There are some things we can do to help them settle and feel safe in those first few days. Keep in mind though, that it generally takes about three weeks for a dog or puppy to start to feel 'at home' and to show their true nature.
You can introduce your dog to your new home by showing him around, indoors and outdoors, with a happy voice, treats, and play. Show him where his food bowls and sleeping areas are and lay out his toys for him. The comfort of a familiar bed or crate can be helpful.
Even the most easy-going dog can suddenly develop a case of dog separation anxiety after moving to a new home. That's why leaving them alone in their new home for the first time must be handled with care. The first time you leave them alone, plan to only be away for a short time.
Put him to bed
Each night, take him to his new room and slowly stroke him for a few minutes until he gets sleepy. Think of it like taking a child to bed at night and reading them a bed time story. Keep doing this and all of the above steps until he's comfortable in there.
New Environment
They likely are not going to feel safe and secure right away since they aren't familiar with all the new scents, sounds, and people in the new place. This insecurity can cause insomnia. This situation doesn't just happen during permanent moves.
The best compromise can be setting a crate up in the bedroom or just outside of the open bedroom door. This way, the puppy knows you're near. Very young puppies do not have the bladder capacity to hold it for the entire night, so it's imperative that you can hear your puppy vocalizing when he needs to go out.
Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.
The amount of time each individual pet needs to adjust to their new homes will vary, but the 3-3-3 rule helps give an approximation of what new pet owners can expect. The 3-3-3 rule refers to the first 3 days, the first 3 weeks, and the first 3 months after bringing a shelter animal home.
The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your dog to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months. Think of your new dog's first 3 days as their time to decompress as they transition from a shelter or foster home into your home.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Several foods, such as blueberries, sweet potatoes, turkey, oily fish, and whole brown rice may help in calming dogs down, but those foods alone will not fix the problem of an anxious dog.
Common symptoms of anxiety include increased vigilance, drooling, panting, restlessness, compulsive behavior, changes in sleep patterns, more barking than usual, urinating or defecating indoors, destructive behavior, and depression.
It has been shown that when an excess of cortisol enters the body due to a stressful event, it can take up to 72 hours for levels to return to a 'normal'.
A stressed pup can be a pretty miserable one. While most dogs are able to adjust well to change, some find it more difficult than others. Mild stress isn't always a bad thing, but certainly high stress levels, especially for a prolonged period of time can be detrimental.
For the first few days, remain calm and quiet around your dog, limiting too much excitement (such as the dog park or neighborhood children). Not only will this allow your dog to settle in easier, but it will also give you more one-on-one time to get to know him and his likes/dislikes.
Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. This will form a very undesirable habit. – trust me…it's difficult to avoid doing when your puppy is whining all night, but it's very important to leave him in his crate. Give the puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with.
Dogs and Time
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
It may help to start with having your dog sleep near you and then gradually move them further away. For example, instead of having them in your bed, try putting their crate or bed on your bedroom floor, then move it to outside your open door, then keep moving it slowly each night, until it's where you want it to be.
Some of the more common symptoms of separation anxiety can be barking/howling/whining through the night, Pacing and not being able to settle unless in the same room as the owner, which is the last thing anyone wants when it's late at night.