How to Settle a New Puppy Into Your Home

How can you make your new puppy's first days at home as smooth as possible? On this episode of Puppy Talk, I, Dale Buchanan, will equip you with five essential tips to transform those initial nerve-wracking moments into a seamless bonding experience. Whether you're bringing home an older rescue or a brand-new puppy, we'll cover why taking a few days off work can make a world of difference, how to avoid overwhelming your pup by sticking to one room at first, and the power of positive reinforcement during potty training. 

Find out why forcing your new furry friend into a crate might backfire and learn the best way to introduce them to their new sanctuary. Plus, discover the importance of keeping initial human interactions to a minimum to ensure a calm and manageable transition. From setting boundaries and using baby gates to ensuring your pup gets plenty of outdoor time every hour, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to making your puppy feel right at home from day one. Tune in and turn those puppy jitters into joyful moments!

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

I'm Dale Buchanan and this is Puppy Talk, the podcast that offers free advice and tips for raising a happy, healthy and obedient puppy. For more information on this podcast, visit us online at puppytalkpodcastcom. Welcome to Puppy Talk, episode number 105. I'm your host, dale Buchanan, and today we're going to talk about how to settle a new dog into your home. Whether you're the proud parent of an older rescue or a new puppy, the first few days with your new dog are undeniably exciting. But if you're new to being a puppy parent, you might also be feeling those first-day nerves. Luckily, you're not in this alone. There's lots of advice out there to help both new puppy owners and their dogs bond, making those first crucial days a breeze to navigate. So, before you get too caught up in puppy cuddles and dog treats, take the time to practice these five tips. One take a few days off. Get ready to become a house hermit while you and your dog get comfortable. Settling your dog in can require 24-7 attention. It's recommended that you take at least one to two days off from work and keep your time free, allowing you to focus all of your attention on your puppy, from helping them explore the house to starting the all-important potty training, you won't have time to do much else for a couple of days. Number two stick to one room To make settling in a breeze. Keep your puppy in one room for the first day or two, switching to the bedroom at night. By doing this, you're giving them the chance to get used to one space before sniffing out all of the other spots in your home, making it far less likely they'll become overwhelmed. Keeping doors closed is a smart move to start developing boundaries too. You're teaching your pup that they don't have free reign over the space and, in time, can explore with your permission. This is particularly important as you potty train your puppy. Giving them access to your whole home will just make it harder for them to pinpoint where they can do their business. Staying in one room also makes it easier to keep an eye on your dog. Use baby gates to create a secure space for your puppy while still being able to see and hear them when you're elsewhere in the house, making for a stress-free first day.

Speaker 1: 2:38

Number three take your puppy out every hour. Whether your dog is potty trained or not, if you don't want any accidents, then be sure to take them outside every hour. This is one of the reasons why having your own yard makes the settling in experience a lot easier. If your yard isn't secure, put a leash on your puppy when you go out. Give them a lot of time to sniff and explore, getting them used to their new environment. This is the perfect time to start reward-based training too. When they go potty, be sure to give them treats and plenty of praise, letting them know they've done something right.

Speaker 1: 3:16

Number four don't force your puppy into a crate. If the person you've bought the rescue or purebred puppy from lets you know they're crate trained, this can be a great way to make them feel safe on their first night. That being said, don't force a new dog into a crate. This will only lead to negative associations and make the first few days a lot more stressful. Only lead to negative associations and make the first few days a lot more stressful. Instead, leave the crate door open and encourage your puppy in with toys and treats. Make sure they know they can come back out and don't close the crate door on them, giving them the freedom to roam. It's a good idea to bring the crate into your bedroom on the first night or to sleep with them in the living room. By having you near, they may feel less worried and you'll be better able to jump into action if they need to go outside.

Speaker 1: 4:09

Number five avoid too many people. If you have a lot of people in your home, minimize the number that your puppy meets the first day. For parents, asking a friend or family member to look after your children is a great way to reduce the stress on you and your new puppy, creating a calmer household for your puppy to settle into. When you do introduce kids to a new puppy, do it in small stages and take cues from your puppy to see what they're comfortable with. You never know they might be over the moon to be the center of attention, but it's always best to go slow and steady.

Speaker 1: 4:47

In terms of guests, though you might be itching to show off your dog, keep visitors away the first couple of days For rescue dogs. Don't have any guests over until the pup is fully settled in. This could take a few weeks or a few months. Bonus tip Follow your dog, remember. Your dog will give you plenty of cues as to what they need from you. Pay attention to their body language and behavior so that you adjust your first day and night to suit their personality. By working together, you'll be giving belly rubs and getting lots of kisses in no time. I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any questions, you can always contact me through my website, puppytalkpodcastcom. Have a great day.