Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is fun and exciting, but it is important to puppy proof your home, get the appropriate puppy supplies and be prepared for your new dog, before bringing puppy home.

Getting off to a good start with your new pet, whether you adopt puppy or you purchase him from a breeder, is dependent on how well you and your family have prepared.

It’s important to remember that the rules of your house will start to be established, on the very first day that your pup arrives.

And, if you don’t get off to a good start, breaking habits can be far more difficult than establishing good habits, from the start…

Spend a little time, before your new pet arrives, to make some plans, decide what you will and won’t permit, and get the puppy supplies that you’ll need.

Being prepared will help your new puppy feel comfortable and safe, and it will avoid the confusion of running out to get supplies at the last minute…

Cute Bichon Frise puppy, licking his chops

Prepare for bringing home a new puppy
so that his arrival will be easier for both of you.

Puppy Proof Your Home

Have you thought about what it will be like when you bring your new puppy home? Not for you, but for your new puppy.

She’s been with mom and brothers and sisters since birth, but tonight she will be in new surroundings, with new sights and sounds, and with people (you) that she doesn’t know. It’s all quite frightening for a little puppy, and it’s important that you prepare well—so that things will go smoothly, and you’ll get to know each other without incident.

You need to decide what the rules in your house will be, and your puppy needs to learn them. Not next week—now!

Setting a routine, with specific rules will help your pup to feel secure, because she will learn quickly what is expected, and she’ll know what her routine will be (feeding, trips outside, times in her crate, where she sleeps).

Before bringing home a new puppy, you’ll need to consider:

Gates – If you have open stairs or rooms that will be off limits, consider using baby gates to keep your pup where she belongs, and safe.
Puppy Name - Name your puppy and use it frequently so that your dog learns his name. This will help him feel secure and part of the group. It will help you bond with each other.
Puppy Proofing Your Home - You will need to protect your puppy and your home. Just like you would for a baby, remove electrical cords within reach, glass objects that might break, books, poisonous plants and anything else that you want to protect or keep away from your pup. Don’t forget important furniture. It only takes a second for a small puppy to start gnawing on an expensive coffee table leg or a favorite family antique. When your puppy knows the rules, you can bring furniture and other articles back into your family areas.
Family Articles - If members of your family have the habit of leaving socks, shoes, or toys lying around, they need to be trained not to do so. Your puppy will not know the difference at first, between your things and hers, and it isn’t fair to punish her for chewing on socks instead of her toys. You can relax later, when she has learned what is hers.
Housebreaking Routine - Before you bring your puppy home, you should know how you will approach housebreaking. Start the routine immediately, and take your new dog outdoors on a regular schedule.
Feeding Routine - The same goes for feeding. Set a schedule and feed your new puppy at the same times each day. That way she will know what to expect.
Bedtime Routine - This is one of the toughest, and the first night away from her dog family may be the toughest for your new pup. You need to know where she will sleep, and stick to it. You may not get much sleep the first night, but you can’t get up and rescue your puppy by taking her to bed with you. You must let her get used to the idea of sleeping in her own place.
Here are some things that do work. Place your pup’s crate or travel crate next to your bed where she can see you. Include a hot water bottle in a soft blanket, a toy, and a ticking clock (to sound like mom’s heartbeat).
If your pup cries, simply place a finger in her crate so that she knows that you are still there and have not abandoned her. This way she will learn that she has her own place to sleep, but that you are still close.

The key to success with your new pup is to be prepared. Plan ahead before bringing home a new puppy and get the things that you’ll need, prepare your family, and puppy-proof your home.

And get set to have a great time getting to know your new puppy!

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