Your First Day at Home With a New Puppy: Tips for Day One

1 December 2023

The day you bring your new puppy home is the day you’ve been waiting for. It’s your first day as long-term companions, and you want to begin bonding with your pup immediately. Start off right by staying home, so you can make your puppy feel secure and enjoy every minute of this experience.

Here are some tips to make sure the first day is the best it can be for your puppy, for you, and for your family.

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Introducing your Puppy to a New Home

Limit your puppy’s access. Too many new places, smells, and people at once may confuse them. Instead, let them explore a designated area where you are, too. Then introduce them to the rest of the house, one room at a time.
Choose a potty spot. Start by taking them to the outside area where you want them to eliminate. When they relieve themselves, use a command that you’ll stick to, like “go potty,” and reward them with a special treat and praise.
Introduce the puppy to their new family. If possible, do this one person at a time. Give your dog a chance to meet each of you quietly. Supervise young children. Discourage them from picking up the puppy. Let them hold them in their laps with your help.
Minimize stress and excitement. Don’t invite friends and neighbors over to meet the dog yet. That will be important very soon, but should not start on the first day.
Introduce other family pets. Puppies are still developing their communication skills and don’t understand the rules set in place by adult dogs. As long as an adult dog’s behavior is appropriate when correcting a puppy, it’s okay if they growl a little. If the elder dog becomes agitated, separate or redirect the puppy.
Don’t interact with dogs outside your home. Because your puppy probably hasn’t gotten all of their shots, they shouldn’t interact with strange dogs or even walk where other dogs do.
Start enforcing rules. The puppy needs to learn the house rules from the very beginning. Praise good behavior. Set your rules ahead of time and stick to them. For example, where do you want the puppy to sleep? Is the puppy allowed on the furniture? Can the puppy have food scraps from the table?
Make a veterinary appointment. Your vet should give your puppy a checkup in the next few days.

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Start a Routine and Stick to It

Structure will help your new canine family member feel secure and understand what’s expected of them. Routine makes it easier for everyone, humans included. Create a schedule and stick to it. Keep in mind:

Mealtime: Young puppies eat three times a day. Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule. What goes in on a regular schedule will come out on a regular schedule.
Potty breaks: Every time your puppy eats, drinks, wakes up, plays, sniffs around the room, provide them with a potty break. Most young puppies have to eliminate at least every 45 minutes when awake. Pick the puppy up and carry them to the designated potty area. Never punish them for housetraining “mistakes.” When they eliminate outside, reward them immediately.
Playtime: Your puppy needs exercise and interaction with you. A word of caution—sustained, strenuous exercise (like long runs or jumping) is not good for puppies. But playing with toys and with you, mental stimulation with puzzles, and running in the yard are great activities. A tired puppy is a good puppy.
Dreamland: Young puppies sleep a lot. In fact, some will sleep 16 to 18 hours a day. Plan on several nap times during the day. You may need to put a crate in a quiet part of the house so they won’t be disturbed. At night, set a puppy bedtime and help them get used to the routine.

Surviving the First Night

Some puppies sleep through the night right from the start. Others may cry for a few nights. And some may not be able to hold their pee and will need a middle of the night trip outside, but this usually ends by age 4-5 months.

For many puppies, evening is the “witching hour.” If you anticipate it by initiating play, your dog may use up some energy and settle down. An evening stroll gives them exercise and a chance to take a potty break. Be sure they go to the bathroom right before bed.
Put their crate in your bedroom. Your pup will feel more secure if they have you nearby. Bring home a blanket or stuffed toy that smells like your pup’s mother, and keep that in their crate.
A set bedtime makes adjustment and house training easier for everyone. It doesn’t matter if it’s 8 p.m. or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine. Take your pet to their crate and help them settle down for the night – giving them a small treat when they go in willingly.
If your puppy is not yet able to make it through the night, when they whine, quietly carry them out for a quick, boring potty break. Then put them back in the crate.
If the pup cries, do not put them in your bed unless that is where you want them to sleep. You can put the crate right next to your bed and put your hand inside to reassure them that you’re there. A crate is like a den, a place where a puppy won’t eliminate.

Building Strong Bonds

With lots of affectionate contact with the family, consistent rules and routine, and rewards for good behavior, your puppy will quickly learn their place in this new “pack.” Most importantly, you will establish a bond that will endure throughout their life.

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The Power of Calm

by Trish Harrison • 16 January 2025

The Power of Calm: How Your Energy Affects Your Puppy’s Confidence Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience. Their boundless energy, adorable curiosity, and sweet snuggles are hard to resist. But puppies are also highly sensitive creatures who pick up on our emotions and behaviour more than we realise. Staying calm and balanced around your puppy is one of the most powerful tools for raising a well-adjusted, confident dog. In contrast, being overly anxious or protective can inadvertently create stress and anxiety in your puppy. Let’s explore why your energy matters and how to foster a peaceful, positive environment for your pup. The Emotional Connection Between Humans and Puppies Dogs are incredibly perceptive when it comes to human emotions. Puppies are like sponges, soaking up the energy around them. If you are calm, composed, and consistent, your puppy will sense this stability and feel secure. However, if you are tense, nervous, or overreactive, your puppy may mirror these emotions, leading to anxiety and fear-based behaviours. For example, if you react with panic when your puppy stumbles or encounters a new situation, they may learn that unfamiliar experiences are dangerous. Conversely, if you stay calm and reassuring, your puppy will be more likely to approach the world with curiosity and confidence. How Overprotectiveness Can Backfire It’s natural to want to shield your puppy from harm, but being too protective can unintentionally teach them to be fearful. Common signs of overprotective behaviour include: • Hovering over your puppy during social interactions to prevent potential rough play. • Rushing to “rescue” your puppy from minor falls or harmless situations. • Constantly controlling their environment to avoid every possible risk. While some caution is necessary, puppies need to explore and experience mild discomfort to build resilience. If you intervene too quickly, your puppy may become dependent on you for security, which can hinder their ability to develop confidence and independence. Why Calm Energy is Essential for Training Training a puppy requires patience, consistency, and a calm demeanor. When you remain relaxed and use positive reinforcement, your puppy is more likely to engage and learn effectively. On the other hand, frustration or shouting can confuse and frighten your puppy, making training sessions stressful and less productive. Some key benefits of staying calm during training include: • Clear communication: Calm energy helps you give clear, consistent commands. • Better focus: A calm atmosphere allows your puppy to concentrate on learning. • Stronger trust: Your puppy will feel safe and confident in your leadership. Tips for Managing Your Energy Around Puppies 1. Stay mindful of your body language and tone of voice. Puppies are highly attuned to nonverbal cues. Use gentle movements and a soft, encouraging tone. 2. Breathe and pause before reacting. If your puppy misbehaves or encounters something new, take a moment to assess before responding. 3. Practice self-awareness. Recognise when your own stress levels are high and take steps to calm yourself before engaging with your puppy. 4. Set healthy boundaries. Allow your puppy to explore, make small mistakes, and learn from experiences. Fostering Confidence and Resilience in Puppies By maintaining a calm, confident energy, you help your puppy develop important life skills, such as: • Self-regulation: Learning to manage excitement or frustration. • Social confidence: Feeling comfortable around people, other animals, and new environments. • Problem-solving: Facing minor challenges without fear. In the long run, a balanced puppy is more likely to grow into a well-behaved, happy adult dog who trusts your leadership and handles the world with poise. Final Thoughts Raising a puppy is as much about managing your own energy as it is about teaching your pup new behaviours. By staying calm and giving your puppy room to explore, you create a positive, trusting relationship that sets the stage for lifelong confidence. Remember, your energy is a powerful influence—use it wisely!