Getting a new puppy is exhilarating, and the build-up to the moment you bring your new fur baby home is filled with excitement. Holding your new puppy in your arms for the first time is the best feeling in the world, but it also comes with responsibility and stress.
Your puppy’s first night at home can be daunting. This is when you set the initial tone and begin to form habits, so it’s vital to be prepared.
There are many things to consider, such as where your new puppy will sleep, what to do if your fur baby keeps whining at night, what it will eat, how to train your puppy to interact with guests, and how to give your puppy all the attention in the world.
This article can help with tips to make your puppy’s first night at home a little easier.
Designate a sleep space
Choosing a sleep space for your new puppy is vital to help it feel secure in its new environment.
Here are some tips to help you select the best sleeping area:
Designated area: Choose a quiet, low-traffic area in your home where your puppy can feel safe and undisturbed. This could be a corner of a room or a separate area like a laundry room or study.
Comfortable bedding: Provide a cozy dog bed or blanket in the designated space. Look for an appropriately sized bed for your puppy, and consider a washable cover for easy cleaning.
Crate training: If you decide to use a crate, ensure it is appropriately sized—large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably but not overly spacious, which can encourage a potty accident in its sleeping area. Line the crate with soft bedding and add a few safe toys.
Familiar objects: Place a piece of clothing or a blanket with your scent near the sleeping area. This can provide comfort and help your puppy feel more at home. Remember, your puppy is coming to you after sleeping with its mother and siblings, so sleeping alone can be challenging.
Temperature control: Ensure the sleeping area is not too hot or cold. Puppies are sensitive to temperature, so aim for a comfortable climate.
Positive associations: Make your puppy’s sleep space a relaxing area to help it establish a positive association with it. You can feed it in this spot or give it treats when it goes there. Reward your puppy for spending time in the area so it has a positive association with sleep space.
Minimize distractions: Avoid loud noises or bright lights in your puppy’s sleeping area. A calm environment can help soothe a puppy’s anxiety in their new surroundings.
Introduce your puppy to its sleep spot
To introduce your puppy to its sleep spot and start on your puppy’s first night.
Start by choosing a quiet and comfortable puppy sleep location in your home. Make it inviting with a cozy bed or blanket.
Begin the introduction by gently placing your puppy in the designated area and using a soft, soothing voice to encourage it to settle down. You can also set a favorite toy or treats nearby to make the spot more appealing.
Spend some time sitting near the area to help your puppy feel safe and secure. Patting or softly talking to your puppy can create a positive association with the sleep spot. If your puppy explores or seems unsure, gently guide it back to the area without forcing it.
Always be patient, as your puppy may take some time to feel comfortable.
Consistency is key, so try to encourage your puppy to sleep in the same spot each night, reinforcing it as a safe space.
Over time, your puppy will associate the area with comfort and rest.
Minimize whining and crying
Handling whining and crying during your puppy’s first night can be challenging. Here are several strategies to help ease the transition:
Using dog crates: To train your puppy, introduce them to the crate as a positive space by placing toys or treats inside and leaving the door open for exploration.
Familiar items: To comfort and reduce anxiety, offer a blanket or toy with the scent of your puppy’s mother or littermates.
Stay calm: Stay calm when your puppy whines or cries. Reacting with stress can increase their anxiety.
Gradual independence: For the first night, consider sleeping in the same room as your puppy to help them feel less alone. Gradually transition to another room as they settle in, or start with their crate or bed in your room before moving it later.
Soothing sounds: Soft music or white noise can calm your puppy by masking anxiety-triggering sounds.
Consistency: If your puppy whines, it might need to go outside. Take it out for a bathroom break, then return it to its sleeping spot.
Don’t be surprised if, on your puppy’s first night or on any night in the first week or two, your puppy wakes you in the middle of the night to go outside. Puppy bladders are small, and they need to go potty every two to three hours.
When you go out, don’t play with your puppy. Take it to potty, then immediately put it back in the crate.
Avoid reinforcing bad behavior: If your puppy cries for attention and you comfort it right away, it may learn that whining gets results. Wait for a moment of silence before offering reassurance.
Be patient: It’s normal for puppies to feel anxious their first nights away from their litter. With time and reassurance, they will adapt to their new home.
Each puppy is different, so try different approaches to see what works best. And remember, positive reinforcement — rewarding your puppy for the behavior you want — is always more effective than punishing your puppy for the behavior you don’t.
Setting a routine
The most important thing to do with your new puppy is to set a routine as quickly as possible.
Dogs thrive on routine, so setting a schedule with designated times for meals, playtime, training, sleeping, exercise, and potty breaks will help your puppy adjust to your home. Sticking to your feeding schedule will help immensely with potty training.
When you arrive home, take your puppy to its designated potty area so it will know where to go in the future.
Try to make the crate as comfortable as possible and add a hot water bottle to mimic the effect of sleeping beside its mother’s warm body.
Crates are helpful because they prevent your puppy from entering rooms unsupervised, which can add to stress and confusion while you’re trying to establish the puppy’s potty routines. Using the crate can also help if you haven’t puppy-proofed your home yet.
Keep your puppy in the crate for about two hours at a time. Then, take it out to do its business and allow it to explore for 15 minutes before putting it back in the crate.
Do this at night, too. A bedtime routine will help your puppy relax and prepare for sleep.
If necessary, set alarms to help you remember your puppy’s schedule so you can get it out regularly for potty breaks.
Plenty of attention
The first and only thing you should probably do is give your puppy all the attention you can. Be sure to cuddle and talk to your puppy. This will help build and strengthen your bond.
It is important to remember that your puppy just left its mother and is only about two months old.
Understand your puppy is likely nervous about being in a new place. It’s been taken from a familiar environment and everything it knows.
If you live with them or if they plan to come over, warn your family that they should not overly fuss over the new pup.
You should follow this tip, too.
While you might want to show your puppy attention, too much can be stressful for your new puppy.
Prepare for your new puppy
One of the best things you can do for your new dog is to be prepared for their arrival. You can use a new puppy checklist to ensure you have the puppy supplies you need, from food and a water bowl to a harness and leash to a collar, toys, a playpen, and a crate.
All dog breeds are different, and they require different things, so do research about the dog you want to get.
For example, Yorkies are highly adaptable dogs, and skipping a walk or two could be forgiven, but they are also easily prone to developing separation anxiety.
Whippets, on the other hand, have a strong prey drive and need to stay on a leash while you give them at least an hour of exercise daily.
Being a pet owner requires a similar amount of work as being a parent.
The first 24 hours are significant for setting the tone with your new puppy and will help shape their personality.
Set a routine for your puppy as quickly as possible, and try not to create undue stress.
The most important thing a responsible dog owner can do is become knowledgeable about their dog, meet its needs, and help their puppy have a successful first night.
Ensure your puppy’s first night success
Bringing home a new puppy can be a thrilling yet challenging experience, especially during your puppy’s first night.
By designating a comfortable and secure sleeping area, gently introducing your new best friend to their space, and implementing strategies to minimize whining and crying, you can create a positive environment that helps young puppies adjust.
Remember to be patient and consistent, as these early days lay the foundation for your puppy’s training and development.
With love, care, patience, and proper guidance, you can help your furry friend feel safe and comfortable, setting the stage for a happy and harmonious life together.