Help Your New Best Friend Adapt, Adjust

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These days it seems people are closer to their dogs than ever before. Always known as man's best friend, dogs have become increasingly beloved and pampered members of the family over the years. And as the popularity of the show "The Dog Whisperer" attests, dog owners are more interested than ever in creating a comfortable environment for their four-legged friends.

For dog owners who have recently adopted a shelter dog, creating such an environment can be challenging. Because many shelter dogs have anxiety issues, it can be difficult for them to adapt to their new environs. But even the most stubborn shelter dog should be able to adapt to a new home if his owner is patient and takes the right approach.

* Minimize stress: While it might be hard to imagine a dog suffering from stress, it's actually common, especially for newly adopted shelter dogs. To keep stress at a minimum, avoid adopting dogs around hectic times of the year, such as the holidays, and try to welcome a dog into your home when all is quiet and you won't be expecting many visitors. A dog needs time to settle into his new home, and too much activity will be confusing and make it more difficult for him to adapt.

Another way to minimize stress is to keep things as normal as possible for the dog. This includes maintaining the same diet from the shelter or pet store to avoid diarrhea and keeping the dog on a similar exercise schedule. Once the dog has adapted, you can then gradually begin to wean the dog onto a different schedule.

* Provide structure: Your new dog will need structure from the moment he gets home. If you've adopted a dog that's been living in a shelter for an extended period of time, providing structure and establishing yourself as the leader might be more difficult than with a new puppy. However, make commands such as "Sit" and "Wait" a regular part of your interaction with your dog. For example, make the dog sit before putting his leash on and leaving the house each morning. The earlier you provide this structure, and the more effective it is, the easier it will be for your dog to adapt to his new home.

* Don't be afraid to crate the dog: While it can seem like a prison to humans, many dogs actually don't mind a crate. It can create a feeling of security and help limit their stress because it takes away decision making that can stress a dog out. Many dogs feel comfortable in the crate when there are no people home, so consider crating the dog when you're at work. It will also offer you peace of mind that the dog is not chewing up furniture or soiling in the house.

* Routine, routine, routine: Routine helps a dog know what to expect. This is especially valuable to shelter dogs that might have anxiety issues. Uncertainty only increases a dog's anxiety. However, a solid routine, including a daily walk first thing in the morning, an established playtime schedule and a strict mealtime and snacking schedule will help a dog establish a routine and feel more comfortable in his new environment.