Imagine waking up one day and getting moved to a new house with a new family without warning. That’s how your new dog feels the first time you bring her home. Picking a new pet is fun and exciting for you, but it can be a scary process for your new dog. Make the transition go as smoothly as possible by preparing for her arrival.
Preparing your home
Before you bring your new dog home, choose her sleeping and eating areas, ready her crate and bedding, and designate an elimination spot in your yard.
Buy your basic pet supplies, so you’re ready before your pooch hits the door. She’ll need a crate, bedding, toys, food, dishes, a collar, and other accessories.
Starting out right
Try to adopt your dog on the first day of a weekend or vacation so you can spend as much time as possible with her. She will be more comfortable being left alone when she’s familiar with her new home.
Ask your dog’s previous owners, the breeder, or the shelter staff if she’s received vaccinations, dewormings, or undergone other health procedures, and find out who her veterinarian has been. Also ask what food she’s been eating and on what schedule. And don’t change her food right away. She will be less homesick if her belly is filled with her favorite kibble, and an abrupt menu change can make her stomach upset.
You will know your pet’s ready to go home with you when she cuts the shy act and starts giving you some real affection—wet, sloppy kisses and a few good sniffs from her cold, wet nose.
Your house will smell totally foreign, and your pet will find comfort in an item that smells familiar. So if possible, take home one of her toys or towels when you pick her up. And take someone along when you bring your new pet home for the first time so your friend can drive while you comfort your dog.
Making introductions
Pick a quiet time to bring your pet home. Don’t invite your friends over for the first few days, and if your pet is a birthday present, don’t make her the star of the birthday party. Your pet also will need to visit the veterinarian—the sooner the better.
First show your pet her new territory, starting with her special areas of your house, including her crate, food dish, water bowl, and toys. She’ll eventually explore everything, maybe even your shoe closet. But don’t scold her, even if she takes a nibble out of your favorite tennis shoes. Instead, try distracting her with her own toys. You’re earning her trust, so give her a few days to bond with you before you get down to the grind of training.
And don’t forget to introduce your dog to her potty place. At every bathroom break take her to the spot in the yard that you’ve picked. If you take her to the same place every time, she’ll get the hint.
Don’t throw your pet to the wolves, either. If you have other pets, introduce them slowly. Make a special effort to give them lots of attention, too, so they don’t get jealous. Your new dog will probably be your shadow at first. After all, you’re familiar to her, but everything else is not!
The first night
Your dog might be a candidate for a howling contest during her first night at her new home. Your best bet: Set up her crate and bedding near your bed even if you plan to move her to another room later.
Put a familiar toy or blanket and a treat in the crate to help her feel secure. She might be a noisy roommate at first, but in a few nights she will sleep the whole night through.
