What to expect
What to expect when bringing your new puppy home!
Picking your puppy up:
Usually, your pup will bond most strongly to whoever brings him home. So if you want your puppy to be attached to your children, have your kids go with you if possible. If this is going to be your dog, try to pick the puppy up yourself. We understand this is not always possible.
Missing this step is not a crisis, but it is such an easy way to start to connect with your new dog that you should try to use this unique moment for good if you can.
Your new puppy can ride home in the back seat on a passenger’s lap or in a crate but not loose in the car (and it’s not the day to introduce the harness/seatbelt). If you’re on your own, then crating the puppy might be the best option –for his safety and yours. We know, it’s tempting to want him loose in the front seat or on your lap, but this could lead to issues.
If his crate fits on the front seat and you can buckle it into place securely, feel free – if the passenger side airbag can be turned off or isn’t strong enough to damage the crate you have. Only you can determine this.
Expect him to bark and cry a bit, that is normal. Sometimes covering the crate helps or giving him some delicious chew toy– but not always. Don’t be angry – his whole world has changed and he needs time to get to know you and adjust.
Bring along extra towels, paper towels, plastic bags, and wet wipes. Hopefully you won’t need the cleaning supplies, but if you do, you’ll be glad you brought them along.
If your new pup is coming home on someone’s lap, then a properly fitted, wide, flat collar and leash or adjustable harness (we recommend as it will not pull on your puppies neck) should go on before you get in the car. “Properly fitted” means cannot slip off over his head. Puppies are not leash trained, so be aware it can be scare for them and if they get loose could run. It can be tempting to fit the collar loosely so as not to upset your puppy, but that can lead to paws and jaws getting caught in the slack as well as the collar coming off entirely. Fit the collar so a finger can get under it easily but it cannot come off over his head. Is the collar a bit too large? Then unclip it, twist one end completely around once or twice then try again. This is a short-term solution that works.
And yes, keep the leash on as well, because puppies are squirmy and holding the leash can mean the difference between a scary moment and a safe one. Also, bring along a chewy we recommend chicken strips, duck strips, anything that may take a little bit to eat. You can hold the treat as your pup works on it.
Crating your new buddy? Then leave this flat collar on in the crate; you’ll want to have a good hold of him when you open the crate door.
Your puppy may get car sick on the way home. Watch for nose pointing toward the floor, wrinkled lips, and drooling. Heaving is usually not too far behind. Laying a towel below the puppy can make cleanup easier. Again, covering the crate may help, and go easy on your turns and stops.
If you must stop for a walk on the way home, go to unused areas. Your puppy is probably not fully vaccinated yet, so stay away from the pet rest areas, where many dogs have been. Instead carry him (if you can) to a more remote end of the rest area and set him down there. Carry him back and please, pick up after your pup. Puppies are not potty trained but are used to using a doggy door and most go outside to do their business. However, they get sidetracked when young and forget and have accidents.
Lastly, come straight home. This is not the time to leave your puppy in the car if you can help it or to stop off for a visit with friends. Keep things calm and simple, he/she already having a stressful day.
When You Get Home:
At this point the puppy probably has to go to the bathroom. Walk them around the outside area you’ve chosen for their bathroom or put them in the inside area with papers and give them some time. They maybe distracted at first, but usually nature calls quite quickly.
Put your other pets away and have human family members sit down to watch the puppy explore. They can praise him calmly if the puppy comes to them, but otherwise, just watch for a few minutes. Children can frighten the puppy if they charge up to him excitedly. Explain to them that being calm and gentle is the best way to make friends.
Some puppies may race around the house in overstimulated overdrive, others will curl up underneath something and watch their new world wide-eyed. Imagine if you were suddenly whisked away to a world you had no idea existed, adopted by beings you’d never met before, living in a place with machines and landscape you neither understand nor could previously imagine.
Not an easy day.
Some puppies especially thoser who have been flown to you in cargo may arrive stressed and sleep deprived, so don’t be surprised if they fall into a deep slumber that first night, giving you a blessedly quiet evening. Enjoy it – tomorrow when they are all rested they may well discover their lungs.
Don’t be in a hurry to introduce your new puppy to your other pets. There’s plenty of time for them to learn to get along, and it’s always better to take introductions slowly, so that all involved have time to adjust to each other. Crates, baby gates, and exercise pens are all helpful for giving pets the opportunity to see and smell each other without being in each other’s space.
Mistakes Happen:
It is common, normal and rather expected for your puppy to have an accident or two the first few days. You’re both learning about each other.
Get them out as often as you can – every half hour or so when he is out of confinement.
Go out with him – praising and rewarding for going outside and they will soon catch on.
Baby puppies, under sixteen weeks, have little muscle control. Most can’t help it when they go, so please don’t be angry.
What is a disaster – and this is too common, allowing mistakes to happen routinely – daily – without adjusting your schedule to prevent them. That’s setting the groundwork for a decade of poopy rugs and frustrated family.
Keeping a schedule of when your puppy eats and when they pee and poop can be a big help for preventing accidents and getting you on the road to successful housebreaking. This will help you get to know and anticipate when your puppy needs to go out, so that you can create success and rewardable moments, which will in turn bond your puppy more happily and closely to you.
If your new puppy is not very interested in eating and drinking much the first few days do not overly worry, this is normal. This is a HUGE change for your new addition. Changing dog foods most often will give your puppy the runs, their tummies can be sensitive and lots of changes can cause upset tummy. This is common, if you change foods, expect your puppy to have soft stools. If the puppy gets sick throwing up, blood in stool, and refuses to get up. Get your puppy to a vet ASAP. However, if just little unsure or shy, not gobbling up food or racing around playing this is normal.
Following these simple guidelines for your first days with your new puppy will go a long way toward building a strong, trusting relationship that will bring both you and your puppy joy for many years.
Please call, text or email with any concerns.
Thank you for purchasing a Saddleback Aussiedoodle!