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A woman sits cross-legged on a white floor with a black lab in harness partially on her lap. She is smiling at the camera

Family & Friends

It's important to set the standard for home behavior early. Your family and friends may not be aware of the best ways to interact with your dog and help you succeed as a team, so giving firm instructions can ensure that you, your Leader Dog and your loved ones are on the same page.

It's your responsibility to make your dog feel comfortable in its new environment and acclimate it to your life. Your family and friends should remember that your dog is a service dog and your partner, not a pet. You should be the one to feed, water, park and groom the dog when possible. However, it can be helpful to teach your routines with your dog to a family member or friend in the event that you become sick or otherwise unable to care for your dog.

When friends and family are meeting your dog for the first time, remind them to approach quietly and slowly to help make a good first impression. Bringing a dog home can cause excitement, but your dog will feel less stress from the transition if everyone is calm. 

It's helpful to keep your Leader Dog on leash and tie-down lead for the first few days in your home. Explain to your friends and family that this is similar to how they were trained at Leader Dog and will provide some consistency while your dog is adjusting to a new place. After your dog has become accustomed to the new home and is showing reliable, appropriate house manners, you should give your dog the appropriate amount of freedom for your home and family.

Starting your dog and your family and friends down the right path from your first days at home after training will help provide long-term success for everyone involved.