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With time, patience and positive reinforcement most pets will learn how to co-habit peacefully. Grooming your puppy is a great way for them to get used to being handled. Start slowly and be sure to pair grooming with treats and praise, to ensure this is a positive experience for your puppy. Here I outline my tips for helping settle a puppy into their new home and these suggestions are also applicable to dogs of all ages. Immediately when you get home, take the puppy to where you would like them to relieve themselves. Over the next few days you’ll need to establish a routine for the puppy to go outside.
For some puppies, this approach is very quick and effective. You’ve chosen a puppy, bought supplies, puppy-proofed your home, and established some household rules. Of course you’re excited and eager to start this new bond, but try to imagine what this is like for the puppy. He’s just been taken from his mother, siblings, the only humans he knows, and his familiar environment. This can be scary and confusing for a puppy, but there are several things you can do to help him adjust to his new life.
Let's embark on your journey to pup happiness.
Within the last hour prior to bedtime, try to keep your puppy’s excitement levels to a minimum. There should be no running about or energetic games last thing at night because we want them to settle. Make sure you take them out to the toilet last thing.
Another successful bonding experience is taking short walks together. They will become a habit anyway, so start as early as you can. In the beginning phase, dogs are troublesome to walk with because they pull on the leash.
Settling in your new Puppy
Some get it sooner than others and, remember, they are only puppies once. While your puppy is busy eating, you can quietly retreat and close the door. This creates a good association between being confined and happily eating. You can progressively extend the period of confinement each day by a few minutes. Don’t make a fuss of your pup – just say good night in a gentle, reassuring voice and pop it in its bed. Gently heat a small wheat pack or fill a sock, preferably a smelly old one of yours, with gently heated raw rice.
Take your puppy to the vet for a check up and to discuss his vaccination and worming programme. Also ask whether the surgery runs puppy parties so he can begin socialization. Introduce him to the room where he is to spend most of his time, and his bed, and spend some time quietly getting to know him. Please do not panic, we survive and such events are fond distant memories.
What is normal new puppy behaviour?
When you go indoors try to keep things calm and warn any children they shouldn't expect to play with the puppy the moment he arrives. Getting a new puppy is a wonderful experience – and promises many new adventures – but the first few nights of having your puppy at home can be challenging. A dog who’s anxious and insecure in a new environment can take months to show trust and affection. Once you have puppy-proofed the inside of your home, it’s time to consider the outside. Take a walk around your property looking for potential hazards.
You’ve gone a long way already toward teaching her that this is your territory and you make the rules. Now, she’s going to observe so she can figure out what the rules are, and who’s who in her new pack. During the tour, don’t speak and use only body language or simple sounds, like “Tsch!
For areas your puppy won’t be allowed, think about how you will block their access. A puppy or child gate is very useful as it allows you to still move about your house, while preventing your puppy from entering any areas they shouldn’t. Adding a new family member is a big decision and importantly how the new pet is integrated into the household is critical to a smooth transition. While there will always be bumps in the road, preparation and planning will make all the difference.
If there are any household rules you want to stick to it’s important that these are set up from day one as a bad habit can be hard to break once started! For example, if you don’t want your dog to go on the sofa, that rule needs to be in place from day one. Instead, play with them on the floor to teach them that fun things happen off the sofa. Start him off where you want him to be later – put his crate or dog bed in your bedroom. Put his food and water dish someplace he’ll feel safe, so you don’t stimulate guarding behavior.
Then allow your puppy time to nap and explore alone but always pay close attention. Treats can help in getting their attention when you need it and can be used if they are behaving well. Puppies love to know what comes next in their day to day life, and routines can definitely do that.
Place inside another old sock or two for safety and put in your pup’s bed as a nice warm buddy. Test against your arm that it is not too hot first. These ‘tricks of the trade’ will help you get your little fluff-ball settled in happily in no time. Remember that broken vase is not the responsibility of your dog; it’s yours.
If your puppy is too young to go outside to the toilet then take them to the puppy pad to try to encourage them to use. Make sure you try to establish a routine that all good things happen in this very special place. I like to have a variety of “Kong” toys filled with either my dog’s meal or some tasty treats to give to my puppy when they are in the crate. Gently close over the door of the crate but allow puppy to come out if they seem concerned.
When you get home, there could be a lot of excitement about the puppy. While everybody wants to hold the puppy, it is best if introductions are done slowly and individually. This should reduce the stress the puppy would have had with everybody wanting to hold him at once.
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