The First Week
Congratulations on your new puppy! Here are some articles to help get you through the first week.
The First Day
Once you get your new puppy home there will be lots of things to see and smell. Also realize that your puppy just left its only home, its siblings and everything it knew. It will need lots of reassurance. Don’t overstimulate your new puppy by having all your friends and neighbors over to see them as soon as you get home. This first couple days it is better to just have family with your new puppy. Introduce your children slowly. Allow play time and quiet time with your puppy as well.
The First Night(s)
The first few nights can be challenging for you and your new puppy. We try to give them all the skills they need to be confident in their new environment. Now it is up to you to continue to help your puppy learn. If your puppy cries try to reassure them but be careful not to let them train you. They do need to lear to self soothe. If you will be crating them consider placing the crate next to your bed so you can drop your hand down to reassure them. This allows you to give them the reassurance they need without teaching them you will come at the first sign of them crying.
Some Helpful Topics and Games to Start-
The Treat Game- Learn how to effortlessly get you puppy’s attention if they have something they shouldn’t.
The Puppy Massage- Keep your puppy desensitized and responding to you
Empowered_Puppy_Handling_Exercises – Go Home (1)
The Importance of the “Puppy, Puppy, Puppy” Recall and how to practice. (This is what we teach all puppies while they are here)
The First Month
Good Dog- What to Expect the First Month
If you get your puppy at 8 weeks of age, know that they will be due for their next vaccination at 9-10 weeks. So have your vet appointment lined up. If your puppy went for a health check when you first brought them home- please make sure that there has been at least two weeks since their previous vaccinaiton- it is dangerous to over-vaccinate. It ia also just as dangerous to not get the boosters as recommended.
Get started with obedience calsses as soon as you have completey the vaccination series- I cannot stress this enough.
You will be so happy later that you put the time in one your puppy early- You will have a great dog, that you can take with you anywhere and be confident in how they will react and behave.