There are a list of things you can do, when you bring your loved puppy home for the first time.
- Prepare your home and puppy’s living area. Make sure you have a comfortable bed, plenty of toys and chew items, and the necessary supplies to properly care for your puppy.
- Puppy proof your home. Make sure all wires, cords, and other potential hazards are out of reach and that your pup won’t be able to get into anything that could be potentially dangerous.
- Get your puppy some necessary vaccinations. Make sure your puppy is up to date on any vaccinations they may need.
- Take your puppy to the vet for a check-up. This is a great way to make sure your pup is healthy and to get any necessary vaccinations.
- Start crate training. This is important for housebreaking and teaching your pup proper potty habits.
- Establish a daily routine. This includes daily walks, playtime, and training sessions.
- Introduce your puppy to your family members and other pets. Give your pup some time to adjust to the new environment and to become comfortable with the people and animals around them.
- Spend quality time with your puppy. Get to know them, bond with them, and give them lots of love and affection.
- Get your puppy comfortable with handling. Gently handle your puppy, such as brushing and petting them, to help them become accustomed to being touched and handled.
- Begin house training. Begin teaching your puppy where they should go to the bathroom and reward them when they do it in the right spot.
- Start basic obedience training. Teach your puppy basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “come”.
- Invest in chew toys and treats. Make sure you have plenty of chew toys and treats to help keep your puppy entertained and to help them learn to obey commands.
- Familiarize your puppy with the outdoors. Take your puppy for walks and let them explore the outdoors to get them accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors.
- Socialize your puppy with other dogs. Introduce your puppy to other friendly, vaccinated dogs to help them learn to interact with other animals.
- Provide plenty of exercise. Give your puppy plenty of playtime and exercise to help burn off energy and keep them healthy.
- Teach your puppy the “no-bark” command. Teach your puppy to stop barking on command to help prevent nuisance barking.
- Establish a safe sleeping area. Choose a safe and comfortable spot for your puppy to sleep at night.
- Praise and reward your puppy when they do something right. Give your puppy positive reinforcement when they do something right to help them learn to obey commands.
- Establish rules and boundaries. Establish rules for your puppy, such as no biting or jumping, and make sure you enforce them consistently.
- Take pictures of your puppy’s first day! Capture the memories of your puppy’s first day in your home with pictures to look back on for years to come. ###
