If you have decided to get a dog or puppy, a very exciting period awaits you. The first days with your new furry friend are both hard and fun, they represent a unique experience and are also crucial for your future life together.
Before the puppy arrives at your home, it is necessary to prepare the house for his arrival and get a few things. You need the following:
- Puppy food
- Food bowl
- Water container
- Deck chair for rest and sleep
- Necklace and leash
- Hair care accessories
- Dog toys
The first day in a new home
When your puppy finally arrives, he will most likely show signs of caution, confusion, depression, maybe even fear immediately upon arrival. Some puppies immediately curiously explore the new space, looking for something to play with, running after the housemates. His behavior is conditioned by character traits and previous experience.
If the puppy is depressed, this is often a reaction to separation from the mother and siblings from the litter. Caution is a normal state when meeting new people, as well as fear when meeting new people. If you have adopted an abandoned puppy from the street, the signs of anxiety can be even more pronounced.
Although both you and your family are probably excited about the arrival of a new member, you must be careful not to overwhelm him with excessive attention. All these newspapers he goes through can be quite disturbing for him. You’ll probably want to hold him in your arms right away, pamper him and cuddle him, but don’t. Let him adapt to the new situation for a while. Put him in his lounger and let him explore the space around him on his own, and curiosity will soon overcome fear and caution. When he starts researching, follow him, but without sudden movements. If you have another dog, do not connect them immediately on the first day, because it can be a very traumatic experience for both pets.
When the puppy is free, if he is already bravely exploring the space, try to put a collar on him. If it refuses, take it off and try again after an hour. Repeat this process until the puppy gets used to the presence of a collar around his neck.
When it comes to an emergency, take him to the emergency room every half hour and wait for him to do something. If you have a yard, take it there, and if you are in an apartment, do not immediately take it to the street or park unless the complete process of immunisation with vaccination against infectious diseases of dogs is completed. Whenever he urinates in the designated place, praise him and reward him.
From day one, use his name so he can learn to respond as soon as possible.
The first night in a new home
The first night can often be quite problematic. There are almost no puppies that slept peacefully the first night in their new home. He wants to be with the new owner, whining, barking, barking because he is left alone. The recommendation in this case is to be hard-hearted. Leave the puppy in a sturdy box from which he cannot jump out and be patient. You can leave the dim light on until it gets used to the new simple. Once you take him to bed with you, it will be very difficult to wean him off that habit later, so take care. This can become a serious problem if, for example, you have a German Shepherd puppy, or say a Great Dane.
The first 10 days
In just a few days, the puppy will be very comfortable in the new home. He should have already met the space, people and other pets if you have them and now feel free in his home. He is already actively playing and making a walk by nibbling on pieces of your furniture, clothes and shoes. This should be prevented. Continue to train him with the method of positive associations.
Reward every positive learned and adopted action or command with a verbal praise or treat, and your furry friend will want to satisfy you, but of course he will still make mistakes sometimes. In this case, you can punish him by ignoring him, instead of shouting and beating him.
In the first ten days, the puppy will find his place to rest in the house, and that can be his deck chair, armchair, space under the table. Whatever that space is, it makes the dog feel comfortable and safe. During this period, you should make regular visits to the vet and start applying hygienic measures. You can start training to use the leash by attaching it to the collar, and then let the puppy walk on its own to get used to it. Gradually practice walking at home. Again, if the vaccination process is not completed, do not take him to places where he may come into contact with other dogs.
The first month
In the first 30 days. your pet should learn to respond regularly to his name as well as to acquire the habit of defecating during a walk or at a designated place in the home. It should respond to simple commands such as “come”, “sit” and “place”. When walking, you normally use a leash, and when it comes to meals, you should be taught the time and place for meals.
During this period, you should complete the basic examinations at the veterinarian and carry out cleaning from parasites. It would be good to teach him to drive a car and leave it in the house without the presence of other people (alone in the house). You can visit a friend with children or pets, because this is important in order for the dog to learn to be present and communicate with the environment. Special attention should be paid to getting closer and normal communication with another, older pet in the house, whether it is a dog or a cat. Older pets find it harder to get used to the presence of a new one, so pay a little more attention to the older one. Reward every positive reaction so that the older pet will eventually learn that the younger dog is a source of pleasure, not just discomfort.
The first 30 days of living together with a puppy are crucial for the next fifteen years. What the puppy adopts as a positive experience and behavior in this period will facilitate further learning and prevent the occurrence of undesirable behavior and even behavioral disorders.
Before you get a puppy, consult your veterinarian about the puppy’s needs and the necessary steps you need to take to ensure a long, healthy and happy life for your pet. Of course you and your families.