A very special dog is now becoming part of your life. This brave little survivor has endured unpleas­antries we can only imagine, and has emerged a very unique individual who is now counting on you for help in overcoming that horrible experience. It takes a very special person to do this — and if you’re ready and willing to take on this challenge, it will be life-changing for both you and your new companion. So many of the people who have undertaken this journey before you have reported that it was the most rewarding thing they have ever done — and the odds are that it will be for you, too.

Did you recently adopt a dog from the shelter? Is your adopted dog showing signs of trauma? Is settling in more challenging than expected? You are not alone - many newly adopted dogs struggle with adapting to their new home and schedule, and some might even show signs of separation anxiety or trauma.

The good news is that with the right approach, patience, and consistency you can help your dog adjust to their new life and start to trust you!

Let’s look at the best ways to bond with your new and anxious pup.

You hear about buckling up for safety in the car, and even about strapping in your children, but what about restraining your pets? Pet car safety while traveling with pets is an increasingly popular subject among pet parents—and with good reason! Having pets in the car can lead to distracted driving, which is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15% of injury crashes in 2015 were a result of distracted driving. With almost 30% of pet owners admitting that their pets in the car causes a distraction (AAA/Kurgo Pet Passenger Safety Survey, 2011), it's clear that strapping up your dog is an essential part of car safety.

We talked to Melanie Monteiro, a Los Angeles, California-based pet safety expert and author of “The Safe Dog Handbook," to find out how to reduce the risk of distraction and keep your dog contained and restrained on the road for both their safety and yours.

Do right for your Do Over Dog

What exactly is a Do-Over Dog? It might be a shelter dog you’re working with to help her become more adoptable. Perhaps it’s the dog you’ve adopted, rescued, or even found running stray who is now yours to live with and love…forever. Or it could be the dog you’ve lived with for years but you realize he still has “issues” that make him a challenging canine companion. A Do-Over Dog is any dog that you think needs—make that deserves—a second chance in life.

Noted author and trainer Pat Miller has spent her life working with both people and shelter dogs, family dogs, and dogs with behavior problems. In her newest book she shares the wisdom of her years in the field of force-free, positive dog training to help give people and pets a first class life—together.

It’s not too late to begin again

-Learn how to assess any dog in order to anticipate his behavior and training needs.

-Find out how to make the best use of the “Honeymoon Period” when it’s important to teach new behaviors and establish good habits.

-Discover the best way to deal with problem behaviors that are common in Do-Over Dogs including fear, resource guarding, and separation anxiety.

-Educate yourself about using a combination of positive training and common sense management techniques to bring out the best in your new dog.

Canine professionals praise Do Over Dogs

Pat Miller has written yet another MUST READ for dog owners everywhere. This is the rare book that includes all the necessary information for the pet owner to select, introduce, train, implement problem prevention, and work with already existing issues in the “Do-Over Dog”—or ANY dog for that matter. The book provides enough information on each topic to be helpful without overwhelming the reader with technical jargon. I can’t think of a better book for new or prospective pet owners to read.

Sarah Kalnajs BA, CPDT, CDBC creator of The Language of Dogs and Am I Safe DVDs

Pat Miller has written a terrific book that should be of interest to all dog owners. It is both reader-friendly and educational and is packed with valuable information about training and rehabilitation. Two paws up for a great contribution toward better understanding our canine companions!

Dr. Nicholas H Dodman, author of The Well-Adjusted Dog and other best-selling titles

Do Over Dogs Training Manual