Bringing home a puppy is an exciting time. It can be a big change for us humans and the puppies. Even confident puppies can find it daunting leaving their littermates and home, and for more anxious puppies it can be very stressful.
This is why it’s important to have a good plan in place for when the puppy first comes home.
Bringing Home A Puppy
Puppy-Safe Home
Set some time aside before welcoming your new puppy to ensure your home is a puppy-safe environment. There are many things that can be harmful to puppies, such as cables and ornaments. Anything that is heavy with human scent, like TV remotes and phones, are a potential target for puppies, so it’s good to get into the habit of putting them out of reach.
Various foods are dangerous for puppies if ingested. These include alcohol, chocolate, and dried fruit like raisins. Do your research on foods that can harm your puppy and ensure these are out of reach.
Puppies can be very inquisitive! It is important to keep your garden safe and secure.
Consider putting a pen in the garden to keep your puppy secure and protect areas of the garden from puppy wee.
There may also be plants in your garden that are harmful to dogs, including Daffodils and Ivy. Some poo bags and a secure bin is a great idea for poo management in your garden.
What To Buy Before
A fun part of getting a new puppy is buying all the things they need before their arrival. There is no need to go completely over the top, though. We suggest investing in an appropriate lead, suitable for your puppy’s breed, a collar, crate, bed, bowls, and a few dog toys which are breed and size appropriate. Remember, your puppy is going to outgrow most of these very quickly. Don’t forget an identity tag too, as this is a legal requirement when you first take your puppy out.
Puppies are messy, so stock up on cleaning supplies and essentials like kitchen roll and wet wipes.
Breeders
Before taking your puppy home, ensure you have the correct paperwork and know their feeding and toilet routines. A good breeder will provide some food which the puppy has been raised on. Ensure you continue to feed them this once they are home. If you do not know what they have been eating, contact your local vet for advice on appropriate food for your puppy’s age and breed.
Ask as many questions as you need.
Breeders are usually very experienced and can help to answer any queries you may have, as this can help when getting your puppy settled in their new home.
Ensure communication boundaries are set with your breeder at this point. Some may want to maintain contact, and others not so much.
Transporting Home
It is advised to avoid public transport when first bringing your dog home from the breeders. It is typically noisy and unpredictable, whereas a car can be much less stressful.
Plan your journey at the right time of day. Ensure you arrive home at a reasonable time. You don’t want to arrive home late in the day or evening and try to get your puppy settled when you want to go to bed yourself, especially if your puppy needs cleaning after a messy journey.
If possible, go with a friend or family member as the journey back may be stressful, and an extra pair of hands is always helpful!
It may be tempting to travel home with your puppy on your lap, but this isn’t safe, and legally, your dog needs to be secure. Place your puppy in a crate on the journey home. Bring some wet wipes and tissues in case your puppy is travel sick.
Don’t forget it is unsafe for an unvaccinated puppy to be placed on the ground to toilet in service areas. Ideally, drive straight home after picking up your new puppy, but if you are driving a long distance, plan rest stops and have someone stay to watch your puppy while you have a break.
Arriving Home
Keep your puppy’s arrival home as low-key as possible. Although they are cute and cuddly, making them very popular with friends and family, it mustn’t be overwhelming for your puppy. One way to do this is by only having household members home for your puppy’s initial arrival. Friends and other family can meet your new puppy in a few days, once they are more settled.
Puppies can be high maintenance, especially in the first few weeks of being home.
Consider your lifestyle and commitments for the first fortnight. It may be a good idea to book some time off work and get some help from friends and family.
If you have other household pets, consider the impact this may have on your new puppy and your current pets, too. It will be a big change for everyone, including your current pets, so buy some high-value or a favourite chew for them so they are occupied and don’t become jealous.
When there isn’t anyone available to supervise, you can fit some dog gates to help with control throughout the house.
Bedtime
Prepare a quiet area for your puppy to chill and sleep overnight.
Crates are good for creating a cosy environment. It should ideally be in a low foot traffic area, so avoid hallways. Having the crate near the garden door or area designated for your puppy to toilet as this will help with toilet training. The closer to the door, the less chance of an accident, but always buy spare bedding just in case.
Health & Vets
While contacting your vets for advice, make sure you register your new puppy with them. Their date of birth and microchip number will need to be provided.
You can also book them in for their first vaccinations. You may qualify for a week’s free pet insurance through your breeder. It is important to do some research and get cover organised prior to your puppy’s arrival for peace of mind.
The First Few Days
Although you will want to give your new puppy lots of attention and cuddles, it is important not to go over the top with this. Remember, this is a key stage in your puppy’s life and a crucial part of their development. They need to learn to cope in their day-to-day life without an emotional human crutch.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to achieve too much in the first few days.
Puppies, like babies, can be quite stressful to look after depending on their temperament. Start with toilet and bedtime routines, as these things can cause the most stress for owners.
Remember, you can’t be available to your puppy all the time in its life. It’s ok to put them in a safe and secure area for periods of time while you do human stuff!
