The First Weeks with Your New Puppy

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and happy occasion! It is also a time for adjustment and learning, as your puppy settles into his new home and as you become acquainted with each other. Preparing beforehand and following a few “getting acquainted” guidelines can promote a smooth transition and help your puppy settle in with his new family. Here are a few tips for making those first weeks pleasant for you and your new puppy:

Preparing Beforehand

Once you have made the decision to bring a new puppy into your home, planning for his arrival can be a lot of fun! First, select a time that is relatively quiet and uneventful to bring your puppy home. This allows the puppy to adapt to his new family when there is a minimum of excitement and during a time when normal household routines are maintained. (Although it may be tempting to adopt during holiday seasons, for many families this is not a good time to obtain a new dog because normal daily routines are disrupted, company is arriving and family members may be traveling).

All dogs have a few basic but important needs. You’ll want to have the following supplies.

Collar and lead: Your puppy’s collar (or harness) should be well-fitted - snug but not too tight. Using a leash or retractable lead during walks will keep him safe and still allow him some freedom to explore.

Food and water bowl: Select bowls that have a wide base, are easy to clean and are an appropriate size for your puppy.

Puppy food: Choose a high quality, nutritionally complete and balanced puppy food that is formulated specifically for your puppy’s age and breed size.

Grooming equipment: Purchase a brush or comb and dog shampoo that is designed for the type of hair your puppy has.

Crate and bed: Most puppies adapt well to a crate for sleeping and as a place to stay safe when not supervised. Select a properly-sized crate and choose bedding materials that are comfortable, durable and washable.

Chew toys and play toys: Provide a variety of durable toys that are designed for puppy teeth and energy levels.

The First Day

The first day your puppy arrives home is an exciting and happy time for everyone. Always remember that travel and the many new sights, noises and smells can also be a bit overwhelming for a puppy. If your puppy has been recently weaned from her littermates and mother, she is probably also feeling a bit lonely and lost. Here are a few tips for helping your new family member to feel welcome and comfortable during those first few days in her new home.

Plan to bring your puppy home on a day that you can spend a lot of quiet time with her. If possible, arrange to bring her home early in the day to allow for plenty of adjustment time before she is put to bed for her first night at home.

When you first arrive home with your puppy, do not give her free access to the entire house. Rather, allow her to slowly explore and acclimate to one room of your home a time, supervising her closely to prevent accidents and inappropriate chewing. It is often helpful to first introduce the puppy to the room in which her crate is located or where she will be spending a large amount of her time each day.

As your puppy explores, interact with her by speaking to her quietly, sitting on the floor next to her and petting her, or showing her an attractive toy. If your puppy is coming into a family setting, introduce each family member one at a time, allowing the puppy several minutes to get to know each person.

Begin introducing the puppy to your daily routine as soon as you bring her home. Take her outside to potty through the same door each time and feed her in the same place and at the same times each day. Provide your new puppy with regularly scheduled attention, exercise and play periods.

Finally, make sure that you allow your new puppy plenty of opportunities to rest throughout the first day. Travel and introductions to a new family are exciting, but are also a bit stressful for a new puppy.