Thank you for thinking of getting a shelter dog! I would suggest #1 get the right kind of dog for your lifestyle. If you only have a certain amount of time (due to working schedule) do not get a high maintenance dog such as a Lab or Border Collie, etc...the shelter consultants will be able to help you with that decision....#2 Make sure you understand this an animal.... not a human...YOU are the LEADER of the Pack.....A Pack will be the 2 of you... and you are the leader...#3 Basic Manners are essential....He must wait for your command....ex=going for a walk...he must come to you for the collar and leash and he must sit before it is put on, and he must wait before going out the door. Before going for a ride in the car, he must wait until you give him the release word ex=OK!...He must sit and wait before eating his dinner(do not just leave the food for him to eat at his will)....remember YOU are the leader! The follower (which is what a happy dog is ...) will respect you.... ANY dog MUST have EXERCISE....DISIPLINE, next and then when he is calm...AFFECTIONThere is a great book by Caesar Milan (the dog whisperer) that will make all this very clear! Caesar's Way (just an example, there are plenty of other great books on dog behavior)If the dog is already trained in certain commands I would say that the first thing you must get from his is to "Focus" on YOU!(He should be able to look at you and wait until you give him the next command or release word)Training will teach you that! Even if he is already "Trained"...you should take him to a class and learn "together"..... Training is a personal bond between the 2 of you! also research crate training (this will give him his own personal space), and check out vets for his health and future visits. and the very last thing I will say is....Training is NEVER over....there is a world of knowledge in the library and the internet...READ, READ, READ.... Good luck and stay calm and assertive! (from Caesar Milan)
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