Your new puppy and home

You’ve chosen your new puppy, said your ‘goodbyes’ to the breeder and your puppy’s remaining brothers, sisters and mother, and you’re heading for home.

Hopefully, the excitement at the prospect of bringing your new companion home hasn’t made you forget to make some important preparations. That’s because this is likely to be the first time your puppy has been away from familiar sights, smells and surroundings and it’s a very stressful time for him. So in the days before you bring him home, you need to make sure everything is ready, just as you would if you were bringing home a new baby.

Puppy’s bed: Firstly, it’s important to consider where your puppy is going to sleep. Most puppies prefer an enclosed sleeping area to act as a refuge if things become too stressful, so think about getting a crate to put his bed or basket in. Make sure it’s warm, dry, comfortable and draught-free and provide a nice blanket or dog bed to keep your puppy cosy. Now you must decide on the best place for it to go, before your puppy tries to sleep on the sofa. (After all, it’s easier to get into good habits rather than try to change bad ones.) If you use a puppy crate, it’s the perfect place for your puppy to spend some time to get away from it all when life gets too hectic; when he does makes his retreat, remember to tell your family not to disturb him. And make sure his bed is far enough from yours, preferably outside of your bedroom. Don’t be tempted to have your puppy in bed with you while he’s little; it will be hard to break this habit later, and your puppy needs his space as much as you do.

Your puppy at night: A lot of puppies have a habit of crying at night, especially during the first week in a new home, so the warmer you can make his bed, the more comfortable he will feel. Try putting a hot water bottle in his bed, or a cuddly toy that’s safe for pets.

Others in your home
Even if you have other pets in your home, it’s important to let your new puppy explore his new surroundings first. And when you do introduce him to other pets, do so gradually, and make sure you’re around to keep an eye on the proceedings. And when your puppy is introduced to children, don’t let them get too overexcited. See that they respect the little creature and not treat him like a cuddly toy.

Leaving your puppy alone
No puppy, or dog for that matter, should be left alone for long periods of time. Dogs that are left alone for significant periods can develop anxiety and can’t cope with being separated from their owners.

So teach your puppy to tolerate short absences; leave him in a room, close the door and walk away. After a few minutes, go back in but don’t greet him. When you’ve done this several times, extend the absences to 30 minutes. But if he does begin to get distressed, and starts barking, chewing, or scratching at the door, you should shorten the absence period.

Before you leave: Walk your puppy or play with him in advance of leaving so he has a chance to settle down. And shortly before you go, provide a meal, so he’s more likely to be sleepy. And leave him something to chew, to keep him occupied. Some growing puppies will be comforted by familiar sounds, so you could try leaving the radio on, or even record several minutes of your family’s conversation. But if your puppy has growing concerns about being left alone, even for short periods, please ask your vet for advice.

Will your puppy be safe in the garden?
Your garden should be a safe, fun haven for the whole family, and that includes your cuddly new puppy. Many commonplace garden products can be dangerous and sometimes fatal to dogs. Slug pellets are especially toxic, as are several weedkillers, so please, read the instructions carefully and above all, keep these products well out of reach of your pet. If he is unlucky enough to come into contact with something, or you only suspect he has, contact your vet immediately.

Your puppy and plants: Many common plants can be poisonous to pets, and some are fatal. If your puppy is tempted to root out a bulb, for instance and start chomping away, stop him; they’re very dangerous. Here are some other plants that are toxic to dogs, in some cases severely so:-
foxglove, primrose, yew, ivy, rhubarb, wisteria, lupin, sweet peas, poppy, chrysanthemum, laburuheum.

You can obtain a more comprehensive list from the Royal Horticultural Society on 01483 224234.

Your puppy and garden tools: If your puppy is playing in the garden, never use a lawnmower or strimmer as these can cause severe injuries. Never leave tools with sharp blades and points lying around; if your puppy stands on one, he can be badly injured. And to protect you from getting a soaking, don’t leave the hose pipe out for him to chew on!

Your puppy and water features: Make sure your water features and ponds are covered while your puppy is young. He could have trouble getting out of the shallowest water and injure himself or (heaven forbid) drown.

Your puppy and fencing: One of your garden jobs should be to check that your fencing is puppy-proof before he can be let out. The last thing you want is for your new acquisition to get lost or injured on the roads. And if you are using a wood preservative such as creosote, keep your puppy away until it is properly dry, and make sure tins aren’t left open for him to drink from.