06/08/2026
You adopted a new dog, what now?
It might be tempting to make them wear clothes. Or take them to the mall. Or let them meet another friend's dog. It's just an exciting time and you want to do a lot of things!
And you will. But before anything, not only do you need to earn your new pet's trust - you also need to learn how to advocate for them.
Keep in mind these reminders:
✅ They need to feel safe, especially in their first few nights. Allow them to explore their new home at their own pace. If they want to stay in a corner, let them. In their own time, they will come out of their shell. They need to know they are in a safe environment with humans they can depend on for their safety. Too much or too soon of anything can overwhelm them and make the trust process lengthier.
✅ Gauge their personality. Some pets are shy, while others are born with innate confidence. Just like people, their personalities vary. Some like to be alone, some thrive in groups while some are picky with the company they want to be with. Don't force them to adapt to your lifestyle. Instead, observe and learn their behavioral cues.
✅ Going out to public spaces will have to wait UNTIL they finish their vaccinations. Without it, they don't have the protection against illnesses that can be fatal.
✅ Giving them table food once in a while is okay but appropriate food (dry and wet cat/dog food) will ensure they get the nutrition they need for optimal health. Make sure to educate yourself which foods are potentially toxic for them.
✅ Establish a routine. It will take some time and patience but your pets can adapt to your household's routine. Example, if you want them to get used to being in their crate during sleeping hours, create a routine where they can finish dinner and p**p so they can be crated at a specific time. This is so they can associate their crate as their bedroom, and not as a punishment. Some dogs will cry until you give in. It's important you don't give in to establish this routine. In a week or so, they will understand and adapt to the routine. In time, you'll see that they will go inside their crate voluntarily when they want their privacy.
✅ Anxiety can build really fast and translate to behavioral problems. Like children, dogs have so much energy in them that need to be exhausted before they learn to use it in negative ways, like chewing on furniture, howling loudly, biting, running after people, etc. The simplest way to address this is to allot play time to exhaust that energy. Daily walks is a great way to bond with your dog while tiring them. Playing catch, tug wars, and swimming are great ways too!
Having a new pet is exciting and advocating for them early on will ensure your relationship is built on trust and respect.
Share your tips below if we missed out on anything! 👇🏼 👇🏼 👇🏼
