Helping your dog decompress
What do we mean by ‘decompression’?
Decompression just means space and time to settle and relax. Whether it’s adjusting to a big change like coming into your home from the kennel environment, or just cooling off after a particularly exciting walk, being able to settle helps your dog feel safe and happy.
Settling into your home – the rule of 3
The first three days, three weeks, and three months with your dog are a crucial time to build a bond, establish a good routine, and help your dog settle into their new home.
The first 3 days
During their first few days in your home, your new pet will likely be overwhelmed and a little unsettled.
They may hide away, have accidents in the house, or avoid eating or drinking. Don’t be alarmed! It’s understandable that they’re anxious in a totally new environment, it’s your job to show them that they’re safe and loved. Here’s how to do it:
- Give them space and be patient. Rescue dogs usually sleep a lot in the first week in their new home, they need time to decompress and relax!
- Start to establish a routine – walk them on the same simple route, feed them at the same time in the same place, and give them a regular playtime so they can learn what to expect.
- Give them a safe, private space to cool off and relax.
The first 3 weeks
By this time, your dog is probably getting used to their new environment and their routine. They may be feeling more confident and might even start to test your boundaries!
Help them continue to feel secure and at ease by maintaining your consistent routine and staying calm and gentle when interacting with them. Limit the amount of visitors to the house at this time and don’t take them out and about to shops and cafés just yet. The secret is to keep the routine as ‘boring’ as possible!
The first three months
After about three months, most pets will feel at home and secure in their surroundings. At this point, you’ll see more of their true personality and they should seem comfortable and confident in the house and around the family.
From here, your pet needs ongoing training, continued patience, and a consistent routine to support them to be their best self!
Remember that progress isn’t linear and some pets will need more time than this to get comfortable so don’t panic if things aren’t going so smoothly just yet.
How to create a safe space for your dog
Establish a quiet corner of the room that can become a dedicated decompression area for your dog. This should be a spot that won’t have lots of people walking past where they can be left entirely alone.
If they’re comfortable with a crate, set it up with a blanket over the top, otherwise their favourite bed is a great option.
Establish a rule with visitors and family members that the dog must be left alone when they’re in this area. Protecting their space gives them somewhere to go when they feel overwhelmed and teaches them that their needs will be respected.
Managing overstimulation
If your dog regularly gets over-excited and overstimulated, there are ways to help them:
- Keep calm and avoid any overexcited tones or shouts around the house
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of time for rest and sleep
- Provide mental enrichment with quiet, sniffy walks and steer clear of the dog park if they get too overwhelmed by playtime or the presence of other dogs and people.
- Practice good door manners with visitors, and ensure that anyone coming to the house stays calm and understands your dog’s established boundaries.
Helping your dog stay calm around visitors
New people coming into their space can be a big source of stress and overstimulation for your dog. But you can establish some good practices which makes it easier for everyone.
At this stage, you’re simply trying to help your dog settle into their new home and feel relaxed and secure. Once they’re more comfortable with you and their environment, you can introduce training games to build good door manners.
When people come round
Ensure your guests know your routine ahead of time. Ask them not to react with excitement but stay calm when they come in and not encourage your dog away from their designated spot.
Decide if they’ll be allowed in the room with visitors or kept separate. You may want to teach them to ‘settle’ in a bed to help them stay calm amongst all the excitement. Encourage your dog to head to their safe space if they’re feeling a little overwhelmed. Have some enrichment prepared before people arrive like a lick mat or a filled chew toy, like a Kong, which can keep them entertained for a while.
Building trust with your dog
Building trust and a strong bond with your dog is not rocket science, but it does take time and patience. The key ways to show your dog they can trust you are:
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Respect their space
Respect their space and don’t force intimacy.
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Be consistent
Be consistent. Keep a consistent routine, and don’t raise your voice or react loudly to things around them.
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Plenty of playtime
Give them plenty of playtime with their favourite activities.
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Reward-based training
Reward-based training is a fantastic bonding opportunity. Whether it’s new tricks or working on basic obedience skills, learning together is a fun way to build your relationship.
How much sleep, exercise, and enrichment do dogs need?
There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer when it comes to a dog’s need for enrichment, sleep, and exercise. This will vary from breed to breed and even from dog to dog, and you’ll need to get to know your own pup’s rhythms and preferences.
As a general rule, puppies and older dogs are likely to need a lot more sleep than adult dogs, up to 20 hours a day. Other dogs may sleep around 14 to 18 hours a day.
All dogs need regular walks, playtime, and enrichment. Some may be satisfied with one long, sniffy walk a day whereas others will really benefit from the opportunity to run off-lead and get their energy out.
If you have a working breed, they’re going to need a lot more mental and physical stimulation than others. Find out more about enrichment ideas in our enrichment article.
Trainer’s tip
If your dog is bouncing off the walls, resist the urge to add more walks. More often than not an overstimulated dog needs less — more rest, quieter walks, and a calm, predictable day.
Vicky EDCH dog trainer
When should you seek professional advice?
If your dog is struggling to settle and remains overstimulated and overwhelmed despite all your best efforts, it may be time to seek some professional support.
If you have a new puppy, they will benefit from formal training of some kind to learn basic obedience and develop good habits from an early age.
Final thoughts on decompression
Teaching your dog to settle, or establishing a safe, quiet space where they won’t be bothered is incredibly useful in a number of different situations. It can help your dog build trust and become more confident.
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