The First Month
When you bring your rescued adult home, he will most likely appear nervous. He'll be panting, sniffing everything, and pacing or moving constantly. This can last for hours — though it might feel like days. To help him relax, limit his explorations to one room, using baby gates or doors to close off this room from the rest of the home. This will make it easier for him to search every single nook and cranny thoroughly, which he will do before he relaxes.
Additionally, confining him to one room allows you to keep an eye on him. This way, he can't get in trouble by having an accident somewhere in the home or grabbing a forbidden item to chew on.
Make sure that while your shepherd is checking out his new surroundings, he also has access to plenty of fresh water. Constant motion and panting can dehydrate a dog fairly quickly. Also, be cognizant of your shepherd's needs to relieve himself. High levels of stress or excitement can cause intestinal distress or overwhelming thirst. Also, you should have a variety of chew toys scattered about the floor to help keep him occupied.
Place his crate in this same room, with the door open so that he can retreat to his den when he feels tired or wants to be left alone. If he's hesitant about entering the crate, entice him to enter with a few tossed treats — leaving the door open. When he becomes more comfortable going in and out of the crate, toss the treats again. Once the shepherd is in the crate, give the command, “Go to your place.” Soon your shepherd will learn that “Go to your place” means he should retire to his crate.
If you have children, you must make sure that they know the dog's crate is absolutely off limits to them. Your shepherd needs her own space; no child should be allowed to crawl in the crate, reach into the crate to remove a toy, or even lean into the crate to pet the shepherd. The dog must feel secure in this space.
When you prepare to crate your shepherd for a significant time period (fifteen minutes or more) make sure to put a “busy” chew, such as a good knucklebone or hard, rubber toy stuffed with treats, in the crate for the dog. The chew or stuffed toy serves to keep the dog busy and entertained while you're gone. It also reinforces the notion that good things happen when she's in her crate.
You should also consider feeding your shepherd in his crate, at least for the first several days. This allows your shepherd to feel that his food is safe and that no one is going to take it away from him. Additionally, if he's eating his food in his crate, this eliminates the possibility of his acting inappropriately with you or your children — until you can determine his behavior around food and work on any issues he might have.
The First Night
An adult dog's first night at a new home is similar to the first night for a puppy. The adult rescue won't be pining for any littermates or for Mom; however, he may be unsettled. In particular, he may not want to be left alone. To help him feel more comfortable, keep his crate in your bedroom at night. He will find your presence reassuring.
Make sure your dog has comfortable, cozy bedding in his crate, too. Adult dogs are far less likely to soil their crates than puppies because they have the ability to control their bladders and bowels, even when nervous or stressed. The act of chewing can be calming to a dog. Be sure to give your shepherd a chew toy or bone so he has something to keep him busy.
Are there any holistic remedies that are safe to use to calm a shepherd?
One of the most frequently used holistic remedies for stressful situations is the Bach flower essence called Rescue Remedy. Flower essences are very pure extracts from flowers that are grown specifically for healing purposes. Each flower essence is believed to have a different, positive effect on an animal's emotions. The drops can be placed in the dog's water or rubbed on his gums.
Additionally, in anticipation of a sleepless first night, you might be interested in purchasing a product featuring dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) that you can attach to or place near your shep-herd's crate. DAP mimics the unique scent of a specific hormone produced by lactating canine moms. A dog, no matter what age, recognizes and finds this hormone relaxing and comforting. DAP has shown promise in clinical trials and could be very helpful in settling your rescued shepherd.
