6 Steps To Settle In A New Dog
1. Think ahead: Have their new home ready and waiting when they arrive. If they know straight away where their food, water, bed, and toys are, they’ll be much more relaxed and at home.
2. Use pheromones: Try out pheromone-dispensing products a few days prior so your new friend is greeted with a calming scent. These are highly rated by many dog owners, though they won’t work for every dog.
3. Form a routine: Keep everything in their lives as consistent as possible. Walking, feeding, grooming – dogs feel most comfortable when they have a good idea of what’s happening, and when.
4. Start them slow: In a new neighbourhood, a dog has lots to learn about the sights, sounds, scents, and potential playmates. Start by taking them out at quieter times, if you can, so they can learn about their new stomping ground at their own pace.
5. Balance their alone time: It’s generally a good idea to take some time off work while they acclimatise, if you can. But too much time with them can cause separation anxiety when you have to go back to work, so try to keep both in mind.
6. Try not to overwhelm them: It can be tempting to show them off to all your friends and family, but try not to expose your new dog to big groups when possible as most will find it either frightening or overstimulating.
If you’ve rehomed from us and need more advice, contact our team on 0131 669 5331
