Helping An Adult Dog Adjust To A New Home

There are few things as exciting as bringing a new dog into your home! While some dog owners like to start the journey by picking out a new puppy, others like to move past that puppy phase by choosing an adult dog as their new pet. With many animal shelters across the United States pushed close to breaking point with over three million dogs surrendered each year, adopting an adult dog can be an excellent choice for a new addition to your family.

However, bringing an adult dog into the mix isn’t without its complications or potential problems. While puppy training can also be tricky, there are often fewer variables when you purchase a puppy from a breeder. With a very young puppy, you have an opportunity to shape their behavior and provide them with an abundance of positive experiences to assist with their development. For older dogs who have passed those critical developmental phases, there may be undesirable behaviors that have become habitual. There may also be health issues to consider. Simply put, older dogs aren’t the blank canvas that a new puppy can often be.

In this article, we’re going to outline the best ways you can introduce a new adult dog into your home to give them the best chance of integrating successfully.

Questions to think about beforehand

There are several important components to think about when you bring any new animal into your home. There are existing dynamics within the household to consider, and choosing the right type of dog for your family can make sure the dog is a good fit for your family – and vice versa.

Are you looking for an active dog to go hiking with, or a more sedentary companion who will spend most of their time in the house? This will influence your decision as pertains to the breed of dog you will select.
What size dog will be most suitable for your family? Larger dogs can often run into young children or elderly relatives (even unintentionally).
Do you live in an area with lots of land, or are you living in an apartment with limited square footage? High-energy dogs typically need a large yard to expend energy, while smaller dogs are better suited to smaller living spaces.
Who will take care of the dog? If everyone is out of the house all day at work or school, what will the dog’s schedule look like?
Can you afford to take care of this dog? Even if adoption fees are minimal, consider that you will need to budget for dog food, veterinary care, vaccinations, and treats/toys. Data suggests that it costs, on average, over $4,500 per year to own a dog.
If you already have pets, what are their personalities like, and how will this affect the dog you choose?

Discussing these questions among your family members can help to ensure that you make an educated decision when you commit to bringing the new dog into your home.

Get prepared

Before the dog enters your home, it is prudent to take some time to prepare in advance for their arrival. This preparation phase can help make the transition smoother for everyone involved.

Gather essential items

If you’re a first-time dog owner, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of items you’ll need to purchase. As far as essentials go, you will definitely need these items:

Leash
Collar
Identification tags
Crate and/or playpen
Food and water bowls
Cleaning materials (including an enzymatic cleaner)

Make your home dog-safe

Take a walkthrough your house and make sure that it is safe for a dog to live in. Take the same precautions you would when making a home child-safe; no exposed wires, move poisonous plants, and hide cleaning supplies well out-of-reach. The dog may be nervous or anxious in the first few days and weeks, and you don’t want this to manifest itself in destructive behavior that could pose a danger to your dog’s health.

Get food, toys and treats

Initially, try to keep your dog on the same type of food as they have been consuming – the change will be stressful enough as it is for them, without potential stomach upsets from switching their food. If you intend to change their food, do so gradually over the course of several weeks.

While it can be tempting to rush out and buy a whole range of new toys, their old toys can provide some familiarity as they integrate into your home.

Find a trusted veterinarian

You will need to identify a local veterinarian who can treat your dog for routine appointments and checkups. Fellow dog owners, professional dog trainers and behaviorists, and online social media groups are all great resources to find a trusted veterinarian in your area.

Establish a routine

From the moment your dog arrives home for the first time, establishing a solid routine is crucial to making them feel comfortable. Establishing some ground rules – such as where they will eat, sleep and rest – can set clear expectations for both your family and your new dog.

Introduce your dog to members of the family one at a time. Calm introductions are an absolute must – try to convey to younger children that it is important not to make drastic, unexpected movements that can spook the dog. If the dog seems uncomfortable, gradually work up to behaviors like petting. Be very careful and take it slowly when the dog meets other pets that reside in the home.

Try to limit visitors to your home in the first week so that your dog doesn’t feel overwhelmed. As time progresses, visitors will become a great training opportunity to see if your dog remains calm around strangers – but that can wait for a little.

Housebreaking can be difficult when a dog moves into a new home. Start off by taking your dog outside on a leash and offering them plenty of praise and positive encouragement. Don’t assume that a dog will automatically understand what is expected – they should be carefully monitored and taken outside at regular intervals, particularly in the early stages.

Exercise is a vital outlet for your dog, helping them to expend energy and reduce their stress. Make sure to block off time in your own routine for taking your dog for walks, and for high-energy dogs, more vigorous activities such as running or playing fetch may be necessary.

Long-term goals

Even if you plan for your dog to simply be a companion animal who spends their time as a loved family pet, you can still establish some longer-term goals for them! Consider signing them up for a basic obedience group class to master the fundamentals, or consider private lessons for one-on-one training. If your dog is displaying behavioral issues, behavior modification training with a professional may be a worthwhile option.

If you acquired your dog with a particular purpose in mind – for example, training them to compete in a dog sport like agility, scent work or Fast CAT, or by helping as a service dog – you can begin on these goals in earnest once your dog feels comfortable and secure in their environment. Taking part in training activities of any description is a great way to build a strong human-canine bond.

How long does it take for a dog to adjust to a new home?

There is no specific timeframe that it takes a dog to adjust to their new living circumstances. It can depend on a number of factors, ranging from the dog’s personality and learned history, their genetics and breed characteristics, their trainability, the household dynamics, and the capability of their new owners to be consistent and patient with training.

The first week will likely be an adjustment for everyone – dog and humans alike. However, once your dog starts to feel settled, you’ll also likely to feel more comfortable with the routine you are establishing. From there, it is a case of the relationship developing, as you start to build the mutual trust that will eventually lead to a strong, fulfilling and beneficial relationship.