11 Vet-Approved Tips to Help Your New Dog Settle In Fast

Congratulations on welcoming your new dog into your home and family! We’re sure you are excited for all of the adventures and happiness to come.

We’ve put together a list of our tips for helping your new dog get acclimated. The process may differ with puppies and adult rescue dogs, but both will need to get used to a new home and routine. It’s understandable a new dog will feel anxious when they first arrive, and there will be a period of adjustment.

They may seem distant and uncertain initially, but don’t be disheartened! Each dog is different, and will be on their own journey to settlement, but in time will realise they have found their forever home.

We’re sure your excited to shop for the essential’s ahead of your new dog’s arrival! Preparation is key, so once your new dog arrives, everything is already in order. Preparing after their arrival would mean one extra thing for them to get acclimated to, which can be a source of unnecessary stress. 

So, what do you need on your shopping list? A comfortable bed, some warm blankets, a crate, food bowls, water bowls, toys, a collar, identification tag, harness, lead and some pet safe cleaning products is a great place to start. Plan out the layout with the space you have, ensuring they have their own private area for their bed and a separate place for their food and water.

Depending on the breed of dog you are welcoming, you may also wish to buy some grooming products (although you don’t need to rush this!) and jumpers or coats if it is winter. 

You should also ‘dog proof’ your home. This is to make sure it is safe for them, for example removing any hazards (chemicals, toxic plants for example). You may wish to install a baby gate, for any rooms or stairs you don’t want them accessing.

Place their bed/crate in a quiet area which they can easily reach and avoid disturbing them while they are resting. This gives them a safe space to retreat to, which is particularly important for the settling in period.  

Creating a safe space need not be difficult and can be as simple as making a cosy bed in a crate, with some toys and familiar scents.

We know how tempting it is to dive straight in with cuddles and fuss, and introduce them to your friends and family, but take it at your dog’s pace.

Puppies may adjust faster than adult dogs, but nonetheless, let them familiarize themselves with their new environment and feel comfortable first. Especially, before taking any further steps like having visitors over. Giving a dog space and choices will help them build their own confidence in seeking out interactions. You’ll find they will come to you when they’re ready. 

Offer them love, support, training and time, and their unique personality will soon shine through!

To help them with exploring their new environment, use positive reinforcement, so they have a positive association with certain rooms or items of furniture for example. This is an opportunity for you to set boundaries of where you allow them to be.

Should you wish to allow them on the sofa, you can encourage them to sit on it using some of their favourite treats, verbal praise, or a favourite toy. Encouraging them to explore will help to build their confidence and acclimatise, all in a positive way.

However, you should avoid using negative association, or dominance training, as this can instil fear, leading to fear-induced behaviours, and may mean your dog never fully acclimatises. 

Dogs enjoy, and benefit from, having a routine. From day one, create a routine so they can anticipate when they are going to be fed, walked, and retreat for a night’s sleep.

If you have adopted an adult dog, they may have come from somewhere with a different routine, so be patient and understanding, using positive association and reassurance as they become familiar with a new one.

If you have other pets which they will be interacting with, it is important to introduce them carefully and gradually. New introductions will need to take place pretty soon after their arrival, as your other pets are a big part of their new environment and life. But take your time with this.

Avoid leaving your new pet with your other pet(s) unsupervised until they are comfortable with one another. Respect your other pet’s space and feelings, as this is a change for them and their environment too. You can swap scents using blankets and toys to help them get used to each other’s presence. Then, gradually build up the amount of time they spend together.

Don’t rush or force anything – sometimes, you may need to go back to square one with introductions, and this is ok! Your veterinary team will be on hand to help if you have any troubles.

Keep an eye on your new dog’s behaviors. For puppies, you’ll need to socialise them to a variety of sights, sounds and smells so they are not fearful of them. For older dogs, they may have some existing behavioral issues, like separation anxiety or other fears.

We should react appropriately to our dog’s emotions, and can help manage them through using calming remedies, and their safe space can come in handy too.

Behaviour is a minefield. So, if you have any uncertainties or questions, you should speak to your veterinary team. They can likely also recommend a behaviorist to help if needed.

Initially, keep their walks short to allow them to get their bearings. Walking them on the same few routes at the beginning isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

This way, you can broaden their horizons with time. You’ll probably find that you’ll find new walks throughout their life! Remember, for new puppies, you will only be able to take them on a walk once they are fully vaccinated.

While walks will be their main source of exercise and outdoor exploration, it is equally as important to get them acclimated to your own outdoor area(s), too. Particularly as this will become somewhat of a toilet for them!

There will be plenty of times where you will need to leave them in the comfort of your home, while you are away. You shouldn’t feel guilty for needing to do this, but it makes all of our above tips even more important.

The more comfortable they feel in their own space, and in their own company, the easier this will be. Begin by leaving them along for short increments, and gradually build this up. You can start by leaving them alone for a few minutes. Start simply by going into another room, and eventually, you will be able to leave them alone for a few hours at a time.

Provide them with mental stimulation, to keep them occupied while you are away, such as a Kong.

You will find yourself making adjustments to your routine, to encompass the needs of your new canine companion. As far as possible, though, you should continue with your usual activities and routine, factoring this into your dog’s routine.

Doing so will also expose them to new smells, sounds and experiences. These are all important in helping your dog get adjusted.

We’ve already spoken about delaying visitors to the home. But when the time comes, be sure to instruct family and friends how to approach your dog. Giving them the time to acclimate to their environment will have also given them the opportunity to acclimate to their immediate family, including you. Meaning you will know them better than anybody.

Use this knowledge to make sure all new introductions are as smooth as respectful as possible. This way, your new dog enjoys these introductions and is not stressed by them.

Once they’ve settled, you may wish to take them to the vet too. Puppies will need vaccinations, but even for adult dogs, acclimating them to your chosen practice is important too. Just popping in for a ‘hello’ is a great idea, so they develop a positive association with the practice!

Depending on the breed, your dog may also require regular grooming. Most groomers will be accustomed to gradually building up to a full groom so your dog has time to acclimatise to this, too.

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