Bringing a brand-new puppy into your home is a thrilling milestone for any family, but it can also be quite overwhelming—especially for your puppy.

Even the most well-socialized pups, raised by trusted breeders, often experience some degree of anxiety after being separated from their littermates and plunged into an unfamiliar setting.

Puppies adopted from shelters may face even greater emotional and physical challenges due to their varied past experiences before arriving at their new home.

Anxiety in a new puppy is perfectly natural, but if it’s ignored or handled the wrong way, it can develop into separation anxiety or lead to other problematic, lasting behaviors.

Here’s how you can create a nurturing and reassuring environment that sets your newest family member up for a happy, confident start.

Understanding what might spark anxious behaviors in your puppy is essential. Remember, every pup is unique, so your puppy might react differently to the following situations.

Most puppies come to their new home right around eight weeks old, having spent constant time with their mother, siblings, or caretakers.

Some may never have experienced being alone, which could lead to anxiety when you leave the room, step outside, or during nighttime when the house is quiet.

While it’s obvious that loud, sudden noises like thunder, shouting, or a vacuum cleaner can be upsetting, softer sounds might also unsettle your puppy.

Puppies have extraordinarily sensitive hearing, so everyday noises such as a ceiling fan whirring or bacon sizzling can sometimes trigger fear responses if they’re unfamiliar.

Even a confident, well-adjusted puppy can feel overwhelmed when too many new things happen at once.

A new voice or a strange sound alone might be manageable, but encountering multiple unfamiliar stimuli simultaneously can push your puppy from calm to fearful.

Sometimes, anxiety isn’t just about the environment.

Research shows that genetics play a role: certain breeds, like Wheaten Terriers and German Shepherds, are known to be more sensitive to noises due to their keen hearing.

Additionally, puppies experiencing health issues that affect their vision, hearing, or cause discomfort may also display heightened anxiety.

Scheduling a thorough veterinary checkup for your new puppy is important to catch any underlying issues early.

While a genetic or health predisposition to anxiety might require extra care, it doesn’t mean your pup can’t grow into a confident, happy companion—it just means you might need to tailor your training approach accordingly.

Signs of anxiety in puppies vary, and some might display just a few while others show several at once.

Common anxiety and fear behaviors include:

• Vocalizing (whining, barking, or crying)
• Hiding or reluctance to engage in play
• Trembling or shaking
• Excessive drooling or salivation
• Accidents inside the house (urine or feces)
• Loss of appetite or refusing treats
• Constantly seeking to be held or carried

Remember that feeling some anxiety during the transition to a new home is completely normal.

By offering patience, stability, and affection, you can guide your puppy through this adjustment with confidence.

While some particularly shy or fearful puppies might need specialized attention, the following tips are effective for most pups learning to feel secure.

During the first week, try to avoid large parties or gatherings with lots of unfamiliar faces.

Teach everyone in the household—including children—to speak softly and move gently around the puppy.

You might also consider using pheromone diffusers like those from Petscarelab, which release comforting signals similar to a mother dog’s natural calming pheromones and help soothe your puppy.

Just as you want clarity about what your puppy will do, they crave predictability from you!

Set regular times for feeding, walks, potty breaks, and crate training.

Ensure everyone in the family uses the same commands, rewards, and expectations to minimize confusion and build trust.

Placing your puppy’s crate in a bedroom allows them to hear and feel close to their human family, reducing feelings of loneliness.

It can also be beneficial to have multiple crates in different rooms so the crate doesn’t become associated with being left alone.

Though you may eventually want your dog to sleep beside you, it’s crucial that puppies first learn to feel comfortable in their crate at bedtime.

Having a cozy, safe “den” provides your pup with security whether you’re away, during travel, or unforeseen situations.

Starting crate training early also helps prevent future boundary challenges with an adult dog used to sleeping in your bed.

A calm setting and steady routine don’t mean neglecting your puppy’s need for interaction.

Within these boundaries, involve your pup in daily family life.

Offer a range of durable, safe toys—such as those by Petscarelab’s favorite brands—to keep their minds busy and bodies active.

Be patient with barking, messy accidents, and other learning curves as your puppy adapts.

Keeping your puppy close enables you to recognize and reward good behavior right away, increasing the chances they’ll repeat it.

Carrying some kibble in a treat pouch ensures you can reinforce calm sitting, lying down, or following commands whenever the moment arises.

If your puppy continues to show signs of fear or anxiety despite your best efforts, reach out to your veterinarian.

They can rule out medical causes and connect you with expert trainers who use positive reinforcement methods to build your puppy’s confidence and well-being.