How to Help a Dog Settle Into Their New Home

Getting a dog used to their new home is one of the biggest concerns during a house move or an adoption. Naturally, you want your new friend to feel safe and comfortable, but it also matters that you set boundaries and rules from day one.

By following this simple advice, you'll manage to help your dog settle into their new home properly and safely. Let's get started.

Exploring the House

The first step for your dog to settle into the new house is letting them explore it. If it's a newly adopted dog, they'll want to do it on their own, but if your family has just moved with your long-time dog, they'll quite possibly try to follow you around to feel safe.

Either way, first you should show them the spots set aside for their rest and food; from there, keep an eye on them moving around the new house, but let them explore freely and get familiar with the new smells.

Be Patient

One of the biggest inconveniences is moving house and finding your dog won't relieve themselves. You need to be patient and wait for them to feel comfortable, since pressuring them to pee or poo will only increase their nervousness.

Whether inside or outside the house, your dog may take up to 20 minutes to decide where to relieve themselves in a new neighbourhood. Arm yourself with patience, and don't shout at or scold them.

Offer Them Their Favourite Food

A good way for your dog to build confidence is serving them their favourite food. They might be reluctant to eat during the first few minutes, but afterwards the smell will do the work.

If it's a newly adopted dog, check with the previous carers to find out what they like and give them a pleasant welcome experience.

Set Up a Routine

Once moving day is behind you, it's necessary to set up a routine for your dog; this way they'll be able to drain their nervousness through games and walks. What's more, you'll set boundaries around mealtimes and when to relieve themselves.

If it's a puppy, you should wait until they feel entirely at ease before starting training.

Be Affectionate

Affection matters a great deal for your dog to settle into a new home. You and the whole family should support the process with comforting strokes and cuddles. Use a gentle tone when talking to them, and join them exploring the new spaces, with their favourite toys.

If there are people unfamiliar to the dog in the new house, don't force them to approach — they'll feel threatened and could turn aggressive.

How Long Does It Take a Dog to Settle Into Their New Home?

The average time it takes a dog to settle in varies for each one, but it depends a great deal on you. Some dogs may have a shy or nervous personality and take longer to feel comfortable in a new home. Even so, the role you play in making the process more pleasant is crucial.

Generally, when it comes to settling a dog into their new home, it takes between 5 days and 2 weeks.

Settling In an Adopted Dog

Adopting a dog involves various responsibilities, among them getting your new companion comfortable from the start. Some dogs, adults or puppies, take longer to settle into a new home when they're adopted.

It matters to remember the dog has been taken out of the environment familiar to them and brought to an entirely new one, with people, smells, sounds and stimuli that feel foreign to them. Because of this, they may well show nervous behaviour, wet themselves in unsuitable spots, and even refuse to eat.

If you adopted a dog and they're not settling in, you'll need support from the whole family to achieve it. Avoid forcing strokes and respect the dog's space, letting them explore the house within safe limits. It also matters that, when they arrive at the house, they have a spot to sleep, some toys and food and water bowls; this way you'll establish from the start which space is theirs.

What to Do if Your Puppy Cries?

Newly adopted puppies tend to whimper at night, since they're mourning being separated from their mother and littermates, who kept them warm at rest time. This behaviour is normal during the first few days, but can become a problem if you don't deal with it properly.

You shouldn't rush to comfort them when they cry, since you'll only get them used to receiving affection in response to this negative behaviour. Ideally, provide them with a comfortable, soft, warm bed, along with some cuddly toy they like.

• Tricks for stopping a puppy crying

Start the settling-in process during the day: lay them down in their bed and step away for 5 minutes, coming back only once they stop crying. Continue the test, gradually increasing the time up to 20 minutes — this exercise will help with the process of settling a puppy into their new home.