Should You Take Time Off When Bringing Home a New Dog?

Bringing home a new dog is an exciting milestone, but it comes with real responsibilities, too. “Pawternity leave” gives new pet owners dedicated time off to help a dog settle into their new home, establish routines, go to veterinary appointments, and build a strong bond.

In This Article

• • Time at Home Matters
  • Early Veterinary Care
  • Building Trust and Confidence
  • Workplace Pet Benefits
  • Making the Most of Time Off
  • FAQs About Pawternity Leave

Even if your employer doesn’t offer this benefit, taking time off or working from home during your new dog’s first week at home can make the transition easier for both of you.

How Much Time Should You Take Off?

Pet ownership continues to grow in the United States, and some employers now offer dedicated leave to help workers welcome a new pet into the family. The amount of leave available varies by employer and individual circumstances.

Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, Chief Veterinarian at the AKC, recommends that “the rescue or purchase of a new family member should ideally be made when there is adequate time to train and bond with the new family member — at least five to seven days.”

This period gives dogs time to learn their new environment, including feeding schedules, potty routines, and household expectations.

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Why Early Veterinary Care Matters

Scheduling a veterinary appointment should be one of your first priorities after bringing home a new dog. Taking time off makes it easier to do so without trying to fit an appointment around work obligations.

A veterinary visit lets you review your dog’s health history, discuss behavior concerns, and ask questions about ongoing care. Be sure to be prepare before your first appointment:

“With your veterinarian, on the first exam, you should bring in a fecal sample to rule out any parasites, and previous vaccination and health records, which you should have received from the breeder or rescue,” recommends Dr. Klein.

Having time at home also allows you to watch how your dog is adjusting to their new surroundings, so you can flag any health or behavior concerns with your veterinarian right away.

As Dr. Klein notes, breeders and rescue organizations can also be valuable resources because “they have familiarity with your dog’s breed temperament, exercise requirements, grooming requirements, and growth concerns.”

Building Trust With Your New Dog

Moving into a new home is a significant change for any dog. Having a familiar person nearby during those early days can help reduce stress and create a sense of security.

“Coming into a new home is a huge life event for a dog, whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or an older rescue dog,” says Sarah Fraser, cofounder of Instinct Dog Behavior & Training. “Having their new human around to show them the ropes can go a long way in building a strong, trusting relationship.”

During this time, dogs begin learning essential aspects of daily life, including their name, feeding schedule, crate routine, potty location, and household boundaries. For dogs that are fully vaccinated, this is also a good time to start socializing them with other pets and dogs.

While basic training is important, Fraser encourages owners to focus primarily on the relationship with their new dog.

“If you’re taking time off from work, focus less on teaching new skills and more on building a relationship and on getting to know your new friend, including their likes and dislikes,” she says.

That early relationship-building may have lasting benefits. Research published in “Attachment and Human Behavior” found that dogs form attachments to humans in ways similar to how young children form attachments to caregivers.

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Other Pet Benefits Employers May Offer

Some employers now offer policies designed to support pet owners, recognizing how important pets have become to many families.

A survey conducted by Nationwide and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that 91% of employees who work for companies with these types of pet-friendly policies are more engaged with their work.

Some organizations even go beyond offering leave by providing benefits such as pet insurance discounts, a pet-friendly workplace, or a stipend for pet-related purchases.

Making the Most of Your Dog’s First Week at Home

If your company doesn’t offer pawternity leave, taking vacation time or making arrangements to work from home can still help your dog settle into their new envirornment.

When Kassi McCombe, who works at AKC, brought home her new puppy, she was able to take two days of paid leave and work from home for three days during her first week with Brittany puppy “Bennett.” The extra time helped her establish proper potty training and crate training routines.

“We didn’t do too much training in the first few days, mostly working on ‘sit,’ ‘no biting,’ and learning his name,” says McCombe. “We started working on potty training from the start, which meant we took a lot of trips outside to go to the bathroom and help him learn where he was supposed to go — but never scolded him when he did have an accident in the house — which was very often those early days.”

Asked if she would do it again, McCombe gave an enthusiastic yes. “It was very important to me to be able to devote those days to our relationship and making sure he was comfortable, safe, and well-adjusted to his new home and routine — I’m not sure I’d do it any other way!”

Frequently Asked Questions