ADOPTER INFORMATION

So you Adopted a Dog from Mutt Life, Now What?

Below are some valuable tips to help you care for your new companion and set you up for success in welcoming your furry friend into your home.

Understanding Your New Dog’s Journey

These dogs have been through a lot. Shelters can be overwhelming—loud, chaotic, and filled with constant barking. On top of that, many of these dogs have faced abandonment, neglect, or even abuse. It’s important to remember they didn’t receive an email saying, “You’re going to Wisconsin to live with a loving family—be on your best behavior!”

So please, cut them some slack and be patient. Adjusting to a new environment takes time. From our experience fostering over 60 dogs, we can tell you this: they are incredibly resilient and deeply grateful. Despite everything they’ve endured, they do their best to be good dogs. Honestly, they handle change better than most people ever could.

With a little patience, love, and understanding, you’ll be amazed at how beautifully they settle in and become part of your family.

THE 3-3-3 RULE

The 3-3-3 Rule is a helpful guideline for understanding what your newly adopted or foster dog may be experiencing as they adjust to their new home. It’s not a strict timeline, but a general framework that can help set realistic expectations and promote patience and compassion during the transition period.

3 DAYS
Feeling Overwhelmed

Your dog may be scared, shut down, or unsure of their new environment.
They may not eat or drink much, and could sleep a lot or hide.
Accidents or stress behaviors (whining, pacing, barking) are common.
They're trying to process everything that's changed.

3 WEEKS
Starting to
Settle In

Your dog is beginning to feel more comfortable and may start to show their personality.
You might notice behavioral quirks or habits emerging.
They’re learning your routine and starting to feel like part of the household.
Training can start now, but still keep things low-pressure and positive.

3 MONTHS
Feeling
at Home

Your dog feels secure, bonded with you, and understands the house rules.
They’ve likely adjusted to your routine and built trust.
Now is a good time to deepen training, socialization, and enrichment.
You’ll start seeing their true personality really shine through.

Bringing Your Dog Home: First Day & Transition Tips

Welcoming a rescue dog into your home—especially one arriving on transport—is a big moment for both of you. These dogs have just gone through a long, stressful journey and need time, care, and patience as they adjust.

Here are our best tips to help set you (and your new friend) up for success in those first important days:

Go straight home. Avoid extra stops or public areas. Let your dog settle into their new environment calmly.
Offer food and water. Dogs are not fed on the morning of transport, so they may arrive very hungry. For the first couple of days, it’s okay to let them eat a little more than usual.
Float their food. Add warm water to their kibble until it floats. This helps prevent bloat, especially in large breeds or anxious eaters.
Expect exhaustion. After food, a walk, and a bath, your dog will likely want to rest and sleep. Give them a quiet space to decompress.
Give a bath. Most dogs benefit from a gentle bath when they arrive. You can use Dawn dish soap (which kills fleas) or dog-safe shampoo. While they are treated for fleas before arrival, let us know if you see any—we can provide additional treatment if needed.

Feeding Recommendations

During the Foster-to-Adopt (FTA) period, we feed American Premium Dog Food and will send you with a small bag of food.
Please avoid low-quality dog foods (like Ol’ Roy from Walmart). Instead, consider Gentle Giants, Fromm’s, or The Farmer’s Dog.
- Gentle Giants is an affordable, high-quality option available through Chewy.com, with free delivery when ordering two bags at a time.
Always feed new dogs separately from your existing dogs, ideally in their crate. Many rescue dogs have experienced food insecurity, and mealtime is a high-stress, high-value moment for them. Feeding in their crate not only helps avoid food guarding with other pets, but also associates the crate with positive experiences, making it a great tool for crate training and helping your dog feel safe and secure.

Potty Training & Outdoor Time

Take your dog out frequently in the beginning—especially puppies. For young pups, try every 30–60 minutes during the day until you learn their routine.
Dogs often choose to return to the first spot they relieved themselves at your home—so choose this spot wisely.
Reward with praise or treats when they potty outside to encourage good habits.

Introducing to Resident Dogs

Introduce dogs slowly and calmly. Let them sniff each other with supervision and don’t rush the bonding process. It is best to introduce your newly adopted dog with your current dogs outside of your home such as in your backyard or taking them for a walk together.
It's normal if your current dog doesn’t warm up right away—give them space and time.
Avoid food around other dogs and letting them in the kitchen together while cooking in the beginning to prevent guarding behavior.

Important Safety Notes

Do not give rawhides or any cooked bones (like chicken, pork, or ham bones). These can splinter or become lodged in the intestines and cause an obstruction.
Provide safe chew toys and sturdy bones designed for dogs instead.
Always keep a snug-fitting collar with an ID tag on your dog during the first few months—especially during the adjustment period. Until you’ve built trust and established reliable recall, do not allow them off-leash in unsecured areas. Even well-behaved dogs can get spooked or bolt in unfamiliar environments.

Tips for Caring for Your Adopted Dog

Bringing home a newly adopted dog or puppy is an exciting and rewarding experience—but it also comes with important responsibilities. Below are some key tips to help your new companion adjust, feel secure, and develop into a well-mannered, happy family member.

Socialization & Basic Training

It’s important to start working on basic manners and obedience as soon as your dog has begun to settle in. Teach your dog not to jump, to walk nicely on a leash, and to respond to simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”

Once your dog is fully vaccinated, begin slowly exposing them to new people, other dogs, and different environments. Positive, structured socialization helps prevent fear-based behaviors and builds your dog’s confidence in new situations.

We recommend joinging a puppy training class at the Milwaukee Dog Training Club or Pet Smart dog training classes.

Sleeping Arrangements

Many of our fosters choose to have their puppies sleep in bed with them, especially in the early days, which helps them feel comforted and secure. If this isn’t your preference, we recommend crating your puppy in your bedroom at night. Being near you (and possibly your other dogs) helps them feel like part of the “pack” and often reduces barking or whining.

Before bedtime, make sure your puppy is toileted. Most will sleep 6+ hours through the night without needing to go out again. In the crate, include a soft blanket and chew toys—but keep those toys exclusive to crate time so they feel like a reward. This reinforces the idea that the crate is a safe, positive space.

Crate Training & Safety

Crating is a valuable tool—not a punishment. It keeps your dog safe when you cannot supervise them and helps protect your home from accidental destruction or chewing behavior. Puppies especially can get into dangerous things when left unattended. Feeding your dog in their crate can help making it a positive space for them.

When crating during the day:

Place the crate near a window if possible, to provide visual stimulation.
Do NOT cover the crate with a blanket—dogs prefer being able to see what’s going on.
Provide safe chew toys or puzzle toys to keep them busy.

Crate your dog (until you can trust them alone):

Whenever you leave the house
Anytime you cannot give them your full attention

This reduces anxiety, prevents damage, and gives your dog a safe place to relax and decompress.

Dealing with Chewing or "Naughty" Behavior

If you're noticing excessive chewing or what seems like "naughty" behavior, it's important to remember that dogs aren’t acting out on purpose—they’re often trying to tell us they need more exercise, structure, or mental stimulation. For many dogs, one walk a day is simply not enough. Without an outlet for their energy, they may resort to chewing, barking, or other unwanted behaviors.

Here are some great ways to provide exercise and enrichment for your dog:

Long walks or jogs
Fetch or backyard playtime
Puzzle toys or treat-dispensing games
Chew toys and long-lasting bones (safe options only)
Basic obedience or trick training
Agility or enrichment classes
Playdates with trusted dogs
Dog parks (once fully vaccinated and socially ready)
Dog-friendly cafes, patios, or shops
Car rides or outings for socialization
Doggy daycare or hiring a dog walker while you’re at work

A tired dog is a happy dog, and keeping your pup mentally and physically stimulated will help build a stronger bond—and a better-behaved companion.

Vaccinations & Health Information

When adopting your dog, you will receive a folder with your dog's health information and vaccination history.

What’s Included in Your Adoption Fee

At the time of adoption, your dog will be up to date on age-appropriate core vaccinations, including:

Rabies
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Heartworm prevention
Flea and Tick prevention
Heartworm testing (if age-appropriate)
Spay/neuter surgery (covered by the adoption fee)

These essential services help ensure your new companion starts their life with you on the healthiest paw possible.

To ensure your new dog stays healthy, we recommend scheduling a visit with your veterinarian within the first month of adoption. This allows you to establish care, discuss any health concerns, and begin a consistent heartworm prevention plan.

Health Concerns During Foster-to-Adopt (FTA):

During the 5-day FTA period, if your puppy shows any abnormal health issues such as coughing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, vomiting, worms in poop, bloody stool, not eating, infection around spay/neuter incision, etc., please reach out to us right away so we can advise you on the next steps and provide appropriate care through our network.

We are not responsible for any veterinary costs if you take your dog to a vet without contacting us first (DURING FTA PERIOD or fostering). We work closely with our own veterinarian and are often able to treat or address most issues without the need for an external vet visit.

After the FTA Period:

Once the 5-day FTA period is complete and the adoption is finalized, you become the official owner of the dog. At that point, you are free to seek veterinary care at your discretion and establish ongoing care with the veterinarian of your choice.

Vaccination Guidelines for
Puppies and Adult Dogs

Vaccinations are essential for protecting your dog from serious, preventable diseases. Below is a general guideline based on age and health needs. The information we provide is based on our experience as a rescue/foster organization and is intended for general guidance only. We are not licensed veterinarians, and our advice should not replace professional veterinary care.

Puppies (6–20 weeks old)

Core Vaccines:

DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Given every 2-3 weeks until 20 weeks old
- Then once per year
Rabies
- Single dose after 10 weeks old
- Booster: 1 year later, then every 1–3 years depending on vaccine

Noncore Vaccines:

Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- 8+ weeks (oral, intranasal, or injectable)
Leptospirosis
- Typically starts at 12 weeks (2 doses, 2–4 weeks apart)
Lyme Disease
- Starts at 12 weeks (2 doses, 2–4 weeks apart)
Canine Influenza
- Optional, especially in high-risk areas

Adult Dogs (Over 20 weeks)

If unvaccinated or unknown vaccine history:

DHPP
- 2 doses, 2–4 weeks apart
Rabies
- 1 dose (booster after 1 year, then every 1–3 years)
Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, and Influenza: Based on lifestyle/risk

If previously vaccinated:

Follow your vet’s recommendations, usually:
DHPP
- Every 1–3 years
Rabies
- Every 1–3 years
Noncore vaccines
- (Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella, and Influenza) Annually, if needed- we recommend

While the dog is in foster care, we continue to vaccinate per individual dog's vaccination schedule and age until they are adopted. It is VERY important to keep your puppy on schedule with their vaccinations after adoption to keep them protected from deadly infections like parvovirus and distemper.

All of the above vaccines are available for purchase online or at Farm and Fleet besides Rabies which needs to be given by a licensed veterinarian. There are several combination vaccines available that protect against multiple diseases in a single injection. One commonly used option is Canine Spectra 10, a 10-in-1 vaccine that includes Lyme disease protection.

Combination vaccines like Spectra 10 are typically administered during the last two doses of the 4-shot puppy vaccine series, once the puppy is old enough and their immune system is more developed. For adult dogs, this vaccine can be given as part of their annual vaccination routine.

Administering vaccines yourself is a much more cost-effective option. If you're interested in learning how to give vaccines at home, please contact us—we’re happy to show you how or administer the vaccines for you.

What you Should know about Parvovirus

At our rescue, keeping dogs safe and healthy is our top priority—and that starts with education about deadly, preventable diseases like Canine Parvovirus (Parvo). Parvo is one of the most serious threats to puppies and unvaccinated dogs, and understanding how it spreads and how to prevent it can literally save lives.

What is Parvovirus (Parvo)?

Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that affects mostly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It attacks the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, leading to:

Severe vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Rapid dehydration
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Fever or low body temperature

Without immediate treatment, Parvo can be fatal in just a few days. Puppies who are not fully vaccinated (less than 3 DHPP), are inconsistently vaccinated (greater than 3 weeks between vaccinations) and all puppies under 20 weeks old are the most susceptible to Parvo infection.

How Parvo Spreads

Parvo spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or their feces or saliva, and also through contaminated objects or environments—like shoes, water bowls, grass, crates, or even human hands. It can live in the environment for 6 months and is resistant to many common disinfectants. Using Bleach and hydrogen peroxide cleaning solutions are some of the only ways to disinfect.

How to Keep your Puppy Safe

The best protection against Parvovirus is to keep your puppy at home until they are fully vaccinated and at least 20 weeks old. It is extremely important to avoid high-traffic dog areas—such as dog parks, nature trails, busy sidewalks, and dog-friendly establishments—until your puppy’s immune system is strong enough to fight off serious viruses like Parvo.

As tempting as it is to show off your adorable new puppy and start socializing them, public areas can be contaminated with Parvo even if they look clean. The virus can live on surfaces for months and is easily spread through paws, shoes, or shared spaces. The safest and most responsible thing you can do is keep your puppy at home or in a controlled, clean environment with fully vaccinated dogs until their vaccination series is complete.

It is also extremely important to give timely and complete vaccinations, starting when puppies are as young as 6 weeks old. Puppies typically need a series of four or more DHPP shots, spaced 2–3 weeks apart, and the schedule is most effective when vaccines are given every 2 weeks until around 20 weeks of age.

Puppies coming from shelters or rescues are vaccinated based on their age at intake, so they may have received one or more of the necessary shots prior to adoption. It’s important to continue their vaccine series on schedule after adoption to ensure full protection.

Please remember: Puppies are not considered fully protected until two weeks after their final DHPP shot.

What You Can Do:

Follow the full puppy vaccination schedule without delay
Avoid exposing puppies to public places until they are fully vaccinated
Disinfect shoes and surfaces before interacting with unvaccinated puppies
Only allow contact with fully vaccinated, healthy dogs
If you’re fostering, continue the vaccine schedule per your rescue's guidance
Learn to recognize early signs of illness—early treatment can save lives

If You Suspect Parvo

If your dog or puppy shows any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy, please contact us at Mutt Life or your veterinarian immediately. One of the earliest signs of Parvo is a puppy that suddenly stops eating, seems unusually tired or “sad,” and may develop diarrhea—sometimes with blood.

Do not wait. Parvo is a medical emergency, and early intervention can make the difference between life and death. Time is critical, so reach out as soon as you notice any warning signs.

Heartworm Prevention

At our rescue, many of our dogs come from southern states, where heartworm disease is extremely common due to the warm, humid climate and high mosquito population. Education and prevention are critical—not just for the dogs we save, but for the families who adopt them.

What You Need to Know as an Adopter

If your dog is over 6 months of age, they should have arrived with a recent heartworm test on file (included in your adoption folder)
You should establish care with a veterinarian within a month after adoption to get a prescription for heartworm prevention and continue their schedule
Heartworm prevention is a critical part of your dog’s long-term health. If you have any questions about your dog’s heartworm status, treatment plan, or how to start prevention, please reach out to us.

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition caused by parasites that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected dogs. It’s spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. A single bite can transmit larvae that grow into foot-long worms inside a dog’s body.

In its early stages, heartworm may show no symptoms, but over time it can lead to:

Coughing
Fatigue
Weight loss
Heart failure
Organ damage

Untreated, heartworm disease can be deadly.

Why Southern Dogs Are High Risk

Dogs from southern states like Texas, Arkansas, and Georgia are at much higher risk for heartworm due to year-round mosquito exposure. Even dogs that lived mostly indoors or were strays for a short time can be infected.

That’s why all of our dogs over 6 months old are tested for heartworm before adoption, and we begin preventative treatment immediately.

Prevention is Simple and Essential

The good news is that heartworm is 100% preventable with a monthly preventative medication like Heartgard, Interceptor Plus, or Simparica Trio. These can be given orally and are often combined with flea and tick protection. Talk with your veterinarian about which preventative is best for your dog.

We strongly recommend:

All dogs (8 weeks and older) remain on monthly heartworm prevention year-round
Scheduling a heartworm test annually with your veterinarian (we recommend the 4DX that also tests for tick-born illnesses)
Never skipping or delaying doses, even in colder months

Prevention is safe, affordable, and easy—especially compared to the long and expensive treatment for heartworm disease.