Setting Up Your Home for a New Dog

If you’re thinking about bringing a new dog into your life, it can help to chat with your vet or a qualified behaviourist to find the right fit for your lifestyle and home. Try to pick a time of year when everything is calm and less busy. 

Essential Supplies for New Dog Owners

Having the right supplies ready from day one will help them feel safe, comfortable, and settle faster. Start with the basics: 

• A comfortable bed in a quiet area 

• Food and water bowls, high-quality dog food 

• Collar, lead, longline and harness

• Toys including KONGs, puzzle feeders, lick mats and training treats. 

• Make sure other dogs in the house are up to date with vaccinations, flea and worming treatments.

Puppies are at high risk for infections until 1 week after their second vaccination. Check when your new pooch last had vaccinations, flea or worming treatment, and speak to your vet to make sure they’re covered going forward. It’s also essential that their microchip details are updated with their new address and contact details.

Our Joii team is available 24 hours a day for advice. 

How to Dog-Proof Your Home

Puppies require more supervision in general than adult dogs. Set up areas for safe exploring and slow introductions to the rest of the household. 

• Make sure houseplants are safe for dogs - find out more about common poisonous plants 

• Hide away any hazardous objects, cover plugs and cables

• Remove items you don’t want to be chewed

• Make sure the bin is secure and can’t be raided

• Use baby gates to zone off areas

• Make sure the garden is fenced and secure

Common household toxins to be aware of include: grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, human medications, household cleaners and batteries. Outdoor hazards include slug pellets, fertilisers, rat poisons and antifreeze.

Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog

Having somewhere to sleep and relax undisturbed helps to reduce anxiety:

• Put their bed in a cosy den area to help them feel safe

• Use a crate with cosy bedding (see our guide on crate training)

• Plug in a calming Adaptil diffuser nearby

Bringing Your New Dog Home (First Day Tips)

Helping Your Dog Feel Safe and Calm

How your new dog reacts depends on their temperament. However, they will more than likely be overwhelmed with new sights and smells, which can make them feel on edge and stressed. Keeping everything as calm as possible is key.

Let them explore the house and family members slowly and approach on their own terms. Familiar bedding or toys from the breeders or previous home can help ease the transition.

Common First-Day Mistakes to Avoid

Getting a new dog is exciting for everyone, but try not to overwhelm your dog with too many activities or visitors. Keeping everything as calm as possible is key. 

• Don’t let pets meet too quickly or expect them to share the same area, bed, food and toys. This can lead to anxiety, competition and fighting over food, toys and attention.

• Put consistent boundaries in from day one with barriers and training, to help reduce problems down the line.

Tips for a Settled First Night

Your dog’s first night at home can feel unsettling, as they adjust to new sights and sounds. Keeping their sleeping space nearby may offer reassurance. Expect some restlessness, and respond calmly and consistently.

• Keep the evening calm and quiet

• Take them for a short toilet break before bed to prevent accidents

• Settle them in their cosy den or wherever they seem happy with cosy bedding

• Provide fresh water and familiar items such as a blanket or toy from their previous home
  

Introducing Your Dog to Other Pets

How to Introduce Dogs to Other Dogs 

Have a friend or family member on hand, so each dog has their own adult for attention. Make sure all pets are kept separate at the start, with their own resting area, bedding, food, water and toys. Introductions should be slow, calm and positive.

• Get dogs to meet on neutral ground, out of the house, before you bring your new dog home

• Scent swap beforehand with blankets, beddings and toys

• Start with the dogs on loose leads or long lines

• Walk at a distance from each other with attention on the owner (bring along treats to reward)

• Allow dogs to sniff each other on a loose lead, keep it brief, move away and repeat a few times

• When you bring the new dog home, get them to meet in a neutral, large space like the garden 

• Gradually build up to interacting in the house for short, positive periods

Introducing a New Dog to Cats

Cats can be especially prone to stress, and can struggle with sharing their space, so take it slowly. Cats should have all their own resources (litter trays, beds, food, water and toys) separate in safe, undisturbed areas. 

• Start by keeping the pets separate 

• Get them used to each other’s scent by swapping items such as bedding and toys

• Use barriers like baby gates and allow them to see each other first

• Keep the dog on a lead/longline for the first interaction

• Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise, keep interactions short and positive

• Go back a step and take it slower if you detect any stress from pets

Signs of Positive vs Negative Interactions

Learning your dog's body language is important for understanding how they feel. 

Positive signs include: relaxed posture, ears up and forwards, calm sniffing, slow tail wagging (dogs, not cats!)

Negative body language signs include: dilated pupils, hackles up, ears back, tense posture, crouching and tail tucked. Other signs of stress include: yawning or lip licking, shaking or trembling and aggression - growling, baring teeth.

If you notice these signs, take a step back and take it more slowly. Keep pets separate if you notice any signs of aggression, and speak to a vet and a qualified behaviourist for advice.

Introducing Your Dog to Family and Visitors

Making sure family members are consistent with the dog's routine and training is important. Keeping everything calm and positive, and avoiding punishment will help reduce anxiety.

Teaching Children How to Interact with Dogs

Teach children to approach calmly and observe body language. Always supervise and spot early warning signs of fear or aggression so you can intervene calmly before bites happen.

• Never leave dogs and children alone. Crawling and toddling children are especially unpredictable.

• Use barriers such as baby gates, but watch for young children poking their fingers through.

• Give your dog their own quiet space to sleep, eat and play undisturbed.

• Avoid hugs and kisses, especially on their faces. Loud noises and unwanted strokes and tugs are also stressful for them.

If your dog is reactive or aggressive around children, keep them separate and speak to a vet and a qualified behaviourist for advice as soon as possible.

Setting Boundaries and Building Trust with New People

• Make sure visitors are calm and ignore the dog when they first come in. 

• Let the dog approach them and interact when the dog has calmed down. If your dog is nervous or hyperexcitable, keep them in a separate area with toys and food-stuffed Kongs to distract them. 

• Make sure your dog has a safe space to retreat. 

• Consider using a lead or longline and only allow introduction when the dog is showing calm and relaxed body language.

• Reward calm, positive behaviour with treats and praise. 

• If your dog is aggressive with new people, avoid interactions and speak to a qualified behaviourist first.

Establishing a Routine and Bonding with Your Dog

Establishing a consistent routine can help your dog feel secure and settled, reducing anxiety and unwanted behaviours. This includes feeding, walking, playing and sleeping at the same time every day, so that your dog knows what to expect, if you can. Use positive reinforcement by rewarding calm, wanted behaviour with treats and praise. 

The amount of time and energy needed will depend on the individual, their personality and background. In general, puppies will need more training and time, especially in the early months. Adult dogs should already be toilet-trained, but may come with certain behavioural or medical issues. Rescue dogs often struggle with separation issues, and a qualified behaviourist can help you work through this.  You can speak to our Joii team for advice.

House Training Tips for Success

Successful house training relies on consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement: 

• Take your dog outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and play

• Reward them immediately with treats and praise when they toilet in the right place

• Keep a close eye indoors to catch early signs such as sniffing and circling

• Avoid punishment for accidents

The Role of Exercise, Play and Training

Regular exercise, play and enrichment help to boost health and reduce boredom and unwanted behaviours. Tailor these to your dog’s age, size, and temperament, including daily walks, games, and enrichment activities. Teaching basic commands helps keep your dog engaged, safe and builds trust. 

• Keep play sessions short and positive

• Rotate toys such as puzzle toys, lick mats and food-stuff Kongs

• Use scent work such as scatter feeding and hiding treats

• Teach essential commands like ‘sit’, stay’ and ‘watch me’

• Practice recall and heel training in the garden and then when out

• Use high-value treats for training and when there are more distractions

Common Problems When Introducing a New Dog

Separation Issues in Dogs

Dogs are sociable animals, so they can struggle when left alone. Rescues are more prone to attachment issues. 

Signs of separation issues include barking, whining, chewing, shaking, pacing, and panting. Less commonly, dogs can be more withdrawn. Speak to a vet and a qualified behaviourist if your dog is getting stressed when left alone. Treatment can include: a behaviour training plan, calming diffusers, supplements and prescription medications. 

Tips to help at home

• Make your dog a cosy den with favourite blankets, toys and treats inside and get them used to settling in this area when you’re in the house

• Use food-stuffed Kongs to distract them

• Plug in a calming Adaptil diffuser nearby

• Leave them alone as little as possible until they improve

Barking, Chewing, and Other Behaviours

Barking and chewing are natural behaviours, but can become a nuisance. It’s important to identify the underlying cause with the help of a qualified behaviourist. This can range from boredom or a lack of exercise to fear and anxiety. Redirect unwanted behaviours onto positive alternatives, such as chew toys or interactive games. Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise. 

Keeping Your Dog Happy and Healthy

Once your new dog is settled in, book them for a routine vet health check. The vet can make sure they’re up to date with vaccinations, flea and worming too.

Signs of a happy, well-adjusted dog include:

• Relaxed body posture and tail, ears forward

• Resting and relaxing around the house

• Grooming, eating, and toileting normally

• Positive interactions with other pets - touching noses, resting and playing together

What to Do If Your Dog Won’t Settle

Your new dog will need time, space and consistency to settle. How long it takes for them to settle depends on their age, temperament, past experiences, and new environment. Most dogs will settle into their new home and routine after a few weeks, but can take up to a few months to feel at home.

Making sure their feeding regime, exercise, rest and play are suited to their age and lifestyle will help. If your dog is still struggling, it’s time to speak to a vet. The vet can check your dog over for any health conditions which could be contributing. They can refer you to a qualified behaviourist for more advice. Qualified behaviourists can also be found on the ABTC or FAB websites. You can speak to our Joii team for support with this.