Assisted-Living Preparation

THE PET TEACHER
In-YOUR-Home Dog Training
248-232-3655

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR YOUR
ASSISTED-LIVING APARTMENT

If you’re planning a move to an assisted-living arrangement, you need to prepare your dog
for this change in his or her environment. Suddenly your dog will have to accept new noises
from other residents or the hallway ... totally new rooms with carpeting that feels and
smells different or without windows to look out ... smells from food cooking, cleaning
products, medicines ... staff members letting themselves in your living area - some of
them who might not like dogs ... medical care, possibly emergency staff ... no yard to
exercise in, having to learn to potty on leash or on a potty pad. It’s so much for your dog
to learn and accept, and the last thing you need to deal with is the extra challenge of
having to train him good manners after the move.

Here are several scary examples: the dog who was so afraid of staff members coming in
he would hide under the bed and run out to bite them on their ankles ... the dog who jumped
on top of the owner while she was unconscious in bed and wouldn't let the EMT near her
when they tried to get her to the hospital ... the dog who was terrified of all the new
noises and barked constantly, but the owner had hearing problems and couldn't hear his
barks ... the dog who was 10 years old and had never been in a crate, but the assisted-living
rules forced him into a crate and he was so fearful that he broke his teeth trying to get
out ... the dog who was used to getting exercise in a yard and was now being forced to stay
indoors all the time to use a potty pad - he eliminated all over the new carpet and became
neurotic from lack of exercise ... the dog who guarded the door, not allowing any staff
members to come in ... the dog who couldn't see out of any windows because they were all
too high and he was also not allowed outdoors - she became depressed, lethargic and
stopped eating.

There are behaviors your dog needs to learn in order for you to keep him safe in his new
home:

CRATE
Train your dog to be calm and comfortable in a crate while in your existing home. That way
he will have a familiar spot to retreat to during the move, and also while getting used to
your new home. Once at your new home, a crate can be a comfy and safe spot when you go
out to visit friends. That way your dog isn’t loose in your apartment if a staff member
comes in to check something. A crate is the safest spot for your dog in your new home.

BARKING
If your dog is used to barking at noises, that will become a problem in an apartment where
you share walls with your neighbor. You will need to teach your dog how to stop barking on
cue, as well as acclimating him before you move to the kinds of noises he’ll be exposed to.
And if your dog has phobias about noises like vacuums and thunderstorms, that needs to be
stopped before you move.

Your dog may also need to be introduced to wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. These may
look strange to her and she’ll bark at them.

STAY
Your dog needs to learn to stop moving at your request. This includes teaching him how to
stay in your apartment when someone opens your door. You don’t want your dog to bolt out
of your door into the hallway or outdoors.

COME
Your dog needs to learn how to reliably respond to ‘come when called’ so you can call him to
you when needed.

SIT/DOWN
Simple skills, but very needed when you request it.

JUMPING
If your dog jumps on people when they come into your home, you need to teach her that
the proper way to greet someone is to sit quietly. Do not allow your dog to jump or she
might knock food or medicine out of a staff member’s hand.

GO TO PLACE
Your dog needs to learn to go to a specific spot - a crate or her bed - when you tell her to
do so. And she needs to learn to stay there until you release her, so she’s not under foot
if a staff member is in your apartment.

FRIENDLY TO STRANGERS
Is your dog afraid of strangers? Then your dog needs to quickly learn to accept strangers
because staff members will be coming/going from your room to deliver food, mail, laundry,
cleaning, medicine, etc. Your dog should not be aggressive toward strangers or he may
bite one of the staff members.

LEAVE IT
If you or a staff member drops something on the floor - blood pressure medication, for
instance - you need to be able to tell your dog to ‘leave it’ so she doesn’t dash to eat it
when dropped. The medication that is safe for you might be very dangerous to your dog.

WALKING ON LEASH
If your dog pulls on leash, that needs to be changed immediately. If you’ve been used to
letting your dog out to the backyard, you may not have a backyard in your new home. Which
means that you or someone else will have to walk your dog for exercise and potty breaks.
If needed, start to work with a dog walker now so your dog gets used to someone else
walking her.

HOUSE TRAINING
Your dog will need to learn how to communicate with you that she needs to go out for a
potty break. That may mean teaching her to ring a bell or some other way to communicate
with you. She can learn to ring a bell at your existing home, and that same bell can then be
used at your new home.

Additionally, if your dog is not used to eliminating while on leash, he will need to learn to do
so. Or, if you are going to use potty pads, then start teaching that before the move.

START NOW
You can make the transition to a new home MUCH easier for you and your dog if you teach
him these behaviors BEFORE you move. And do it sooner than later, at least one year if
you’re planning in advance. This will give you time to build a strong response with your dog
before you move, so that you can then mold his behaviors to his new home.

Be sure, too, that your dog responds not only to you but also to staff members, so that if
you aren’t available someone else will be able to communicate with your dog. And have a
family member or friend be your backup, so they can also communicate with your dog.

I can help assess your dog’s needs before you move, help you to train your dog, as well as
work with you in your new home when you’re ready to make that transition. Call me at 248-
232-3655 to discuss this further.