Dog Whisperer tips for your new puppy
Bringing your new puppy home may be a wonderful experience for you, but it’s a traumatic experience for your puppy. After all, your puppy has just been abruptly taken from the only home it’s ever known and from its littermates and parents. It is now up to you to make this stressful transition as comfortable as possible for your dog.
Picking up your puppy
When you pick up your puppy from the breeder go straight home. Many people might feel inclined to stop by a friend’s house to show off the new dog but this is not the time. In fact, for the first few days, you probably shouldn’t have any visitors coming to the house either. Your puppy is already stressed out by its new surroundings and needs some time to adjust.
By the time you bring your puppy home, your house should have been already puppy-proofed and you should have already bought all the necessities needed (if not please read the articles on puppy-proofing your home and things to buy before you get your puppy). When you reach your home, your puppy will naturally want to explore and sniff her new surroundings. You should let her do so! Show your puppy where the food and water bowls are and let her eat and drink if she wants (just remember that the puppy will have to go to the bathroom after).
Have the crate ready for your dog. Ideally, it should be in an area where the lights are dim and relatively quiet. You don’t want the crate to be placed in the loudest area in the house because you want the puppy to be able to rest. You also don’t want it to be completely silent as the puppy might feel scared and lonely. Having a radio on with low volume can make your puppy feel more comfortable during the night. One good idea is when you pick up the puppy from the breeder, ask them for a piece of cloth or towel that has its mother’s scent on it. This will help your pup feel comfortable during the first few days.
Dog Whisperer tips, The first few days
If you have any young children in the house, you should teach them that the new puppy is not a toy. Kids have to learn to respect the dog and give it space when needed. You will notice that your puppy will have very active spurts of energy followed by an hour or so of sleep. Your children should know not to disturb the puppy when sleeping. Just like babies, puppies do need a lot of undisturbed sleep.
For the first few days, your puppy will probably be restless and may whimper when she is left alone, especially during the nights. Again having the radio on or even a ticking clock can help calm her down. If you are comfortable with having your puppy sleeping in your bedroom on a regular basis, you can place the crate or bed in your room.
Just remember to be extra kind and gentle during the first few days. Don’t scold or yell at her even if she is making a mess or being destructive. This may teach your puppy to fear you. You want the first few days to be as comfortable as possible for your puppy as this will pave the way for a long and happy life together.
Puppy Potty Training
A new puppy will have many potty accidents in your home. Be gentle with them and never punish them if they pee or poop inside your home. Here are some great tips on how to potty train a puppy.
