Crates Can be Helpful on Your Rescue Dog’s First Night
I am not a not a big crate fan for long-term use, although there are exceptions. Some dogs really like their crates, especially smaller breeds as it feels like a secure den.
But even if you do not plan to use the crate on a long-term or regular basis, it is smart to have your dog sleep in a crate for the first night. Make sure the crate is big enough so your dog can stand up and turn around. Put a comfy pad in the crate with lots of fluffy blankets.
If you have a puppy or a really frightened dog, you can also place a soft teddy bear and a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket in the crate. This will comfort your pooch and remind her of being close to her mother and siblings. It should also help her settle down more quickly and sleep through the night. I would also close the door to the crate for the first night, so she doesn’t wander off and pee in the house. If you hear her moving around a lot or whimpering, then you should probably take her out for a potty break.
What Should I Do First When We Get Home?
It may be tempting to immediately bring your new dog into the living room and huddle around him as a family, but you need to start slow.
The first thing that you should do upon arriving at home is bring your dog immediately to the designated bathroom spot in your yard (or a pee pad indoors if that’s what you plan on using).
There is a good chance that your dog will need to go to the bathroom with the combination of high excitement and the car ride.
When he does, be sure to praise him. This will help to establish a baseline for housebreaking.
After you have given your dog a chance to go to the bathroom and calm down from the trip, bring him into his ‘safe space’ in the house.
This is an area of the home that has been fully puppy-proofed to prevent any accidents.
By limiting how much space he has access to, you are giving him a chance to adjust and acclimate without overwhelming him.
Hold off on any major introductions in the beginning until your dog has had a chance to settle into his home environment.
This includes both introductions with children and other animals that live in your home.
Make food and fresh water accessible to your dog, but don’t stress if he is showing no interest in eating.
Often dogs will skip meals when they are feeling anxious and stressed out.
It is not uncommon for a new dog to refuse food for one or two days after moving to his new home.
A Full Tummy and A Late Night Potty Break
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No one likes to go to bed hungry! So, make sure your dog has had a good meal. This is a good point to establish a feeding schedule that will be consistent from day to day. This will help reduce any food anxiety that your dog may have. Like people, dogs respond well to a routine.
Make sure your new dog has a chance to go outside and relieve herself before bed. Give her ample time outside to find her spot and take care of business. As much as possible, try to establish a potty break routine at least 3-4 times a day so your new dog will get into the habit of those specific times. With a puppy, potty breaks will be more frequent and a puppy may need to go out 6 or more times a day.
As a safety precaution, you may want to place papers around your new dog’s sleeping area, especially if she is a puppy. And, try not to linger too long in the morning. As soon as you both wake up, take her out for her morning bathroom break or you may wake up to a nasty surprise! Sleep lightly since she may wake up in the middle of the night and need to pee.
Another option is to attach a short leash to your dog’s collar and anchor it by her bed. Dogs will usually not soil their beds, so this will keep them from wandering off and peeing on your bedroom or hallway carpet! But it will be best if you can get up if she stirs and take her outside to pee.
The first night will be the most unsettling for both of you, and neither of you may sleep well. But this will pass!
What To Do The First Night You Bring Your Rescue Dog Home
Are you planning on adopting a dog or puppy? Congratulations on your new future family member! TCPR is committed to helping our adopters acclimate their new dogs to their furever homes. Here are some important things to know before bringing your new dog or puppy home!