How do I help my dog adjust to a new housemate?

Ask your new housemate to avoid direct eye contact, reaching out, or loud greetings initially, letting your dog choose when and how to approach instead. This lower-pressure approach tends to build trust faster than an enthusiastic, well-meaning but overwhelming greeting on day one, particularly for a naturally reserved or cautious dog.

A new person moving in often brings changes to household noise, schedule, and shared space use, so try to keep your dog's core meal and walk times consistent throughout the adjustment period, giving it something stable to rely on amid the other changes happening around it.

Involve the new housemate in small, positive daily interactions, handing over a treat, participating in a feeding routine, or joining a walk occasionally, so your dog begins associating this new person with good things rather than simply an unfamiliar presence in the house. This works best spread gradually over several weeks rather than attempted all at once.

Most dogs adjust to a new housemate within a few weeks of calm, consistent exposure. Persistent avoidance, growling, or an unwillingness to be in the same room even after a month of gentle, positive interaction is worth discussing with a trainer, who can help identify what specifically is preventing a comfortable adjustment, since a few tailored sessions often resolve what feels stuck after weeks of general effort.