The first week with your rescue dog sets the tone for your life together. Focus on routine, patience, and decompression. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Day 0: Prepare your home (puppy-proof, set up a safe zone, stock up on supplies).
Day 1: Go outside first, then slowly introduce your home. Keep things quiet.
Day 2: Allow slow exploration, introduce other pets carefully, watch eating/pooping.
Days 3–7: Build routine, expand activities, work on potty training, and focus on bonding.
Want a printable checklist to make this week easier? Download my free Adoption Survival Kit.
The first few days and even weeks can also be overwhelming for you and your rescue pup. So, let’s ensure the first week goes as smoothly as possible.
This day-by-day guide will help you make the most of your first week together.
Day 0: BEFORE you bring home your new rescue dog
A successful transition from shelter to home starts even before you bring your dog home. Do these four steps to prepare your home for a dog:
1. Dog/puppy-proof your house.
Make sure no electrical wires are hanging on the floor, pick up small items a dog may find enticing to chew, and gate off areas of the home you don’t want the dog to have access to.
📖 Get tips on how to best puppy-proof your home.
2. Walk through your yard.
Check that your fence is in good condition with no areas where the dog may squeeze or dig under the fence. Check the gates to make sure they are closed and latched.
3. Create a safety zone for your dog.
Give your new rescue dog a safe area to decompress, this will help them feel more comfortable.
An open crate in a quiet room is a great tool to create a comforting den-like area.
If you choose not to use a crate, then set up an area with a dog bed, blankets, water, and chew toys.
📖 READ: How and Why Crate Train Your Dog in 3 Easy Steps
4. Stock up on supplies.
It’s best to go to the store or order your dog supplies before you bring home your pup. Do not take your new dog to the pet supply store on the way home. This would be much too overwhelming to start your relationship together.
You will need food, food/water bowls, a collar, a leash, and an ID tag. Of course, a few toys and a chew bone would be nice too.
Here is my Amazon shopping list for my recommended dog products.
Day 1: Bringing your dog home
We have adopted eight dogs and fostered many more over the years, so to say I’ve gone through this phase many times is an understatement.
The following advice works and will make your life easier and your dog’s transition into your home much smoother. Take your time, do not rush any of these steps.
1. Outside before inside
When you arrive home after picking up your new pup, introduce them to the outside of your house first. Let them take in all the new smells and surroundings.
Show them where they will go potty in your yard. And then take them for a long walk, at the very least around the block.
2. Introducing your new dog to the inside of your home
After the walk, enter and introduce your dog to your house slowly.
They will be stressed for the first few days, so the smaller the new area is, the more comfortable they will be. Restrict access to one area of the home.
Keep them on a leash for at least the first day, preferably the first three days. You don’t always have to hold on to the leash; they can drag the leash around with them, but this gives you quick access to them if needed.
I do this with each of our foster dogs. It helps the dog not get overwhelmed, stay out of trouble, and limits potty accidents.
3. Keep the first day and week quiet and low-key
The first day your adopted dog comes home should be uneventful. Keep things quiet and calm. As tempting as it may be, don’t invite your friends to meet your new pup.
Don’t take them to the dog park. Avoid overwhelming situations altogether.
Wait until they have a chance to get to know you and their new home first. Give them plenty of quiet time to settle in.
4. Get to know your new dog
Sit back and observe your new best friend. Let them approach you. Don’t overwhelm them with too much affection right away. Remember, the first few days are all about decompression.
If you have kids, don’t allow them to hang on the dog, hug them, put their faces to the dog’s face, etc. In other words, help your kids understand the dog needs time and space for a little while.
Learn to read your dog’s body language. It will help you bond and understand your dog so much better!
5. Bringing a new dog home to another dog
If you have other pets in the home, keep them separated for the first 24-48 hours.
Remember, your new dog is stressed. Meeting another dog just adds to that stress and can result in a dogfight.
Even if they are the friendliest dogs in the world, or if the dogs have met before. Bringing another dog into your home is different than a casual meeting, and dogs react differently when it is in their territory.
Whenever we bring in a new foster dog, they are separated from our dogs for a full 24 hours. The 24-hour rule is required by the rescue I work with. I will admit, it was very hard the first few times we brought in a foster dog.
It’s so tempting to want to bring the dog in and let everyone play.
To get my full protocol on adding a second dog…
📖 READ: The Best Way to Introduce a Second Dog Into Your Pack.
The first meal
Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t want to eat the first few days, this is completely normal. Most dogs won’t eat when they are stressed.
If you can feed them the same food they were eating in the shelter to alleviate any upset stomachs and diarrhea. And make sure they drink plenty of water.
Wean them to a new food next week. For this first week, keep things simple.
📖 READ: How long can a dog go without eating?
The first night
Your new dog is most likely going to be exhausted the first few nights. But some dogs may cry, howl, or bark when it’s time for bed.
We put a crate in our bedroom for our new foster dogs to sleep. This helps the dogs feel more comfortable knowing they aren’t alone.
Some people feel that a crate is cruel. It is not… a crate will keep them safe when you are sleeping. Imagine if they were allowed to roam around the house without supervision, a house they aren’t familiar with… oh, the trouble they could find!
PRO TIP: Want a detailed day-by-day adoption checklist? Download my free Adoption Survival Kit.
Day 2: Expanding their world
Your dog may want to explore their surroundings more. You can open another area of the home for them to get to know.
Every dog is different; so, don’t be concerned if your newly adopted dog prefers to hide under the table or in their crate. This is perfectly normal and part of the decompression process.
But if your dog is ready to explore, take it slowly. Do not give them full access to your home just yet.
Keeping their “freedom” to a minimum will help keep unwanted behaviors at bay. I know… You look into those puppy eyes and wonder what they could do that would be so terrible!
When a dog is stressed and in a new environment, stuff happens… potty accidents, chewing, marking, and who knows what else!
Other pets
If you have other pets, you may introduce them now. If it is another dog, make the meeting outside in a neutral area. Take them both for a long walk together before entering the home again.
If you have a cat, then I suggest keeping the introduction on the cat’s terms. Using a baby gate to give the cat a space to escape if desired.
Remember, your new dog may have never seen or experienced things you take for granted. Stairs, TV, kids, bicycles, can all be strange to a new dog.
It’s always interesting to me that with every foster dog we bring in, each one has some sort of quirk. Many of our fosters have never been on a walk, so when we walked by a big boulder or someone riding a bike, the dog would jump back out of fear.
It’s important to keep all this in mind when introducing and exposing your dog to new experiences.
Always be patient, positive, and reassuring. Don’t avoid the things that make him fearful, but slowly show him there is nothing to be afraid of.
Eating and pooping
Most dogs will eat on the second day, but again, there is no reason to panic if they don’t want to eat yet. As long as they are drinking water, they will be okay.
Some dogs also don’t like to potty in strange places, so don’t be surprised if they haven’t pooped yet… especially if they haven’t eaten.
This is a little gross but look at their poop for the next few weeks. Even if the shelter or foster home gave them a clean bill of health, sometimes worms and parasites can creep up during times of stress. Any signs of abnormal poop warrant a visit to your vet.
Days 3-7: Building Trust and Routine
The next few days are about comfort and connection.
- Sit on the floor, let them approach.
- Observe where they settle — move their safe zone if needed.
- Start establishing routine: feeding, walks, potty, play, sleep. Routine = security.
- Add small outings like short neighborhood walks.
- Expect potty accidents — go back to basics.
- Be a confident leader: calm, consistent, reassuring. Dogs take cues from your energy.
What happens after the first week?
Congrats, you made it through the first week with your new rescue dog! Was it easier or harder than you expected?
Remember, every dog is unique. Don’t compare your dog to someone else’s. Your pup may need more time, and that’s okay.
📖 Next, read about the 3-3-3 rule for dogs to understand the bigger picture of adjustment.
And don’t forget, Rescue Dogs 101 has resources to help you every step of the way.
FAQs: First Week With a Rescue Dog
What should I do if my rescue dog cries the first night?
Place their crate in your bedroom so they don’t feel alone. Offer a soft bed, a blanket, and patience. Most dogs settle in after the first few nights.
How much exercise should my rescue dog get in the first week?
Keep it light… short, calm walks are perfect. Avoid dog parks or high-energy outings. Let them decompress before adding more.
Is it normal for my new dog not to eat right away?
Yes! Stress can suppress appetite for a few days. Stick with familiar food and always provide water. Appetite usually returns within a week.
Final Thoughts
The first week is about decompression, building trust, and establishing a routine. Keep things simple, quiet, and consistent. Celebrate the little wins, and be patient with setbacks.
👉 Download your free Adoption Survival Kit to get checklists and guides for this week and beyond.
📖 And don’t forget to learn about the 3-3-3 Rule for Dogs, the bigger picture of how long it really takes for your dog to adjust.
You’ve got this. It may feel overwhelming now, but a few months from today, you’ll look back at this first week with a smile, amazed at how far you and your dog have come.
That will be great
Thank you for this info. We just adopted a 1 year old rescue- hound/shepherd mix- less than a week ago. He was in 2 foster homes the last few months and is very sweet. We are working on the “umbilical method” (he is potty trained, using this to keep him in our sight at all times, etc.) and we are also using a crate for rest breaks, when we can’t keep an eye on him, and at night. He is very high energy and even after walks and/or playing a bit in the yard, he still has boundless energy and won’t “calm down”. We are using his crate to establish “taking breaks” from play, etc. and for the most part he just whines a bit then goes to sleep. We also have a resident dog who is 10 (former rescue) who is tolerating him just fine. My question is: his boundless energy seems to be a problem when we are trying to get him to just relax near us and take a break without going in his crate. We offer a chew toy, etc. but he wants to be on us (which we are not allowing him on the couch/bed at this time) or have us constantly interacting with him. We are going to get him into a formal training program soon, but just curious if you have any advice on getting him to relax when working on being out of the crate. He does know some very basic commands and seems eager to learn.
Hi Debbie. This article in new rescues was really helpful. I was hoping you had more info on my first rescue. He was fine with two other dogs. We brought home a new rescue. Maybe golden and beagle. She is sweet and smart. Just wants to play. Has some training. Dylan the first rescue has been jealous and barking at her and attacking her. Help!!!
Please read The Best Way to Introduce a Second Dog Into Your Pack
We’ve have a 5 mo old rescue pup 2 weeks who is lunging and barking aggressively at dogs on walks, in the car and from the front door. He’s fine with our 11 y old dog and very sweet meeting people and kids. Is this something that the spirit dog class on reactivity might help me with or should I continue to reward good behavior as I anticipate problems and just try to redirect? Thanks!
At 2 weeks you are still very early in your relationship together, but the lunging and barking is definitely a sign of reactivity. The Spirit Dog Reactivity class will help you get a good start on building trust with your new dog and give you the tools you need to help him.
I recently adopted a shelter pet and I had her for almost 2 weeks now. I have 7 cat's that get along great with her, but my problem I'm having is the potty issues. The first time I brought her home I took her outside and showed her where she needs to go potty. But when she comes back in the house she's peeing and pooping what should I do
It’s very common for the first few weeks to have accidents. Read https://www.rescuedogs101.com/potty-training-rescue-dog/. Hang in there, and give her time and patience.
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing it. I have a question concerning the best way to bring a dog into the home.
I am getting a dog, now being fostered, in a week. I'm curious if my picking the dog up and bringing it to my home is better than having the dog brought to my home by the foster person and left.
My fear for the dog is a feeling of abandonment if he's brought and left. Do you think it would it make a difference to the dog?
Thanks
I personally don’t think it makes a difference to the dog. Either way the dog will go through a transition period, did you read the 3-3-3 rule article?
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. Guess the idea of feeling abandoned is just in my head.
This will be the third dog I bring into my home and each one I brought here rather than having them 'delivered' for the reason I stated above.
Yes, I read the article. It's very well written and I thank you for it. Good to have a refresher.
Thanks again,
Christine
Thank you so much for this article. I am about to receive my third foster dog in a couple of months. Each dog has been wonderful and lived out their full natural life, but mistakes on my part resultingng in marking on furniture. destroying belongings etc. because they had free roam. Your advice this time will alleviate that I think.
The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes. I never stop learning from each and every dog we foster or own. They are all so unique and teach me something new every time.
Hi Debi,
I just adopted a 4year old husky yesterday. He is very sweet and seems like he’s comfortable. I bought a crate because I heard that’s what you do with new dogs in new environments, however at times it’s hard to get him in there so I don’t force him in. He will whine and howl especially when I need to step out. I think it could be PTSD because he was always in a crate at the shelter. Anyways, I have him on a leash with me in the apartment and he goes with me. But I’m curious what he would do if he wasn’t cringed to me and he did just fine. Perhaps because there’s no attachment yet? No destruction happened and he didn’t pee on anything. Today, I went to the store for 20 mins and I left the crate open and had him roam free to see what he does, he whined but very minimal. He wasn’t panting or pacing. He might have been potty trained and house trained. I don’t know if this can cause confusion to him? I don’t know how many times to keep in the crate when I am home? Can I leave him without or with the leash and have him just hangout with me? What do you think is the best plan for him? Sorry for the many questions, I’m a fresh time dog owner. Any advice will be highly appreciated!
Every dog is unique so go with what feels right. He is still so new to you so there is no way to tell how he’d do alone with free roam. You can always try to give hime just one room. Watch him if you have a security camera to see how he does. 5, 10, 20 minutes at a time. Study up on Husky behavior, they have some unique personalities 🙂 Good luck and take it one day at a time. Have you read the 3-3-3 rule yet?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article on the first seven days of bringing an adopted dog home. Adopting a new furry friend is an exciting and transformative experience, and your insights and guidance are incredibly valuable for new pet parents.
Your article provides a comprehensive and practical roadmap for navigating those crucial initial days with an adopted dog. From setting up a safe and comfortable space to establishing routines, your advice on creating a nurturing environment sets new pet parents up for success.
I appreciate the emphasis on patience, consistency, and understanding during this transitional period. Recognizing that each dog is unique and may require different amounts of time to adjust and feel comfortable is crucial. Your article serves as a reminder to approach the process with empathy and flexibility, allowing the dog to settle in at their own pace.
The tips you provide on positive reinforcement training, socialization, and building trust are invaluable. Your guidance not only helps new pet parents establish a strong foundation for a healthy and loving relationship but also ensures the well-being and happiness of the newly adopted dog.
Furthermore, I want to commend Rescue Dogs 101 for highlighting the importance of seeking professional help when needed. Recognizing that some dogs may have specific needs or past traumas that require additional support is essential. Your encouragement to consult with trainers, behaviorists, or veterinarians demonstrates a commitment to the overall well-being and success of both the dog and the adoptive family.
I want to express my gratitude to Rescue Dogs 101 for providing such an informative and comprehensive guide for new pet parents. Your article not only equips them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the initial days but also instills confidence and empathy during this critical time.
Thank you for your dedication to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing valuable resources to support both dogs and their adoptive families. I look forward to reading more from Rescue Dogs 101 and continuing to learn and grow as a pet parent.
Glad to have you as part of the Rescue Dogs 101 community!
I JUST ADOPTED A RESCUE DOG WE HAVE HAD HER HOME FOR 3 DAYS. SHE IS 2 YEARS OLD AND DOING WELL EXCEPT FOR SHE IS NOT GETTING ALONG WITH OTHER DOGS, SHE BARKS AGGRESSIVELY WHEN THEY WALK BY OUR HOUSE. WHAT DO IDO?
Separate the dogs for a few days. Read https://www.rescuedogs101.com/best-way-introduce-second-dog-into-your-pack/