Your first week with a new dog

Bringing home a new dog is one of the happiest days there is. It is also a big change, for you and for the dog. A little preparation makes the first week calmer for everyone.

Before day one: the basics

Have these ready before your dog arrives:

• A bed in a quiet corner. The Kwispelhof round dog bed has a raised rim that many dogs like to rest their head on.
• Two bowls, one for food and one for water. Stainless steel food bowls are easy to clean. A heavy ceramic water bowl doesn’t tip over.
• A collar with a name tag and your phone number, and a leash. The leather dog collar and the leather dog leash 1.5 meters are a classic pair.
• Poop bags with a holder that clips onto the leash.
• Food, preferably the same food your dog ate before, in an airtight pet food storage container.

Collar or harness?

A collar is fine for a dog that walks calmly. Many new dogs pull, especially in the first weeks. A padded dog harness spreads the pull over the chest instead of the throat. It is kinder and gives you more control. Use the collar for the name tag, and clip the leash to the harness.

The first days

Keep the first days quiet. Your dog has a lot to take in: new smells, new sounds, new people. Let it explore one or two rooms first. Don’t invite all your friends at once.

Show your dog where it sleeps, where it eats and where it can go outside. Go out often, after waking, after eating and after play. Praise every success outside.

Routine helps

Dogs feel safe with routine. Feed at the same times, walk at the same times, and go to bed at the same time. After a week or two, your dog knows what to expect.

Play and bond

Play is the fastest way to build a bond. A rope dog toy is good for a gentle game of tug-of-war. Rubber dog balls are made for fetch. Keep play sessions short and end before your dog gets too excited.

Patience

Some dogs settle in within days, others need weeks. Give your dog time. A soft fleece dog blanket with its own smell helps it feel at home, also in the car or at the vet. By the end of the first month, it will feel like your dog has always been there.