Have you recently welcomed a new dog into your home? As a dog trainer, I often receive calls from dog owners who have recently brought home a new adult dog, or who are thinking about doing so, and need some guidance. Here are some quick tips to help your new dog adjust to such a big change!
Controlled Freedom is Key
When you bring an adult dog home, it’s essential not to give them too much freedom too quickly. Allowing unrestricted access to every room can lead to mishaps like potty accidents and destructive behavior. Establishing consistent routines is crucial, from day one. Start by designating specific areas where your dog can be, and gradually expand their freedom as they learn the rules of the house. This will aid in effective potty training and crate training, and help prevent the formation of bad habits, such as unwanted chewing or marking territory.
Whenever your dog cannot be directly supervised, they should be tethered to you, or in their crate. The name of the game here is NO MISTAKES, meaning we simply are not giving our new dog the opportunity to pee in the house, eat our new rug, bolt out the front door, or attack the house cat. Our goal for the first few months should be building good habits and preventing bad ones from forming. This means all of our interactions should have some sort of goal in mind, even if that goal is simply hanging out with the dog at our feet watching a good movie. If there is no net-positive or net-neutral benefit, CRATE YOUR DOG!
During this stage, it is important to make sure our dog is getting appropriate exercise and mental stimulation. Training walks, nosework sessions, playtime, and even treadmill training are great ways to wear our new pup out without building bad habits. Avoid: dog parks, doggy daycare, walks where your dog is dragging you around, patios, and dog friendly stores for now.
Give Your New Dog Time to Adjust
New environments can be overwhelming for dogs, particularly if they are nervous or shy. It’s crucial to give your new dog the time they need to settle in. Avoid forcing interactions with other pets or visitors before your dog feels comfortable in its new space (and with you as their new person). Instead, let them explore at their own pace. Once they are more relaxed and familiar with you, gradually introduce them to new people, animals, and experiences. Limiting outings until your dog has built confidence with you will foster a sense of security, which is very important for preventing behavioral issues later.
Once your dog is settled in (relaxing in their crate, enjoying interactions with family members, taking food in training and eating their meals are all good signs that they are happy and comfortable in their new home), you can slowly start exposing them to new things. If you have other dogs in your household, this would be a good time to start taking them out on neutral walks together, or letting them spend some supervised time in the yard together. You may consider crating your new dog in the living room and letting any household cats check them out in a safe way. If your dog appears dog social, you can begin introducing them to family members and close friends. Remember that our goal is calm, neutral experiences at this stage, so try not to encourage rough play, and discourage jumping, barking, and other signs of overstimulation.
Seriously… Use a Leash!
Keeping a leash on your new dog while they are inside (when not in their crate) can be highly beneficial. A leash allows you to guide them easily and prevent them from getting into trouble or misbehaving. This method is particularly helpful during potty training (which is important for any new dog, EVEN FOR ADULTS that may have been potty trained in their past home); you can quickly take them outside when needed, and they’re unable to sneak off to pee in a corner. In your backyard, a long leash can ensure they stay safe and can be brought inside with minimal fuss. Being proactive in these ways will help reinforce good habits early on.
Supervision, supervision, supervision is SO important for the next few months. Utilizing your leash, your crate, and your EYEBALLS any time your dog is out and about will go a long way in creating really good house manners.
Give Your Dog a Safe Space
Every dog needs a safe haven to retreat to, especially in a new, bustling household. Consider utilizing a crate as a den-like setting, providing your dog with a quiet and peaceful environment to chill out. Feeding them in their crate will help build a positive association with being in it, and minimize the risk of resource guarding from family members or other pets in the home. If your new dog can have a bed without eating it, you can make the crate comfortable for them. If they are chewing at their blanket, remove it so we don’t risk needing a foreign body surgery.
Read our full guide on crate training here.
Patience is Essential
Remember that it may take weeks or even months for your new dog to fully acclimate and show their true personality. Initially, you may not see any destructive or reactive behavior, but that doesn’t mean it won’t emerge as they become more comfortable. By following these guidelines, you can cultivate a positive environment that supports your dog’s adjustment. This will ultimately encourage better behavior as your dog settles in and gains confidence in their new home. By implementing these strategies, you can help your new best friend transition smoothly. Remember, patience and consistency are your best allies in this exciting journey! When in doubt, call a dog trainer for hands on help.
