Adopting a dog from a shelter is emotional, exciting, and… honestly a little overwhelming for both of you. I remember when I adopted my dogs I was thinking, Okay, now what?

What no one tells you is that this is a huge adjustment for them. Even if they seem happy and excited at the shelter, once they get into a new environment, everything can change. So I wanted to share what those first few weeks looked like for me, and what I learned along the way, in case it helps you and your new pup settle in smoother.

The first trip home after picking them up from the shelter

In my case, the dogs had to go on a long 24h road trip with me straight after adoption. Not exactly the calm, grounded start I’d imagined, but life happens. We stopped at my moms apartment for a week just to settle down a bit. Keeks had a bit of trouble using the stairs as the apartment was on the 4th floor. So my partner carried her up the stairs, as she had never used stairs before.

Keeks was settling in pretty easy, she hadn’t much trouble adjusting. She just wanted cuddles, and she still does until this day. Snoops on the other hand was very unsure of his surroundings and always marched to the front door and sat next to it instead of being with us.

Peace and quiet is key

The biggest thing I knew right away? Don’t overwhelm them. I gave them as much peace and quiet as possible. I didn’t hover over them all the time. I didn’t crowd them with affection (even though this was pretty tough not to), and I definitely didn’t let others do it either.

Instead, they had their beds to go to and when they were sleeping – do not disturb. And I watched their body language like a hawk. If they seemed curious and playful, great, we’d engage. If they were stiff, avoiding eye contact, or trying to hide, I backed off and gave them space.

Frequent, short walks helped a lot

Since we were in an apartment (and I didn’t want any accidents indoors), I took them out four times a day, even if it was just a quick pee break. It helped them understand that outside = toilet, and gave them mini moments to sniff, explore, and get a bit more comfortable with their new life.

These walks weren’t about exercise, they were about routine. Consistency. Building trust.

Familiarity over fancy stuff

I bought them beds and toys and treats, thinking it would help them settle and keep them from getting bored indoors. But there wasn’t anything familiar about those beds, as they were new and didn’t smell like ‘home’. So don’t stress if your new dog doesn’t seem interested in toys, beds, or food right away. They’re just trying to process everything.

Keep meals simple and high-quality (raw food is best), and don’t overwhelm them with too much too soon. Food is a bit tricky when you first get them, as most of the time you won’t find the exact food they had in the shops. So what I did was (as I was feeding kibble back then), I took a little bag of their food from the shelter and mixed it with the food I bought. Don’t try and do anything fancy as anything can upset a dogs stomach combined with the new environment. So keep it simple, have their 2 meals a day and maybe give a little less for the first couple of days, depending on how hungry they are. Some dogs don’t eat at all and that’s fine, just keep plenty of fresh water at their reach.

Read the room (or the dog)

Your dog’s body language will tell you everything you need to know. If they:

• Lean into you
• Wag gently
• Bring you a toy

…you’re probably good to interact.

But if they:

• Hide
• Avoid eye contact
• Lick their lips/yawn/pant (outside of heat)
• Freeze up or look like they want to escape

Then stop. Give them quiet and space. Let them come to you when they’re ready.

The first few days set the tone

Don’t invite friends over to meet the dog. Don’t drag them to the pet store. Just focus on:

• Keeping your home peaceful
• Creating a predictable routine (meals, toilet breaks, rest)
• Letting them decompress
• Being present without being pushy

Even a few days of this can make a massive difference.

Final thoughts

Those first few weeks with a rescue dog are exciting, nerve wrecking, and so important. It’s not about perfection, it’s about giving them the space to settle, and slowly building a bond based on trust.

Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t rush things. Now my dogs are thriving, but it didn’t happen overnight.

If you’re bringing home a rescue soon (or just did), give them time. You’re not doing it wrong if they seem scared, unsure, or not affectionate at first. Just meet them where they’re at and trust that it gets better.

Wanna know what I feed my dogs? Read this next: Why I’d Never Go Back to Kibble