It’s time! You’ve chosen the perfect pup to fit your lifestyle, your home is puppy-proofed and supplies are prepped, and you have a game plan for your life with your puppy. Now there is only one thing left to do – bring home that dog! Here are some recommendations to help your first day with your puppy be a memory that you can treasure for life!
Prepare Your Space
Designate an area to be your puppy’s “bedroom”. This area should have all of your puppy’s basic supplies – their crate and bedding, their food dish and water bowl/drinking bottle, some toys, and, if applicable, a pee pad. (As a reminder, pee pads should never, ever go inside the crate itself.) This area should be somewhere that you can keep an eye on your puppy, such as a living room, family room, or kitchen. Close off puppy central with an exercise pen or a baby gate.
Try to have your supplies purchased and your puppy’s space set up before you bring your puppy home. If you have not had time to buy your puppy supplies in advance, we strongly recommend bringing home your puppy supplies at the same time that you bring home your puppy.
The one thing we never recommend doing is bringing your puppy to a secondary location such as a big box pet store to pick up pet supplies. Puppies do not yet have a fully developed immune system. Bringing them to an environment that is frequently trafficked by other dogs before they have had their full set of vaccinations exposes them to dangerous and potentially deadly illnesses.
Choose Your Time of Day
Bringing home your puppy is an exciting time, so of course you would want to bring that puppy home as soon as possible! However, if your new furry soulmate happened to enter your life past dinner time, consider requesting to pick up your puppy in the morning. Both you and your puppy are going to be tired! The earlier in the day that you can bring your puppy home, the more you can get them settled into their new environment before it is time for everyone to go to bed. Besides, you’ll want the whole day to make memories with your new puppy!
Car Ride Home
Time to get your puppy home safe and sound! Encourage your puppy to go to the bathroom before departure. Put your puppy in a secure crate or soft-sided carrier with soft bedding, and secure this crate so that it does not move around during the drive. We also recommend bringing some towels in case of a potty accident in the car (or a carsick puppy). If possible, enlist a second person to help with this step. This way, one person can attend to the puppy while the driver keeps their attention on the road. Don’t forget to stop for potty breaks if your drive is a long one!
Your puppy may bark or cry on the way home. This is a very strange and confusing situation for the puppy. Don’t let this dishearten you! Your puppy will adjust quickly, and as they bond with you, your very presence will help to calm them. Be patient with your puppy as they start their new life.
Arrival at Home
Welcome home, puppy! Introduce your puppy to their new environment in a calm, positive manner. Setting your puppy loose right away is a recipe for chaos. For now, keep your puppy on a leash while outside of their “puppy bedroom”. As you and your puppy grow more comfortable with each other, you can give them more freedom. Show them around their home, including their food and water, crate, and designated potty area.
We know you’ll want to show off your new puppy to all your friends, but for the first day, only include members of the household. Introduce your puppy to each family member one at a time. If they’re old enough, try having each family member give the puppy a few treats. You want to start building your bond with your new puppy as soon as possible. Don’t worry – your puppy will be able to meet your friends and extended family very soon! (Did you know that some people are even throwing puppy showers?)
Introducing another pet to your new puppy? Check out our guides on introducing other dogs or cats to puppies.
Start Your Routine
Puppies thrive on routine! Get started on your routine right away, including mealtimes, potty breaks, playtime, training times, and rest times. As a rule of thumb, your puppy can hold their bladder for approximately one hour per month of age. (For instance, a 3-month-old puppy can hold their bladder for about three hours). Since your puppy is still learning potty etiquette, take them out every 1-2 hours during the day to reduce accidents.
Enforce the Rules
Make sure that you are consistent with rules on day one as well. Your new puppy chewing on your shoes might be cute right now, but you’ll be much less enamored in a few weeks when all of your shoes have holes! Similarly, a puppy that is allowed on the couch will be confused if they’re chastised for it day 2. Praise them when they do something well and redirect any undesired behavior.
Eating
Poor appetite is one of the most common symptoms of a stressed-out puppy. Unfortunately, for tiny puppies, not eating can easily lead to hypoglycemia. Do not free-feed your puppy. At established mealtimes, observe your puppy to make sure they do eat.
If your puppy is turning their nose up at kibble, try adding mix-ins such as wet food, chicken broth, shredded chicken or ground beef, scrambled egg, plain yogurt, fruit, cooked veggies, or cottage cheese. Please note that this should be done in minimal amounts to reduce risk of stomach upset! Finally, remember that your goal is to get your puppy to eat, not to teach them that they can hold out for a topping every time. Once your puppy is settled in the household and has put on some weight, offer them the kibble without any toppers. If they do not eat it after 30 minutes, pick the bowl up and offer it again at the next mealtime.
Take Breaks
Know the basics of dog body language and keep an eye on your puppy. If they seem to be overwhelmed or shutting down, give them a break and let them rest. This also applies if your puppy is becoming increasingly mouthy or noisy. Puppies need between 16-20 hours of sleep every day. They’re like cranky human toddlers; they need a nap, whether they know it or not! Finally, while we know they’re cute, please do not disturb a sleeping puppy unless it is mealtime or for a potty break. They will be up and about in no time!
Bedtime
When it is time to go to bed for the night, play with your puppy or take them on a walk around your yard to tire them out. Make an effort as a household to be quiet and help the puppy wind down. Put them back in the secured “doggy bedroom” that includes their crate. Set an alarm to take your puppy out for a bathroom visit at night if they are too young to hold their bladder through the night. Your puppy may cry or whimper at bedtime. Allow the puppy to settle on their own, and do not bring the puppy into bed with you. In this way, you avoid teaching your puppy bad habits.
Stay Calm
This is a period of huge transition, both for the puppy and for your home. There will be unexpected challenges and no small number of frustrations. Remember that the puppy phase is not forever and that you are not alone. Check out our New Puppy Guide to see articles on some of the most common puppy problems. Also feel free to get in touch with our friendly team to help you conquer these hurdles!
One Last Tip…
Take lots of photos! The puppy phase isn’t forever. Enjoy this precious time together and make as many memories as possible!
