Settling In — Weeks 2 to 4

By the second week, the initial shock has worn off and your pet is beginning to understand the rhythm of your household. This is when the real work of bonding and training begins.

You may notice:

• Increased confidence — exploring more of the house, approaching family members, playing more
• Emerging behaviours — some welcome (playfulness, affection), some less so (counter surfing, chewing, scratching furniture)
• Testing boundaries — this is normal and expected as your pet figures out the rules
• Stronger attachment to one person — many pets bond with their primary carer first and gradually warm to others

This is also when separation anxiety can first appear. If your pet becomes distressed when you leave — barking, destructive behaviour, toileting indoors — it is important to address it early with gradual desensitisation rather than punishment.

Trust is built through consistent positive experiences. Here are practical ways to strengthen your bond during weeks two to four:

• Hand feeding — offer some meals from your hand to build a positive association with your presence
• Parallel relaxation — sit in the same room reading or watching TV without demanding interaction; your presence becomes comforting
• Reward-based training — start with simple behaviours like sit, come, and name recognition using small treats
• Gentle grooming — short brushing sessions help your pet get comfortable with handling
• Let them choose — give your pet the choice to approach, engage, and disengage; forced interaction erodes trust

Every positive interaction is a deposit in the trust bank. Every negative experience — punishment, forced handling, overwhelming situations — is a withdrawal. Keep the balance in your favour.