What Do You Need to Know Before Bringing a New Puppy Home?

If you have decided to get a new puppy, that’s great news! Pets are a lot of fun to play with and can be exceptional cuddling partners. In short, they are lovely companions and even incredible sources of comfort when we are depressed or anxious. But in addition to the benefits of having a new puppy, you must also be ready to care for them as the first few months in your home would be vital for their development. 

Even though your heart may be ready to smother a dog in love, it’s crucial to consider whether you have the time, space, and resources to welcome a new family member. After all, caring for an animal requires a significant commitment before you and your family accept a rescued dog into your home.

Are You Financially Ready to Own a Dog?

Even though it is sometimes the last thing we want to think about, this should be the first topic you go over before adopting a dog. Owning a puppy can be an expensive investment. That is an investment in your well-being. How much money should you set aside for this new investment?

Budget for the following items: initial purchases, recurring costs, obedience training, veterinary visits, pet insurance, and emergency scenarios.

Dog Training

Having a puppy that has undergone proper training is essential to ensure that your dog matures into a well-behaved adult. You should begin housebreaking and teaching your new puppy boundaries as soon as you bring them home.

Teach them to sit, stay, heel, down, and leave it as their first five basic instructions. Your puppy needs to learn these commands in addition to a consistent potty training schedule.

If you are having trouble training your puppy, sign them up for an obedience class or get help from a dog trainer. Puppy training classes in groups are fantastic for promoting socialization. Although consistency is crucial, only spend 20 minutes a day working with puppies on training because they require long attention spans.

Health and Wellness

The health of your new puppy is a crucial additional factor to consider. Throughout their lifetime, your furry family member will need several vaccinations in addition to routine dental cleanings, spay/neuter procedures, and wellness exams.

In addition to purchasing pet insurance for your puppy, many veterinary offices offer puppy plans. Many puppy plans include free or heavily discounted vet visits, vaccinations, spay/neuter, a microchip, and these services. A novice dog owner may find this option to be very alluring. This will give you peace of mind and save money on the initial costs of taking your dog to the veterinarian.

Because puppies use their mouths to explore the world, it is best to be ready for anything, and if/when your puppy gets into something, it shouldn’t. Accidents can still happen even if you think your home is fully puppy-proof!

What You Should Buy for Your New Pal

A few things you should have at home and a few things you should buy for your puppy before he gets here should be done before you even get in the car to pick up your new best friend. If you purchase these beforehand, you’ll be ready for those first few days with your new dog.

Dog Crate

Buy a crate that will fit them! Great Dane kennels are not necessary for small puppies, and Great Dane puppies will only get bigger. If there is too much room, your puppy may think there is enough room in the kennel for him to go potty and cause a mess. Lack of space will make him uneasy while sleeping or being kenneled.

Puppy’s Toys

Puppies learn through play, so giving him fun, safe toys is a great way to keep his mind engaged and develop a closer bond with him. Choose a few toys you believe will benefit a puppy early on and purchase them before your puppy arrives at your home. He’ll then be able to choose from various fun things to play with in his new house!

Age Appropriate Puppy Food

Contact the shelter or breeder to learn what the puppies have been eating. Then get the same bag and have it at home as soon as possible. Nothing welcomes your dog to his new home like a satisfying lunch and playtime! By keeping his food on hand, you’ll spare yourself the stress of running to the store the first few days he’s home to get the brand he needs.

If you introduce puppies to food sources too quickly when bringing them home, they might have severe intestinal issues. Select a brand of puppy-specific food that is highly recommended by your veterinarian, and ease your pups into it by introducing a little bit at a time.

Name Tag, Collar, and Leash

Likely, your new puppy will already be sporting a collar when he gets to your home. Nevertheless, get one that can be widened so they can use it as they age and expand! Select a collar and a leash that you like that is easy for you to use before bringing your puppy home.

A name tag with your puppy’s name and phone number engraved on it is a great way to keep your puppy safe, even if you hope he won’t ever run away. When you pick him up, bring this name tag with you so it can be fastened to the collar, and you’ll know he can be identified.

Things Here and There

A few more things should be added to your shopping list so you’ll be prepared when your puppy arrives! Purchase puppy pads to cover those inevitable spills, and spot begone spray to help get rid of unpleasant odors. Get excellent, age-appropriate training rewards and a dish for food and water. Get a cheap, easy-to-install baby gate if you have stairs or other places you don’t want the puppy to be when you are home with him.

Your Puppy’s Big Day!

Before your puppy gets home, you need to know what to bring and how to introduce yourself to this puppy before you pick up your new pet. First impressions are definitely important.

Let Your Puppy Learn Your Scent and Bond with You

Allow your puppy to sniff you as much as possible when you pick him up to take him home! This enables him to get used to your scent completely. If it’s acceptable, you should give your puppy a head start by bringing an old t-shirt that smells like you to the breeder or shelter where they’re being raised so they can get used to your scent much faster.

Once you’re in the car, allow them to sit on your lap. If not, keep them in a kennel while you travel and cover them with a blanket or an old t-shirt that has your scent on it so they can get used to it. Talk to them while driving so they become accustomed to your voice and smell, and feel more secure.

Get Started on Potty Training

As a new pet owner, house-training your dog will be one of the most challenging tasks. When you get home, take them to the designated outside the bathroom and start the conversation there. It’s a great way to get things going and force them to use the restroom as soon as they get out of the vehicle to ride in it for a while, no matter how brief.

It would be best if you guided them to the spot you want them to use as a bathroom regularly. Be patient, and if your child goes to the bathroom outside, encourage them and help them start to internalize the concept by rewarding them with a treat. They’ll be eager to relieve themselves outside as soon as they realize what’s happening.

Pet Proofing Your Home

Consider it from the perspective of having a crawling baby or toddler over to your house if you’ve never heard of this idea before. They want to try new things and learn new things. A puppy is the same way!

Although it might seem complicated, and everything in your home appears to be in order, there are a few things you might need to include. It’s important to take some precautions before bringing a puppy home to eliminate any potentially dangerous objects and circumstances for your peace of mind and the puppy’s safety. The utmost priorities for home preparation are as follows:

Cables and Electronics

New puppy owners frequently experience the issue of their pets chewing on electronics and electrical cables. These things draw puppies because they are accessible and low to the ground. This is the ideal item to chew on to calm your puppy’s teething gums. Ingesting pieces of cables, however, can result in intestine blockage and electrical burns in your puppy’s mouth. To start, make sure all cables and equipment, including TV remote controls and other electronics, are out of your puppy’s reach by removing them, covering them up, or any other means you can think of.

Trash Cans

Food attracts a puppy’s curiosity. A trash can full of leftovers and other fragrant objects will be a favorite target! A puppy’s stomach is delicate, and most human foods are overly processed and seasoned, which can cause severe stomach issues. The best recommendation in this situation is to keep your puppy away from the trash and recycling bins. And remember the garbage cans in the bathrooms! Puppies love snatching up soft, papery objects, like tissue, by reaching inside. Close the bathroom door and check that your trash cans have lids.

Until your puppy is older and trained, you can trust them not to scavenge through the bins. If you plan to keep your puppy in the kitchen, move the bins to a different room or outside. Child-proof lids and cabinet safety locks are great alternatives for those who can’t move their bins.

Cleaning Supplies and Medicines

Depending on where you intend to keep your puppy in your home for the first few weeks, it’s typically a good idea to store things like household cleaners, laundry detergent, and even medications out of reach or locked to prevent your puppy from unintentionally getting into them. Nobody wants their puppy to ingest something that, in the worst case, necessitates a trip to the vet right away. Research specific household items to see if they are pet-safe before bringing your new puppy home!

Create a Special Space for Your Puppy

You should give your puppy a designated space they can identify as their own. Set up a playpen with a space for them to run around and their crate inside. Their primary resting and playing area will be here. Even feeding your child and, if necessary, setting up potty pads can be done with it. It’s never too early to start puppy training, so setting up a space like this creates boundaries that are essential for your puppy’s safety and the start of their training.

Socialization is Vital to Their Development

It can be challenging to settle down after the excitement of getting a new puppy and decide what to do with him once you bring him home. Meet him alone in the area where he’ll be living rather than letting everyone swarm him and possibly overwhelming his senses.

Behavioral Treats

Dogs pick things up quickly. Promote good behavior by rewarding children for following directions with tasty treats when they are young using positive reinforcement. Make sure to redirect any biting, nipping, or gnawing to toys or treats they can chew and nibble instead of your puppy-proof area. If you use positive reinforcement, your dog will have a fantastic first night in his new house.

Sleeping with Your Puppy

Similar to bringing home a new baby, the first night with a new puppy can be challenging. By doing a few things before and after you bring your puppy home, you can get ready for the best night for both you and your pet.

Organizing Your New Puppy’s Room

Puppies like to have a private space to unwind and get a good night’s sleep, just like people do. His sleeping quarters are his kennel. So, it needs to be ready before he gets there. Give him a tour of his kennel, secure toys, an old t-shirt, and a bed when you get home. Allowing him to explore and leaving him inside for a brief period will help him understand that this is his secure space. You could cover the kennel with a blanket to make it darker and more secure, though it might take some trial and error to determine whether this would be better or worse.

Practice Going to the Bathroom Before Bedtime

Go outside and try to use the restroom one last time before you put your dog to bed. Be patient and give the command you’ve selected! Puppies may need to walk a few laps around the yard or outdoor space you’ve designated as their potty area because they are still learning and exploring it.

Create a Routine with Your New Puppy and Be Consistent

After allowing the puppy to use the restroom outside one last time, establish your bedtime routine. Give them time to kennel or crate themselves after instructing them. This is a great opportunity to put those rules into action and to reward them with a small treat in exchange for remembering the way. It’s great to say goodnight and turn out the lights immediately.

Puppies should have no trouble sleeping through the night by the time they are 10 to 12 weeks old because they typically sleep 15-20 hours daily. Once they have established a routine and become accustomed to their new surroundings, they can sleep through the night easily.

Crying Himself to Sleep

When your best friend in the world turns out the light and leaves you alone as a puppy, that is the worst thing you can imagine. There’s a decent chance you’ll cry a little. Puppies go through that. If possible, resist the urge to give in to this sobbing. Reassure them that they can fall asleep again by giving them time to sob and calm down.

Refrain from allowing the puppy to spend the first night in your bed. However much time, patience, and effort you put into crate training, the result will be an excellent place your puppy can call their own. If they feel threatened or need a quiet place to unwind, they can always retreat to this kennel and crate. When you allow them to sleep in bed because class starts early, they miss out on their first night in their new room.

Midnight Bathroom Breaks

Puppy bladders are even more diminutive than puppies themselves. Your puppy will probably wake you up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break the first few nights it stays at your house. Pay close attention to his cries and act without delay. Bring him outside to use the restroom, and be patient. The most challenging time to remain composed and not lose hope is now. The puppy will probably saunter and make one, two, or five laps around your yard, which can be challenging at midnight. Allow him to take one, two, or five laps and use the restroom as necessary. This will further emphasize the necessity of using the restroom outside, regardless of the time.

The puppy will appreciate being lavished with praise and having time to run outside after using the restroom. The idea that spending time outside is advantageous to you and him can be reinforced by encouraging him to play this game. It won’t just be a job because he will have time to play outside once his chores are done.

Introducing Your Puppy to Their New Home

The main goal of bringing a new puppy home is to adjust. Your puppy is adjusting to his new environment, and you are adjusting to his routines, peculiarities, and personality! Nevertheless, this procedure takes time, so don’t anticipate a perfect puppy immediately. If you keep your consistency with training and positive reinforcement, you’ll have your puppy on a schedule in no time!

Crate Training

Their box is both a haven and a haven for them in your house. However, teaching them how to use the box properly can take time and effort.

When instructed, assist your dog in entering the crate to get started. Give them a small gift and shower them with praise when they respond. Once they’re inside, close the door and go away for a little while. When you return, wait until they are quiet before opening the door. Encourage them to stay seated inside the kennel until you order their release.

Like babies, puppies also need to nap. It’s a great chance for them to spend some time alone in their crate while you take a break from keeping an eye on them. When you lock them in, they’ll probably scream and fuss, but give them time to adjust and calm down.

Food Training

You must stop your dog from developing a tendency to become possessive of its food. Initial feedings of your puppy should be done by hand. They will learn to be considerate of others and maintain their composure when someone enters the area where they eat.

Make sure they eat the recommended quantity of food each day. Despite how challenging it may be to resist those puppy-dog looks, keep extra food and snacks out of sight and away from curious teeth!

Your puppy’s stomach won’t tolerate your love of steak and Brussels sprouts or hamburgers and fries. Dog owners shouldn’t feed their dogs human food because it could easily upset their digestive system. Use the right-sized snacks that are suitable for puppies to reward your dog.

Finally, make sure to feed your dog on a regular schedule. This will also help because you will control their food intake and where and when they will use the restroom.

Potty Training

Herein lies the difficulty. While some puppies take weeks to catch on, others can take months to fully housebreak. It takes time to potty train your dog. Your new pet can be successfully housebroken with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

First, release your puppy as soon as he leaves his kennel and just before he turns in for the night. It would also be best if you tried to keep him confined to the house’s puppy-proof area to keep him from scouting out new areas and marking his territory with messes.

After each thrilling play session, take him outside so he can use the restroom. Due to their frequent lack of bladder control, puppies frequently forget to go to the bathroom until it is too late while playing. Taking them outside will reinforce the idea that they must use the restroom outside after all the fun.

Finally, after meals, take them outside for about 30 minutes so they can use the restroom. If you wait any longer, your home might fill with piles when you don’t want them to because they need this much time to digest.

After a successful trip to the outside bathroom, use positive reinforcement to give your dog a treat. Aside from tasty treats and lots of head pats for a job well done, give them lots of praise.