Common questions answered: Helping your dog settle into their new home

Bringing a dog into your home is an exciting experience, but it can also come with questions - particularly during those first few days.

Even dogs who seem confident may display behaviours that leave you wondering what’s normal and how best to support them. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions I get from adopters, along with tips and techniques to help your new dog settle.

It isn't uncommon for dogs to avoid physical contact and interaction when they first arrive, even if they were described to you as being friendly and social.

The journey from overseas is long and stressful, leaving many dogs feeling overwhelmed during their first days in their new home. It's important to consider that while you may be excited to get to know your dog, to them, you are a complete stranger. Building trust takes time and patience - so try not to rush any form of interaction.

The best thing you can do for your new arrival is to completely ignore them. Let them explore the environment, sniff you if they want to, and move away in their own time. Dogs that approach don't necessarily want to be touched - they are merely gathering information about you and other members of the family. They will make it very clear when they're ready for physical contact. In the meantime, giving them the time and space they need will do wonders for your relationship long-term.

Whether they've come to you from Romania, Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Spain or even further afield, your dog will be exhausted by the time they reach you. For some dogs, this can lead to over-arousal, which may result in pacing, whining, chewing and mouthing. Others will sleep and sleep and sleep.

Decompression plays an essential part in processing and understanding a new environment, providing your dog's nervous system time to rest and recover. Don't try to wake or move your dog if they show signs they want to rest. Instead, offer them a quiet, cosy space away from lots of noise and foot traffic - they'll come out and start exploring when they feel ready.

Both puppies and adult dogs need time to decompress, feel safe and form a connection with you before they're ready to go for a walk.

You have your puppy's whole life to let them explore the world outside, but it's important not to rush this process. Depending on where they came from, they may have never been walked on a lead, seen strangers moving past them or even have heard traffic. You can build up to walks slowly, starting with trust building exercises, mental enrichment and brief periods exploring the home and garden.

The short answer to this question, is that it depends. When your dog is ready to meet visitors will be hugely dependent on their individual temperament, past experiences and how settled they are in your home - but for every dog, it's important not to do too much too quickly.

Imagine how scary it might feel for your dog to have a complete stranger entering a space they're only just starting to feel comfortable in. If they aren't feeling fully safe and secure yet, this could lead to fearful reactions. Take things as slowly as possible, explaining to visitors that your dog will need time before they are ready to meet them.

It isn't uncommon for newly adopted dogs to wee indoors, often on bedding a resident dog uses. Contrary to popular belief, this isn't your dog asserting their dominance over the other dog. More often than not, this is a sign of stress or insecurity.

Your new dog may feel confused by unfamiliar smells, so they wee on items in the home for reassurance. You can manage this behaviour by cleaning the bedding with an enzymatic cleaner, in addition to regularly rewarding any toileting outdoors. This behaviour is rarely a toileting problem, but more an emotional one. You should see the behaviour decrease as your dog's sense of safety and confidence in the home grows.

It’s natural to want to give a new dog freedom once they’ve arrived, especially if they’ve spent months in kennels before coming to you. But when a new rescue refuses to come back inside, it’s usually not stubbornness - it’s about fear or uncertainty about what happens next.

Many overseas rescue dogs associate being indoors (or in an enclosed space) with stress or confusion. Particularly if they've only ever known life outdoors, staying in the garden may feel safer or more predictable.

When your dog first arrives with you, it's important to keep their lead on anytime they're outside. This helps with safe management, ensuring they don't get stuck hiding outside. It's important to make indoors rewarding - you can do this by tossing treats or scattering their food indoors.

If your dog freezes outside, please avoid chasing them. Turn your body sideways, moving a few steps backwards and using a calm tone of voice to encourage them inside.

Over time, you can start building up practising with thresholds. Sit with the door open, and calmly toss treats back and forth across the doorway. With time and consistency, your dog will learn it isn't a trap. Predictability and routine go a long in helping your dog feel safe moving around their new home.

If your dog has spent a period of time in a kennel environment, doorways and thresholds will be a completely new experience for them. While it might seem simple to us humans, many overseas rescues can be fearful of the unknown.

Take the time to consider the layout of the doorway and what lies beyond. Is there a difference in shadow and light between the two environments? Can you see any fabric or furniture that may be unsettling? Is the flooring slippery once they get inside?

Tiny details can make all the difference - move slowly, give them time to observe, and allow them to choose to cross in their own time.

In the early days, your new dog is learning what safety feels like. Steady routines, plenty of space, gentle guidance, and calm reassurance will help your dog begin to relax and trust. With time, that sense of safety grows into confidence, helping your dog thrive in their new home.