Welcoming Your Adopted Dog: Tips for a Smooth Transition and Happy Home
Congratulations on adopting your new dog! It's an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—this article guides you through helping your dog settle in and decompress, ensuring a smooth transition for both of you.
The Importance of Decompression Time
Speaking of decompression, the first few days to a week in their new home is an important adjustment period for your dog, who is likely stressed by all the new sights, sounds & smells. Your dog is navigating a whirlwind of emotions—fear, uncertainty and confusion. There are new experiences to process, maybe even new food to adjust to. Imagine moving to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language or know anyone—that’s what your furry new family member is experiencing right now.
You might not see signs of this immediately because the first week is often referred to as the “honeymoon” phase. During this time, your new dog is likely on their best behavior & too nervous to show you their true personality. They may not seem hungry or thirsty and might just want to hide in a small corner. This behavior will change in time.
Key takeaway: The most important thing to remember during this period is to give your dog time to decompress and acclimate to their new environment.
Allow Your Dog to Adjust at Their Own Pace
Adopting a dog is an exciting milestone and it’s natural to want to introduce your new pup to your friends and bring them to fun places. However, it’s crucial to remember that this is a significant adjustment for both of you. From your dog’s perspective, getting adopted can be stressful, even frightening. They don’t know you yet, your house is full of unfamiliar smells and sounds, and they may fear this is just another temporary stop rather than their forever home. Maybe they've even been adopted before but returned.
Peace and quiet are your best friends during the first week or two. You’ll have plenty of time to create wonderful memories together, so take this time to let both of you adjust.
Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog
One of the best ways to help your dog settle in is by creating a safe space where they can rest and relax without interruption. This could be a crate (if your dog is crate trained) or a cozy dog bed in a quiet corner. I recommend creating a “sacred space” for your dog—an area where they won’t be disturbed by family members, children, or other pets.
To make this space inviting, toss a couple of treats, place their favorite toys (or your favorite if you don't know theirs yet) and add a blanket. Your dog will learn that this is their retreat, a spot where they can go to decompress whenever they feel the need.
3 Benefits of a Safe Space:
It helps your dog feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar environment.
It allows your dog to observe the household’s activities without feeling pressured to interact which can be overwhelming initially.
It keeps family members safe from unexpected dog behavior
Managing Your Home Environment
Block off areas of your house where you don’t want your dog to go. This could include the kitchen, children’s rooms or other areas with potential hazards or things you don't want chewed on. Baby gates are an easy solution as you'll still get to keep any eye on your dog while keeping them contained. It can help to toss a blanket over the gate to obscure your dog's view so they don't get FOMO. Give them a toy or chew for entertainment as well.
For larger dogs, there are gates designed to provide extra security. Closed doors also work although you won't be able to supervise your dog as well so make sure the room is truly dog-proofed and check on your dog more frequently if they’re out of sight.
This management strategy not only keeps your dog safe but also prevents unwanted behaviors like chewing on electrical cords or ingesting harmful items like makeup or socks if you take your eyes off of them.
Establishing a Routine
Dogs thrive on routine (studies show routines are beneficial for human well-being too). Start by setting a consistent feeding and walking schedule. Aim to feed your dog around the same time each morning & evening and try to walk them at regular intervals. You can add quiet time, play time and other activities into your dog's daily routine as well.
Consider your dog's daily exercise needs so they stay healthy and well-adjusted. Most dogs require 30 minutes to 2 hours of physical activity per day depending on age, size, breed, overall health & temperament. Consult your vet to determine what’s best for your dog, until them, start with two 30-minute daily walks and adjust as needed.
2 Types of Dog Walks:
Human-Led Walks: These are purposeful walks, like a quick stroll before bed for a potty break or taking your dog along on a morning jog.
Dog-Led Walks: These are leisurely walks where your dog can follow their nose, providing essential mental enrichment. Both types of walks are crucial for your dog’s well-being and help strengthen the bond between you.
Supervision and Safety
Always supervise your new dog around children, other pets and unfamiliar people until you’re 100% certain of how they’ll react (and maybe then, too). As mentioned earlier, it’s best to delay introducing your dog to friends until they’re comfortable in their new home. When introducing your dog to other dogs, you may want to do so on neutral territory to avoid potential territorial behavior.
2 Important Safety Tips:
Meal Times: Never try to pet your dog while they’re eating until you’re sure of how they’ll react. Even then, it’s generally best to let them eat undisturbed. After all, nobody likes being interrupted at dinner time.
Sleeping Arrangements: You might dream of snuggling with your dog on the bed or couch, but it’s wise to hold off on this until you know each other better. There’s plenty of time for cozy moments down the road. However, never let dogs sleep with young children—dogs have a strong startle response and young children can be very active sleepers which could lead to an unfortunate incident.
Patience is Key!
Remember, every dog is an individual. It takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for them to fully settle into their new home. Patience and understanding are your best allies during this early stage. While your dog settles in, take the opportunity to learn about dog body language. This knowledge will be invaluable as your dog’s personality emerges and they become more integrated into your life.
My name is Ruth Hegarty and I'm a certified positive dog trainer specializing in fearful/anxious dog behaviors like separation anxiety, reactivity & aggression. I'm also the mom of an adopted dog with trauma-based reactivity. I'm certified in dog bite safety education, pet loss support, life coaching for families with reactive dogs and am a Fear Free certified professional. I'm the owner of Creature Good Dog Training where we are known for being compassionate, non-judgmental, fun, expert & easy to work with dog trainers. I’m passionate about helping fearful dogs and their people thrive by offering in-person and online training options.
Click here for a free online dog training consultation with me! I'm excited to speak with you about your adopted dog.
Comments