Puppy in a new home

 

Finally, the moment comes when the long-awaited new puppy arrives in its new home. This is a very exciting moment for the owner, but also a very hard time adapting for the dog. The puppy, suddenly becomes separated from its mother and siblings, taken to a new place unknown to him, to new people, objects, sounds and smells.
To minimize the effect of adaptation stress, it is advisable to be prepared for his arrival beforehand.

Journey

On the journey home with the puppy, it is advisable to arrange the best private transport to avoid exposing your puppy to a great amount of stress on public transport i.e. train, plain or underground.
If you are travelling by car, it is best to have one person drive while another person takes care of the dog during the journey. This way you will avoid extra stress caused by stopping of the car. However, if this is not possible then it is advisable to arrange for a transport carrier or cage with a blanket which has been rubbed on puppy’s mother to allow the dog to have a comfortable journey.

Safety in the home:

Inside

Even before the arrival of the puppy, make sure that the property is safe. You need to look at the house from the dog’s point of view. For example, make sure electrical sockets and wires are properly secured . You should also check and secure all the places where the puppy could get stuck or could fall from such as balconies, windows and stairs. Such preparation will help prevent various stressful and dangerous situations.

Outside

The dog must also be kept under control even when it is away from the owner outside. It is advisable to allow the dog to explore the garden where there are countless things to smell and see. Should the dog have access to the garden be sure to check and secure any holes, wells, remove the chemicals used in gardens, and poisonous plants.
The puppy should be able to explore their new surroundings freely but still under constant supervision of the owner. Access to inappropriate sites for a dog can be prevented by using similar protection used for children (gates, fences called pens)

Preparing children

Children often do not know how to care for a puppy. Therefore, you should prepare and inform them that the dog is not a toy and show them how one can safely play with it.
Never leave children unsupervised with a dog.
Immediately after the arrival of the puppy the children should remain calm so as not to scare the dog. It is best to sit down on the floor and not speak to the dog and wait for it to approach them instead. Only then one should consider petting it.

Preparing the older dog

Once there is one dog in the house already, it may be difficult for him with the new pup at the beginning. It is encouraged to allow the dogs to meet on neutral ground, not in a house where an adult dog feels safe and secure. Both dogs should be on long, loose links which are firm and under control. It should allow them to sniff and explore each other freely. You should not react violently or pull the older dog if it growls at the pup; under normal circumstances the mature dog will not harm puppies. This is normal communication between dogs, it allows them to set their own rules of behaviour within a group. You have to remember that the older dog needs time to get used to the new situation. Until then, do not leave the dogs together without supervision.

Home

Den- choosing the place for a dog.

It is good to think about a place where our quadruped will have their lair from the beginning. Upon arrival the puppy should have a designated place of rest. If the dog chooses the place of rest, we should as far as possible, accept it. This is an extremely important part of the socialization of the dog. It is safe haven and a place of relaxation and rest for the dog. If he gets tired or worried about something or intends to have some peace and quiet, the dog will go to his place, where no one will (and shouldn’t) bother it. If you need to have a quiet time away from the dog you should be able to send him to his den, where he should go without any hesitation. It should not be in a place where the dog will be exposed to drafts, direct heat or permanent isolation from the people. It should still have the opportunity to observe its owners and what is happening in the house. Most dogs like to take shelter in a dimmed and shaded place like under a bench, chair or table, or dog house.
But bare in mind that once you allow puppy to use your bed of sofa, any changes made thereafter will be difficult and confusing for the dog.

Food

It is also recommended to immediately establish the dog’s eating place; one bowl for food and one for water. The best containers are made of stainless steel which are easy to clean. They are safe and durable. During teething period, the puppy will chew on anything it can, therefore it is not recommended to use plastic bowls.
The dog must have constant access to fresh and clean water to drink.
The choice of food is an important element, because the dog should receive nourishment in accordance to its size, age and its physical activity.