Most new owners overdo it. New toys, new rules, a full tour of the house, guests coming over to meet the animal.

The first two days should be boring on purpose.

1. Pick one room as home base. Food, water, bed, litter or potty spot. That's it.

2. Keep the same feeding times you were given by the shelter, breeder, or previous home. Changing food on day one is how you get a sick pet.

3. Let them come to you. Sitting on the floor and waiting beats chasing them around.

4. No visitors. No loud TV. No crate training marathon.

Your job in the first 48 hours is not training. It's making the place feel safe enough that they can sleep.

Training starts after they've eaten and slept in the same spot twice.