The first night in a new place can be scary for anyone, and dogs are no exception. Planning for your adopted dog's arrival is essential for a smooth transition to your household. You'll want to have all the supplies you need on hand so that you won't have to leave your new Golden alone that first night. Make sure you have at least a three-day supply of food, bowls for water and food, toys, a blanket, a crate, a leash, and a flat collar. Decide who will walk the dog, who will feed him and when, and make sure everyone knows what to do. If children will be taking on some of these jobs, they should be supervised by an adult to be sure they are comfortable with the dog and that things get off to a good start.

Prepare your yard, and clearly mark out a potty spot so that everyone knows where to take your new Golden when he goes out for potty breaks. Keep the chaos to a minimum those first couple of days so that your new Golden Retriever can settle in and learn your family's routine. It is strongly advised to use a crate with your new adoptee even if he is already housebroken and past the chewing stage. Most dogs feel more secure in a confined space with a predictable schedule, and this way you won't have any accidents or stress-related chewing in your absence. Dogs who are past the chewing stage and are housebroken can regress when they are stressed, and there are probably few things more stressful than moving to a new home.

If you have friends and relatives who are dying to meet your new family member, have them hold off for about a week. Give your Golden time to first learn who his family is. Being over-whelmed with visitors, with all the noise and chaos this can bring, is a frightening introduction to a new family. Once your dog has had a week to settle in, however, by all means have a “Welcome to our home” party, and invite your relatives and friends to meet your newest member. By that time, your dog will have settled in a bit and be much more comfortable meeting new people and putting on his best Golden charm.