Every dog needs this.
Most just haven’t been shown it yet.
It looks simple. Almost too simple.
A dog touches your hand.🤷‍♀️

But this one little skill can change a lot.

For anxious dogs, it gives them something predictable.
Something they understand.
Something that brings them back to you when the world feels all a bit too much.

For reactive dogs, it can become a way out.
A way to shift their focus.
To disengage from that trigger without adding more pressure.

For recall, it builds movement towards you with purpose.
Not just “come back”, but come back and connect with me!

For engagement, it creates a reason to stay with you.
To check in.
To choose you.

It’s small.
But it’s mighty.

It's too soon.
It’s a really common occurrence with newly adopted dogs.

Congratulations on your new dog.
I know you really want to take them to the beach, the pet store and your local café, but can I ask for a few minutes so I can explain just what your dog has gone through, and why you need to take the next few weeks slow.

Your new dog has had their whole world turned upside down.
They don't know you.
They don't know if they can actually trust you.
They don't know if they’re with you for an hour or forever.
They may have been in various scary places.
Other houses, rescues, the pound and likely ALL of these in the past few days or weeks.

Your dog has stress hormones surging through their system, they are STRESSED, they need to decompress, they need stability in their environment and from you.
They need time with you, your family and their new environment.

They need to know that the tree outside the lounge window may rustle against the house and that's OK.
They need to know that those normal creaky noises in your house are OK and that at 3.45 the neighbours bang their door shut.
They need to know when it rains that tapping sound is OK.
They need to know that when the front door opens, they won't be moved somewhere else, again.

They need to trust that YOU are safe even when you have had a bad day, you will still give them food, a safe bed and that they can close their eyes around you.

You know what your good intentions are with your new dog, your dog however has no idea what's happening. All they know is that everything has changed and it is scary.

They don’t need other new environments yet. Take it slow.
Dogs that have just been adopted need time. There is no need to rush out the next day and take them to all the places you want to go with them.
They need the opposite.

Let them decompress, let them inspect a new area of your house or yard every day or two. Walk them up and down outside your house for a few days (and only there), let them sniff, and sniff some more.
Let them pee freely in your yard. All of this may be boring for you, but not for your dog. They need to know what is happening around them and they learn that through their nose, eyes and ears.
They need this.
They need to learn to TRUST you.

The long walks at the busy park can wait, the café will still be there in a few weeks and you can visit the pet shop alone until they’re ready.

Your bond together is the most important thing to concentrate on right now.
You will never regret taking it slow and it can save your dog and yourself from making the very same mistakes that can lead to people rehoming in the first place.

All the very best with your new dog.