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Adopting a dog will bring joy into your home. Keep in mind both of you will need to make some adjustments. Adopted dogs need time to get used to unfamiliar surroundings,  changes in their routine and new rules. The following tips are to help make this as stress-free as possible for both of you .
RULES
Establishing rules right away will help your pet adjust to its new life. Don’t feel tempted to give your new dog free reign of the house, especially in the first few days. This will make life together more pleasant in the long run. Rules should include where to pee and poop, which parts of your home are off limits and what types of behavior are inappropriate, Treats will help, especially with teaching what is and isn't okay in the home. Spend some time on Google to see which training method fits your situation best.
BE PATIENT
Don't forget it’s a dog not a person, new rules will take some time to understand. Negative reactions like shouting, yelling or hitting can make you new pet nervous and scared which leads to the opposite behavior you are looking for.  Instead, stay calm and focus on working with your dog on following the rules. Lovingly guiding your dog through this adjustment period will help you build a bond that will last forever. 
SUPERVISE 
The new adjustment could take a while so make sure you supervise your new dog as much as possible. Always try and crate train in a crate that gives them enough room to move around comfortably. Some dogs will have a very hard time getting use to being in a crate (google).  Try being home as often as you can after the adoption, so both of you can adjust. Using a Kong (google Kong training) will allow your dog to be distracted from the fact that they are kenneled and will give a dog something to do while they wait for you to come home.
The amount of time it takes for your dog to go through an adjustment period can vary. Some dogs get used to their new home in a week or two, while others need a few months to fully adjust.

​Just like us, dogs can have allergies to foods. Sometimes, it can be one ingredient in food that’s made up of a mixture of other foods. But still that one item can cause your dog to become pretty miserable.
Allergies in dogs can start when they’re puppies, so it’s critical that you pay attention to how your puppy behaves after you’ve fed him. One of the most common signs of food allergies in puppies is dry or itchy skin.
dog food allergiesHe may start to scratch so much that he develops raw spots on his skin. If your puppy has a thick coat of fur and he’s itching, you’ll have to spread his fur backward to be able to see his skin.
Adult dogs can also have the itchy skin and rashes, but they’re also prone to getting ear infections when they’re allergic to the foods that they eat. You may notice an odor coming from their ear and there may also be swelling.
If the allergy persists or is severe, you’ll see a discharge coming from one or both ears. Senior dogs with food allergies can experience throwing up after eating as well as loose stools or diarrhea.
All dogs can experience a mix of any of the common symptoms associated with food allergies. Most puppy and adult dog foods contain items that can trigger these allergies. Look for things like fillers or dyes.
ELIMINATION 
One way that you can check to see if your dog is allergic to the food that he’s eating is to do an elimination diet. Look at the ingredients list on whatever food you’ve been feeding your pet.
Buy other foods that don’t contain that item. For instance, if there’s dairy in the food that you’ve been feeding him, then buy one that’s dairy free. If you give him the dairy free dog food and his allergies clear up, then you know you’ve found his allergy trigger.
Do the elimination diet with each food on whatever you’ve originally been giving him so that you can narrow it down to what’s causing his reaction. You’ll need to feed him the food without the suspected allergen for about five days to a week to see if there’s any change.
If you’re using regular dog food, then you can change brands and you can also look for food that’s organic. Organic dog food doesn’t contain the common allergy foods that regular dog food does, such as fillers.
If you feed your dog organic dog food and it still doesn’t help, then you may need to cook whole meats for him. If that doesn’t work, then you need to take your dog to the vet to have him tested for allergies.

​Busy lifestyles can make it challanging to keep your dog happy and give it the lifestyle it deserves. Pets need attention, care, walks and not just food to stay happy. When they don’t get those things, they can act out and become distrustful of their owners.
Below are some tips for busy pet owners.
Think about the kind of pet you want
It’s important to get the right pet for you, so think about the type and breed you want and do some research before making any decisions. If you work long hours, a cat might be a better fit for you than a dog. If you choose a dog you can hire a dog walker to come during the day or better yet drop them off at a doggie daycare where thy will get lots of attention and exersice.  
Do some research on the breed you want, especially if you have children or other pets. Some breeds are better with different types of pets and people better than others.
Get Ready
Once you choosen yor pet, get organized and prepare for their arrival. You will need the following healthy food, treats, bowls, a collar, leash and harness, a brush, a pet carrier, kennel, puppy pads, an ID tag, bedding, safe toys, and bath/toiletry items and a good Vet.. WOW and that is just to start. Having everything ready before will help in getting all parties acclimated to the new family. 
It’s also a good idea to look at budget and maybe pet insurance or a savings account just in case your pet gets sick or injured, as those vet bills can really rack up.
Arrange for quality time
Pets need lots of love and attention, to help get use to a new home. Take them on walks, snuggle, play with toys, and other fmaily members and they will start to adjust to the new enviorment. 
It’s also important for dogs–to learn to be social. When you walk try and be around other dogs and people. This is also a great time to take advantage of a few days a week at the doggie daycare.
Remember to be patient
Dogs can be a lot of fun, but they all need attention, training, and guidance. Try and stay patient with your pet, even if they becomes destructive. More often than not they are acting out of frustration and don't know any better or haven't been trained.
Pets can be a lot of work, but spending time with them is rewarding and won't feel like work. Show them all the love and attention you can, give him quality time, and they will respond by being wonderful companions.

The Dominance Theory (“alpha,” “dominance,” “pecking order,” and “leader of the pack”)  was developed in the 1970s. What most people don’t know is that the theory that dogs are constantly fighting to establish their place in the pack has been debunked.
In group settings, some dogs may be more confident or insecure than others. Some may be pushy and others more reserved. But the main goal of most dogs in open play is to manage disagreements without conflict. Most scuffles result from one dog totally ignoring another dog’s social cues. 
When a dog is acting up, he isn’t trying to control us. He is receiving some benefit for his behavior. Did he try to push by you when you opened the door? He wasn’t trying to dominate; he was simply excited to get outside
At Texas Doggie Daycare we believe in fair leadership, consistent boundaries, and positive reinforcement – not dominance.