What NOT To Do When Bringing Home a New Dog: 12 Common Mistakes To Avoid

The first few days and weeks of having a new dog in your home can set the tone for the rest of your dog’s life. While it’s possible to overcome missteps, knowing the common mistakes people make when bringing home a new dog can set you and your new pup up for success.

When you bring a new dog home, here are 12 things you shouldn’t do.

1. Have No Structure or Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. When there’s no structure (i.e., no set times for meals, potty breaks, walks, or crate time), your new dog can quickly become anxious or confused.

Imagine if you moved to a new city with people you didn’t know. Would having a routine to rely on as you figure out what your new normal is be helpful?

Chances are you answered “yes.” The same concept applies to your new dog. Be reliable and consistent so that your dog can settle in and feel more comfortable faster.

2. Give Unrestricted Access to the Whole House

Letting your new dog roam freely on day one can lead to accidents, chewed furniture, or even injuries. They don’t know the rules yet, and they definitely don’t know what’s safe or what’s off-limits.

Start small. Use baby gates or closed doors to introduce them to their new environment gradually. And PLEASE use a crate if you aren’t keeping an eye on them!

Also, if your dog is out of their crate, be sure to keep a leash on them so you can gently redirect them if they start to get into trouble. It’s much easier to pick up a leash without overwhelming a dog than it is to try to grab their collar.

3. Leave Them Unattended in the Yard or Outdoor Space

Even if your yard is fenced, leaving your new dog alone outside is risky. Some dogs will try to escape if they are in a new environment.

They could dig under, jump over, or find a weak spot in your fence. Not to mention the potential for encounters with wildlife or even theft.

Dog theft is on the rise, with over two million dogs stolen in the U.S. each year. So, even if your dog has settled in, it may be best to just not leave them unattended in your yard, ever.

Learn More: How To Dog-Proof Your Fence

4. Allow Them on the Furniture Too Soon

This isn’t a forever rule. It’s a timing one. Letting your dog on the couch or your bed too early can confuse the hierarchy and boundaries before they’ve even learned the rules.

If you want a dog-friendly couch or bed policy, that’s fine. However, you should wait until you’ve established leadership and some basic training first.

Also, if your dog is exhibiting any signs of behavioral problems, such as reactivity, separation anxiety, or resource guarding, they should not be allowed on the furniture until those issues are resolved.

5. Allow Immediate or Unsupervised Access to Your Kids

Even “kid-friendly” dogs need time to adjust, and young kids don’t always understand dog body language. It’s best to take things slowly when introducing your kids to your new dog.

Wait until your new dog seems settled and comfortable before allowing interactions with your kids.

Once you start allowing interactions, always supervise them to protect both your dog and your children. That way, you won’t miss a potentially dangerous interaction that could result in an injury.

Safer America reports that more than half of the people bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year are children. With proper supervision, you can lower the odds of your child being part of that statistic.

Learn More: How To Safely Introduce Your New Dog to Your Kids

6. Rush Introductions With Other Pets

It’s tempting to let your existing pets meet the new dog right away. PLEASE don’t do that. Slow introductions are safer and more successful.

Rushing can lead to fights, fear, or long-term tension between animals. While those scenarios can be worked through with professional help, it’s preferable to avoid that type of situation from the start.

Use neutral spaces, keep leashes on, and let relationships develop gradually.

In addition, it can be wise to wait to introduce your new shelter dog to your current pets just in case your shelter dog picked up any illnesses at the shelter. Most ailments dogs get at shelters are treatable, but if you can avoid the spread of diseases, that’s always preferable.

Learn More: How To Introduce a New Dog to Your Dog

7. Invite All Your Friends To Meet Your Dog

As excited as you are about your new pup, your dog is likely overwhelmed. New sounds, smells, people, and spaces can be a sensory overload that could cause your dog to react defensively.

You have your dog’s whole life to introduce them to the people you love. So, instead of hosting a welcome party, keep visitors to a minimum during the first few weeks.

Remember, your dog needs time to decompress and bond with you first.

Learn More: How To Safely Introduce Your Dog o New People

8. Take Them Everywhere Right Off the Bat

Yes, socialization is important. But too much too soon can backfire. Taking a dog who’s adjusting to a new home into busy places (i.e., stores, patios, trails) can lead to stress, fear, or reactive behavior.

Wait until your dog seems more comfortable with you and your home before venturing out. Start with exploring your neighborhood, then maybe visit your favorite park when it’s not super busy.

Move at your dog’s pace, and don’t push them too fast. It’s ok to get them out of their comfort zone a bit to help them grow, but that doesn’t mean taking them to a crowded concert in the park after just a few weeks of having them in your home.

9. Take Them to a Dog Park

Dog parks are unpredictable, and many dogs there are poorly supervised or under-socialized. For a dog still learning their environment, it’s a recipe for fear or aggression.

Plus, you are still getting to know your dog. You have no idea if they like other dogs, what their play style is, or if they are dog-selective.

If you don’t really know what to expect from your dog, you shouldn’t be putting them in situations that may set them up to fail.

Learn More: Dog Parks 101

10. Not Use Proper ID

This one is critical. Your dog should always wear a tag with your contact info unless they are in their crate.

And microchipping? It’s a must.

According to the Animal Humane Society, one in three pets goes missing in their lifetime. Petco Love reports that over 52% of microchipped dogs find their way home if they get lost. So, make sure your dog is microchipped and has ID.

11. Leave a Collar or Harness On in the Crate

Collars and harnesses can get caught on crate bars, leading to choking, injury, or worse.

Dogs may also get bored in their crate, causing them to chew off anything they might be wearing. This can result in ingesting parts of their collar or harness, leading to dangerous blockages.

Always remove these items before your dog goes into the crate unless they are designed to be crate-safe (breakaway collars exist for this reason).

12. Assume It’s Going To Be Easy

This might be the biggest trap new dog owners fall into. Every dog is different. Some settle in quickly. Others take weeks or even months to feel secure.

Expect setbacks, and be ready to adjust your expectations. If you can’t do that, it might be better to hold off on getting a dog for now.

Training takes time. Bonding takes patience. But the result? A lifetime of unconditional love, which we promise is always worth the work.

Learn More: The 3-3-3 Rule

Final Thoughts

Getting a new dog isn’t just about what you do when you bring them home. It’s also about what you don’t do.

Avoiding these common missteps can save you stress, prevent behavioral issues, and help your dog feel safe, secure, and comfortable.

Sources

1. Ashton Animal Hospital. (2024, February 1). Pet Theft: What Every Pet Owner Should Know. Retrieved from https://ashtonanimalhospital.com/2024/02/01/pet-theft-what-every-pet-owner-should-know/

2. Quarrancino, A. (2021, October 19). Do Lost Pets Find Their Way Home? Retrieved from https://petcolove.org/lost/articles/do-lost-pets-find-their-way-home/

3. Natalie. (2020, October 5). 10 Facts About Kids and Dog Bites. Retrieved from https://safer-america.com/10-facts-about-kids-and-dog-bites/

4. Animal Humane Society. (n.d.). The Importance of Pet Identification and What To Do if You Lose (Or Find) a Pet. Retrieved from https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/importance-pet-identification-and-what-do-if-you-lose-or-find-pet