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.
My dog has been sneezing and I fed him raspberries one day and through up the next day but I think he’s sick and it’s my first time having a dog I don’t know if it’s bring he’s sick or because he’s getting adjusted to his new home. He’s also coughing then gags as if he need to throw up or has something stuck in his throat. Lmk what to do
Take him to the vet! It sounds like kennel cough to me, but your vet can tell you for sure and get him on meds to make him feel better. If it is kennel cough it’s contagious, so keep him away from other dogs. As for the raspberries, it’s possible it upset his stomach, or he could be allergic to them.
I adopted two potcakes that did not have a good start in life. They are so loving. Wish I had this a few months ago!!
Sounds like they found their perfect forever home! Thanks for adopting!
Hi there, love your page btw!! My boyfriend and I own a 1 year old miniature dachshund named Benny, he is the most loveable fun little guy. We rescued a 4.5 year old miniature dachshund named diesel just 2 nights ago. He is so sweet, but he is very sad. He seems to only want to sleep and is very snappy with Benny. For the most part they get along but if Benny wants to play or gets too close to him he’ll snap and bite at him. He’s been okay with myself and my boyfriend and loves to cuddle but if he’s laying on the bed/couch and we try to pick him up he’ll bite at us. We want to make it work so bad because he so deserves it. Any and all advice would be so appreciated!! He’s doing very well for just 3 days but I don’t want my Benny getting hurt and we are sometimes scared to touch him worried he’ll try and bite us.
Thank you!
Thank you Ashley! That means so much to me. So there are a lot of things to consider here. Where did you adopt Benny from? I’m surprised he was not assessed before being adopted, they should have seen some of this behavior and let you know before bringing him home. With that said, 2 days is a very short time. I have a two articles I want you to read that I think will help: Bringing Home a Rescue Dog and the 3-3-3 Rule and The Best Way to Introduce a Second Dog Into Your Pack. Oh and reading his body language could help a lot too: How to Talk to Dogs
I adopted a 12 year old westie/yorkie mix, Lucky. We have had him for a week with my 12 year old mini schnauzer, Max. They have been living in harmony and the transition was remarkably easy. Last night Max stepped in Lucky’s cage and Lucky attacked him. Now today, we had them both outside and there were no issues. When we had Lucky outside and wanted him to come in and put Max outside, he lunged again and bit Max. I tried to separate them and Lucky bit me. I’m sure Lucky was just being protective of his space but I’m not quite sure what to do next. I do not want to give him back but I don’t know what would be an appropriate timeline for improvement with training.
Wow… okay, let’s start at the beginning. How did you first introduce the two dogs? Not that we can turn back time, but I always recommend keeping the dogs separate for the first 24-48 hours. I’m guessing that at first Max figured Lucky was just visiting, but now that he seems to be staying, Max feels the need to protect his territory. I would keep them separated now for a while, basically starting over. Keep introductions short and supervised. Do not allow Lucky to have free roam of the house for now. Keep him on a leash if you need, or separated by baby gates. Read this article for more information: https://www.rescuedogs101.com/best-way-introduce-second-dog-into-your-pack/
It’s been just a week now that Abbey has been with us, and we have some questions— just wondering what “normal behavior “ is for a rescue dog ???? and if you have any advice.
She is a very sweet and gentle girl. She has begun following us around to different rooms we are in and laying down near us.
She will let us pet her if we approach her in her bed, but she will never come to any of us. If we approach her while she’s wandering the house she will look at us and run away.
Also, we cannot even coax her to go outside to potty, we just must leave the back door wide open and allow her to go out on her own but she only does this twice a day. She must have an amazing bladder!
And she seems very afraid of a leash when we bring it out, so we have not even attempted a walk.
Can you give us some feedback or any more information to help us out. we can’t tell if she seems to be thriving yet.
I recommend reading The 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Month Rule. You didn’t mention how old Abbey is, or what her situation was before coming to you. I’m going to guess that she was in a shelter and not a foster home when you adopted her. A week is still very new and I would continue to give her the space she is asking for. Every dog and every situation is different, so you’ll need to read her body language and take it as slow as she needs. To get her use to the leash, you can try using treats to get her comfortable with its presence. It sounds like you’ll need to work on her confidence, but again, take it slow.
We have just rescued 1 year old bull mastiff x argentine dogo on Saturday January 12th. He is HUGE and we are learning leash manners. I take him out for walks and let him loose in our fenced horse pasture for free time. So far so good. He comes when I call him….eventually…he pauses for a minute and cocks his head as if trying to decide whether to come or not and then he bounces/bounds to me with his tail wagging.
When I am in the living room – he lies on the blanket in front of me
When I am in the bedroom – he lies on the mat beside the bed
When I am in the kitchen – he lies on the mat at the back door
When I am in the shower – he lies on the mat and waits for me
When I sit on the couch – he puts his head on my lap and just sits there as I pet him
I am using lots of positive reinforcement as he learns to walk at my speed on leash (this was a definite training requirement as he is HUGE and when we picked him up he just pulled his owner all over – so he’s used to just pulling – I have a bad knee so it is critical that he learns to walk at my pace – so far so good – he no longer drags me – I am getting lots of exercise walking him at this point!
My husband has bad knees and back, so it’s me doing all the training so far. We play fetch and he brings me the ball – he tends to want to play tug of war but due to his size – I patiently wait for him to quit head butting me with toy/ball until he drops it – which he does eventually – then I throw it.
I am hoping that he bonds to us quickly as I would like to be able to open the door and let him out to do his business, knowing that he will come to be let in when he’s done – considering my husbands knees and back situation – more for him than me!
I take him for a walk at this time on leash, or let him loose in the field and walk – stay with him – he heads off exploring and comes back when I call him – and when he’s done being outside – he starts to walk in front of you as if to say “that’s enough let’s go back”. In the field he stays right with me – looking forward to the day that I can take him out for a walk off leash through the bush.
My question is – when will I know that we are bonded enough that I can just open the door and let him out?
My husband works nights and I work days so he is never home alone for any length of time. My husband is wondering when he will be able to just let him out to relieve himself etc.
Looking forward to your feedback. Thank you
Wow for only having him for two days, sounds like you have adopted a wonderful dog! I recommend reading The 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Month Rule to get more details. But in short, 3 weeks is when you’ll start noticing him bond with you, and at 3 months he will be completely comfortable in his home and should be bonded with you 100%. Every dog and every situation is different. I believe you will know in your heart when he’s ready to go outside by himself.
You can also train him to come inside on command using a bell or whistle. We just moved out to the country and taught our dogs once we ring the bell, it’s time to come inside. It’s super easy to train. Simply ring the bell, give a treat. Start this inside the house, just randomly. Bell, treat. Bell, treat. Then try it at distances, so if he’s in another room, ring the bell and when he comes running to you, give him a treat. These treats should be high-value, meaning something he doesn’t normally get and really loves. Once he comes when you ring the bell inside, move outside and do the same thing. Bell, treat. My dogs now come bolting from the other end of our 5 acres, just to come inside.
We just brought home a 2yr old pit mix from the shelter. The first night we crated him in our guest room where he was baby gated during the day to decompress. We also crate him when we go to work or leave the house. I was reading in your article it might be better to have the crate in our bedroom when we sleep, but we have a 4yr old lab mix who sleeps on our bed at night. Do you suggest having him in the crate and her on the bed at night in our room or continue to keep him crated in the separate guest room?
If he’s doing well in the guest room, there is no need to bring him in your room. If he’s struggling with being by himself, then I suggest it could help him feel more comfortable being in the same room as you.
I rescued a chihuahua/whippet mix . Carmen is 3 years old. What we know about her is she came from a bad hoarding situation and had 3 litters. She is afraid of men and doesn’t like to be put on a leash. We have had her for almost one month. She runs when my husband and son try to pet her but more when our son who is 20 does. She seems comfortable with my husband when being fed and when she is tired and snuggles with him. She has a lovable side especially when she is tired and when she wants to play. She has bitten me when trying to put her leash on which than became a nightmare trying to get it on her and put in our truck . . She ran around the house pooping like crazy and was growling at us. She will not allow my son to go near her and will run away. She goes to my husband but sometimes she backs away. I want to give her a fair chance but I really don’t know how to help her. I don’t know what to do to change her behavior and I am torn between deciding if I should return her. If you can help me out I would appreciate any advice you have. I have decided to keep her for another couple a weeks hoping I will see a change. I don’t want to give her up because see she has potential but I don’t know how to help with her fear of men
Carmen is going to need a lot of time to adjust. I know you may not want to hear it, but take it extremely slow with her. Dogs that have come from situations like this need time to earn trust. Have your husband and son not pet her unless she comes to them. Never confront her face to face, always allow her to come to you for attention. A slip lead may help to get it on her without having to touch her. Honestly, you may want to consult a local behavior trainer. Good luck and I hope you don’t give you on her!
Thank you for the advise. That is what we are doing now. She has no problem coming to me. She has been coming up to my husband especially when she wants to cuddle on the couch . She for some reason prefers to lay with him at night time and when we go to bed she has to sleep between the both us of and wants to be petted and cuddle before she falls asleep. She always makes sure she is sleeping on the pillow next to my husband. As far as our son she is still standoffish and we have told him just let her get comfortable coming to him. We want to work with her because she is a good dog and very lovable .
My new baby is coming home this weekend and blogs like yours help me feel a little more confident in rescue adoption
Congratulations Ashley! I bet you just can’t wait!!! Glad the Rescue Dogs 101 blog could be of help, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me.
Hello! I liked the point you made of letting your rescue dog decompress in the in the beginning stages of bringing them home- it goes without saying that it is a major transition moving from a shelter to a home and your new friend will definitely need time to adjust accordingly. This is also a good time to get a routine established, which can ultimately make them feel more comfortable as well.