You brought the puppy home

Your puppy and new home

And so you have chosen your puppy, said goodbye to the breeders and are going home in a new composition.

We hope that the excitement of waiting for a new family member in your home has not prevented you from making some necessary preparations. Most likely, for the first time your puppy was so far from his usual environment and smells, and this period is very difficult for him. Therefore, before you bring him home, you need to make sure that everything is ready, as if you were expecting a child to appear in your home.

Place for your puppy

First of all, you need to decide where your puppy will sleep. Most prefer a fenced-off area that can serve as a refuge if the environment becomes too stressful. So think about finding some kind of box where you can put his bedding or basket. Make sure it’s warm enough, dry, comfortable, and draught-free. Prepare a comfortable bed to keep your puppy cozy. You then need to decide where to put it all before your pup tries to settle in on the couch (after all, it’s easier to form good habits right away than to try to fix bad ones later). The ideal place for your puppy would be a comfortable crate where he can retire when life gets too hectic around him. Warn your family members that at such moments it is better not to disturb him. Make sure his seat is far enough away from your bed, preferably outside your bedroom. Resist the temptation to put him to sleep next to you – in the future it will be very difficult to overcome this habit. In addition, your puppy, like you, needs personal space.  

your puppy at night

Many puppies whine at night, especially during the first week of being in a new home, so the warmer you make his place, the cozier he will feel. You can try putting a bottle of warm water next to it or some kind of safe toy.

Other family members

Even if you have other animals in your home, it’s important to give your puppy a chance to explore first. Introducing your puppy to your other pets should be gradual and be sure to follow this process. Make sure your children treat your puppy with care and respect. Find out more in the Socialization section

Your puppy is home alone

Neither a puppy nor an adult dog should be left alone at home for a long time. Dogs left alone for long periods of time may develop fear and an inability to bear separation from their owner.

Therefore, teach your puppy to calmly endure your short absence: leave him in the room, close the door and leave for a few minutes. On your return, do not greet him. Gradually increase your absence to 30 minutes. But if he starts to feel uncomfortable, barking, chewing or scratching the door, you need to reduce the time of your absence.

Before leaving: Take your puppy for a walk or play with him before you leave so he has a chance to settle down. Shortly before leaving, feed him – after eating he will most likely be sleepy. Leave him something to chew on – he will have something to do in your absence. Some puppies feel more comfortable hearing familiar sounds, so you can try leaving the radio on or even recording a few minutes of your family conversation. But if your puppy becomes increasingly nervous when left alone, even for short periods of time, check with your veterinarian.