Getting a dog for the first time is incredibly exciting — oh my gosh, I remember feeling so happy and … honestly, freaking panicked during my first week with my new dog! Everything is new, chaotic, and admittedly pretty overwhelming, even if you think you are prepared. What’s amazing is that almost everything you are feeling is totally normal. And thankfully, almost everything your dog is doing is normal too!
This handy guide is here to break down exactly what you and your pup can expect during the first seven days with a new dog. It will also show you how you can help yourself and your dog during this exciting yet tumultuous time.
The Science Behind Why the First Week Is So Hard
If you scoured the internet looking for advice on how to get through the first week with your new dog, you likely noticed that many owners feel like they entered the worst week of their lives. Don’t worry — that’s normal too!
What you may not have read is that many new dog owners expect their dog to walk into their home and immediately know everything. The reality is that it takes some time for everyone to adjust to a new life situation. For your new pup, they just got taken out of their comfort zone. Even if they came from a great home (shelter, breeder, foster care, etc.), your house is filled with new smells, textures, people, and noises. It’s okay for them to feel stressed, shy, or act out.
If you’re on your end wondering what happened to your relaxing Tuesday night, congrats — you’re adjusting to life with a dog too! Your sleep schedule will never be the same. Things that used to be part of your routine (like leaving the house for longer than an hour or having quiet time at home) will need to be rearranged. Take care of yourself during this time. It does get easier, and it definitely gets better.
What Your Dog Is Trying to Tell You
The more you know about what your dog is experiencing emotionally during the first week, the easier your job becomes. Dogs usually follow what is known as the three-three-three rule: 3 days to settle in, 3 weeks to learn the routine, and 3 months to fully feel at home. Knowing where your pup is in that timeline can help you meet their needs and manage your expectations.
Your new dog may…
Hide or Seem Withdrawn
This is normal and not personal. Your new furry friend is not mad at you or unfriendly — they are overwhelmed. Provide them with a quiet space they can retreat to when they feel overstimulated, and encourage them to come to you when they feel ready.
Refuse To Eat
Just like people, dogs can experience stress-related loss of appetite. If your dog is not eating but is still drinking water within the first 48 hours, that is normal. Stick with the diet they were on before you got them and DO NOT switch their food just because they are in a new home.
Have Accidents In The House
This is normal, even if your dog was house-trained at their previous residence. Accidents happen when your dog is nervous. Part of that nervousness comes from not knowing your home like they knew theirs. They don’t know where the door is. They don’t know how to ask to go outside just yet. Indoor accidents will happen, so keep some carpet wipes handy and take them out frequently.
Cry or Whine At Night
If there’s one thing you can expect with your new pup, it’s sleepless nights — at least initially. They will cry, pace, and generally feel uneasy after you turn the lights off. Try keeping their crate or bed close to yours, as your warmth and scent will comfort them. You can also leave a shirt with your scent near their bed.
Test Limits
Depending on your dog’s age and background, some dogs will try to test your boundaries early on. Don’t take chewing your favorite shoes or a refusal to listen personally — your dog doesn’t know any better yet! With time and consistency, your dog will learn your rules.
What You Should Be Doing During The First Week
Honestly, the first week with a new dog is not about teaching them anything just yet. It’s about observing them, setting clear expectations, and bonding. Here’s what you can do to make the most out of the first seven days.
Keep Things Low-Key
Your new dog doesn’t need to meet your entire friend list in the first week. Trust me, I get the excitement. But too many new people and environments can overwhelm your dog and cause anxiety. Your dog will feel more comfortable if you keep things quiet and relaxed during the first few days.
Start a Routine Right Away
Dogs thrive on consistency, so try to establish some type of routine from day one. Decide when you will feed them, take them for walks, play with them, and put them to bed — and try to stick to that schedule as best you can. The quicker you establish your routine, the quicker they will feel at home.
Set House Rules ASAP
You want your dog to know what you’ll allow as soon as they move in. If you plan on having rules about the couch, the dinner table, or certain areas of your home being off-limits, start enforcing those rules on day one. Remember, it’s much harder to take away privileges you’ve already allowed than it is to establish rules from the beginning. Make sure everyone in your home is on the same page before your dog arrives.
Supervise Your Dog At All Times
If your dog is not crated, you should be watching them at all times. Not because they will try to destroy your home (they won’t!), but because you don’t know them well enough yet. Supervision allows you to prevent accidents before they happen and helps your dog feel safe.
Introduce a Crate or Specific “Hang Out” Spot
Crating your dog is not cruel — in fact, it can actually help with their anxiety. Crate training from the beginning gives your dog a place they can call their own. Make the crate comfortable by putting down a soft blanket to give it a den-like feel. Don’t ever use the crate as a punishment!
Begin Positive Reinforcement Training
Training your new dog doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by rewarding them for calm behavior, responding to their name, and simple commands like sit. Short bursts of positive interaction will help you build a strong foundation with your dog.
How to Practice Self-Care
I would be remiss not to include a section on how your new dog impacts you. Many new dog owners don’t realize how emotional getting a dog can actually make you. Yes, you’re happy. But you might also feel tired, defeated, and experience what some call “the puppy blues.”
Did you make the right decision? Will you ever sleep again? Am I cut out for this? These questions are normal. Bringing home a dog is a lifestyle change — yes, even if you grew up with dogs. Give yourself grace if you’re having a hard time.
Here are a few things that helped me.
Manage Your Expectations
Your dog is not going to behave perfectly in the first week. They aren’t even going to feel 100% comfortable in your home yet. What you can control is whether or not you show up day after day. That is enough for the first week.
Ask For Help
If you have a partner, family member, or friend nearby who can help you out, let them. You don’t need to do everything yourself, and taking a break is not admitting defeat — it’s allowing yourself to sustain this long-term.
Find Other Dog Owners
Believe it or not, online dog owner communities can be incredibly helpful (pun intended). Reading through posts from people whose dogs did the same things your new dog is doing helps you realize that you are not failing. Dogs are dogs, and puppies are notorious for being a handful. You’re doing great!
Remember That This Won’t Last Forever
Yes, the first week will feel like a whirlwind. But before you know it, that whirlwind will become your normal. Your normal will then grow into a relationship you’ve never experienced with another human or animal. Your scared puppy will turn into the dog who knows when you’re feeling down, sits beside you while you work from home, and thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread.
Wrap Up
Remember that the first week with your new dog isn’t going to be pretty — but that is okay! The first week is about patience and celebrating the small victories. Your dog needs time to learn to love and trust you, and you need time to learn them. As long as you show up and provide your dog with consistency, positivity, and lots of love, you will get through this week with flying colors.
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