Adding a new dog to the family is an exciting time. It also has the potential to be a little stressful, especially when everyone is getting to know each other, or when you’re taking in an older dog rather than a puppy.
Here are five ways to ease the transition:
1. Easy actually
When you first get home, explore the yard a bit on a leash and give your dog a chance to let loose outside. It’s understandable that people in the household – especially children – will be excited, but they will aim for a calm introduction and not smother their dog with love. You know that your dog is going to be your new best friend, but your dog is just trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Introduce her to canine household members slowly, and be prepared to separate the dogs as needed if your new dog seems overwhelmed by the interaction. Provide a comfortable place to rest and respect that area as her personal space.
Although you may want to change your dog’s diet, we recommend that you wait until she has settled down a bit before making any dietary changes. Speaking of eating, don’t be alarmed if she refuses treats and picks at meals or doesn’t eat in those first few days – especially if she’s visibly nervous. Don’t make too much of it (it can make things worse!) and know that a healthy dog won’t starve.
2. Establish a routine and clear expectations
Routines are comforting because of the predictability they provide. Feed and walk your dog on a schedule to help your dog achieve success in house training. Even if she’s older, or you’ve been told she’s house-trained, it’s best to approach the situation as if she were a young puppy: supervise her closely and take her outside often!
Set clear expectations from the start. If you don’t want your dog lying on the couch, don’t call her a special treat the first week home because she looks sad and you think she needs a cuddle. (If she initiates a cuddle session, go for it! Just do it in a dog-friendly area.)
3. Training as an opportunity to connect
As you go through the first few weeks together, reward generously if you practice simple obedience behaviors like sitting or responding to her name—and whenever she does something you love: lays quietly at your feet, doesn’t jump on the counter when you’re in the kitchen, etc. Teach her that you are an endless source of good things.
Experiment a little to see what your dog likes best. Try different treats. Try different toys. Try different types of petting. Allow yourself to be a little silly and see how she reacts. Be careful not to overdo it, especially in the beginning. It’s easy to attack a little too much and accidentally overwhelm the dog we’re trying to bond with. Don’t be discouraged if your best attempts to connect seem to fail, especially in the first few months of a new relationship. You’re still getting to know each other!
Attending a well-run group workout is also great for bonding. If scheduling allows, I like to let the dogs settle in for the first three weeks before they join the class. However, schedules don’t always work that way, so if you arrive early, be prepared to adjust your expectations accordingly. This may mean that you and your dog sit together and watch the class more than you actively participate during the first week. That’s okay, it’s still a shared experience and an opportunity to learn more about what your dog needs to feel safe and relaxed.
4. Provide safety precautions
We recommend that you come prepared with a collar and ID tag when you pick up your new dog. I like to use nylon or cloth martingale collars for their limited-slip feature that allows the collar to be tightened enough so that it doesn’t slide over the dog’s head — especially if it happens to get spooked while on the leash — but not too tight around the dog’s head and neck like a choke chain.
If your dog is already microchipped, be sure to update your contact information. If your new dog is not microchipped, take it to your vet for a wellness visit.
If you have a fenced yard, be careful about leaving your new dog outside unsupervised during the initial adjustment period. Many dogs that land in shelters or rescue facilities end up as strays because of their tendencies to escape!
5. Be patient!
Remember that all dogs are individuals with unique needs and different preferences. Time spent supporting your dog as he adjusts to his new home is an important part of getting to know him and will help build a strong foundation for a wonderful life together.
How long does it take for a dog to adjust?
It depends!
Some trainers refer to the 3-3-3 rule when giving clients a general idea of what to expect in terms of the time it takes a shelter or rescue dog to adjust to a new home. In short, the rule suggests that it takes three days for the dog to relax, three weeks for the dog to feel settled enough to start showing her true colors (good and bad!), and three months for her to feel connected and able to really start enjoying herself. in life in his new eternal home.
While some dogs can adjust to this schedule, this is not the case for all dogs, and general concepts like the 3-3-3 rule have the potential to leave us feeling like we’re doing something wrong if our new dog doesn’t t it seems to adjust according to the timeline.
Respecting each dog’s unique temperament and life history, we prefer to describe the adjustment in terms of stages, and without the potential pressure of a calendar timeline.
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