Bringing Your Puppy Home

 

The Supplies You Need

Making a Home Safe

Choosing a Name

The First Days at Home

Children and Pets

Meeting Resident Pets

Before you bring your puppy home, be sure you have the following supplies:

• Premium pet food to get your new puppy off to a good start.
  
  
• Stainless steel, non-tip food and water bowls.
  
  
• Identification tags with your puppy's name, your name, phone number and your veterinarian's name and phone number. A collar and a leather or nylon 6-foot leash that's 1/2 - 3/4 inches wide (consider using a "breakaway" collar with plastic clips that will unsnap in case your puppy gets hung up on something).
  
  
• You might consider using a crate or kennl that will accommodate your puppy's adult size. This crate will serve as your puppy's new "den" at home, when travelling or riding to the veterinary clinic. His scent in the crate will provide comfort and a sense of security during these stressful times.
  
  
• Stain remover for accidental soilings.
  
  
• Brushes and combs suited to your puppy's coat; ask your veterinarian or breeder about an appropriate brush or comb for your dog.
  
  
• Dog shampoo, toothbrush and paste.
  
  
• High-quality, safe chew toys to ease teething.
  
  
• Flea, tick and parasite controls.
  
  
• Nail clippers.
  
  
• Treats

• Use stainless steel, non-tip food bowls, which won't break or absorb odours.
  
  
• Toys with parts that squeak or whistle can be dangerous if swallowed.
  
  
• For a comfortable collar fit, allow for two-fingers of space between the collar and your dog's neck; consider using an adjustable collar.

To make your home safe for your new puppy, eliminate potential hazards around the house and pay attention to the following items:

• Keep breakable objects out of reach.
  
  
• Deny access to electrical cords by hiding or covering them; make outlets safe with plastic outlet plugs.
  
  
• Safely store household chemicals.
  
  
• Keep the following house and garden plants out of reach: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy among others.
  
  
• In the garage, be sure engine lubricants and other poisonous chemicals (especially antifreeze) are safely stored.
  
  
• If you provide your puppy with an outdoor kennel, place it in an area that provides sun and shelter in the pen; be sure the kennel is large enough to comfortably accommodate your puppy's adult size.

Though you may already have a name for your new puppy, here are some tips:

• Names should be short. A two-syllable name is preferable because it's brief but won't be confused with one-syllable commands such as "No" or "Sit."
  
  
• Be consistent. All family members should use the same name-don't use confusing nicknames or variations.
  
  
• Reward your puppy's attention/name recognition with lots of praise and play.

The ideal time to bring home a new puppy is when the house is quiet. Discourage friends from stopping by and don't allow overnight guests. First establish a daily routine and follow these steps:

Step 1: Before bringing him in the house, take him to the area in your garden that will serve as his "toilet" and spend a few minutes there. If he goes, praise him. If not, proceed into the house but be sure to take him to this spot each time he needs to go to the toilet.

Step 2: Take him to the room which will serve as his new "den" for several days. Put bedding and chew toys in the room, Let him investigate the room. If he chews or urinates on his bedding, permanently remove it.

Step 3: Observe and interact with your puppy while he's acclimating to his new den. This will help forge a sense of pack and establish you as the pack leader.

Special Puppy Concerns

Don't treat a puppy as young as 6 to 12-weeks old like an adult dog. Treat him the same way you would your own infant: with patience, constant supervision and a gentle touch. The way you interact with your puppy at this age is critical to his socialisation. Use these tips:

• Don't bring home a puppy while you're off work so you can spend a lot of time with him. Instead, acclimate him to your normal, daily routine.
  
• Supervise your puppy at all times and interact with him regularly.
  
  
• Be alert for signs (sniffing and circling) that he has to go to the toilet, then take him outside immediately.
  
  
• A young puppy has no bladder control and will need to urinate immediately after eating, drinking, sleeping or playing. At night, he will need to relieve himself at least every three hours.
  
  
• Don't punish an accident. Never push his nose in the waste or scold him. He won't understand, and may learn to go to the toilet when you're out of sight.
  
  
• Praise your puppy every time he goes to the toilet outside.
  
  
• Feed your puppy a formula designed for puppies. Like a baby, he needs nutritious, highly digestible food.

Ideally, your children should help you choose your new puppy. When you bring him home, don't let them play with him constantly. Puppies in particular need a lot of rest just like a growing child. Limit puppy-children play sessions to 15-30 minute periods 2-3 times a day.

• Young children may be tempted to shout at a puppy if they think he's doing something wrong. Be sure they understand that puppies and dogs can be easily upset and startled by loud noises.Girl holding puppy.
  
  
• No teasing. Keeping a toy just out of reach will reinforce bad habits such as jumping up and excessive barking.
  
  
• Wagging tails and play biting can be too rough for some young children. Supervise interaction and separate them if the play is too rough.
  
  
• Teach kids to care for a dog by showing them how to feed and groom him.

Keep resident pets separated from your new puppy for a few days. After that time, let pets smell and touch each other through a slightly open door. Do this several times over the next few days. After that, give the resident pet access to the den area with your new puppy. Supervise their meeting and go back to through-the-door meetings if trouble arises.