The new dog has chosen a spot behind the table. You imagined a walk, a photo and a cuddle. They have chosen distance. That is not a verdict on you. They may have left a shelter, foster home or another household and now need to learn where they are safe.
Dogs Trust advises letting a rescue dog settle at their own pace, avoiding visitors in the first few days, offering a den area and building a predictable routine. You can be available without asking them to interact. Your first week is less about teaching commands than about learning what helps this dog relax.
Make one place reliably theirs
Choose a quiet area away from busy foot traffic. Offer comfortable bedding and a way to reach water. Let the dog enter and leave without being followed. If they have chosen a safe hiding place, don't drag them out simply because you have prepared a different bed. You can place the new bed nearby and see what they choose. Keep the route to toileting clear, and follow the rescue's instructions on safe handling and outdoor equipment.
Ask everyone in the home to leave the dog alone when they retreat. That includes visitors and children. If a child is in the household, actively supervise and use a secure barrier when you cannot, do not rely on the dog to tolerate a child crawling into their space. Avoid a welcome party. A quiet first few days give you a clearer picture of the dog's baseline behavior.
Be present without demanding contact
Sit at a comfortable distance and do something ordinary. The dog may look at you, approach or continue resting. If they take treats, toss one away from you so they can collect it without moving closer than they want. Do not lure them near your hands and then grab the collar or try to pet them. A dog who chooses to approach should also be free to leave.
Preserve what you can from their prior routine. Ask the rescue or previous caregiver about food, meal times, walks, sleep and things they fear. Keep food familiar at first where possible, and discuss diet changes with your vet. Give regular toilet opportunities but avoid an ambitious tour of crowded streets. Check that identification details are current and register with a local veterinarian.
Watch health as well as behavior
Hiding can be part of adjusting, persistent refusal to drink, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, marked weakness or pain needs veterinary advice. If the dog does not eat, ask the vet how urgently they should be seen based on their age and condition. Don't simply wait for a vague "settling period" when the dog may be sick.
If intense fear persists or worsens, ask the rescue and your vet for support. A qualified behavior professional can help you make a plan rather than trying increasingly forceful introductions. Also consider whether the dog has a safe route to resources. A dog who cannot reach water without passing a person they fear may stay hidden for practical reasons.
Mistakes to avoid
Pulling the dog from a hiding place to show them the house teaches that the retreat is not safe. Following them from room to room in the hope of bonding can do the same. Taking them to a busy park on day one may add more to process than they can manage. Punishing an accident or a growl can make a worried dog less safe, not more obedient. Provide distance and adjust the environment instead.
You do not need to know when they will feel at home. Watch for small changes: drinking where you can see them, resting with a looser body, exploring a new room when it is quiet. Today, give them one place no one will invade, and let them decide when to come out. For a longer view of those early weeks, see the new rescue dog guide, the first job is still giving your dog a safe place to settle
Sources: Dogs Trust, "How to help a rescue dog get settled into your home": https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/settle-rescue-dog.