Settling In: Helping Your New Rescue Dog Adjust

Adopting a dog can be rewarding for families, but helping a new dog adjust isn’t always easy. While many people anticipate an adjustment period, if the phase lasts longer than expected, dog owners are left wondering what they can do differently. Whether you’re planning to adopt and have concerns about what you’ll do with a shoe-chewing, dinner-stealing dog, or you already brought your new dog home and are asking yourself, “Will he ever calm down?”, there are things you can do to help your dog be a really good dog.

It takes more than treat puzzles and enrichment toys to tire out a dog, and preventing behavioral problems isn’t just about giving your dog more to do and hoping for the best.

Ask anyone what to do with a destructive dog. Aside from the suggestion of training, you’ll likely get the response that your dog needs more exercise and mental stimulation. While those are essential, there’s much more to it.

Dogs need attention and guidance. The good news is, implementing techniques to help your new dog succeed is something the entire family can get involved in. You’ll help your dog thrive and enjoy the rewarding experience of caring for and bonding with your new family member.

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What to Expect

Your expectations play an essential role in helping your newly adopted dog adjust. It might be easier to be patient with your dog when you know what to expect. The process is anything but linear. A 2022 study published in Animals, "Returning a Shelter Dog: The Role of Owner Expectations and Dog Behavior," found that unrealistic expectations are a significant factor in shelter dog returns. Owners who expected perfect behavior and instant bonding were more likely to return their dog within the first three months.

Participants in the study, reviewed and approved by the University of Pennsylvania, were recruited from Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina. While the results showed that many newly adopted dogs had some unwanted behaviors, it was the owners with the highest behavior and bonding expectations who were more likely to return the dog post-adoption if their expectations were not met.

Even if you ask all the right questions, meet your new dog beforehand, and double-check that your house is dog-proofed, you have to prepare for the fact that no one can predict how a dog (or any animal) will respond to a new situation. You aren’t just getting a new dog; your dog is getting a new family, a new home, and an entirely different routine. Patience and understanding can go a long way.

One thing families can do is discuss their expectations together. Understanding that dogs don’t come with pre-programmed commands is essential. As a family, make the rules clear and consistent by writing them out together. Will your new dog be allowed on the furniture? Where will the dog sleep at night? What cue words will you use for consistent communication (sit, down, come)?

Another thing families can do is talk about the fact that mistakes will happen. From accidents in the house to jumping up on the counter, these things happen. Training is part of helping your dog adjust. Realistic expectations and sometimes a sense of humor can help, too.

The Surprising Truth About Exercise

When dogs don’t get enough exercise, they get into trouble. Puppies are experts at getting everyone’s attention, especially as families settle in to watch a movie and relax. They quickly learn how to get everyone back up by jumping around and biting clothing. Dogs sometimes will steal items like throw pillows or remotes because they have figured out that it makes people chase them. Simply put, they find it fun.

Exercise can help your dog settle, but too much exercise can be a problem. Puppies sleep more than most people realize. Nap time is essential for growing pups. As for tiring dogs out to exhaust them for better behavior, it’s not a training technique. Instead, you should determine the right amount of exercise for your dog’s size, breed, and age. A balanced day includes exercise, rest, and enrichment.

Teaching dogs how to settle on their own is helpful. Even if you have the perfect balance, you should still reinforce calm behavior. Dogs figure out what earns attention. Give your dog attention for quiet, relaxed behavior rather than for unwanted behaviors.

One exercise to try is an on-leash settle. With your dog on leash and you sitting, reward your dog for relaxing into a down. Try it at home, outside, and even at the park. It’s an excellent way for your dog to practice settling. Keep sessions short, with your dog settling anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.

Enrichment

There is no shortage of toys available to provide dogs with enrichment. The problem with puzzle-type toys is that once you give your dog one, it quickly loses its appeal. That doesn’t mean they don’t work. It means that the toys alone are not adequate to provide your dog with real problem-solving workouts. Your dog figures it out, and the challenge fades.

Food enrichment toys are an excellent idea, but you should also provide other types of enrichment. Training games are great for this. New dogs will need basic training to learn the rules of your home and safety cues. You can further your dog’s education by teaching tricks and playing games to give your dog a mental workout. Even scent games are helpful. Hide treats in containers around the home, or hide a favorite toy and encourage your dog to find it.

Creating a Family Routine

In the beginning, creating a new schedule with a new dog can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, work your dogs’ training and enrichment into your routine. You can add a bit of training to your dog’s walk, swap feeding time from a bowl to an enrichment toy, turn movie night into a night to reward your dog for calm behavior, and even play training games with your dog as a family.

There will be ups and downs, especially in the beginning, but your new dog will adjust before you know it. Professional training classes can provide the proper guidance. For behavioral concerns, always consult with an experienced dog trainer, as every dog and every case is unique.

Caring for the family dog is something families can do together, and it’s that structure and guidance that helps dogs become the best companions.

Melissa Viera is the owner of MJ's Pet Training Academy in Acushnet.