Adopt the Dog

• 1). Contact a shelter or rescue organization to find a dog you are interested in.
  
  
• 2). Visit the dog, make sure you and the entire family bond with and are in agreement about the dog.
  
  
• 3). Complete necessary adoption paperwork. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccinations for pets currently living in your home, and some organizations require a home visit to make sure the environment is right for the dog.
  
  
• 4). Bring the dog home once all paperwork has cleared and the OK has been given by the adoption counselor. Have all necessary supplies already at home.
  
  
• 5). Schedule an appointment with your vet for the earliest possible date. Although the foster family has provided veterinary care throughout the dog's rehabilitation, a second opinion never hurts. It is also a good idea to allow your vet to get acquainted with your new dog and his background so she can give specific diet and training advice. If the dog is still rehabilitating or has a chronic condition, it is very important for a medical record to begin right away to track his progress.
  
  
• 6). Begin training and socialization exercises immediately, but ease into them gradually to allow the dog to get adjusted to his new home.
  
  

Address Separation Anxiety

• 1). Leave an article of clothing that smells like you with the dog when you leave the house. This will remind him of you and ease some of the panic of being left alone. He may eat it, but he'll probably just sleep on it.
  
  
• 2). Ignore the dog for a few minutes when you return home, then pet him in a calm, controlled manner. An excited greeting makes him think it was wrong for you to be away, but if you act like it was no big deal, he will too.
  
  
• 3). Say the same word or phrase every time you leave the dog. Over time, he will come to understand that this phrase means you are coming back. A simple "Be right back! Be a good boy!" can come to mean the difference between peace and panic to the dog.
  
  
• 4). Leave your dog plenty of toys and distractions so he won't be tempted to express his fears destructively. Rubber chew toys that hold treats can keep him entertained for hours, allow him to satisfy the chewing urge safely and also reward him for doing so.