Danielle Baldwin, a former client of Arthur’s, works with Sadie, whom she adopted from a local rescue group. NAN ARTHUR

How to help adopters and their new dogs live happily ever after

Wouldn’t it be nice if every adopted dog came with a personalized operating manual? New pet parents could go to page 3 to find out how to deal with basic problems like “urination, indoors” and page 8 to deal with more advanced issues like “sofa, eating of.” This would be particularly useful in addressing the needs of dogs with unknown backgrounds or missing “warranties.”

But until Apple comes out with the iDog, we must continue to work with the living, lovable, and occasionally challenging pooches we have. By understanding more about the underlying stress factors that follow dogs from shelters into their new homes, you can help new pet parents bridge the awkward getting-to-know-you phase on their way to a lifelong commitment.

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