Seeing as we’ve just about wrapped up our Meet Your Match adoption special, and with the pandemic forcing many humans to get extra comfortable with their houses (in the form of a new pet or new foster pet), we thought some tips on how to help your dog feel welcome and adapt to a new home was a good idea.
When you adopt a dog, we at Wags hope that it’s safe to assume that you and your new pup both have the best intentions for the future. You’re ready to provide the love, comfort, and safety of a new home, along with all of their needs for food, shelter, exercise, and connection.
We believe that all dogs want to be the best for you too. It might take some longer to adapt than others, though. A new home with new people, new sights and sounds and smells, and new rules can be confusing, overwhelming, and difficult to cope with. So try these tips to help your dog feel welcome and comfortable in your home.
Helping Your New Dog Adapt to Your Home
Be Patient
Even if your dog was outgoing, energetic, and extremely happy at the shelter, it’s not uncommon for many to become shy, quiet, or anxious in your home. This is normal and, in general, not something to worry about. If they are experiencing severe anxiety or showing signs of an inability to settle (aggressive behavior, extreme avoidance, and hiding, loss of appetite), then it might be best to contact a professional trainer, behavioralist, or veterinarian for assistance.
Other than that, give them a little time to settle in. Be patient, and try not to force the issue - this can be difficult because, obviously, you just want to be close to your new furry family member.
There’s no rush - this is their new forever home. It might take some dogs a few days to warm to their surroundings and open, while other dogs may take up to three months.
We recommend you start slowly. Here are a few beginner tips to help your new dog adapt to the house:
Create a home within a home for them. They need a space for themselves, preferably a quiet place for them to get away and find some privacy if they want it. A small room or crate where other pets and kids aren’t permitted is a good start. Don’t forget to provide them with their bedding, foods, toys, and some water so they have anything they might need to feel comfortable there.
If you’re looking for dog toys, your local pet supplies store at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies has a near-endless collection, with dozens of different dog toy sizes, styles, shapes, and price points to choose from. Call us or visit your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies store in Ann Arbor at 2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, or in the Chelsea, MI area at 1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118, or up north in the Ludington area at 4815 W. US-10, Ludington, MI, 49431.
Gradually open up different areas of the house for your pet. 1-2 new rooms at a time every few days is a good idea as they get more comfortable and settle in. When your new dog feels welcome at home in those rooms, open up another room for them. If they need the comfort of their leash and your presence, be prepared with those eventualities.
If your dog is feeling uneasy in your new home, similar to the rooms and introducing new things slowly, keep the guests to a minimum for the short term. This applies to other things too - dog parks, doggie daycare, groomers, etc. Think slow and gradual when it comes to new experiences - too much all at once can be overwhelming.
Establish a winning routine right off the bat
Routines are one of the best ways to ensure that your new dog is comfortable in their new home. Someone needs to feed, walk, train, and play with your dog - if it’s just you, then that entire role is yours! It might be a lot of work, but the good news is, you’ll be building an unbreakable bond with your dog.
Set up a schedule that includes consistent times for meals, bathroom breaks, longer walks, and so on. As you get further in, you can begin to include the dog park or daycare into those routines. Routines provide a sense of security and allow your dog to learn what and when to expect things. Remember, slow is smooth.
If it’s not just your role singularly and the entire family is involved in welcoming the new dog to your home, it could be a good idea to ration out various tasks and responsibilities. It’s still important to ensure that the schedule is followed as best as possible. With younger children and/or with bigger dogs, supervision is also a good idea for both safety and teaching opportunities.
Potty walks are important! Even if your dog is already bathroom-trained, the excitement or stress of a new home can cause them to forget these skills. Short walks into the backyard or just out the door should be more frequent in the beginning and can be weened off over time as your dog settles into your home and routine.
Don’t forget to praise liberally and provide treats! You can buy dog treats at your local pet supplies store like Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies - we have various different types, sizes, flavors, and more for different situations. Give us a call to speak with an associate for any questions!
Spend time bonding - but not too much!
Don’t take this the wrong way - you want to and must spend quality time with your dog, especially in the first few days as they get to know you and start to take awareness of their new life. But you shouldn’t cling to them 24/7 long-term, and you don’t want them to expect you to be home all of the time.
Even if you’re quarantined right now due to COVID-19, it’s a good idea to spend a few hours each day away from home. Your dog needs some alone time, and they need to understand that they will be okay when you’re not there.
Even when you are there, your dog should be able to take advantage of alone time, whether that’s napping or playing with a toy or chewing on a bone. Separation anxiety can lead to extremely difficult scenarios in dogs, so it’s important to prevent that when you do need to leave home for a few hours or days.
Beyond the need for alone time and preventing separation anxiety, your dog also needs to develop a degree of independence for the good of their own mental and emotional health. Giving them the space to feel comfortable and safe will provide them with the opportunity to open up and present their personality to you.
Tips to Make Your New Dog Feel Welcome
Conclusion
Our teams here at your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores are here to help you welcome your dog into your home. We are happy to provide anything you might need such as dog food, dog treats, dog toys, dog supplements, dog grooming tools, and beyond. We hope that these tips help you and help your dog feel welcome at home as soon as possible, and we are looking forward to welcoming them into the Wags to Wiskers family!