Bringing a new dog into your household is a thrilling experience, filled with joy and a sprinkle of uncertainty. The first week is a vital period for both you and your new furry friend. It’s the perfect time to bond, begin dog training routines, create a safe space, and establish routines that lay the foundation for a trust-based relationship. However, many new dog owners may be taken aback by the challenges that come during this adjustment period. Discover the seven insightful ways to help your new dog flourish in their first week at home.

1. Create a Safe Zone For Your Dog
One of the first things you should do is create a safe zone for your new dog. This is especially critical for rescue dogs who may have faced traumatic situations. Select a quiet corner of your home where your dog can feel secure. Be sure to provide a cozy bed, easy access to fresh water, and a few toys. The space should be calm and free from loud noises, allowing your dog to relax and adjust to their new home. Allow them to retreat to this area whenever they feel the need to do so.
Don't take it personally if your new dog decides to spend the first few days away from your family, preferring to hide out in their den; this is normal and does not mean your dog will always shy away from you. By allowing them to be social on their terms, without forcing interaction, you are creating an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, resulting in a much happier, healthier bond.


A study by the American Kennel Club found that dogs with designated safe spaces had 30% lower stress levels than those without. Just as some people are more introverted, especially in new surroundings, your dog will feel more secure if they have a safe space to retreat to and recharge their social battery.
2. Be Consistent with Your Dog's Routines
Dogs thrive on routine, as it gives them a sense of stability. Establish a consistent daily schedule for feeding, walks, and play sessions. Aim for regular mealtimes and stick to a daily routine of two walks and at least one play session. For instance, if you feed your dog at 8 AM daily, they will quickly learn to associate morning with breakfast and playtime, which helps ease anxiety.
Anxiety is fear of the unknown. By blocking your new dog's time in this manner, you are helping them to understand what to expect next, a major factor in making your dog comfortable quickly in their new home.
Research shows that dogs are 25% calmer when they can anticipate daily activities, making it easier for them to relax and adapt to their new life with you. As your new dog becomes comfortable and secure in their new home, you can begin to deviate from the schedule if necessary.
3. Socialize Your Dog in Manageable Doses
During the first week, introducing your new dog to various environments and sounds is essential. Start with going around your driveway, and gradually expose them to more sights, sounds, and smells, such as traffic, children playing, or other pets by walking up and down the street pendulum style. Aim to expose your dog to at least five new experiences each week to help them adjust.
Managing your dog's stress levels during these socialization sessions is integral. A boisterous, outgoing dog adopted from a local shelter may be up for a long hike through a suburban setting within the first week at home, while a dog rescued from a hoarding situation or a puppy mill may require a decompression period and walks limited to your back yard.
4. Reward Your Dog's Positive Behaviors
Whether you are focused on basic dog training like "sit", or navigating housebreaking your dog, rewarding positive behaviors with treats, praise, or playtime makes learning enjoyable.
Always ask yourself, "Is my dog doing a good job right now? Does my dog know that?"
You are beginning to set protocols in your house, so catching positive behaviors your dog gives you is important. Marking even small victories will help strengthen the bond between you and your new furry friend.
5. Guide Your New Dog Towards Impulse Control
Dog behavior is driven by 2 main factors: impulse control and anxiety. By putting your dog in situations where can succeed you can guide and shape your dog's behavior. Behavior tolerated is behavior encouraged.
For example, most energetic young dogs have a hard time controlling themselves by not jumping when greeting a guest. Rather than merely ignoring the behavior or hoping it eventually stops, help your dog succeed by limiting their choices. Having your dog on a leash during greetings allows you to easily remove an overstimulated dog from a situation, rather than allowing them to remain in a chaotic state.
Gentle negatives can be given, but you should never be using harsh or scary techniques involving shock collars, spanking, yelling, or any other form of domination-style tactics. Your dog needs to know that their behavior will not be tolerated, but also that you are here to help gently steer their behaviors back on course, not bully them into "good" behavior.
Learn more about Piloting your dog's behavior in this article: Ultimate Guide to Dog Training
6. Engage in Interactive Play

Engaging your new dog in interactive play can effectively build trust and create enjoyable bonding experiences. Make sure you are still able to maintain control of the situation and don't allow your new dog to become overstimulated and unmanageable.
Choose dog toys that are safe and appropriate for their size and breed as you incorporate playtime into your pup's daily routine.
While learning your dog's impulse control levels, begin with games of fetch, flirt poles, and teaser sticks or interactive enrichment feeders. Gradually build up to games that require more impulse control, such as tug or wrestling.
Until you know that your dog has control of their on/off button, if you will, opt for play that is easy to direct.

7. Be Patient and Flexible with Your New Dog
One of the most surprising aspects of bringing home a new dog is the level of patience required. Just like people, each dog has a unique personality and learning style. This means their adjustment pace will vary. It is not uncommon to encounter challenges like accidents during house training or sudden bursts of energy.
Your dog isn't giving you a hard time; they're having a hard time.
By understanding that this transition takes time, you'll be better equipped to stay flexible and supportive. Celebrate small achievements, recognizing that setbacks are a normal part of the journey.
Wrapping Up
Your first week with a new dog is a significant milestone filled with opportunities to build a lasting bond. By creating a safe zone, establishing routines, socializing your pup, utilizing positive reinforcement, monitoring their health, engaging in interactive play, and exercising patience, you lay the groundwork for a flourishing relationship.
Every dog is unique, so be prepared to adapt your methods to best suit their needs. With love and dedication, you can create a welcoming home where your new dog will thrive.

Starting Off Right
Many new dog owners are uncertain about managing their dog’s behaviors, so we created a dog training approach that focuses on simple and effective techniques based on trust.
Because every dog deserves to be the Best Dog Ever.
If you believe it's time to consult a professional dog trainer who specializes in both canine behavior and dog training, find out more about our in-home dog training services in the Greater Cleveland/Northeast Ohio Area here.
We also offer canine behavioral coaching for those outside the Northeast Ohio area. Learn about our virtual dog coaching packages here.
Excellent article! I don't have a new dog-- I have 2 adult dogs -- but these 7 tips are a good refresher for anyone. I certainly know for myself that I can slack off in terms of responding to a behavior issue, like dealing with barking at the window. Sometimes I let it go on too long because I don't feel like going in the living room, yet another time, to handle the behavior personally (trust me, it goes much better when I go in there and handle it than yell from the kitchen.) Thank you - I always learn something!