5 essential tips for bringing a new puppy into your home

Are you filled with anticipation for the arrival of your new puppy, but are also overwhelmed by all the well-meaning advice out there? Don’t worry-we’re here to help!

We may not have all the answers. Let’s admit, it is easy to drown in the pages and pages of advice available on welcoming a new puppy into your home. What we will do for you is break this advice down into little bundles of love – puppy love!

Adopting a new puppy is so exciting and we don’t want anything to ruin that, for you or your new furry family member. In this blog, we will be summarising exactly what you need to know now that you’ve decided to bring that gorgeous bundle of fluff home.

*An important note: Any puppy younger than 9 weeks old is TOO YOUNG to be away from his mom. The first 10 weeks of a dog’s life is called the ‘formative stage’, where your pup will learn those all-important canine social skills that will set him up to be the best dog he can be.

What are we talking about today?

You’ve decided to adopt a new puppy. Now what?
Your puppy is waiting! Let’s get your puppy kit together.
Bringing your new pup home. (If you read nothing else, at least read this!)
The little one’s first night – expect some drama.
3-3-3 = SUCCESS.

Why is it important to make sure you’re doing things the right way when adopting a new puppy? Establishing a calm, trusting relationship with your puppy from the start will cement a strong bond between you and your new best friend. You can look forward to a lifetime of unconditional love, slobbery kisses, and dog ‘glitter’.

# 1 You’ve decided to adopt a new puppy. Now what?

Money, money, money: Let’s be clear – looking after a furry friend is not cheap. Vet bills, medication, quality food, training and behaviour classes, chewed shoes, ripped pillows. Ask yourself honestly if you can afford a new puppy. Can you afford to give that puppy more than 10 years of a great life, free of pain, disease, and discomfort?
I work all night, I work all day: Is your life conducive to raising a puppy? Puppies are gorgeous, but they are hard work-especially if you want to do everything right. Puppies shouldn’t be left alone at home for hours at a time, so if you have a 9-5 office job, getting a new puppy may not be the right choice for now.
Dog hair everywhere! Is your home suitable for a new puppy? If the thought of mud, fur, slobber, pee, poo, and vomit makes you cringe, then maybe a puppy is not for you. Remember, puppies are like babies and they will have accidents in your home until they are old enough to have control of their bowels. It will be a messy four months!
Oh no, there goes your new shoes…Puppies have sharp little teeth and like babies, go through a teething stage. The key to preventing unwanted damage is management. If you don’t want it chewed, put it away. Click here for ideal toys for teething pups.
My child needs to learn how to be responsible. Real talk here. Getting a puppy to teach your child about responsibilities is not going to work. Chances are that puppy is going to either become your problem or will land up being neglected. Think twice before getting a puppy for your child.
Adopt or buy? This is a whole blog post on its own. Whether you are looking to adopt a puppy from a welfare centre or have decided to buy a puppy from a breeder, do your homework. There are many backyard breeders out there-people who breed animals solely for profit, with no regard for their health and well-being. Avoid these people. Their prices are right but their values are not.
Do your homework. Being a puppy parent is hard work: Imagine looking after a 3-year-old toddler for the next 10-15 years! Doing right by your puppy from day one will result in the most rewarding relationship you may ever have. Make sure your puppy’s breed is right for you and your lifestyle. For example, a malinois is not a pet, he is a working dog. A bored malinois is a doggy tornado. On the other hand, a pug is not built to be a running partner-that brachycephalic snout does not lend itself to long-distance marathons.

Never forget: Puppies are forever!

# 2 Your puppy is waiting! Let’s get your puppy kit together.

Here is your essential ‘puppy checklist’. Make sure you’ve ticked off everything you need before bringing the little one home.

A soft and comfy bed. Remember, your new puppy may feel insecure and shy. After all, it is his first night in a new place. Make sure his bed is his ‘safe space’. A warm bean bag will help comfort a nervous pup.
Stainless steel food and water bowls. These should ideally have non-slip, stabilised bases. Puppies are clumsy and tend to knock their water and food bowls over. We have some on sale right here.
The best puppy food you can find. High-quality, nutritious puppy food is essential for setting your pup up for optimal physical health later in life. If you spend money on anything in the first year of your puppy’s life, make sure it is great food. We’ve done our research-find the best food here.
Lots and lots of puppy-safe toys! This is the fun part-just be sure the toys you buy are 100% suitable for puppies, and always supervise puppy playtime. Click here for pages and pages of dog toys and games.
A secure, well-fitting harness. You may want to measure your puppy before spending money on a good-quality harness. Make sure it fits securely but comfortably. An ill-fitting harness can injure soft puppy bodies. Here are a few great harnesses and leads.
Heaps of fluffy blankets. You can expect your young pup to have an accident here or there-remember, he’s still learning to control his bladder and bowels. Grab a stack of cheap (but comfy) blankets so that you can turf any that are soiled.
Car restraints/crates. It is best to get your pup used to travelling, especially in cars. This will make trips to the vet easy for both of you. Always make sure your little guy is safe and secure when travelling. Click here for a selection of crates and vehicle restraints.
Poop scoops and puppy pads. Where there are puppies, there will be poop! Make sure you have a poop scoop on hand before your pup comes home. House training can be made easy with puppy house-training pads. For more on training pads and biodegradable poop bags, click here.
My patients have tails. Finding a local, reliable vet is an important part of raising a puppy, and will likely remain your dog’s doctor for the rest of his life. Visit a few in your area to find the one you feel most comfortable with. Find out what their specialities are. Make a note of your closest 24-hour veterinary clinic for those unforeseen emergencies.
Medical aid for dogs? Yes, that’s a thing! And a very important thing-veterinary care and medication can get very expensive. Invest in a good quality insurance policy for your dog so that you know he will receive the best medical care if necessary.
A puppy sitter is a blessing! While we’d love to be able to take our dogs everywhere with us, the truth is that there will be times when we have to leave our furry friends at home. Finding the right pet sitter from the start will give you peace of mind when you need it most. Introduce your pup to his new babysitter early on so that he is comfortable with them.

# 3 Bringing your new pup home (if you read nothing else, at least read this!)

The very first step – introductions. This is probably the most important step of them all. Imagine the huge new world your new pup is being introduced into: new sounds, new smells, new people, new animals. Be gentle with your new friend. Don’t force him to interact with too many new people or animals. Ideally, introduce him to one person at a time and never force him to interact with the resident pets. Discourage children from overwhelming him. Limit excitement. This is the first impression your pup will have of his new home so make it great. Check this link out for a guide to successful intros.
Puppies = babies. A puppy is a like a baby. Everything is new and it is up to you as a gentle guardian to help your new pup navigate his way through the human world. Would you do it to your baby? No? Then don’t do it to your puppy.
Be patient. This is probably your new buddy’s first time away from his mom and siblings, so be patient if he is a bit shy or nervous. With lots of love and care he will soon come out of his shell. Give him a safe space that he can use to retreat from any overwhelming situation. This can be a crate or soft bed in the corner of a quiet room.
Pee/poop/pee/poop. Accept it-this is going to be your life for the first few months. Puppies are not born potty-trained. Much like toddlers, they need to learn where it is acceptable to eliminate. Your puppy will only gain control of his bladder at around four months of age, so be kind and patient with him. Click here for more info on force-free potting training.
Choices, choices, choices. The key to raising a content and comfortable dog is allowing him to make his own choices (within reason, of course). Give your pup the space to make his own choices. For example, give him a variety of sleeping options. Allow him to decide when he feels comfortable enough to interact with you. Never force your pup to do something he doesn’t want to do. Forceful and negative behaviour can destroy any trust your dog has in you.
Consistency is key. Let your pup know what he can and can’t do from day one, but be gentle. Nestling with a great dane puppy on the couch is sublime, but do you want a 65 kg lap dog two years down the line? Refrain from shouting or reprimanding your pup. Remember, he can’t speak your language so you need to help him understand what you need from him, calmly and gently. Keep your new friend’s schedule (feeding, sleeping, potty time) as regular and consistent as possible so he knows what to expect, and when. This will allow him to relax and feel safe in his new home.

# 4 The little one’s first night - expect some drama.

Prepare your pup. If you can, take one of your t-shirts to your puppy a few days before you bring him home. Make sure it has been worn so he can get familiar with your smells and the smells of his new home. This will make his first night a lot more comfortable.
Sleepless nights. Like many babies, your new puppy is probably going to wake up in the middle of the night and cry. This is almost certainly one of the most stressful things he will ever go through-his first night in a new, unfamiliar place, the first time away from his mom and his siblings. You can imagine how scary that must be! Be patient and gentle with him. Have a look at these ways to help calm your pup (diffuser; pheromones; dog music; herbal scents etc.)
Pee-pee time! As mentioned before, get your routine right from the start. Remember, your little puppy has a little bladder and will need to empty it at least 1-2 times in the night. Take him to relieve himself just before bedtime and, very importantly, use a keyword or cue to encourage him. Wait patiently until he has done so and praise him like it’s the cleverest thing he is ever done! This will prompt him to re-use the same place for elimination. You may need to get up during the night to let him pee but don’t get mad with him, he’s just a baby.
Twinkle, twinkle little star. Sleep is incredibly important for a growing pup. Puppies between four and five months old may need up to 18 hours of sleep a night. Good quality sleep is as important for physical and mental health and development in puppies and dogs as it is for humans. Let sleeping dogs lie and you will be rewarded with a happy and healthy pup.
Consistency. Again? Yes, we are repeating ourselves because we want to make sure you’re listening. A consistent schedule and set of do’s and dont’s is essential. Don’t let the little guy do anything now that you won’t want him to do when he is older and bigger. A consistent and regular routine is going to allow your puppy to settle in and get comfortable. After all, now he knows what is expected of him.
Lots of love, care, patience, kindness and consistency. Uprooting a puppy from a life he has known since birth is going to be difficult and traumatic for him. Some dogs will deal with this change better than others. It is your responsibility to make the transition as easy and comfortable for him as possible. It may seem like hard work now, but it will pay off in a big way, we promise: a happy, healthy, well-adjusted best friend with four paws and a tail!

# 5 3-3-3=SUCCESS

Yes, we know this equation probably doesn’t make sense at first glance, but hear us out. The ‘Rule of Three’ or ‘3-3-3 Rule’ is a general guideline referred to often in the dog world as the three stages of adjustment. It can be applied to any upheaval or traumatic situation your dog finds himself in, so keep this rule on hand. It’s incredibly simple:

3 days (decompression): Give your new puppy or dog three days to settle in. They may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and uncertain. They may not eat well and could have trouble adjusting. Be patient. This is a scary time for them.
3 weeks (learning): After about three weeks, your pup is starting to feel a bit more comfortable. They are learning the routine and are starting to bond with their humans. They feel safe to open up and show their true personalities.
3 months (home): Hopefully by now, your puppy has settled in well. They feel safe and secure in their home and routine sets in. They trust you and other family members and are comfortable and confident.

Remember, each pup is different with unique needs and personalities, so allow your new puppy to get comfortable in their own time. This infographic is a great summary of the 3-3-3 rule.

Your new puppy is home and it’s so exciting! We hope these tips and hints help you make the most of this incredible opportunity. Developing a safe and trusting relationship with your new puppy will ensure a doggy lifetime of love and companionship. Use this advice to help you set you and your pup up for success. Remember, sharing your life with an animal is a privilege and one of the most special and fulfilling relationships you will ever have. And it all starts with that soft little bundle of happy puppy love and coffee-breath kisses!

Are you drowning?

We know this is a lot to take in and you may feel very overwhelmed. Don’t stress-we’re here for you! If you need any advice or help, please contact us. Otherwise, have a look through our website for more information. We pride ourselves on being the ‘go-to portal for all things dogs’. If you can’t find it here, it probably hasn’t happened yet 😉.

5 essential tips for bringing a new puppy into your home

# 1 You’ve decided to adopt a new puppy. Now what?

Never forget: Puppies are forever!

# 2 Your puppy is waiting! Let’s get your puppy kit together.

# 3 Bringing your new pup home (if you read nothing else, at least read this!)

# 4 The little one’s first night - expect some drama.

# 5 3-3-3=SUCCESS

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