A New Beginning!

Welcoming a protection dog into your home is a big and exciting step! 🎉 Whether you’re bringing home a highly trained German Shepherd 🐕‍🦺, a strong Cane Corso 💪, or a loyal Belgian Malinois 💼, your first day together matters a lot. It sets the tone for the bond you’ll build and helps your dog feel safe, loved, and ready to protect you.

At https://protectiondogss.com/, we make sure your transition is smooth, happy, and full of tail wags 🐾. Now, we’ll teach you EVERYTHING you need to know about what happens on Day One and how to make it amazing, for you and your dog!

Let’s get started 🦴👇

Quick Day One Checklist!

Task 📝	Why It Matters ❤️	Our Help 🤝
Set up your dog’s space 🛏️	Gives them a safe zone to relax	We send a supply list before delivery
First potty walk 🚶‍♂️	Builds routine & reduces accidents	Our handlers guide you step-by-step
Introduce key family members 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦	Starts bonding right	We coach every intro, even for kids!
Keep things calm 🎧	Avoids overwhelm	We prep your home layout ahead
Begin your command routine 🎯	Reinforces training	Use our Handler Training tools
Contact us if unsure 📲	You’re never alone!	Our Remote Training Support is 24/7

🏠 Before the Dog Arrives: Final Home Prep

Let’s start BEFORE your protection dog even walks in the door. Their experience starts with the environment YOU create. At https://protectiondogss.com/, we give you a home prep checklist, but here’s a quick look:

Dog zone ready: Set up their crate, bed, water bowl, and toys 🎾
Limit chaos: No guests, no loud TV, no party noise 🙅‍♂️
Family meeting: Everyone knows the ground rules (no hugging, shouting, or crowding the dog)
Kids briefed: Calm body language only, this is a serious working dog, not a teddy bear 💼

💡 Check out our full Home Preparation Before Arrival guide for detailed steps.

🚚 Arrival Time: How the Delivery Works

Your protection dog may arrive by car 🚗, van 🐾, or air ✈️ depending on your location. Here’s what to expect:

✈️ If the dog is flown in:

Our team handles airport pickup and stress-free delivery
We ensure the dog has a restroom break and water before you meet

🚗 If we deliver by ground:

A professional handler will walk you through everything in person
You’ll get your starter kit with leash, food, and training plan

📦 You can also request In-Home Integration services to get hands-on coaching the moment we arrive.

🧘‍♀️ The First Hour: Calm, Quiet, Gentle

As soon as your protection dog enters your home, keep things soft and steady:

No squealing or rushing, calm energy only
Let the dog explore on leash, one room at a time
Guide them to their crate or bed, and just observe
Speak softly, use their name gently, and let them sniff and process

🎯 Remember: Their obedience is strong, but they’re still adjusting to a new place and people!

🚶 First Walk: Potty & Routine Establishment

One of the FIRST things to do after arrival is the potty walk 🚶‍♂️. Don’t assume your new dog will know where to go!

Take them to the potty area immediately
Use the cue word they already know from training (e.g., “Go potty!”)
Praise them when they go, it builds trust and success early

🏆 Our Trainer Notes include your dog’s routine, commands, and known cues.

👋 First Family Introductions

Ready to say hello? Let’s do it the right way.

👶 Small Kids:

Sit on the couch calmly
Let the dog come to them (not the other way around)
No sudden movements or hugging at first

🧑 Teens & Adults:

Stand sideways, no direct eye contact
Use a calm voice: “Hi Max, good boy.”
Let the dog sniff hands before touching

🏡 Tip: Use our Introducing to Babies and Children guide if you have little ones!

🐾 First Command Time: Light Practice Only

Day One is NOT about heavy training. But you CAN practice the basics:

Name recognition 👂
“Sit” and “Place” (onto a mat or bed) 🛏️
Heel walk around the yard or driveway 🐾

💡 Use treats your dog already loves (we provide these in your delivery kit!).
🎮 Try games from our Family-Friendly Training Games blog post.

🍽️ First Mealtime: Keep it Familiar

Feeding is comforting. Stick to the same food, time, and bowl style your dog knows:

Place the bowl down in their quiet space
Avoid distractions while they eat
Don’t pet them while they eat (important for new dogs!)

🎯 We send detailed feeding instructions with every dog, including diet notes from our Nutrition & Health Team.

💤 First Night: Sweet Dreams

Where should your dog sleep?

Near you is best (in a crate or bed in the same room)
Use a white noise machine if they’re sensitive to sounds
Cover the crate partially to make it feel like a den

👂 Listen for signs of anxiety like whining. Most trained dogs settle within 30–45 minutes if ignored gently (no scolding).

❤️ How We Help Make Day One Easy

At https://protectiondogss.com/, Day One isn’t just “delivery day.” It’s bonding day, transition day, success day. Here’s how we support your big start:

In-Home Integration Trainers: We guide setup and behavior from the moment we arrive
Virtual Support Line: Need help at 8 PM? Text or call our Remote Training Support
Family Handler Training: Live coaching for spouses, kids, grandparents & more
Daily Schedule Sample: We email a 24-hour example routine so you’re never guessing

🛏️ Sample Day-One Schedule (for Reference)

Time	Activity	Notes
9:00 AM	Arrival	Calm home, no noise, leash walk
9:30 AM	Potty Walk	Use known cue, reward
10:00 AM	Crate Rest	Let them relax
12:00 PM	Light Lunch	Familiar food only
1:00 PM	Meet Family	One at a time, calm
3:00 PM	Practice Sit/Place	5 minutes max
6:00 PM	Dinner	Quiet space, no crowding
8:00 PM	Crate Wind-Down	No toys, just chill time
9:00 PM	Bedtime	Sleep near you in crate or bed

😅 Common Day-One Mistakes to Avoid

Uh-oh! Let’s prevent the most common hiccups new families experience:

🚫 Letting kids rush the dog
🚫 Trying to teach new commands right away
🚫 Allowing free-roam too early
🚫 Changing food or giving too many new treats
🚫 Overstimulating with toys, guests, or noise

📘 Read our full Family Readiness Checklist for a step-by-step guide!

🎁 Pack a Welcome Kit!

Prepare a basket for your dog just like you would for a new baby 👶:

Familiar treats 🍖
Chew toy 🧸
Blanket with our training scent 🛏️
Slip leash + collar
Water & food bowls
Command cards (provided by us!)

🎒 Want us to pack it for you? Our Personalized Puppy Program includes full welcome kits.

🤗 Day One = Day One of Forever

You’re not just getting a dog. You’re welcoming a guardian, a teammate, a companion. Day One sets the tone for a lifetime of safety, loyalty, and love 🐾❤️

And don’t worry, you’re never alone! https://protectiondogss.com/ supports you through the ENTIRE journey. From Day One to Year Ten.

🙋‍♀️ FAQs

1. What if my protection dog seems nervous?

That’s okay! New places can feel overwhelming. Use soft voices, keep routines predictable, and let them adjust at their own pace. Our Remote Training Support is available for live advice.

2. Can I let my new dog off leash on Day One?

Nope! Even if they’re trained, they don’t yet know your yard boundaries. Always use a leash for at least the first few days, see our Stay and Train Program for smoother transitions.