Getting ready for your puppy’s arrival

Finally, the moment is here! Your puppy is coming home! You’re so excited, but remember that you need to be prepared. Like children, dogs are curious and like to explore everything around them, meaning that you will need to move some things around.

The first thing you need to decide is where are his things going to be: his bed, blanket, food and water. We recommend for you to have training pads around or newspapers for him to go to de bathroom and don’t leave things around that he might chew on.

If possible try to get an item (blanket, sweater) from his family so he doesn’t feel as lonely the first few days. Make sure the puppy is at least 8 weeks old, it’s not recommended to separate him from his family before that. If separated before 8 weeks it can cause him conduct problems in the future, like separation anxiety, fear or aggressiveness. The first weeks of his life are crucial for his development.

If you are going to pick him up, the best thing is to put him in a crate; this way you are giving him his own space and making him feel safe. When you get home leave the crate at the door, open it and let him go inside the house on his own. This will make him feel more comfortable because he is doing it on his own without being forced. It’s normal that at first he won’t want to get out of the crate; this happens because he is at a place that is strange to him. If this happens, try giving him a toy or treat to encourage him to come out. Don’t forget to be patient.

Once he is out show him where his bed is, if you have his family’s item put it in there. Also, show him where his food and water are, as well as the area where he should go to the bathroom. After, let him explore on his own, so he doesn’t feel overwhelmed, especially the first few days.

Who is going to take him out for a walk? When? At what time is he going to eat? These are questions you should answer before he arrives. Make sure you work together (with your partner or family members), follow a schedule and rules, it’s important for his education and development. If one person doesn’t let him get on the sofa and the other does, he won’t learn anything. It’s the same when it comes to food, if you’re at the table eating and one person ignores him, but another person gives him food he will be confused and won’t be able to learn what’s right and what’s wrong.

It’s normal for your puppy to cry and bark for hours during his first nights with you, he is looking for his herd. You must be patient and ignore him, don’t discipline him, just act like nothing is going on. It’s possible that you will have trouble sleeping, but it is the only way to teach him to be self-sufficient and for him to realize that everything is okay. If you try to comfort him or discipline him, you will make it harder on him.

Teaching him to go to the bathroom is all about the positive approach. When he goes to the bathroom where he is supposed to give him a treat and tell him ”well done!” This way he will start to understand that’s the correct place, they are smart animals. At first, when taking walks, it’s normal that he won’t go to the bathroom, but if you take long walks he will probably start going. Continue giving him treats so he understands that it’s okay for him to go outside, then slowly start removing the training pads inside the house. Another thing you can do is bring a training pad outside when you’re about to take a walk so he starts to understand where he is supposed to go to the bathroom.

He must learn to be alone, since you can’t be with him 24 hours a day, the sooner he learns the better. Teach him where he is allowed to be around the house and make sure he doesn’t follow you everywhere. When you leave the house, you can leave a treat in his bed so he starts to associate it with something good.

We know how hard it is not to go running to comfort a crying puppy, especially when he looks into our eyes, but remember that everything you do today will impact his future personality. Remember to be constant, patient and to give him a lot of love.