First-Week Checklist for a New Dog: Settling In Without Anxiety

One of the moments that is bigger in reality than envisioned in your head is that of bringing a new dog home! There’s the thrill of them being present, and then, typically within an hour or so, the worry of what you’re supposed to do next. That’s completely normal. Dogs don’t know your habits, your house rules, or which corner of the house is theirs. The first week is pretty much you and the pup getting to know one another.

Over the years, I have fostered a number of dogs and over a year ago, my dog came to me as a scaredy-cat. She would shake whenever she would hear the doorbell for more than a month.

Here’s what actually helps.

Set up a safe space before they arrive

Prepare one space that is just for your dog when you settle him or her in your home. This doesn’t need to be a whole room. Give them a safe space where they can be left alone, such as a crate, a corner, or a pen in a quiet area of the house.

Here are a couple of tips to things to get right from the off:

Place the bed or crate away from high traffic areas, such as front doors, and loud areas in the home. Dogs are quicker to settle when they’re not stressed out by constant movement.

Always have water readily available and give the proper amount of food at each feeding (make sure you don’t leave it out all day).

When you first get your pup, try not to spend the first hour introducing him to too many things and people. A world with fewer sounds and an absence of activity for the first day or two reduces the amount of processing they need to do and the amount of anxiety.

If you have children and/or pets, arrange for supervised, brief introductions. Don’t rush introductions and allow the pup to approach people on their own.

Build a routine right away

Predictability is soothing to dogs, and a dog who lacks any routine is like a dog without any clue about what to expect next and will likely make them more anxious.

Make sure you set feeding times, walking and bedtime at around the same time as much as possible from day one. This can vary more as the dog becomes more confident and secure.

Put extra focus on toilet breaks on Week 1. Get them out frequently – particularly after meals, after play, and after sleeping. If possible, use the same location in the garden every time, which makes the routine easier to build.

Watch for the quiet signs of stress

Not all new-dog anxieties are characterised by bayside wails. At times, it is simply so quiet that you may not pick up on the clues.

Watch for pacing, extreme yawning or excessive lip licking when not eating, sitting under furniture or the crate for extended periods, not eating for the first day or two, or excessive clinging are typical signs of anxiety in dogs.

All these are not a cause for alarm in the first 48-72 hours. Certainly, most dogs will come to feel secure after 3 days and will feel right at home at around 3 weeks. What you’re looking for is the trend. Even if day 1 was rough, if your dog is eating more, sleeping better, and is interacting with you more over the course of the week, then that’s a good sign.

If the situation deteriorates at the end of the first week, it’s good to seek a vet’s opinion to find out whether it’s a cause for concern.

Provide or release their nervous energy

Dogs who don’t know how to deal with their anxiety often turn to chewing furniture, pacing, and general bad behaviour. Having short play sessions and quiet play time can help. Giving them enrichment activities such as puzzle feeders and puzzle toys can also help keep them calm and occupied while you’re busy or away.

For some dogs, it’s also helpful to add a soothing aid during this adjustment period: whether a dog is in a shelter or is an anxious learner, some owners will benefit from a bit of extra calming support. You can wrap them in a thunder jacket during stressful moments or offer them dog calming collars and treats to help chill them out without requiring any training or behavioural manipulation.

Be careful not to rush training in week one

We can be tempted to try and “get things right” right away, but week 1 is not about getting them to be obedient or behaved, it’s about getting them to be comfortable and trust you. If your pup is not comfortable in your home, he’s not likely to listen to your commands.

You don’t need fancy tricks, just offer praise when they’re calm, say their name in a positive way, don’t test their limits, and be patient until they get it right.

Final Word:

As a rule of thumb, most dogs will have settled down within the first two to three weeks and a surprising number of dogs aren’t that fussy about the change in environment. The first week should not be seen as an opportunity to accomplish everything but rather to establish a general sense of normalcy to help the animal realise that it has arrived at its new permanent home and that the new owner is not out to hurt them. This should be enough to allow everything else to fall into place.