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!

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

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
I'm Dale Buchanan and this is Puppy Talk, the podcast
that offers free advice andtips for raising a happy,
healthy and obedient puppy.
For more information on thispodcast, visit us online at
puppytalkpodcastcom.
Welcome to Puppy Talk, episodenumber 105.

(00:22):
I'm your host, dale Buchanan,and today we're going to talk
about how to settle a new doginto your home.
Whether you're the proud parentof an older rescue or a new
puppy, the first few days withyour new dog are undeniably
exciting.
But if you're new to being apuppy parent, you might also be

(00:42):
feeling those first-day nerves.
Luckily, you're not in thisalone.
There's lots of advice outthere to help both new puppy
owners and their dogs bond,making those first crucial days
a breeze to navigate.
So, before you get too caughtup in puppy cuddles and dog
treats, take the time topractice these five tips.

(01:02):
One take a few days off.
Get ready to become a househermit while you and your dog
get comfortable.
Settling your dog in canrequire 24-7 attention.
It's recommended that you takeat least one to two days off
from work and keep your timefree, allowing you to focus all
of your attention on your puppy,from helping them explore the

(01:25):
house to starting theall-important potty training,
you won't have time to do muchelse for a couple of days.
Number two stick to one room Tomake settling in a breeze.
Keep your puppy in one room forthe first day or two, switching
to the bedroom at night.
By doing this, you're givingthem the chance to get used to

(01:49):
one space before sniffing outall of the other spots in your
home, making it far less likelythey'll become overwhelmed.
Keeping doors closed is a smartmove to start developing
boundaries too.
You're teaching your pup thatthey don't have free reign over
the space and, in time, canexplore with your permission.
This is particularly importantas you potty train your puppy.

(02:13):
Giving them access to yourwhole home will just make it
harder for them to pinpointwhere they can do their business
.
Staying in one room also makesit easier to keep an eye on your
dog.
Use baby gates to create asecure space for your puppy
while still being able to seeand hear them when you're
elsewhere in the house, makingfor a stress-free first day.

(02:38):
Number three take your puppy outevery hour.
Whether your dog is pottytrained or not, if you don't
want any accidents, then be sureto take them outside every hour
.
This is one of the reasons whyhaving your own yard makes the
settling in experience a loteasier.
If your yard isn't secure, puta leash on your puppy when you

(02:59):
go out.
Give them a lot of time tosniff and explore, getting them
used to their new environment.
This is the perfect time tostart reward-based training too.
When they go potty, be sure togive them treats and plenty of
praise, letting them knowthey've done something right.
Number four don't force yourpuppy into a crate.

(03:20):
If the person you've bought therescue or purebred puppy from
lets you know they're cratetrained, this can be a great way
to make them feel safe on theirfirst night.
That being said, don't force anew dog into a crate.
This will only lead to negativeassociations and make the first
few days a lot more stressful.

(03:41):
Only lead to negativeassociations and make the first
few days a lot more stressful.
Instead, leave the crate dooropen and encourage your puppy in
with toys and treats.
Make sure they know they cancome back out and don't close
the crate door on them, givingthem the freedom to roam.
It's a good idea to bring thecrate into your bedroom on the
first night or to sleep withthem in the living room.
By having you near, they mayfeel less worried and you'll be

(04:08):
better able to jump into actionif they need to go outside.
Number five avoid too manypeople.
If you have a lot of people inyour home, minimize the number
that your puppy meets the firstday.
For parents, asking a friend orfamily member to look after
your children is a great way toreduce the stress on you and
your new puppy, creating acalmer household for your puppy

(04:29):
to settle into.
When you do introduce kids to anew puppy, do it in small
stages and take cues from yourpuppy to see what they're
comfortable with.
You never know they might beover the moon to be the center
of attention, but it's alwaysbest to go slow and steady.
In terms of guests, though youmight be itching to show off

(04:51):
your dog, keep visitors away thefirst couple of days For rescue
dogs.
Don't have any guests overuntil the pup is fully settled
in.
This could take a few weeks ora few months.
Bonus tip Follow your dog,remember.
Your dog will give you plentyof cues as to what they need

(05:12):
from you.
Pay attention to their bodylanguage and behavior so that
you adjust your first day andnight to suit their personality.
By working together, you'll begiving belly rubs and getting
lots of kisses in no time.
I hope this information washelpful to you.
If you have any questions, youcan always contact me through my

(05:33):
website, puppytalkpodcastcom.
Have a great day.