As Mia says, our biggest mission as a rescue is to make sure the dogs are ready to be adopted. We do this through socialization, house and crate training, and basic leash walking skills. How does Blue Man Dog achieve these goals?

The first week for all dogs at BMD - and in our foster and forever homes - is all about a calm environment with basic routines. The stress level in shelters is very high, and everything is new for dogs coming out of a shelter. Simply moving to a new home is stressful. A calm environment allows the dogs to decompress and start to feel secure.

Beginning on day one, dogs are introduced to being crated. They'll eat and sleep in a crate, and will spend a few hours each day there when they're not outside or interacting with other dogs or humans. Also on the first day, basic house rules and boundaries are set. All of this is reinforced constantly so it becomes part of the normal routine.

Some rescues are introduced to other dogs in a day or two. If the dogs are under-socialized it can take weeks, and may be done in stages: first with a fence between the new rescue and the dogs they're being introduced to. There's no timeline, everything depends on the dog, and Mia's judgement as to when they're ready to socialize safely with other canines.

Three of Mia's own dogs have a specific job to do in socializing the rescues. Mature and calm King helps shy dogs feel comfortable and gain confidence. Main helper Hannah is a dominant dog, very forward and playful. She pushes new dogs to play, and teaches them dog communication. Kermit, the youngster, is confident and also loves to play. In true "it takes a village" fashion, new dogs start out being helped, then they "play it forward" by helping new rescues in the ever-changing cast of characters at BMD. Below, King helping a new dog; King and Kermit making Bindi feel secure on her first hike. [See our summer issue on "Helper Dogs," archived on BMD's website, bluemandog.org]

Humans play a role in socializing the rescues as well. The dogs need to learn how to interact with people. At BMD, we do this in a variety of ways. Mia and the volunteers sometimes just "hang out" with the dogs, inviting them to come over and be petted. Brushing is a good way to keep coats looking nice, but it also serves as a way for the dogs to become used to being handled. The dogs learn leash walking skills and some basic commands: sit, wait, and come/recall.

Miho Groia loves giving her time to BMD. She enjoys training and preparing the dogs for adoption, but her favorite aspect of volunteering is making a connection with the dogs. "When their emotions and mind are stable, the dogs are more comfortable," says Miho. "I try to be grounded. The dogs help me to become more grounded."

Linda Harris, a dog trainer, is another volunteer. She and Mia developed the training plan and volunteer log to make sure there's consistency for the dogs. Linda commented, "we meet every dog where they're at. What the dogs teach us is where they're at." Linda is gratified when dogs try something new and succeed, and when she gains a dog's trust. Pictured below, Miho and three happy dogs, and Linda having a moment with two rescues.

BMD rescues are lucky pups indeed. They're provided with safety and security. They learn good dog behavior and socialization, and have the luxury of hours and hours of play time with other dogs every day. Caring humans attend to their well-being, too. From loving pets and belly rubs, to brushing and bathing, to learning necessary leash walking skills and basic commands, rescue dogs at BMD become ready for their next step: finding their forever family.