Congratulations on your doggo adoption! As your furry new family member adjusts to their furever home, they might feel overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and faces. Read on for our top tips to help you and your rescue dog settle into your new life together.

Pawpare Ahead of Time

When you bring your rescue dog home, they may be confused or apprehensive. To help them feel safe, it’s important to make sure everything is all set up before they arrive. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Set up a safe space

Your rescue dog might need a lot of alone time. Give them their own special area by setting up a cozy den; fill an open dog crate with soft bedding and a selection of toys, so they can retreat whenever they’re feeling overwhelmed. Make sure your hooman family understands that your pup won’t want attention or interaction while in their safe area. 

2. Stock up on essentials

Dogs appreciate consistency, and often have trouble handling big changes. Instead of starting your dog out with temporary items that you’re planning to replace, it’s best to go shopping for all their new supplies ahead of time. Don’t forget to grab:

• Food and water dishes
• Safe collar to display your contact information
• Leash and harness
• Grooming supplies, like a dog brush and nail clippers
• A selection of treats and toys

3. Pup-proof your home

Your dog’s natural curiosity about their new home might lead them paws-first into danger! To keep your furry new friend safe, put away any potential hazards like exposed electric cables and small, tempting items that could pose a choking risk. For additional protection, secure off-limits cabinets or areas with child safety locks and baby gates.

Worried about your pup’s first night in their new home? The Furbo 360° Dog Camera can make the transition easier. With its Rotating 360° View and Full HD Camera with Night Vision, you can keep a watchful eye on your rescue dog and ensure they’re settling in smoothly!

Get to Know Each Other

Spending quality time together can help you and your pup form a strong bond. Short walks, calm playtimes, and gentle snuggles are great activities to share. 

Be sure to keep a few training treats nearby, so you can reinforce natural pawsitive behaviors like attentive glances in your direction, sitting without a command, or calmly waiting for you to pick up a toy or food dish.

Once you’ve spent a few months together, your pup will become more comfortable around you. In the meantime, it’s important to keep your emotional responses and physical movements slow and controlled, particularly if your dog experienced abuse or other trauma in their previous home. Big, dramatic actions may startle some dogs and trigger them to be fearful, anxious, or even aggressive in your presence.

Want to keep strengthening your bond even while you’re out and about? The Furbo 360° Dog Camera offers Real-Time 2-Way Audio so you and your rescue dog can chit-chat anytime, anywhere.

Build a Routine 

Dogs thrive on routine, and sticking to a schedule can help them feel safe and secure in their new environment. Here are some good first steps: 

• Set regular mealtimes. Your rescue dog may have experienced food insecurity; by providing food consistently, you can help them trust you to take care of them.
• Schedule walks and potty breaks at predictable intervals, so your rescue dog knows what to expect.
• Establish a fun exercise activity, like playing fetch, to reduce your rescue dog’s stress and encourage them to build positive associations with spending time with you.

You can also incorporate training sessions into your daily routine. Learning new skills and receiving positive reinforcement is a great way to boost your new pup’s confidence! Your rescue dog might already know some basic commands; you can use those as a warm-up, and then choose one or two new ones to learn together. 

🐶 Furbo tip: Keep your training schedule consistent! With the Furbo 360° Dog Camera’s Treat Tossing feature, you can fit in a training session even when you’re out and about.

Be Patient

It can take time to adjust to a new life together. Depending on your rescue dog’s background and temperament, they may exhibit fear, anxiety, or behavioral issues in the beginning. Approach these challenges with compassion and understanding, and seek guidance from a veterinarian or professional trainer if needed.

Some extra issues might arise if you have additional furry family members roaming your house. Your rescue dog may have had traumatic experiences with other animals in the past, and will probably be wary at first. Start everyone off on the right paw with slow and supervised introductions — and intervene if necessary to minimize conflicts. It may take some time for all your furbabies to get along, but with a little patience and TLC, they can become best friends furever.

Rescue dogs often experience some separation anxiety as they adjust to their new home. Being left alone can trigger feelings of fear, uncertainty, or abandonment. Thanks to cutting-edge AI-powered Smart Alerts, Furbo Dog Nanny can help you and your dog navigate this challenging time. Continuous Barking Alerts, Crying Alerts, and Dog Activity Alerts will let you know if your pup is showing symptoms of separation anxiety, so that you can offer some comforting words or a reassuring treat right away! 

Welcome Home, Rescue Pup!

With time and patience, your rescue dog will fully settle into their furever home. Celebrate the little victories along the way with Furbo!

Grab your Furbo 360° Dog Camera today, and make your rescue pup’s new life safe and happy! 🐶💕