First 4 to 6 Months. . .
Patience begets Rewards

Settled In

You'll realize your new dog has settled in by the little things.  All of a sudden, you'll notice your new friend is excited at the sound of car keys.  He'll begin to sit down next to you, wherever you are.   He'll start standing by the counter where the dog cookie jar is, waiting for a treat.   He'll begin to realize that when you're at the front door, there's a 1-in-10 chance you might be getting ready to take him for a walk.  If your new dog was abused before being rescued by the shelter, you may notice the things he doesn't do:  he stops jumping at certain everyday sounds, like a door closing or a drawer opening, and begins ignoring them; he stops backing away from you when you approach, and starts wagging his tail at your sight; he stops walking with his tail down, and begins carrying it higher and higher.  You'll know when your new dog has settled in.

The Rewards