Settling In: The First Weeks
New home, new people, new routines — even confident dogs need time. Set the tone with calm, predictable days and compassionate expectations.
Quick tips
- Create a quiet “home base” with bed, water and a few toys.
- Keep the first week simple: same feeding times, regular toilet breaks, gentle walks.
- Let the dog choose contact; limit visitors at first.
- Reward relaxed behaviour; ignore over-excitement until calm returns.
Go slow to go fast
Many dogs take roughly ~3 days to decompress, ~3 weeks to learn the routine, and ~3 months to feel fully at home. Keep outings short, avoid crowded spaces, and introduce rooms and new people gradually.
Set up a routine
- Morning: toilet break → calm breakfast → short sniffy walk.
- Day: rest periods, enrichment (snuffle mat, lick mat), toilet break.
- Evening: gentle play/training → quiet time → bedtime routine.
What not to worry about (yet)
Perfection. Minor accidents or restlessness are common. Avoid overwhelming your dog with visitors, long car trips or busy events in the first fortnight.
When to seek extra help: persistent panic, aggression, refusal to eat, or destructive behaviour that doesn’t improve over a couple of weeks — speak to your vet and a qualified trainer/behaviourist.