Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… This is an awesome tip for people who have just rescued a dog from a shelter. Puppies that are 5 months and older and even adult dogs that are going into a new home need a transitional space to help them get acclimated to the new environment and their owner’s daily patterns of leaving and returning home.

Why? Shutting a door on any new dog can create a lot of anxiety for the dog, not to mention your own anxiety from listening to the sound of your door being redesigned by the dog scratching on it to get out. Before long, this stressful situation escalates until you’ve developed a full-blown bad habit of physically pushing your dog back and shutting the door in his face.

For the dog, the stress of trying to squeeze through a door being closed on him can make him very anxious when you leave. This is one of the main reasons gating is so important. Gating your dog allows him to see you through the gate and not feel shut off by a door closing in his face. The gate reduces stress and creates a nice ritual of sitting and hanging out with you in the same vicinity.

Get:

• Baby Gate.
• Clock radio. Soft music is a great trigger, teaching your dog to relax.

Where? The best place to gate is in a central area of your home, such as a kitchen or hallway that is not too remote and where people are hanging out as well.

How? Create a nice ritual. Guide him into the gated area on the leash, then take the leash off once the gate is up. Make sure your pup has water, a nice place to chill, a bed and something to chew. Don’t make a big deal about it. This is not prison or a punishment. This area is just to designate a safe place and should be initiated while you’re home for the first few days for only an hour a few times a day. When letting your dog out of the gated area, lean over the gate and put on the leash, lift up gently on the leash and say “Sit,” then the word “Wait.” Then open the gate. Repeat “Wait” and then say “OK!” and guide your dog out of the gated area. A great idea would be to go directly outside to go potty before giving your dog free time with you in the house. Always put music on while gating your dog.

When? Begin the gating process while you’re home at first. Do this for an hour a few times a day. Your dog will get used to being gated gradually and not feel abandoned. This gated space helps train your dog to chill out in the house and it teaches both of you to trust. Soon this area will be his hangout space and you can leave the house knowing he is not having a wild party. When you are ready to try leaving the house, always gate him 20 minutes before you leave.