Adopting a new friend can be super exciting and very overwhelming at the same time. Your routine is going to be a little off for the first few weeks as you start to transition the new pup into your home. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you navigate through those first few weeks.

Let Your Dog/Puppy Sleep

Your new pup is probably exhausted, and that’s OK! If you rescued your dog, chances are they may not have had the best life leading up to coming into your home. The circumstances that brought them to a rescue aside, they’ve still been through a lot in a short amount of time. From being rescued, going to the vet, possibly getting neutered and updated on their shots, and meeting a bunch of new people between the rescue and meet and greets, it’s a lot for them. They probably haven’t had a quality, carefree rest in quite some time. 

It’s very normal for your new dog to want to sleep, or keep to themselves in the beginning. Give them this time to relax and rest up and get used to their new surroundings. Remember, this is a brand new environment for them and, unfortunately, as much as we tell them “You’re home now!,” they need to see and believe it for themselves. If you can, try to give them their own space in the house, whether it be with a new bed or blanket or crate. Some place they can feel safe and go to if they feel a little overwhelmed.

Give your pup a chance to get used to their surroundings and to a warm and loving home. Let them come to you when they feel comfortable. If they’re not immediately in a playful mood that’s absolutely normal. It takes a few weeks for a new dog to completely come out of their shell and let their personality shine. Timeframes can vary, it all depends on the dog. Try to read their cues and go off of what they’re presenting at the time. They will open up, just don’t expect it to happen right away.

Limit Guest Visits

I know this is a tough one! But as I stated above, your dog is very tired and still getting used to living in a new home. As much as we want to share the new family addition to all of our friends and family and introduce them, it’s always a good idea to wait a little while until they are settled in and feels safe.

Maybe start with one friend or family member at a time. Short visits, and plenty of time to rest in between meeting another new person is very important. I also suggest waiting a little bit before hosting other friends’ or family dogs. This has nothing to do with whether they are good with other animals! They’re still trying to adjust and need to build their trust in you. You don’t want them to feel like they will need to compete for your attention, and overwhelming them with a visiting dog right away may give the wrong impression.

Be Prepared For Accidents And Unwanted Chewing

Whether you’re adopting a puppy or an older dog, accidents are going to happen. Even if the dog is potty trained, it’s still a brand new environment and a brand new relationship between you and the dog. Also prepare for any unwanted chewing or anything of that nature, the dog may be anxious and resort to chewing something as a way to soothe themselves. Give them certain things to keep them occupied if they show a little anxiety. I recommend lickimats, You can put some peanut butter or yogurt or even pumpkin on them and throw it in the freezer. This will give them something to occupy their mind for a little while.

In addition to accidents that may occur, also be prepared for your pup to have an upset stomach the first few days/nights. Again, it’s all brand new for them and in a lot of cases brand new food as well. The stress from going into a new home and eating new food can cause some belly issues that your new dog may not be able to control. This is normal, I always recommend having some rice and pumpkin and even some chicken on hand when you first bring home your pup. This way you can add it to their meals if they do end up having an issue. 

I also recommend stocking up on some cleaning supplies just in case! I always use natures miracle. This stuff works wonders! Extra paper towels and regular towels/rags always help too. If you have some old towels that you aren’t using anymore, you can dedicate those as “dog towels”, that way if there is a bigger accident or you need to line their crate with something, you’ll be prepared. The Bissel mini stain vacuum works very well if you want something a little more heavy duty. 

The number one thing I tell people, and even have to remind myself, is to try not to get upset with the dog for having an accident. They’re trying their best, and even though it is super frustrating (especially after going a day or two without one), they are still going to happen. Re-assure your dog that you’re not angry with them, and bring them outside to remind them where they’re supposed to go. There’s a learning period between you and the dog, building a relationship takes time.

Introduce Toys Slowly

I know – I go out and buy a million toys too. But, when I welcome home a new pup I like to start out with just a couple of toys at a time. Then day by day introduce a new one. Not only does this keep things interesting for the dog, it also helps you find out what toys they like. Some dogs love certain toys and hate others. This gives you a chance to really see what your dog is interested in, and hopefully can save you a little bit of money in the long run as well.

Expect Behavioral Issues To Arise

One thing I hear all of the time is “Oh my new dog/puppy is amazing! They just sleep all day! We really lucked out!” Hopefully you did luck out, however the more likely explanation is what I touched upon above. New dogs are tired and uncomfortable. Their real personality will come out after some time, once they feel like they’re truly at home. This is when the behavior problems may start. I always suggest introducing commands as soon as possible, this way your dog will start to understand the structure of the home. But just be ready for new quirks that may emerge as your dog starts to feel like part of the family. 

Monitor Your Dog

During the first week or so your dog is going to want to explore their new space. This leaves the opportunity to get into trouble… Try to keep the dog within your sight as much as you can. Make sure you’re checking your house for things left out, such as shoes or socks, or the garbage. Just a quick sweep of your home every now and then to ensure things aren’t left out for the dog to grab. You may even want to limit the amount of space you expose them to, such as gating off certain areas, closing doors, and maybe adding a gate to the stairs. This helps ensure your pup doesn’t get into anything they shouldn’t.

Enjoy Your New Pup

Introducing a new friend into your life can be a lot of work, but as any dog owner will tell you, it’s SO worth it! The first few weeks is the precious time you have to form a lifelong bond with your dog and it’s an amazing feeling!

You’ll eventually fall into a nice little routine and will be best friends. Just takes a little time and patience. 

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