Puppy's First Day Home
1. Bring your puppy home Saturday if you work all week or when you’ll have a few days to let him get used to his new surroundings. 2. Try to bring him home in the morning. This way he’ll have all day with you before that dreadful first night away from his mom and litter mates. 3. When you bring your puppy home, let him go to the bathroom before you bring him in the house. 4. Allow him to explore the house at his own pace. Let him sniff everything he wants and go where he wants to go, unless there’s an area that is off limits. 5. Keep visitors to a minimum his first day. He’ll have enough to get used to just exploring his new home and bonding with you. 6. Be sure to take him to the vet within the stated time frame on the health contract. Even if there isn't a health contract, take him to the vet within 72 hours just to check and make sure he’s healthy. Your vet should tell you if your puppy’s health warrants getting a refund or a new puppy. 7. Be sure to put the cloth you got from the breeder with your puppy’s litter mate’s, mom’s, and breeder’s smell on it in the crate where he’ll be sleeping. When your puppy starts to sleep or acts like he’s tired, put him in his crate. He’ll probably curl up and go right to sleep. 8. Play games with him such as fetch, chase the rope toy while you hold it, anything to help him see that it’s great to be in your home. 9. Give him plenty of attention but don’t overdo it. He is still a puppy and needs plenty of sleep. 10. Don’t plan on going anywhere with your puppy, except possibly the vet, the first day. He needs to be kept in his new home so he can get used to it. 11. I know he’s new, but don’t let him get away with anything. He needs to understand that certain behaviors are unacceptable or places off limits. 12. To help your puppy through the first few nights, put his "scented" cloth (the one from the breeder) in his crate. Make sure he's gone to the bathroom and warm. Keep the crate near you so he can see and smell you from where he is. 13. When it’s time for bed, take him out to the bathroom, then calmly put him in his crate. Keep the crate close to your bed so he knows you’re there. If he starts whining just ignore him. He’ll calm down soon and go to sleep. Be sure his scented cloth is in his crate with him and that he has something soft and comfortable to sleep on. If he doesn't quiet down in a few minutes, put your hand near the front of the crate so he can smell you. Don’t talk to him or let him out. BACK Copyright 1999-2008 Christine Copper |
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