Instructions
Set up your dog's belongings right away, so he will see and smell items that are familiar to him. Everything is new and overwhelming to his senses and sense of order. Seeing and smelling simple things like his water and food bowls, a few favorite toys or whatever he is used to sleeping on will help him begin to understand that this is where he now belongs. It's a little bit like making sure your human children have their favorite stuffed animals, blankets or very special toys around them so they have a small sense of security.
Be patient if the dog seems to want to cling to you the same way small children do in unfamiliar settings. A lot of a dog's security comes from knowing her pack, which in this case is your family. She wants to know that pack is still there, even in this new environment. As she gets used to it, she will relax and become less cling--but it may take a while. Don't be surprised if she follows you around the house constantly--like a shadow--for a bit.
Take your dog for a walk in the neighborhood once you've been there for a few days, so he begins to get used to the new surrounding area. Leaving and returning to the new house with you will help him realize that this is his new home. If he seems overly anxious about leaving the house in the beginning, don't push it. Much like people, individual dogs have their own ways of approaching and handling new situations. If yours seems overly anxious, let him get used to his own yard first.
Get into your daily routines and let the dog see that everything is normal. Reassure her. In the beginning, don't be surprised if she seems a little anxious when you leave the home and leave her behind. Her senses are overwhelmed by the newness of everything. Putting the experience in human terms, think of a young child starting school or going to child care for the first time. Some kids jump right in, some cling to their mothers and others throw hissy fits. It's something new that they are not used to, but with time and patience, they learn to settle in. With patience, comfort and familiar things and people around her, your dog will soon settle in, too.
How to Help a Dog Adjust to a New Home
Dogs get used to an environment the same way people do. Much like people, some dogs handle change and new abodes better than others. They have to get used to the new surroundings, the new sights, the new people and the new living situation. If they appear overly anxious or withdrawn, or seem to be clinging to you or other family members in a way that is a little out of the norm for them, they may be experiencing some fears and a little anxiety because they are in a new environment. There are things you can do to help them feel more at home and understand what they are going through.