30/08/2026
Follow Laura’s journey with her new rescue dog for tips on settling him into their home at his own pace
First 24 hours with my lovely new boy ❤️
He had a really long journey home yesterday, then we went straight to a freedom field so Twig could see him again before he came into our house.
He’s been a delight with Twig. He’s giving her space and being incredibly polite around her, which is lovely ❤️
Everything we’ve seen in the last 24 hours is really normal for a new rescue dog. It’s such a huge period of change and adaptation.
🐾 Eating and tummy
He hasn’t wanted the food he came with and has an upset tummy, which is incredibly common and often stress related. I’ve cooked for him instead, which he’s eaten happily, and added some supplements to help settle his tummy.
💦 Drinking and panting
He’s drinking lots because he’s panting lots, so he needs plenty of opportunities to wee. Having free access to our secure garden really helps.
❤️ Needing company
He wants someone in the room with him all the time and becomes upset if we leave, even if we’re only behind a stairgate in the next room.
So for now, someone stays with him. We’ve gradually moved towards being just the other side of the stairgate, still close enough to touch him, and he’s been comfortable with that.
There was absolutely no way he would have coped sleeping alone last night, so Rich slept downstairs with him. I’m sure this will improve as he starts to feel safer.
🚧 Apparently my extra extra high gates aren’t high enough
He has jumped them with ease when he thinks we might be going out 😳
I need to be able to safely separate him and Twig eventually, so I’ve now bought six-foot gates!
I could crate him and I have a humongous crate, but I’d rather avoid that if possible. He’s a very hot dog and needs to be able to move between different places to stay cool. I also have no idea how he feels about crates and proper crate training would take time.
🍗 Possible food guarding
I’m seeing a little side eye and vigilance around his food bowl, so I’m assuming he may guard food until I know otherwise.
Again, completely understandable. His tummy is upset, his whole world has changed and he’s suddenly getting delicious cooked food!
My dogs are always fed separately anyway. Twig eats two rooms away, out of sight, nobody approaches him while he’s eating and his empty bowl is only removed when he’s out of the room. We’ll also occasionally add something lovely to his bowl so humans approaching predict good things.
It may disappear completely as he settles. We’ll just watch and see.
🐶 Him and Twig
I’m still not mixing them freely inside the house. Twig needs time to adapt too and it’s really important that she feels safe.
They’re absolutely fine together outside and they’re both happily resting with a stairgate between them inside, which is exactly where I want them to be right now.
🌲 Today he went off lead at my friend’s private woods and ran non-stop for well over an hour. He had SO much fun.
He checked in with us regularly and was really easy to recall, which is fantastic. He isn’t taking treats outside yet, which is another sign that he’s still adapting. Things will become much easier as he settles enough to eat.
All in all, a really positive first 24 hours ❤️
Nothing needs to happen quickly. Right now it’s just about helping him feel safe, letting him decompress and giving both dogs the time they need.
