Keeping Your New Dog Safe

Your dog may have been comfortable in foster care, but your home and neighborhood are completely new.

Prevent Escapes

• Keep identification on your dog.
• Check gates and fences.
• Use a leash outside unsecured areas.
• Be especially careful around open exterior doors.
• Do not assume your new dog has reliable recall.

Leaving Your Dog Alone

Until you know how your new dog behaves when alone, use a secure crate, gated room, or appropriately dog-proofed space.

Do not immediately leave your new dog loose with resident pets when no one is home.

No Dog Parks

Dog parks introduce risks that you cannot control:

• Unknown dogs with unknown behavior histories
• Rough or inappropriate play
• Dog fights
• Bites and injuries
• Disease and parasite exposure
• Overwhelming environments
• Negative experiences that can create future reactivity

A dog does not need a dog park to be happy or appropriately socialized.

Safer Alternatives

• Neighborhood walks
• Hiking
• Training
• Enrichment activities
• Private fenced yards
• Carefully selected dog friends
• Supervised play with compatible dogs

Children & Visitors

• Supervise children and dogs.
• Do not allow children to climb on or hug dogs.
• Do not disturb sleeping or eating dogs.
• Give your dog somewhere to retreat.
• Do not force interaction with visitors.