First Night With a Dog at Home

While we may be concerned about our emotional response to a dog's first night in our home, it is both imperative and very helpful to consider the practical. Ensuring we have everything to cover the dog's basic needs will help to ensure a feeling of security in the animal. It will also give us something on which we can focus to help provide our own reassurance. When a dog first arrives in our home we will need:

• Dishes: food dish and water bowl which is suitable for their needs, i.e. not too high and made from a suitable material.
• Food: the diet will need to be adapted to the life stage and characteristics of each dog. For example, we can buy specially formulate puppy feed which will have different ingredients for one designed for older dogs. If we are adopted an adult dog, it is best to find out what food they normally enjoy to help ease the transition.
• Edible treats: such as cookies, dental sticks or foods that we have at home such as apple, carrot or even meat slices.
• Comfortable bed: this will also need to be adapted to the dog's needs, ensuring it can accommodate their size, weight, mobility conditions and anything else which might affect their comfort. It should be in a quiet room or area so that the animal can rest without being disturbed. It should also be in a climate controlled environment away from drafts.
• Accessories: a leash and harness are required for dogs that can be taken out for walks. They should never be let out of the harness during the first few days. Bags are needed to collect excrement from public roads.
• Environmental control: we have to check the house to remove any potential danger, such as toxic plants, garbage, cleaning products, food, loose cables or anything else that is relevant.
• Hygiene: we can have dog wipes or some other sanitary products in case of a hygiene emergency.

If the dog has any special needs, we will need to ensure we provide for them. For example, pee pads, medication or a box that maintains the temperature if we are taking care of a puppy.

In addition, we must ensure we provide time. The first night a dog arrives at our home is very important for their future well-being. They will immediately make associations with the new environment, so we want to be there and ensure we can devote enough time to them. This means we will need to arrange beforehand and ensure we can be there for them.

There is no specific place where a dog has to sleep at home, but there are certain requirements that ensure their well-being. As we have already stated, they need a comfortable bed in a quiet space that is free from drafts. However, you will also need to make some decisions before they arrive. Some guardians will not have a problem with a dog sleeping on couches or beds, but others may want to ensure they have their own space.

What works for you is best. Some claim that letting a dog sleep in your bed makes them ‘dominant’ over you, but this is a misunderstanding of the canine/human relationship. All members of the household will need to agree on the rules since consistency is vital. If we give the dog confusing information or signals, this can make their adjustment to their new home more difficult.

Understand the reasons why a dog wants to sleep beside you in our related guide.

My dog is crying on the first night home

The question also arises as to what to do if the dog cries. This situation is common in puppies, but less frequent in adult or older dogs. Regardless of age, we must take care of them. It is understandable the dog may be insecure and scared at first. They have just arrived at a new home and are with unknown people.

They need time to establish a bond with their caregiver, which is what will give them peace of mind. These dogs may benefit from being allowed to sleep in the same room as their new guardian, although it does not necessarily have to be in the same bed.

Learn more about the safety of letting a dog sleep in your bed with our article asking can dogs carry beg bugs?

Once the dog arrives for their first night at home, we should do the following:

1. Offer water and food: this will help them to know they will have their basic needs met.
2. Go for a good walk: this will help relieve some stress and even tire them out so they can better rest in the home. There are some exceptions for dogs that cannot go outside, such as puppies that have not yet completed their vaccination schedule or adults with certain health conditions.
3. Create a restful atmosphere: after eating and exercising, hopefully your dog will be ready to rest. We can help to create a restful atmosphere by being calm, turning off appliances and ensuring there is minimal disruption.

Walking allows us to show our dog their new surroundings, as well as providing cognitive and physical stimulation. The last walk of the day should be done as late and last as long as possible. It is also important to establish a routine in terms of eating, walking, playing and resting. In general, it is advisable to go for a walk first and then eat when you return to avoid digestive problems. We explain whether to walk a dog before or after meals in our related guide.

What if the dog doesn't like their new bed?

To help a dog get comfortable, we need to provide reassurance. This means using positive reinforcement and associating their bed with positive experiences. We can do so by giving them treats when they lay down in the bed or by only giving them attention when they do so. However, we should not force them as this can be counterproductive. If a dog is comfortable somewhere else that doesn't cause a problem for you, you should let them stay there.

If you do have restrictions on where they can rest, take a look at how to stop a dog climbing on the sofa.

The most important thing in the first few days is to establish a suitable routine. Depending on the characteristics of the dog and our schedule, we will set times for food, walks, play, grooming and any other daily activities. Dogs like predictability. Knowing what to expect at any given time helps them to feel calm and reduce feelings of insecurity.

Above all, you have to be patient. It is not unusual for the dog to become distracted during these first few days in a new home. They are still learning the boundaries and will also be excited for the new situation. We should guide them patiently, but do not force them and use negative reinforcement. We should also not force interaction and let the dog come to us. Crowding the dog can harm your potential bond together.

If any problems arise in living together, we should contact a canine ethologist or dog trainer. They can help us with difficult issues such as separation anxiety, destructive behaviors or even aggression. If any behavior suggests a physical problem, we should not hesitate to contact a veterinarian. We also need to avoid stressful situations in the first dew days. For example, don't have unnecessary visitors and don't bathe them until necessary.

If you want to know what to expect with a dog's first night at home because you are considering adoption, take a look at our related article which explains why you should adopt a stray dog.

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