The transition of your adult dog from a shelter to a forever home can be quite overwhelming. While you may have spent weeks, months, or even years preparing for a new family member, your dog is suddenly faced with the reality that one day they woke up and everything around them had changed.

Each dog reacts to adoption uniquely. While some may be timid and reserved, others may be exuberantly happy with their new surroundings. Regardless of their initial reactions during the first week at home, there are several steps that can facilitate a smoother transition and lay the foundation for a lasting, joyful relationship with the entire family.

Ensuring a seamless transition for your dog into their new home is crucial. It's important to be prepared with a few essential items before they step through the door.

A selection of toys, a harness, leash, and poop bags are essential.

For food, kibble and treats are necessary. Guardians may opt for dehydrated or raw foods, but a high-quality kibble usually suffices for most dogs. Choose brands featuring whole ingredients with minimal grain fillers. For treats, consider a variety including "high value" options such as human-grade chicken breast, cheese, or baby food.

Provide a soft bed or mat, or even an old blanket, for your dog to have as its own space.

Equip your new dog with a basic nylon or leather collar with ID tags from the first day. If your pet isn't already microchipped, a vet can perform this quick procedure during your initial visit.

While some adult dogs may arrive at their new homes with flawless outdoor potty habits, others will require assistance to learn that outside is the proper place for toileting. To communicate appropriate and inappropriate locations, you can:

- Praise and reward your dog every time they eliminate outside.

- If they have an accident indoors, catch them during the act and promptly take them outside to indicate the correct spot.

- Supervise your dog to minimize indoor accidents.

- Establish a consistent potty schedule to aid your dog in understanding the rules.

A common mistake new dog owners make is taking time off work to bond without teaching their pet independence. While spending extra time is beneficial for bonding, it's crucial to accustom the dog to being alone. If the dog is never left alone during the first week, they may struggle when the owner's regular schedule resumes. From the first day, it's important to leave the dog alone for short periods, starting with just 5-10 minutes and gradually extending the duration over the days.

Walking is crucial for dogs to explore their surroundings and become familiar with their neighborhood. It's beneficial to take your dog for walks early on, allowing them plenty of time to sniff around. If your dog tends to pull on the leash, consider a front-clip harness to make the walks more enjoyable for both of you.

Newly adopted dogs frequently require time and space to heal from the trauma of homelessness and shelter life. Allowing your dog to decompress by offering a personal space in a tranquil part of your home is beneficial. Approach interactions and training expectations with patience, and offer consistent support as they adjust to their new environment with you. Typically, it takes about three weeks for most adopted dogs to begin showing their true personality and approximately three months to start feeling completely at home.

Although some dogs will be hesitant to play in the first weeks in their new home, others will be raring to go. Play not only provides mental and physical stimulation, it can relieve some of the stress of their transition out of the shelter. Experiment to find out what type of play your dog loves. Do they enjoy chasing a ball? What about tugging on a rope or eviscerating a squeaky toy? If your dog is fearful, try offering them puzzle toys stuffed with delicious treats to help them build their confidence.

Teaching your dog commands such as sit, stay, and come can enhance cross-species communication and offer vital mental stimulation for your pet. Basic training is widely accessible through small group classes, but if you or your dog might struggle in such settings, you might opt for a private trainer. Seek out reward-based training that adheres to scientific principles and steer clear of any training that promotes pain, intimidation, or the concept of "dominance."