Your first 48 hours together.

The first hour at home

For the first hour, your dog does not need a tour of the whole house. They need a small, quiet, predictable space.

• Enter calmly.
• Offer water.
• Show the resting area.
• Keep voices low.
• Allow sniffing without pressure.
• Avoid hugging, lifting, crowding, or forcing affection.
• Let them decompress.
• Take them outside for a toilet break only if safe and controlled.

Some dogs eat straight away. Some do not. Some sleep. Some pace. Some hide. Some attach instantly to one person. Some seem shut down. All of these can be normal after travel.

Do not judge your dog’s personality by the first hour.

The first 48 hours

The first 48 hours should be boring in the best possible way.

Please avoid

• Visitors.
• Dog parks.
• Busy walks.
• Long car trips.
• Baths unless medically necessary.
• Meeting lots of people or dogs.
• Free access to the whole house immediately.
• Intense training.
• Off-lead time.
• Overwhelming affection.

Focus on

• Sleep.
• Water.
• Simple meals.
• Toilet breaks.
• Gentle routine.
• Quiet observation.
• Secure lead handling.
• Calm voices.
• Short, safe garden or toilet moments.
• Giving the dog choices.

A rescue dog is not ungrateful if they do not immediately play, cuddle, or relax. They are processing.

Children, visitors and other pets

Introductions should be slow.

If you have children

Explain before arrival:

• the dog may be tired or scared
• no grabbing, chasing, or face-to-face staring
• no disturbing the dog while sleeping
• no taking food, toys, or bedding
• the dog should be allowed to approach first

If you have other pets

• do not introduce them at the door
• use distance and barriers
• keep dogs on lead initially
• avoid food or toy competition
• separate resting spaces
• supervise carefully
• go slowly over days, not minutes

A good introduction is not a dramatic one. It is quiet, managed, and uneventful.

First walks

Your first walks should be short, quiet, and on lead. Avoid:

• busy parks
• school gates
• main roads if possible
• dog-heavy areas
• long hikes
• flexi-leads in open areas
• off-lead freedom
• crowded cafés or pubs

Use secure equipment and assume your dog may be a flight risk, even if they seem calm. Many newly arrived rescue dogs are more likely to bolt because they do not yet understand where home is.

Food, sleep and decompression

Food

Travel and rehoming can upset a dog’s stomach. Follow the rescue’s feeding guidance where provided, avoid rich treats or sudden diet changes, keep portions small if advised, and keep water available. Do not overfeed because you feel sorry for them. Kindness is routine, not excess.

Sleep

Your dog may sleep deeply after arrival. This can be a good sign. Set up a quiet resting place where they can retreat and not be disturbed. Soft bedding, water nearby, low household noise, separation from other pets initially.

The dog should be allowed to observe the home without being pulled into constant interaction. Trust builds faster when pressure is lower.

Behaviour after arrival

A dog’s behaviour during the first few days may not reflect their long-term personality. You may see pacing, hiding, clinginess, nervous toileting, whining, barking at noises, reluctance to eat, overexcitement, shutdown, guarding of resting space, or uncertainty around stairs, doors, household appliances, men, children, or other dogs.

This does not mean the adoption is failing. It means the dog is adjusting.

If you are worried, ask the rescue or a qualified behaviour professional early. It is much easier to support a dog gently at the start than to wait until everyone is overwhelmed.

Registering with a vet

Register with a local vet as soon as possible after arrival for:

• general health check
• microchip registration advice
• vaccination record review
• parasite prevention plan
• neutering advice, where relevant
• diet and weight guidance
• any travel-related concerns

If your dog seems unwell after arrival, contact your rescue and a vet promptly. Signs that deserve attention include repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, refusal to drink, difficulty breathing, collapse, extreme lethargy, signs of pain, severe coughing, pale gums, bloated abdomen, uncontrolled bleeding, or seizures. For urgent symptoms, contact a vet immediately.