Bringing Your Puppy Home: Setting the Stage for Success from Day One

Jun 10, 2020

Congratulations! You’ve prepared for puppy pick-up day, but the real adventure begins when you bring your new pup home. This first introduction to your home is a golden opportunity to start your puppy off on the right paw. How you handle this transition will set the tone for your dog’s future training and behavior.

Three Key Areas to Focus On

Setting Expectations
Establishing a Routine
Transitioning from Litter to Family

Let’s dive into each of these crucial steps.

Setting Expectations: The Foundation of Success

Your expectations can make or break the early days with your new pup. It’s essential to have realistic expectations to ensure a smooth transition.

What Should You Expect?

Puppies are full of energy and curiosity. They’ll bite, bark, have potty accidents, and might even chew a few things they shouldn’t. This is all normal puppy behavior, and while it can be challenging, it’s important to remember that the puppy phase is temporary.

Your puppy will also bring immense joy as you watch it explore its new world and learn new things. The key is to embrace the process, knowing that this phase will pass quicker than it feels. Potty accidents, sleepless nights, and a few chewed-up items are all part of the journey. Instead of getting frustrated, view each challenge as an opportunity to build trust and deepen the bond with your pup.

Trust is the cornerstone of your relationship with your dog. Think of it as an investment—the more you put in, the more it grows. Stay patient, stay calm, and most importantly, enjoy this precious stage. It’s fleeting, and before you know it, your puppy will be a well-behaved young dog.

Establishing a Routine: Creating Stability and Security

One of the best things you can do for both you and your pup is to establish a consistent routine. Remember, when your puppy enters your home, it’s leaving behind everything it’s ever known. A good routine will help your pup feel secure and grounded in its new environment.

What Does a Consistent Routine Look Like?

Your routine will depend on your lifestyle, but here are some key elements to consider:

Wake-Up Time: Start by setting a consistent wake-up time. This will help your puppy adjust to your household’s rhythm.
Bedtime: Establish a regular bedtime. If your schedule varies, consider keeping your puppy in a separate room where it can go to bed at the same time each night.
Feeding Times: When you first bring your pup home, you’ll likely feed it three times a day, transitioning to twice a day as it grows. Stick to consistent feeding times to help your puppy settle into its new routine.
Training & Playtime: While feeding and sleep schedules should be consistent, training and playtime can be more flexible. Aim for regular training sessions, but don’t hesitate to take advantage of spontaneous opportunities to bond and play with your pup.

By establishing and sticking to a routine, you’ll help your puppy feel secure and adapt more quickly to its new life with you.

Transitioning from Litter to Family: Making Your Pup Feel at Home

This transition period is a crucial time in your puppy’s life. It’s also your chance to instill good habits that will last a lifetime.

What’s the Goal?

The primary goal during this transition is to help your puppy integrate smoothly into your family. Every family is unique, with its routines, schedules, and traditions. Your job is to help your puppy adjust to your family’s way of life.

Questions to Consider:

Will your dog be inside or outside?
At dinner time, will your pup be out, or will it be put in their crate?
Do you go on walks often? Will the pup join in?
How do you want your pup to interact with other family members and pets?
Who will be responsible for training?
What manners do you expect from your pup?
Will the pup be allowed on the furniture?
Are there off-limits rooms in your home?

These questions help you think about how you want your puppy to fit into your home and lifestyle. The answers should align with your goals for building engagement, incorporating the pup into your family, and helping it grow into the hunting and family companion you envision.

This transition is your chance to teach your puppy how to behave and interact with your family, build trust, and lay a strong foundation for your dog’s future training. During this stage, your pup is eager to learn and adapt, making it the perfect time to establish the habits that will shape its behavior for years to come.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve brought your pup home, it’s time to focus on crate training and housebreaking. These are essential steps in ensuring your puppy’s smooth transition into your home. We’ve dedicated an entire blog post to these topics, which you can find here.

BuildFromHere,
Joshua Parvin