In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on how to prepare for your first 24 hours with a new puppy. This is both one of the most exciting and one of the most challenging times for any new dog owner, meeting your new friend while also introducing them to the home, their new surroundings and a whole lot more.
At Innovative K9 Academy, we’re proud to offer a wide range of dog training courses and programs, from puppy boot camp to numerous private and public training setups for dogs of any age. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over a few other tips we offer for parents of new dogs, both within the first 24 hours of bringing them home and within the days and weeks after this period.
Quiet and Safe
We know the temptation when you bring a cute new pet home: You want to show it off to everyone. This is understandable, but at least for these first 24 hours and likely longer, we strongly recommend resisting this impulse.
This is because your new puppy is already adjusting to a whole lot of new, scary things. It’s away from mom for the first time in its life, and it will be searching for comfort and quiet more than anything. There’s plenty of time for visits and fun with friends later on, but for now, do everything you can to increase comfort.
Sleep Prep
Puppies sleep a ton, for starters. Just beware of that up front. But they also use the bathroom a lot, and this means sleep schedules for both you and your pup might be a bit weird for the first little while.
On their first night, for instance, your new puppy will probably wake you up a few times to go to the bathroom. This first night is a good time to begin establishing a bedtime routine with them, one that includes going outside, but know that it will take some time for them to fully grasp it. Whether their crate is in your room or a separate area, establishing this location early is very important.
Reminders of Mom
Finally, as we noted above, one of the biggest struggles for many puppies is being away from mom for the first time in their life. One great way to keep them comfortable and connected here is to keep at least one item with their mom’s scent on it, and to allow the puppy to sleep with this item for at least their first few nights in the crate. This will help them feel safe and at-home as they adjust to the new setting.
For more on how to work with a puppy within the first little while after bringing it home, or to learn about any of our dog or puppy training classes, speak to the staff at Innovative K9 Academy today.