•    Everything is new and exciting, but also new and scary.  The new family, the ride home, other pets, a new bed, all these can excite, over-stimulate and even stress your dog.  Go out of your way to introduce her to things at a slow pace. Let her sniff her new home thoroughly before expecting her to play or meet all the neighbors.  Now that she’s yours, you have all the time in the world.

•    Keep stimulation to a minimum.  A puppy can easily become over-stimulated and excitement can turn to fear.  Praise and pet your puppy calmly, using long soothing words and slow, soothing movements.  If you have children or friends that want to meet the dog, ask them to be calm as well, and introduce your dog to new people one at a time.

•    Play with your dog so that she can relax in her new home. To ease any tension, play gentle, calm games with toys.

•    Control the environment.  You cannot possibly know what bad habits your dog may have (chewing on shoes, peeing on the rug, digging up house plants), and more importantly, you should not let your dog develop new ones.  Until you know your dog well, avoid problems by confining her to an area where she can’t get into any trouble.  Two great options: a kitchen blocked with a baby gate; or a crate she has been gradually introduced to with treats and praise.

•    Introducing your dog to existing pets takes time.  Introduce your pets in an open area and don’t allow one pet to back another into a corner.  Among dogs, a little disdain, or a little growling and posturing is normal.  Dogs will work out which one of them is dominant over the course of a few weeks.  Let them work it out on their own unless the fighting is serious. In that case, intervene and make it known fighting is not allowed.  Separate them for a time-out and try again.  I have seen sworn enemies turn into joined-at-the-hip buddies within a few weeks.

•    Hire a qualified trainer.  Often with dogs, it’s love at first sight, but a harmonious working relationship takes time.  Unfortunately, human manners are not instinctive to dogs; they must be learned.  Remember that no dog is perfect from the moment you meet.  Have faith that through patience, love and a training program that uses praise and positive reinforcement, you and your dog will develop your own brand of inter-species bliss.