Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting (and busy) time for you and your family; but it doesn’t have to be an exhausting process. With a little advanced planning, your puppy can get settled into his new home, and establish a routine that will have everyone at ease and comfortable! Here are some tips on what to do when you bring your new puppy home:

Before he arrives

• Your kids may be begging you for a puppy, but who is going to be the primary caregiver? Establish the rules on who will be responsible for walking him, feeding him and making sure he stays out of trouble (not an easy task when you have a rambunctious puppy!)
• Where will the puppy be allowed go? Will he be allowed on the couch? On the bed? Where will he be allowed to go? Make sure everyone is on board with these rules, or the puppy is sure to get confused.
• Stock up on supplies: Purchase quality puppy food, a crate, toys, leash, a pet bed and other supplies. It’s also wise to choose a vet beforehand, so you can make sure your pooch gets all of the necessary booster shots. You’ll also have to decide how you’re going to feed him; you can manually fill a bowl of food twice a day, or you can use an automatic pet feeder. This is a good option if your dog is going to eventually be left alone for a few of hours each day.  
• Puppy-proof your home: This is just as important as child-proofing. Get rid of anything that may harm your pup – sharp corners, medicines, plants, etc.

Bringing puppy home

• Try to keep things low-key for the first few days: This is especially important if the pup is shy or overwhelmed. If there are young children in the home, teach them it’s not a good idea to handle the pup too roughly or pick him up too much.
• Introduce the pup to his crate: If you’re going to be using one, he’ll need to get introduced to it right away. This is one of the best ways to house-train.
• Start training: House training and good manners are two of the most important things you need to teach. Get them used to humans and other animals. You can use treats to reward good behavior.
• Stick to a routine: Your dog will learn much faster if you stick to a routine that he can count on.

Your puppy’s first few weeks at home will be a big adjustment for everyone. If you have other animals in the house, introduce them slowly, and always under supervision.  Remember that during the house-training process, there will be many accidents, so be patient. Invest in odor and shampoo carpet cleaner. Never discipline your puppy for these accidents, as they need time to learn and adjust to their new surroundings. Having a dog in the house is a big responsibility, but you will be rewarded by having a friend for life!

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