Bringing a rescue puppy home is an exciting and rewarding experience that can change your life and theirs, both for the better. Not only are you giving a loving dog a second chance, but you’re also welcoming a loyal companion into your family. The journey of adoption is filled with joy, responsibility, and the opportunity to create a lifelong bond.

Here’s how to make the transition as smooth as possible for you and your new furry friend.

Prepare Your Home

Before bringing a rescue puppy home, it’s essential to prepare your living space to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some tips for puppy-proofing your home:

1. Puppy-Proof Your Space: Remove any hazards that could be dangerous for a curious pup. This includes securing loose wires, removing toxic plants, and putting away small items they might chew or swallow (If you have a child, it is the same as baby-proofing!). Use this time to make sure there are no areas that your dog can escape from, including holes in or around the fence! Also, take the time to ensure there is no unwanted debris in the yard, and that all gates are closed and latched properly.
   
   
2. Create a Safe Space: Designate a specific area at your home where your puppy can feel secure. This could be a cozy corner with a bed, toys, and a blanket. A crate can also be a safe haven, providing a comfortable space for them to retreat.
   
   
3. Gather Necessary Supplies: Stock up on essential items like food and water bowls, high-quality puppy food, chew toys, a leash, a collar, and training pads. Having everything ready will help your puppy settle in quickly.
   
   

Curious/Nervous about the First Day?

The first day with your rescue puppy is a crucial time for establishing a sense of security. Here’s how to make their introduction to your home as smooth as possible:

1. Gentle Introduction: When you first bring your puppy home, allow them to explore their new environment at their own pace. Avoid overwhelming them with too many people or noises.
   
   
2. Establish a Routine: Consistency is key for a new puppy. Set up a feeding schedule, bathroom breaks, and playtime to help them feel secure and understand what to expect.
   
   
3. Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy with treats and praise for good behavior as they acclimate to their new surroundings. This helps build trust and encourages them to feel comfortable.

The First 3 Days after Bringing Home a Puppy

It will be very tempting to greet your newly adopted dog with enthusiasm and affection when you pick it up and bring it home (or when it is delivered). However, this is NOT the time for that… at least not just yet! Since you are about to remove the animal from a familiar environment and take them to a new one, maintaining calmness and providing clear guidance is essential to set the tone and establish a positive relationship.

It’s important to continue that same calm energy you display during the initial meeting for the next three months and beyond. This doesn’t mean there can’t be moments of excitement or love, but overall, that calm demeanor should be present at all other times!

Take a walk

Once you arrive home, keep your dog on a leash and take them for a long stroll around the neighborhood. The purpose of this walk is to release excess energy and help them acclimate to the house without being overly energetic; set the initial boundaries of the relationship, including how to walk properly and how to listen; and familiarize your rescue dog with their new surroundings, including the various smells, sights, and sounds from different dogs and families in the neighborhood.

Take the tour

After your walk, when your dog is more relaxed, it’s time to bring them into the house! At this moment, do NOT remove the leash. We still want them to follow us, and we don’t want to let them sniff or roam freely. Allowing them to explore immediately sends the wrong message about leadership. Use the leash to keep them close, and guide them slowly from room to room. Spend a few minutes in each area, ensuring YOU enter and exit first. Every new space is an opportunity to assert leadership and train them to follow your lead! Once the tour of your home is complete, feel free to repeat the process if you have a backyard, patio, or other outdoor areas.

Continue the tour around your home while trying to ignore your dog. Petting, making eye contact, and talking are not advised, as your dog is already highly stimulated. In this new environment with unfamiliar people, minimizing stimulation will aid the integration process. By remaining quiet, and calm, and gently leading them into each room, you will reinforce your leadership and help the dog focus on you.

Establish boundaries

Once the tour is finished, it’s time to set some basic boundaries for your new dog! Continue to guide them on a leash to their feeding area, where you can offer some water and a few pieces of food (or treats). This helps create the boundaries for mealtime and establishes an area your dog can recognize.

After introducing the feeding area, take your dog to their sleeping space.

After introducing the feeding area, take your dog to their sleeping space. If you have a crate, start by introducing it and allowing your dog to explore. This could mean sniffing, walking around, or just being curious. Feel free to open the crate and toss in some treats or a chew toy. Your new dog might happily enter after them! If they settle inside, you can remove the leash and close the door, giving them time to relax. If they seem anxious, you can leave the door open for them to come and go as they please. The best way to acclimate them to a crate—if they’re unfamiliar with it—is to feed them in it, add something cozy, and fill it with treats!

If you decide not to use a crate, now is the time to let your dog off the leash and explore the area. By releasing them, you’re clearly communicating that this space belongs to them! If they immediately lie down or ignore the family, don’t worry! This means you’ve done the process correctly, and they feel comfortable within the pack!

Keep consistent

At this stage, your dog should now be familiar with the layout of the house and the established boundaries. I encourage you to limit their freedom during the first few days by shutting doors and/or keeping some rooms off-limits! Additionally, continue to promote a calm environment for your dog by not overwhelming them with attention and affection. You can acknowledge them if they seek interaction, but try not to shower them with love just yet! While it may be tempting, giving your dog too much affection at this stage could later lead to separation anxiety when you’re not around.

During this critical period, your rescued dog is still adjusting to their new home, so it’s essential to remain calm to teach them that this is YOUR territory and YOU set the rules. By using your affection as a reward when they do something positive, you will send a strong message that resonates with them in the language of dogs during the first three days!

Building Trust Trust and Bonding

Building a strong bond with your rescue puppy is essential for their development and your relationship. This is going to pay huge dividends, as being able to mark, reward, reinforce, and correct your dog is crucial. One of the most important ways to nurture connection between you and your new puppy is by setting up a routine.

Setting a Routine for Your Newly Adopted Dog

Over the first three days, your dog may not eat or drink much, may act funny, and will still be getting used to the environmental change. At this time, it is crucial to establish a daily routine so your dog can learn good behaviors. If you keep your routine consistent, you allow your dog to understand what is coming next in the day, and therefore reduce anxiety and stress. Here is an example of the daily routine we follow at our facility:

Additionally, if you come home from work and they are standing at the door, jumping, and/or super excited to see you – IGNORE THEM! If you acknowledge them and give affection at this point, you are positively reinforcing all the wrong behaviors, as well as creating an opportunity for separation anxiety to manifest later down the road.

By following these steps, you give your dog the greatest chance to succeed and decompress in its new environment. This process takes time, but by following this advice you mitigate a lot of the issues that can arise when adopting a rescue dog to be your new furry friend.

WE CAN HELP

Supplements for Healthy Development

As your rescue puppy settles into their new home, consider incorporating NHV supplements to support their health and development when they are 4 months old or they are fully vaccinated.

These natural supplements can get your pup off to the right start:

• Multi Essentials: Contains herbs that naturally contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and also may support a healthy metabolism and nutrient absorption.
• Lesstress: Everyone knows what stress feels like, and our dogs can get stressed by numerous factors as well. Help your fur kiddo relax into a long and happy life with NHV Lesstress – a natural dog stress support.
• Milk Thistle: NHV Milk Thistle may help to remove chemicals and toxins that accumulate in your dog’s system. It is one of the few herbs with no exact equivalent in conventional medicine.
• Inulin-PK: Inulin-PK works as a natural dog worms remedy and parasite cleanser. Proactively tackle parasitic infections and help your hound heal with this holistic dog dewormer aide.

Consult with NHV vet experts to find the right supplements tailored to your puppy’s needs.

Resources for New Puppy Parents

The journey of bringing a rescue puppy home is filled with learning opportunities. During your puppy’s first three months of life, they’ll experience a socialization period that will permanently shape their future personality and how they’ll react to their environment as an adult dog. Gently exposing them to a wide variety of people, places, and situations can make a huge, permanent difference in their temperament. Here are some resources to support you as a new puppy parent:

• Training Classes: Look for local training classes to help your puppy learn basic commands and socialization skills. These classes are also a great way for you to connect with other pet parents.
• Socialization Opportunities/Adventures: Expose your puppy to different environments, people, and other animals in a controlled manner. This helps them become well-adjusted and confident.
• Online Communities: Join online forums or local groups for pet owners. Sharing experiences and advice with other puppy parents might provide insights and support. You can also check out the NHV blog for free resources written by vets and pet experts!

Bringing a rescue puppy home is not just about adopting a pet; it’s about opening your heart and home to a new family member. With preparation, love, and patience, you’ll create a nurturing environment that allows your puppy to thrive and become a beloved part of your life. Enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey!