Bringing your new puppy home is an important part of the life you will live together. This may be the first time the puppy has been away from his/her mother and siblings. An older dog, after spending time in a kennel may be intimidated moving into a new home. Before you bring your puppy home you need to prepare your home, your family and yourself for your new life. Before bringing your new pet home it is best to pet proof your home.
Outside
Inspect plants growing in your yard. Make sure none of them are toxic. If you are not sure take a sample to a nursery and have it analyzed. If it is toxic remove it or plant it in an area your dog will not have access to. You may even fence in a certain area containing your plants to protect them and to protect your pet. If you have a garden, fence it in. Puppies will dig up the soft earth and uproot your vegetable plants.Tomato vines are toxic and puppies might chew on them. Remove pest poisons and don’t fertilize or use weed killer prior to bringing your pet home. If you have a fenced in yard, make sure the puppy can not squeeze through slats. Make sure your puppy can not dig his way under your fence. Remove items from the yard that might pose a danger to your puppy.
Garage
Put chemicals and other harmful things on shelves or cabinets
Clean floor of car spills….especially antifreeze.
Inside your Home
Remove everything from the floor.
Place shoes in the closet
Put pillows, games and toys out of reach
IF HE CHEWS ON IT……..IT’S YOUR FAULT
Your puppy (until he/she is trained) should not have access to any of your belongings and never be allowed to have free run of your house.
Bedroom
Keep books, clothes and shoes off the floor.
Close closet doors firmly
Keep your bedroom door closed so the puppy does not wander in
Remove medications, vitamins, etc. from nightstand….Put them in a safe place
If you have children clear the floor of toys…..Teach your children and your puppy that the puppy should not play with the children’s toys. The puppy can play with his own toys. This is an important lesson and needs to be reinforced.
Bathroom
Keep medications in medicine cabinets
Keep shampoos, soaps and all toiletries out of the puppy’s reach
Put glass or plastic containers in a safe place….do not leave products on the bathtub rim
Make sure your wastepaper basket out of reach, or make sure it has a lid that the puppy can not get into.
Kitchen
Keep cleaning products in a safe place. Make sure cabinets are secured
Keep trash can out of reach…or make sure it can not be opened by the pup…..garbage can be toxic to a pet. Chicken bones, plastic bags and a host of other goodies can be fatal to your puppy.
Living Room
Put decorative pillows, candles, magazines etc., out of reach
Make sure stereo wires, computer cords are out of reach
Keep plants in a safe place-puppies will chew on them
If possible do puppy proofing and shopping for your pet a week in advance. You don’t want to have to rush out for products.
Schedule a vet visit a couple of days after your puppy comes home. This way he can settle in before being exposed to new things.
If possible take a few days off work. You will need to establish proper behaviors and house training. If you are getting your pet from a shelter and can not take time off try to visit the shelter on a Friday so you will have the weekend to spend with your dog. Puppies and adopted dogs are not instantly programmable. They require planning, time and patience.
Here is a shopping list for your new pet:
Urine Cleaner or water and vinegar mixture
Disinfectant
Appropriately sized bed
Appropriately sized crate
Food and water bowls
Food
Collar and leash
Grooming supplies
Child’s gate
Have a talk with Family Discuss the following:
Training
Chores and Responsibilities
Set up house rules (is dog allowed on furniture, where will he sleep, where will food and water bowls be kept)
If you have children teach the children how to behave around the puppy.
The first few nights expect your puppy to cry. They miss the comfort of their mother and siblings. Resist the temptation to “rescue” the puppy. Leave him alone. He will adjust. It is OK to let the pup sleep (in a crate) in your bedroom so you can monitor when he/she has to go out. If he has to relieve himself take him out (without a lot of fuss and talk). Allow him to go, put him right back into the crate.
Bringing the Pup Home To Existing Pets
Most dogs can learn to accept and enjoy other dogs. Some dogs get along better with the opposite sex, some get along with both sexes and some get along with same sex. Adult dogs generally tolerate puppies more than they tolerate adult dogs. Puppies normally do not pose a threat or challenge an older dogs authority allowing the older dog to set boundaries. Sometimes puppies ignore the older dogs wishes and must be reprimanded by the older dog. For this reason they should be supervised until they work out a peaceful resolution. If the older dog chases dogs away or isn’t used to other dogs you should introduce the older dog to your new puppy in a neutral location (a park). You will need someone to handle your older do while you handle the puppy. Allow the animals to see each other from a distance and gradually decrease the distance. Allow them to sniff and investigate. After this is over walk the dogs in a relaxed way, but keep a safe distance between them. If you don’t have help you can introduce the pets by putting the new pet behind a fence and allow them to investigate each other (sniff). If they seem friendly allow them to meet.
Do not neglect the older dog
Do not be overly affectionate to the new dog
Accept that the older dog will discipline the puppy (this is normal as long as the older dog does not show signs of aggression)
Do your research before you obtain a puppy or an adult dog. Know the breed temperament, activity level, trainability, and know what the dog is bred to do. Know what you are looking for. Buy a dog that will fit your lifestyle……Don’t buy a mastiff if you are looking for an avid running partner.
