Introducing a dog to a new home and family shouldn't be done haphazardly. If you can take time off from work to get the dog settled into his new home, you have a better chance of starting him off on the right paw as far as housetraining and learning house rules. A week is ideal, but even a long weekend will help you start this new relationship off on a solid foundation.

Avoid the Holidays

Great, you may be thinking. I'll bring him home over the Christmas holidays when I have time off anyway. Not a good idea. The hectic holiday season is not the best time to bring a new dog into the home. There's too much going on — food cooking, relatives visiting, packages and decorations just waiting to be attacked by an excited dog. Wait until you can focus on the dog instead of the festivities.

Anticipation

Rather than bringing your new dog home during the holiday season or in the middle of a birthday party, give the promise of a dog instead: a box containing a collar, leash, and a copy of this book. The time to bring the dog home is when the excitement is over. That way you can focus on supervising and teaching him from the very first day.