What to expect when bringing home your puppy
Firstly, congratulations on your new best buddy!
Puppies are adorable and fun, but they're also a long-term commitment. As your puppy grows, you'll form a deep bond, and we're here to help you make the most of this exciting journey.
At puppy preschool, we teach positive learning techniques that you'll use for life. In our first class, we cover basic training and dive deeper into what you need to know for those crucial first few weeks. We'll work through common challenges like toilet training, bite inhibition, and how to desensitize your puppy to intimidating stimuli. But before class, here are some essential tips to get you started.
1. Building a Bond from Day One
Your puppy has just been separated from its litter and everything it's known, so building a bond immediately helps them settle into their new environment. Here’s how you can start:
Food: Ask the breeder what food your puppy has been eating and have it ready. Even if you plan to switch to a different food, make sure to transition gradually to avoid upsetting their developing digestive system.
Familiarity: If you met your puppy beforehand, leave a toy or blanket with the breeder so it smells familiar when you bring them home. If not, introduce a special toy right away.
Engagement: Begin playing tug or fetch with their toy and offer food from your hand to strengthen your bond.
2. Setting Boundaries and Creating a Routine
Start as you mean to continue by setting firm boundaries and routines from the get-go. This helps your puppy adapt and sets them up for success.
Manage their environment: Close off parts of your home to avoid overwhelming your puppy. Keep them within your sight to prevent accidents. Baby gates or a longline (a leash tied to their collar) are great tools for this.
Crate Training: Crate training helps with toilet training because puppies naturally won’t soil where they sleep. Set up the crate in a positive way by feeding them inside it and adding toys or a blanket. Gradually introduce them to the crate for short periods, increasing the time as they get comfortable.
3. Toilet Training Basics
Toilet training requires consistency and patience. Here's how to structure your routine:
Timing is key: Puppies need to go to the toilet after waking up, eating, and playing. Take them outside immediately during these moments and reward them with praise or treats after they go.
Set a schedule: At first, you’ll need to take them outside every 1-2 hours. As your puppy learns, you can gradually extend the time between breaks.
Nighttime routines: Puppies’ bladder control improves over time. For the first few weeks, expect to get up every few hours, but soon they’ll hold it longer—often 3-6 hours overnight.
4. Introducing the Collar and Lead
Pop a collar on your puppy right away to get them used to it. Collars are essential for safety and can prevent escape attempts. Make sure to add a name tag with your phone number—this simple step can save your puppy if they wander off!
5. Training Preparation
Before attending training classes:
Don’t feed your puppy right before class: A hungry puppy will be more motivated to work for treats.
Bring the basics: Make sure to bring their lead and some of their current kibble for rewards.
We can't wait to see you and your puppy in class! Together, we'll help you build a lifelong bond with your new best friend. Please reach out if you have any questions before we start.