You have decided to get a puppy, and you cannot wait to get your new bundle of joy home and settled in. Getting a new puppy is similar to bringing home a newborn. Your life will be disrupted in a good way, and you will need to be as best prepared as possible. You don’t want your new fur baby or yourself to become overwhelmed.
Let’s explore some tips to help make puppy’s first day at home a success.
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Learning about dog behaviour
You’ve brought your precious new puppy home, and you and your family could not be more excited. Amid your excitement, your new puppy may squat in the middle of your living room. You must be ready to start potty training the day you bring your puppy home.
When your puppy has an accident, and they will, it is so important that you do not yell or scare them. You need to build a trusting relationship and strong bond with your new pet, not have them be afraid of you. Potty training a puppy is different for each pup and will require you to remain calm, be patient, and remain consistent with the training and routines.
It’s crucial that you notice signs your new puppy will show when they need to go outside. All dogs are different, but there will be signs, and you will notice them pretty quickly. A few signs that you should keep an eye out for:
- Sudden behaviour change. Suddenly, the puppy isn’t interested in what they are doing, or they can’t seem to focus on one thing.
- Whining or barking.
- Scratching and sniffing.
- Circling around one spot. This is a sign that they are going to the bathroom within seconds.
While potty training, you will want to have a spot outside for the puppy to go that is easily accessible and no other dogs are using. Eventually, your new pup will associate that spot with going to the bathroom.
You can reward your puppy with a treat after going to the bathroom. If you don’t want to go that route, that’s completely fine. However, you want to ensure you give plenty of praise after a successful potty break using your most cheerful and happiest voices.
Designing a puppy-proof home
It is essential that you puppy-proof your home before bringing your puppy home. You want to ensure that they are safe and that your new bundle of joy will not destroy your home.
Here’s a few helpful tips to keep your puppy safe.
- You need an area the puppy can play freely. This does not have to be the whole house. You can designate a small space for puppies to play when you cannot constantly be on their tail. You may want to invest in a puppy playpen or a baby gate to keep them in one room that is set up for them to play safely. This is different than crate training. They need more space than a crate to play, but they certainly don’t need the run of the house.
- Get on the floor and look at the room from a puppy’s point of view. Getting down on your hands and knees and looking around the rooms your puppy will be allowed in is an excellent way to see if you have missed anything. Getting the view your puppy has, you may notice that there are cords you didn’t see or small objects they may choke on that you didn’t notice.
- Remove anything potentially dangerous. Think of puppy-proofing your home as similar to what you would do to toddler-proof your home. Some pointers when puppy-proofing:
- Ensure blinds and drapes are secure and cords are out of reach.
- Lock up cleaners and other chemicals the puppy may get into.
- Move houseplants up out of reach.
- Secure furniture to the wall to ensure it doesn’t topple over.
- Remove all small objects that may pose a choking hazard.
- Cover up or remove wires and electrical cords.
- Invest in a garbage can that your puppy can’t break into and help themselves.
Gathering Basic supplies
When introducing a puppy to your home, it’s important to start buying puppy supplies and any other gadgets that will make transitioning a puppy into your home easy and comfortable for your new pooch and yourself.
Some ideas of basic supplies and some other gadgets you may need are:
- Toys
- Food and treats
- Puppy pee pads, poop bags, and dog diapers
- Adjustable collar, dog tags, and leash
- Crate
- Basic grooming supplies, like nail clippers, toothbrush, shampoo
- Food and water bowls
- Dog bed, blankets, or something comfy for your new pup to relax on
- Gate and puppy-proofing items
These items are a great start, and as you get to know your puppy more, you will see their personality shine through and may need more specific items for your dog, like a particular type of food, or a harness instead of a leash, dog diapers are essential, especially if it’s a girl dog.
Locating a veterinarian
When it comes to finding a veterinarian, it’s important that you find someone that you like and trust. If you don’t already have a trusted veterinarian, you could ask around your family or friend circle, research online for reputable veterinarians in your area. Taking your new pup in for wellness check-ups and keeping up with their shots will ensure your new fur baby will live a long and happy life.
It’s also important that you look into pet insurance in case any significant expenses come up. You won’t have to scramble to get the money for the vet bill. Look into emergency services available as well, so if an emergency should arise, no time is wasted; you know who to call and what to do.
Organizing your time
Getting a new puppy is exciting and fun, but it is also a lot of work. Something that is a must to help decrease your stress and ensure your puppy doesn’t get overwhelmed is to create a routine that works for you and your new pal. Puppies need to eat three times a day; a good idea would be to schedule their feedings around your mealtimes. As your puppy gets older and is done growing, you can cut back to two feedings a day. You also need to work in potty breaks, training, walks, playtime, naps, and bedtime. The sooner you can implement a routine, the better. Of course, it will change over time as you get to know your puppy and as they get bigger, but staying as consistent as possible will lead to a well-behaved full-grown dog who knows what’s expected of them and what acceptable behaviour is.
