The first days of a puppy in the house

Do not forget that when you bring a puppy into the house, you separate him from his mother, brothers and sisters – that is, from everyone with whom he was fun and safe. Yes, and your life at this moment changes irrevocably. As a result, both the baby and you are stressed.

When is the best time to get a puppy?

It is best to take a puppy on Saturday or Sunday morning – so you will have the whole weekend at your disposal to get used to each other a little. And during the day, the baby will have time to at least come to terms with separation from his mother, get tired of new experiences, and there is more chance that the night will pass more or less calmly (although the new household will still whine).

What to take from a breeder

Ask the breeder to give the puppy something reminiscent of home as a dowry. It can be a small toy or a piece of bedding. Such an object (more precisely, its smell) will help the puppy adapt to a new place and make the new home closer.

How to transport a puppy to a new home

Carry your puppy in a carrier, bag or in your arms. Please note that until the pet is vaccinated, it should not be let off the street or allowed to interact with other dogs. Protect your baby from drafts in transport.

Preparing a place for a puppy in a new home

Even before the puppy settles with you, he needs to equip a quiet place to rest and sleep, for example, a house or a couch. Not in a draft, not in the aisle, where the baby can be accidentally hit. Preferably not in the hallway – the puppy should feel the presence of the owner, see him, and not feel like a forgotten orphan. Ideally, this place should be assigned to a four-legged friend for life.

Puppy getting used to the owner

To help the puppy get used to you faster, put something from your wardrobe in his house. You can donate an old sock. The item should be worn and unwashed, so the dog will feel that you are always with him.

How to toilet train a puppy

Place a special diaper or newspaper near the house, or place a dog litter box to teach the puppy to be clean. It is recommended to wet the edge of the diaper in urine so that the puppy understands why it is there.

Feeding a puppy in the first days in a new home

In the first weeks, the puppy is fed in the same way as the breeder fed. Separation from mom, sisters and brothers is already enough stress to add to it an upset stomach. If you later decide to change your diet, do it gradually. A bowl of clean, fresh water should be available. In general, it is better to place the bowls on a special stand so that the puppy’s head is at the level of the back while eating and drinking. The height of the stand increases as the pet grows. The puppy should have its own bowl in a certain place and a set feeding schedule. But before you feed the puppy, put it near the bowl, hold it a little (literally 1 – 2 seconds to start), and then give the permission command and let it eat. 

puppy rules

On the first day, set rules for the puppy. If you can’t do something, it’s taboo from the very beginning. After all, if today it is possible to gnaw on slippers, and tomorrow it is no longer possible, the dog will simply get confused, and nothing good will come of such upbringing. Moreover, the rules must be observed by all family members. It is best not to punish your puppy for “bad” behavior, but to ignore it. Remember that punishment is also reinforcement. But do not forget to praise for the right behavior! Even for the fact that the puppy lies quietly in his “house”.

Puppy safety in a new home

Prepare toys. Do not give the baby squeakers that he can swallow, or plastic toys that are easily chewed. Make sure chairs and the floor are not littered with objects that your four-legged friend can swallow. If you do not want to share a bed with a dog for the rest of your life, you should not take a puppy under the covers, even on the first day. No matter how plaintively he was worried and whined. You can not put a puppy on high chairs and a sofa. The pet is still small, and the jump is fraught with injury. Do not lift the puppy by the paws or under the belly. Correctly pick up – with one hand under the front paws, in the chest area, with the other hand under the ass. Don’t lock your puppy in a room alone. It is advisable in the early days not to let him out of sight at all. Use every opportunity to attract the attention of the baby, call him by name, caress. It is better to do this when the pet has just woken up or is distracted, having forgotten about your existence. You can give treats from time to time. 

Walking a puppy in the first days in a new home

Before you start walking your puppy, make sure that all vaccinations are done and the necessary quarantine is completed. Check with the breeder for details. Only then can you start taking your pet outside. Be sure to train your dog on a leash before you start walking. Use the quarantine period to your advantage! If on the first walk you put a collar with a leash on the dog without first accustoming the baby, he will simply get scared. The first walk is already the strongest stress, do not aggravate the situation. An important step is socialization. It starts in quiet, sparsely populated places, and gradually the number of stimuli increases. If the puppy is frightened, do not focus on it and do not comfort – this will only reinforce his fear. Fear is best ignored. And when you see that the pet is calmly walking and wagging its tail, be sure to praise.