This is a big scary change for a critter whos only been alive for a few weeks. Give the puppy an opportunity to pee or poop in your designated potty spot. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. He advocates for the use of force-free, ethical, science-based training techniques. Their first walk is an important event for them, and one youll want them to enjoy so they feel confident about future walks. Step three: Once Bella is happily going in and out of the crate, you can start closing the door behind her. Who will feed/walk/train/take the pup on her 3am potty break? Any sudden dietary changes can stress them or cause digestive upset. Ideally, youd do this before the pup comes home, but you can still do it after. Courses, virtual coaching, and other resources to help you navigate the challenge & adventure of life with your dogs. Given youll want to start potty training on day one, reading up on some tips and tricks can help set you both up for success. The more new, positive situations a puppy encounters during the critical age of 4-16 weeks, the better behaved hell be as an adult. Lots of em. Things to talk about include: By discussing it with the whole family, things will go much more smoothly since everyone is familiar with the rules. Allowing your puppy to meet children of all ages will help him develop into a well-rounded dog who loves people of all ages and sizes. Be sure to check with your veterinarian for appropriate feeding amounts, as the feeding instructions on many dog food labels can be misleading. You need an enzymatic cleaner like Natures Miracle. If you think theyre lonely or scared, speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice but dont touch or play with them. And now the day has arrived: you finally have a puppy of your very own. You can swap the food bowl for a puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or slow feeder to boost their cognitive skillssmell, sight, hearing, and more! Make it comfortable: add some old towels or blankets. This will reduce to around 12 to 14 hours as they enter adulthood. If your puppy is chewing any of those items, remove them until your puppy is older. To teach your pup to play, get two toys. When youre ready to change their food, its important you do it carefully and slowly to avoid causing a stomach upset. Socialization means so much more than what we typically think it does and has an immense impact on future behaviors. You may also want to introduce your new puppy to family and friends. Make sure the collar fits well and cant slip over their head. Thats okay. Heres a step-by-step plan for what to do in your first week of puppy parenthood. Get a variety of types so you can figure out what kind your puppy favors. Throw or roll one, and when Bella grabs it, wave the second toy around so that shell come running back. Our New Puppy Checklist can tell you everything your puppy will need to get settled. This is the basic stuff to get in order before you do anything else. Consistency is the name of the game. It can also monitor important health metrics, like calories burned, and alert you if your pup strays from any areas youve deemed safe. Potty training is important as mentioned above, but you also want to begin teaching him some basic commands like sit, down, and stay.. Try to make it positive; feed her treats, maybe play with a toy in the exam room. Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, and its important to make sure youre prepared. They require effort. At least a couple Kong-style ones that you can stuff with goodies to keep the pup busy. Toss really good treats inside. Socialization is all about introducing your pup to new people, animals, places, and things, and making it a good experience. Help maintain the health of dogs with diagnosed health problems. If you don't, you'll need to take your puppy outside to their regular spot at bedtime. Aside from puppy training games like Pass the Puppy and Hide-and-Seek, here are some ideas: Fetch a classic, of course. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, you may want to start thinking about names in advance as well. He may bark and whine, but as you practice and build up the amount of time hes alone, hell learn that youll come back. Enroll in puppy preschool? Puppies are curious, so encourage yours to explore his new home. It is important to keep in mind that your puppy will be going through an emotional rollercoaster in that first week. Decide where the puppy will sleep. I know all your friends and relatives and neighbors will want to meet the puppy. After youve crossed the must-have supplies off your new puppy checklist and finished puppy proofing your house, youll need to know what to expect the first night with your new puppy! They like to chew. You can build it up to 15 to 20 minutes over the coming days and weeks. But remember, this is a huge upheaval in your puppys life and can be a very stressful day. They hijack your plans. This is your chance to begin to develop that human-animal bond that will help your puppy recognize his new nuclear family! When she gets to you, gently take the first toy, and throw the second one. The feeding and potty schedule should revolve around nap times in the crate. Potty training can begin immediately when you bring your puppy home. This teaches beginner come-when-called skills. Thats awesome, but dont rush it. With a little preparation, patience, and persistence, youll set your puppy up for success that will last well into the future. Be patient and consistent and follow these tips. All Rights Reserved 2022. The puppy will have left his home, his littermates, his parentshis entire worldto now be introduced to a whole new home and family. Tasks such as feeding, potty trips, training, and grooming provide good opportunities for this. Youll have a better shot at getting some sleep, since Bella is less likely to howl and carry on if she can see you. If youre unsure where to start, puppy training classes or online video courses, such as those offered by PupCamp, are a good option to consider. Should I walk her? Many puppies enter our lives at the age of 8 weeks, when their cuteness levels are off the charts. Keeping your puppy safe and limiting access to dangerous items should be a top objective for preparing for that first week. Socialization and training are essential in helping your puppy become a well-mannered dog. Remember to practice what you learn at classes each day too. Puppies tire very easily and need lots of sleep for their healthy development and well-being, so its important to give them plenty of opportunities to rest. Take them twice a day but limit each walk to 15 minutes initially. Puppies lack the physical control to hold it for very long. During your puppys first week with you, introduce them to sounds such as a hairdryer, doorbell, music, and vacuuming. If he tries to chew on shoes or furniture, redirect him by giving him a toy instead. If the pup can still smell the mess on the carpet, shes likely to eliminate in the same spot again. Decide on words for cues. Its how they relax. Okay, first of all, breathe. Puppies that aren't introduced to different sights, sounds, smells, textures, people, and pets can sometimes struggle with a range of behavioral and emotional problems as they grow. Rotate through them so Bella doesnt get bored. Place it right next to the bed so you can reach over and reassure her as needed. It took my shy, very serious puppy Jonas several days before hed play with me. Choose a designated room or spot in the home for your puppy. This preparation work will help make your puppys transition to his new life a lot easier and a lot more fun! Its also never too early to start obedience training. Once youve survived the first night with your new puppy, here are some helpful steps you can take during the first week and beyond! Click here to learn more about crates. in a way that takes the pressure off both you and your pup. To help them feel happy and at home with you, follow these key tips. Click here for a more comprehensive guide to the supplies youll need. Doing that prep work will make your first week together a fun one. If you do catch him in the act, give him a firm No, and redirect him with a toy or game. He is a professional certified dog trainer and has successfully trained and rehabilitated thousands of dogs and puppies. Your pup will start to get into a good vet visit habit and be easier to handle at the vets office when shes older and larger. Physical exercise is a vital part of your puppys daily routine to help them stay in good health. At first, it's best for your puppy to sleep in a crate near where you sleep. These puppy training games give you a no-pressure way to teach good manners and help her bond with the family. Stick your fingers through the crate bars to reassure her briefly. It can be exciting, and as you quickly discover, really overwhelming. What if I mess up? If you're well prepared, it'll be a positive trip for your puppy. Then you can focus on establishing routines that will help them feel secure and understand what's expected of them. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. You dont have to let her sleep in your room forever just until shes comfortable in your home. Whichever room you choose, remove dcor, clutter, and any other loose objects that might be within reach. As with human babies, some puppies settle easily from the first night and others will give you sleepless nights as they adjust. Puppies need mental stimulation to exercise their brains and feel happy! Gradually shorten the leash and encourage your puppy to follow you. Ask your vet for advice on the best type of collar and leash for your puppy. David Shade is a United States Army combat veteran and recipient of The Purple Heart. Previous Article: Should You Get a Puppy? If the puppy goes to the bathroom inside, it means that the human made a mistake, and you should get the puppy outside as soon as you can after that happens. A lot. Close supervision to prevent accidents. Let Bella catch her breath, explore her new home, and start learning some good habits first. Puppies love to play, but they have very short attention spans. But with so many different products to choose from, shopping for puppy supplies can be a daunting task. The action that you take in the first week is critical for your furry companion (and your sanity)! Most other types of cleaners dont do a good enough job of eliminating the scent. Creating a new puppy checklist can help narrow your focus. Young puppies will also need to be taken out around every three hours during the night. Though its not something any new pet parent likes to contemplate, over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States every year, according to American Humane. Any time you want to offer Bella something really awesome, like her dinner, a walk, or ear scratches, call her name first. For your puppys first walk outdoors, choose a quiet area where theyre not likely to be scared by loud noises or busy footpaths. ), Training Your Dog to Reliably Come When Called Is Hard. Existing pets should be kept in other rooms at this time to reduce your puppys stress levels. Most dog parents look forward to having a cuddly companion they can spend quality time with. If you received a blanket with the smell of home from her breeder, put that inside. Chew toys. If you are unsure about their health status, taking your puppy to the vet for a check-up a few days after you bring them home is really important. Learn more about Tractive GPS subscription plans and which one works best for your puppy. When she goes in the right place, praise and offer a few treats. Shell learn to love her name pretty quick. Plan what your routine will be for feeding, potty trips, exercise, and grooming, then you can get started on day one. If one person says down when they mean to get off the furniture and someone else says off, your pup is going to start her life with you very confused. You are not going to get much sleep. David is the founder and CEO of PupCamp and At Attention Dog Training. If they manage to go, reward them with a positive tone in your voice. The trick is to get chew toys that are more appealing than your shoes or expensive replica sonic screwdriver. Your puppy will be on a current food brand from the shelter or breeder. If Bella freaks out when she gets locked in the crate, you can use a dog bed, and a leash to tether her to a sturdy piece of furniture. Start by showing him his potty spot, wherever that may be, and use the same phrase like go potty to connect what he should do with what youre asking of him. Here are some things to bear in mind to help your puppy settle into their new home. Too much fuss when they whine may lead to attention-seeking behavior, however ignoring your puppy could cause anxiety and frustration. Rather than pulling on the leash, bend down each time you change direction and encourage them to join you. So you have to provide plenty of appropriate outlets for this natural doggy behavior. Keep a stash of about ten toys. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for socialization. This means that anything is fair game to go into a puppys mouth: mulch, rocks, trash, shoes, remote controls, you name it. To survive your puppys first nights with your sanity intact, there are two things you must understand: 1. The innovative, super-light device clips onto your pups collar to provide real-time tracking info you can monitor on your computer or smartphone. If your puppy is completely new to crate training, start by tossing a few treats inside to lure him inside. Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST. Need help? Get your puppy to stop biting and being a hyper obnoxious sharknado (without having to do a single frustrating no bite training exercise! A retractable leash is useful at first so the collar doesnt constantly pull on your puppys neck. Your puppy may be feeling stressed by the new sights, sounds, and smells, and the separation from their mother. Although you must be gentle with your puppy, it's important you're consistent from the outset so they understand house rules such as no climbing on the sofa. Make sure you supervise your puppy at all times as they're getting used to your home and yard. If you think your puppy is more fearful than normal, or barks at strangers, check out this article:How Our Online Puppy Training Courses Can Help With Your Scared or Reactive Puppy. Once theyve been vaccinated, they can go on walks. Sleep is essential to healthy growth, contributing to the necessary development of his brain, immune system, central nervous system, and more. First of all, you will need a crate. Keep some treats in your pockets. Make sure that the crate is the appropriate size; it should be small enough that the puppy can stand up and turn around. Overexercise and excessive repetitive motion can cause joint and ligament damage that affects their future health. Your goal is to help your puppy to grow up into a confident and friendly adult dog. There is so much that goes into raising a puppy, even in just that first week! What You Need to Know. Toy-on-a-string great for puppies who need to be encouraged to chase a toy. The first rule of adopting a pet: take them to the vet ASAP. Its a big day for your puppy when they leave their mother and litter or original surroundings. Hold several 5-15 minute play sessions throughout the day. Before bringing home a new puppy, you will need to stock up on new puppy essentials. Take your puppy to the same spot outside first thing in the morning, after each meal and nap and before bedtime, and use the same simple command. Taking him out right after mealtime and before and after naptime can help reduce the chance of accidents in the house. Keep the sound low initially so as to not to scare them, then gradually increase the sound as your puppy becomes more comfortable. Choose a variety of toysplush stuffed toys, toys with squeakers, toys of different materials and fabrics, puppy-level teething chews made of non-toxic material, tug toys, rubber balls, and more. When to Switch From Kitten Food To Cat Food? If its too large, the puppy can urinate on one side of the crate and sleep on the other. Youll spend time getting to know each other and your new puppy will explore his new space, learn where he should go potty and more. Shell probably whine for a while. At first, put it somewhere near where you sleep. Its free. Membership includes: Direct access to dog trainers Jake and Erin through our forums and twice-monthly group coaching sessions on Zoom, plus more than 15 online courses. We started 3 Lost Dogs to provide simple, non-judgy dog training information, and weve been helping dog owners feel less lost since 2009. You dont have to worry too much about formal obedience training in the first week. Puppies have this charming tendency to destroy everything in their path. After the puppy settles in, its time to venture out into the world and start socialization training. You will want to take your puppy to see your veterinarian within the first week for an overall checkup. You will want to begin training your puppy right away, and using food rewards to reinforce good behaviors is a vital component to helping your puppy thrive in that critical socialization period. If your puppy whines and you think they may need to go outside, put their leash on and take them out to their area.