Thinking of bringing home a puppy? Setting the rules early and applying them makes a joyful impression for all. There are many things to consider preparing for the new family addition.
Everyone Is All In
With a new furry friend the entire household is accepting new responsibility. Discussions and advance agreements to consider.
- Which breed, sex and age?
- A rescue dog or from a breeder?
- Where will puppy sleep, play, eat, defecate?
Schedules should be made for who is:
- Completing veterinary appointments, how often? Deworming, vaccinations?
- Bathing the puppy?
- Taking the pup to relieve itself, clean up after and when?
- Checking water and feedings four times a day?
- Exercising, training and playing with Pup?
- Got a name?
There are also purchases to make before Pup’s arrival. Early shopping takes advantage of superstore or catalogs rather than Pup-emergency shopping. Here’s a starting list:
- Collar, Leach, Safety Belt
- Crate and Tie Downs, Gates
- Food and Water Bowls
- Food, Treats (match what is currently being used if possible)
- Bedding, Chew Toys, Grooming, Odor Neutralizer
- ID Tags, City License (as required)
Working together and establishing a vocabulary reduces confusion. Remember to use single words as much as possible for the same result or thing. Imagine, a confusing new language, you are told “Down” when used to; get down from the couch, lay down, sit down, stop jumping, and out of my chair! Fur parents, Pup and Friends should speak the same language. Start slow.
Puppy Proofing
Think like a puppy, you’re short, may need to chew, enjoy exploring, chasing, hiding or climbing! No worries it’s only until Pup learns the rules.
- Allowing access to what parts of your home and is the area puppy proof?
- Will you use gates or doors?
- Moving items from coffee and end tables?
- Moving the table, rugs, anything movable/breakable, plants?
- Taping “down” electrical cords?
Puppy Time!
This is Pup’s first day with you! Consistency is important. Remind everyone of the rules and vocabulary as needed. When picking up your puppy find out what food, feeding and defecation schedule has been followed. Dog Rescuers or Breeders may provide a care package including food samples, vaccination or other records.
Cheese Curls Have Most Likely NOT Been In the Diet
A change in schedule and food may cause undesired gastric issues. Slowly changing the food mix over a week by mixing a larger part of the old with a small part of the new, daily switching the mix until completed.
As always and on the way home Pup should ride in a crate or in the back seat with a safety belt. Arriving at home take your puppy immediately to THE place to relieve itself. There are new rules to learn and THIS is the spot.
Avoid overwhelming your puppy and in its unfamiliar surroundings where many new people, smells and things being discovered. The other dogs are gone, perhaps new ones exist or there may be a cat!
The first 24-hours provide an excellent opportunity for training your puppy and in its new environment. Maintaining a schedule will acclimate the family to living together. Someone is responsible to see Pup gets time to Potty, for eating, playing, sleeping and separateness. Pup will appreciate it.
Loneliness may also occur if Pup has never been alone. Whining, whimpering or barking may occur. Try to ignore Pup, you don’t want to plant the idea that, “When I make noise I get attention.” Good behavior, even resting quietly is rewarded with good attention.
Keep in mind, yelling and scolding is generally not a good idea. Reward good behavior with good attention and poor behavior with poor attention, immediately and only at the present.
Being puppy prepared reduces confusion, helps train, and brings more pleasure fur the family.