Puppy's First Days Home

 Puppy needs to be educated and praised,

not disciplined and punished.

Puppy's first days home will be a whirlwind of potty breaks, feedings, play time, more potty breaks, explorations and introductions. Introduce him to any children and other pets in the household. Take him to meet your veterinarian for a preliminary exam. Show the new puppy his home -- where he will eat, eliminate, sleep and live.  The first week should be introductions to the home. We want to make him as comfortable as we can. This isn't his natural environment, he has to get used to it.

To help puppy adapt to the new environment, People need to realize a puppy shouldn't have the run of the house. During play time, he can explore one or two rooms when you are with him.

As he explores, monitor his behavior and let him know how he's doing. Praise the puppy for exploring new areas. Tell him he's a good dog. This helps him to adapt and lets him know he's behaving appropriately.  There's also nothing wrong with saying 'no don't chew this, but here's a ball’.  Substitute good for bad. This is how to teach a dog to behave in his new home.

What type of behavior can be expected from a puppy those first days?  Many new dog owners either don't know or don't remember what is normal behavior for young puppies.  The problem often isn't with the dogs, it's with the owners' expectations.

What can you really expect? Assume that the puppy will do everything wrong. He will chew, cry, whine, dirty, maybe be shy or rambunctious, and that's normal.  Getting into trouble is a normal part of puppy hood.  Puppies this young can't be expected to be perfectly well-behaved without training from the owners.

Your puppy will be more secure and happy if he knows what is expected of him. To prevent the bad behavior that may come from not understanding his limits, training must be started as soon as the pup comes home. Teaching the puppy makes him aware of the boundaries that make him feel secure and safe as a pack animal.  All creatures need to understand the rules of the world in which they live.

Training methods for a young puppy should never be rigid or harsh, particularly during those first days when you are developing a lifetime bond. Never hit or yell at the pup. Remember that the puppy is a baby and as such needs special care and attention.  How would you want to be treated if you were new in someone's home? What would you like and dislike? This is how the pup would want to be treated.  Think of him like a child. He needs to be shown and praised, not disciplined and punished.

Teach the pup in a kind and patient manner, and gently establish yourself as his leader. Give the puppy mental stimulation. Name everything you're doing. This educates him, makes his brain grow and helps him to concentrate and listen to you.
Use a game to teach the puppy.  Walk through the house calling the pup in a sweet and encouraging way. The puppy will turn and follow you. This says, 'I'm the leader and you're the follower.'  It sets the tone for the relationship and gives the dog structure without doing anything that appears to be training. This lays the ground work for future training and starts the bonding process.

Make the puppy feel welcome and loved when he first comes into your home.   The most important advice to the owner is to bond with their new family member. This relationship is about love. Sit down with him and stroke him, talk to him, you will bond with the puppy playing with and feeding him, praising him when he goes outside, grooming him. It all should be done as a welcome to his new home.

Puppy's early weeks in your home will be a busy, tiring, exhilarating time. It's important to keep in mind that the events of this period will set patterns for the years ahead. Remember in the midst of all the excitement that this is a living being that's going to share your life for 15 years or more.  If you start that first day trying to make it as positive as possible, you and your puppy are more likely to have a lifetime of good relationship.

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