Containment and security
Working dogs jump, dig and problem solve. Six-foot secure fencing with no climbable furniture against it, gate latches the dog cannot operate, and a plan for deliveries and visitors are all essential before day one.
Equipment
Buy quality once. A correctly sized crate, a flat collar and a fur-saver, a two-metre leather lead, a long line, a well-fitted harness for tracking, appropriate tugs and a treat pouch cover almost everything for the first year.
- Crate sized to stand, turn and lie flat
- Leather 2m lead and 10m long line
- Fur-saver or flat collar correctly fitted
- Two or three quality tugs of varied material
- Secure vehicle crate or seatbelt restraint
Routine
Write the daily schedule before the dog arrives: feeding times, training slots, exercise, crate rest and toilet breaks. Working dogs thrive on predictability, and a written routine keeps every household member consistent.
Veterinary care and insurance
Register with a practice experienced in working breeds before arrival, arrange insurance appropriate to a high-value dog, and understand your policy's stance on working, protection and competition activity — many exclude it.
The first fourteen days
Decompress. Minimal visitors, no training pressure, short quiet outings, plenty of sleep and a consistent routine. Resist the urge to show the dog off. A rested dog that trusts its new environment learns faster for the following decade.