The first week with a new dog is usually quiet, sometimes too quiet. Most dogs spend that time working out where they are, what the rules might be, and whether they feel safe yet. What you see in week one is rarely what the dog will be like once they settle, and that can catch people out if they expect personality or problems appear right at the beginning.
I’ve brought a few dogs home over the years and the pattern is nearly always the same. They eat carefully or not at all. They follow me from room to room but keep a bit of distance. They sleep more than I expect. Then somewhere around day ten or twelve, something loosens and the actual dog starts to appear. The first week is not the dog. It’s the adjustment.
What Most Dogs Do in the First Few Days
Most dogs are quiet and watchful for the first few days. They might not eat much, even if you offer something appealing. They might sleep a lot, sometimes in odd places rather than a bed you’ve set up. They might follow you around but not settle near you. All of this is normal and it doesn’t mean the dog is unwell or uncomfortable, just that they’re taking it in.
Some dogs do the opposite. They’re excitable, jumpy, overly affectionate, or restless. That can feel positive at first, but it’s usually stress rather than confidence. The behaviour often changes once the adrenaline wears off and the dog realises this is where they’re staying.
Eating and Drinking
Appetite is often the first thing to drop. Some dogs won’t eat for a day or two. Others will pick at food but leave most of it. A few will eat everything you put down immediately, which can look like enthusiasm but is often anxiety.
I don’t push food in the first few days. I offer it at regular times, leave it down for twenty minutes, then take it away. No fuss or encouragement or swapping it for something better. The dog will eat when they’re ready, and making a production out of it usually delays that.
Water is different. Make sure they know where it is and that it’s always available. Some dogs drink very little when they first arrive, particularly if they’re nervous. Keep an eye on it, but unless they’re refusing water entirely for more than a day, it’s usually fine.
Sleep and Activity
Most new dogs sleep more than you’d expect. They’re processing, everything is new, every sound is unfamiliar, and the brain is working hard even when the body looks relaxed. Let them sleep as much as they want to. There’s no need to wake them for interaction or exercise unless there’s a specific toilet routine you’re establishing.
Some dogs struggle to settle and pace or stay alert for long stretches. That’s harder to manage because the dog needs rest but can’t seem to take it. A crate or a small quiet room with a door can help. It gives them a defined space with boundaries, which often feels safer than an open plan room where they feel like they need to monitor everything.
Toilet Training and Accidents
Even a dog that’s fully house trained can have accidents in the first week. New environment, new routine, possible stress. I take them out more often than I think I need to for the first few days. After every meal, after waking up, after any play or excitement, and every couple of hours in between.
If they go outside, I let them know it was right with quiet praise. If they go inside, I clean it without reacting. No anger, no rubbing their nose in it, no big display of disappointment. They’re not doing it to annoy you. They’re either stressed, confused about where the toilet is, or they didn’t get outside in time. Punishment just makes that worse.
Interaction with People
Some dogs want constant contact and will follow you everywhere, even to the bathroom. Others keep their distance and watch from across the room. Both are normal. I let them choose the level of contact for the first week rather than forcing interaction.
If they want to sit near me, fine. If they don’t, also fine. I don’t reach for them repeatedly, don’t pick them up unless necessary, and don’t get in their face trying to bond. That can wait. What matters more at this stage is that they start to feel like the environment is predictable and that I’m not a threat.
If there are children in the house, this is important. Kids often want to cuddle, play with, or show the dog to friends immediately. That can be overwhelming. I keep the first few days calm and the interactions brief. The dog will be there for years. There’s no rush.
Related:
How to Bond With a New Dog
How to Set up Your Home For A New Dog.
How to Help a Dog Settle Into a New Home
10 Best Small Dog Breeds for First Time Owners
Other Pets
If you have another dog or a cat, the first week can be tense even if the initial meeting went well. I don’t leave them alone together until I’m certain they’re comfortable, and I don’t force interaction. Let them sniff, ignore each other, and work it out at their own pace.
Feeding them separately is usually a good idea for at least the first week. Even a dog that’s not food aggressive can become defensive in a new environment, and the existing pet might not appreciate sharing their bowl or their space. Keep it simple and avoid situations that could create conflict before trust is built.
Walking and Outside Time
I don’t take a new dog for a long walk in the first few days. A short trip to the garden or a quiet spot nearby is enough. Some dogs pull, some freeze, some are fearful of traffic or other dogs, and you won’t know which until you’re out there. Better to find that out gradually than on a busy pavement two miles from home.
If the dog is nervous, I don’t push it. A few minutes outside is better than a stressful twenty-minute walk where they’re panicking the whole time. Build it up slowly once they’ve started to settle. If you want a sense of where your dog is in human terms, the Dog Years to Human Years Calculator gives you a more accurate picture than the old seven-to-one rule, which can help you adjust expectations around energy and activity levels.
When Behaviour Changes
Somewhere between day seven and day fourteen, most dogs start to relax. The behaviour you saw in week one often changes. A quiet dog might become playful or vocal. A calm dog might start testing boundaries. A nervous dog might suddenly have opinions about furniture, food, or other pets.
This is normal and it’s actually a good sign. It means they’re starting to feel safe enough to show you who they are. It can be inconvenient if the behaviour that emerges is something you need to manage, but it’s better to see it than to have a dog that stays shut down for weeks.
What Not to Do
There are a few things that make the first week harder than it needs to be, and I’ve done most of them at some point:
- Inviting people over to meet the dog in the first few days. It feels like a celebration, but to the dog it’s just more strangers in a place that doesn’t feel safe yet. Let them settle first.
- Changing their food immediately. If you know what they were eating before, stick with it for at least a week even if you plan to switch later. One less variable while everything else is new.
- Over-handling them in an attempt to build a bond. Constant petting, picking them up, sitting too close when they’re trying to rest. It’s usually too much too soon.
- Leaving them alone for long periods in the first few days. If you need to go out, keep it short. They don’t know yet that you’re coming back.
The Point of the First Week
The first week is about letting the dog decompress, not about training, bonding, or fixing behaviour. You’re just showing them that the environment is safe, the routine is predictable, and you’re not a source of stress. Everything else can wait. What you see in week one will likely change, and that’s exactly how it should be.
This article is for informational purposes only. For advice specific to your dog always speak to your vet.