When the puppy first arrives home, she/he will most likely experience sensory overload. Too many new places, smells, and people at once may confuse him. Introduce a designated area where his food and water are, or where you’ve placed his crate. Introduce him to the rest of the house, one room at a time, skipping the rooms you’ve decided are off-limits. Introduce him to his new family members one person at a time. It will be difficult with the excitement about a new puppy but try to give him a chance to meet each family member quietly.

Provide safe chew toys and if she/he starts to chew on anything else, redirect her/him to his chew toy. Do not let your puppy chew on hands and fingers, even in play. The puppy will learn that this is acceptable behavior and may bite others who do not understand why the dog is biting them. Supervise your puppy and always keep her/him within your sight during the early days. Take the puppy with you from room to room, giving her/him a chance to explore under your watchful eye.

Immediately begin teaching the puppy your house rules. Structure and consistency are key for better adjusted and happier puppies. Use gentle redirection when the puppy exhibits any behavior you don’t want to encourage. Yelling and punishment frightens and confuses puppies and is not an effective training technique. The puppy will learn your expectations if you praise good behavior and deflect unacceptable behavior.

Puppies sleep between 15-to-20 hours a day, sometimes dropping off to sleep in their tracks. Place the sleeping puppy in the crate or dog bed to encourage good sleeping habits. Dogs prefer the security and safety of a den and should have a crate available to them for this reason. Take the puppy to the same outside area where you want him to potty. Use the same command, such as “go potty” and when she/he does potty, give praise, praise, praise.

Take things slowly, gradually expanding her/his environment, under your supervision. Provide a lot of affectionate contact with the family, with consistent rules and routine. Reward your puppy for good behavior, and gentle corrections for unacceptable behaviors. Your puppy will quickly learn his place in his new “pack”, and you will establish a bond that will last throughout her/his life.

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