Preparing Your Home and Welcoming Your New Puppy

     Bringing a puppy home for the first time is exciting - for you and your pet. You'll have a chance to establish a bond with your dog that will last for years. For his part, he'll experience an unfamiliar environment with new sights and scents lurking around every corner. It's important to prepare your home ahead of time, and make it safe for your new family member. There are also simple steps you can take to ease his transition from his mother's side to his new "pack."

Below, we'll provide several tips for both ends. First, we'll explain how to puppy-proof your house to protect your pet from harm. We'll then describe ways you can help him feel comfortable from the moment he steps through your door.

Making Your Home Safe For Your Puppy

Items that seem harmless can present a danger to your pup. For example, the toilet poses a risk of drowning; electrical cords may deliver a shock if he chews through them; and small objects lying on the floor can be swallowed, after which they might become stuck in his gastrointestinal tract. Look around your home for anything that may harm your pet.

Are there cleaning supplies at floor level that can be accessed and ingested? Do you own a rocking chair that can catch your pup's tail? Do any of the doors in your home close automatically? Purchase a few baby gates to prevent your puppy from falling down a flight of stairs. Keep all foods out of his reach since some can prove harmful to him. These and many other details are easy to neglect, but can have disastrous consequences for your new pet.

You'll also need to purchase a few supplies. Essentials include bowls for food and water, high-quality food formulated for puppies, and a lead and collar. Also, consider buying your pet a crate, and have it ready for him when he arrives at your home.

The Ride Home From The Kennel

There's a good chance your pup will feel tense during the trip from the breeder's facility to your house. He is unlikely to have ever ridden in a car. Thus, the vibrations, starts and stops, and the view outside the windows, may startle him. Try to make the experience as easy for him as possible.

First, encourage him to eliminate before leaving the breeder's facility. Doing so will help avoid accidents in your vehicle. Second, ask someone - preferably, a member in your household - to come along for the ride. The reason is so this person can hold your puppy during the trip.

Helping Your Pup Become Accustomed To His New Home

Try to stay home with your puppy over the first few days. Leaving him by himself may frighten him since he has just left his mother and siblings behind. Also, plan to spend time with your pet, and encourage other family members to do the same. Take care not to overload him with stimuli, but keep him occupied so he never feels isolated.

This is an important step toward making your pup feel comfortable in his new environment. It also plays a key role in helping him establish positive connections with you and your family.

The First Veterinary Visit

Young puppies who are taken from their mothers need to be vaccinated as soon as possible to protect them from disease. Even a single exposure to germs and organisms carried by other canines can cause sickness. Professional breeders will have already started the puppies in their care on their first vaccinations. Take your puppy to a veterinarian to continue them.

The vet will also be able to perform a physical examination on your pet to check for any health conditions that pose a danger. If he or she detects an abnormality, it can be investigated and addressed before it worsens.

Adopting and raising a puppy is a serious responsibility since the animal will depend upon you for nearly everything. But the time invested now will pay dividends down the road as he develops into a loving, reliable canine companion.