure creatures...
• Give your pass around pet the best diet you can afford.  He needs it to combat the stress of change.
• Explore with your new dog.  First, explore your house and grounds with him...continue off your property and into your neighborhood.  Make big circles...walk around the block one way and reverse the next.   Walk from your driveway left and go right the next day...When you get near home, tell him "GO HOME, GO HOME" and run him to your door.  Now, get down with him and praise and hug...Now take your dog out in the car when you have places to go.   Show him the world.  Make him bold.  Make him yours.
• Grooming time isn't just for knots and mats.   Grooming him relaxes both of you.  It's another quiet way of getting the message across -- "I love you, kid.  You're here to stay."  Grooming is a nice ending to a hectic day.
• The dog is a contemplative animal.  Take some long, silent walks with your new friend.  Get to know him away from home, away from your kennel, your kids, your other dogs, your phone, your Cuisinart, your answering machine, your power mower...
• Bed your new dog down in your room.   That's seven or eight hours of bonding at no cost to you.  Again, it's an important message.  You belong to me.  But don't, in your zealousness, let the dog spend the night on the bed with you.  This message says, "we're equals".  And of course, you're not.  While you may have to put up with a time of crying or destruction or jumping that you would not tolerate from a dog who started out with you, still you do not want to initiate anything that is false, that is a lie.  Keep the dog in his place, in his crate or on a mat, but in your room.