Tips for Tackling the First 24 Hours with Your New Pup

Being a puppy parent can feel like being an actual parent sometimes. Between potty training, teething, sleep deprivation, and special diets, having a puppy is a big responsibility. Being a first-time dog-owner or puppy owner, in general, is challenging to say the least. But those adorable furballs make it all worth it! Here are some tips for tackling the first 24 hours home with your new puppy.

Getting Settled

One of the biggest first challenges you will likely face as a puppy owner is simply getting your pooch settled in and comfortable in your home environment. You’ll need to come prepared with their essentials already bought (and set up) for an easy transition! Some necessities new puppies need for getting settled are:

• Leash and collar/harness
• Puppy food (will vary depending on the situation but try to stick to the food they’ve already been eating before you got them)
• Poop bags
• Food/water bowls
• Toys
• Treats
• Dog bed or crate
• Travel carrier

Getting settled in requires you to maintain a calm and relaxed environment so try and keep the cooing visitors to a minimum for the first few days, particularly for the first 24 hours. If you have other animals in the house or children, be sure to control the environment as you don’t want your dog to be fearful of them or be stressed out. Puppies also sleep the majority of the day (up to 20 hours) so they need a mostly calm environment to fully settle in and feel at home! Be prepared for frequent and immediate bathroom breaks when they wake up, especially if your furry friend is not yet potty trained.

Creating Routines

Dogs thrive off of routines which is why it’s so important to start your puppy off with one early on so they’ll know how you operate and are expected to as well.

Potty Training

Potty training can be tricky and at times, a bit gross. But, with the right encouragement, your pooch will get it in no time. Be sure to introduce your pup to the area they are meant to potty at. By using positive reinforcement and treats, your puppy will likely get the pattern down in no time! Just make sure you set a time every 2 hours for a potty break (even during the night) to avoid any accidents.

Boundaries

Getting your puppy to follow your house rules can sometimes be difficult, but with consistency and a little bit of time, their behaviors will align (if not, think about getting your pup professionally trained)! Supervise your dog carefully and discourage any behavior that could develop like chewing on furniture. Instead, praise them for playing with a toy!

Because puppies sleep a lot, they need quality playtime to get all of their pent-up energy out. Be sure that you play with your pooch before bedtime to avoid getting woken up in the middle of the night to play. Playtime can be a game of fetch or even a walk around your neighborhood!

Create Doggie Zones in Your House

Puppies require a lot of attention, but if you find yourself needing a break or have to get a task done around the house, utilize a pet-friendly zone. A doggie zone can be anything from a crate, playpen, or gate (in a pet-friendly room/area). Introduce them gently to the area by using praise and treats. You can add in some cozy blankets, a dog bed, and toys to make them feel more at home. Since your dog is a puppy, they’ll likely fall right to sleep!

Puppies are the beginning of “man’s best friend”, and for good reason! They’re adorable, furry, and sometimes a little messy, but they have so much love to give. Puppy life can be a tad overwhelming, but remember to take time to relax and get some rest, you two should be bonded in no time.