Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience for the whole family, but it can also be quite stressful for everyone involved, especially during the first 72 hours. At Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, Colorado we understand and we’re here to help. Read below to learn what to expect and what you can do to make the transition easier.
Becoming a Puppy Parent: A Guide for a Happy Homecoming
This is obviously an overwhelming time for you and your puppy but it’s also extremely important as it will help to set the foundation for a long and happy life together. With the right approach, you can start to build a strong bond with your new best friend. Just take things a step at a time and you can help things go as smoothly as possible.
The transition actually begins before your puppy comes home. You need to make sure that you have all of the necessary supplies for feeding, housetraining, grooming, sleeping and playing. Make a checklist and refer to it frequently to ensure that you’ve gotten everything you need. You’ll want items like food, bowls, a leash and collar, potty pads, a crate, a dog bed and toys. Our expert staff at Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, CO can advise you on the best brands so don’t hesitate to ask.
Have a travel crate or pet carrier ready for the car ride home. You may want to include a blanket that has the scent of the pup’s mother and litter mates to ease its nerves. Make sure the puppy goes potty right before getting in the car and if it will be a long trip you should make several stops for potty breaks. Keep the puppy in its crate during the trip and make sure the temperature is comfortable. Ignore any crying, that’s a normal reaction and nothing to worry about.
The moment you get home, take the puppy to its outdoor bathroom spot so that you can begin to make that connection immediately. Next, bring them inside but keep to a confined spot rather than letting them roam the whole house as that can be too much for some pups. You can use puppy gates or simply close doors in order to define a safe space.
The same theory holds true for meeting family members and other pets. It’s perfectly natural for everyone to be excited to meet the pup but too much sensory input at once can stress your puppy out, so have them meet one or two at a time to keep them calm. For the same reason, you should limit visits from people outside the family for the first few days to let your puppy settle in.
When they first come home, puppies are likely to be anxious, timid and confused. Like most babies, they’ll probably do a lot of crying, especially at night. Putting their crate in your bedroom so they can see you can help minimize this. Chewing is also normal but you can avoid problems by providing toys to chew on. Our staff at Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, Colorado can help you pick the right ones.
While some behavioral issues are expected, if your puppy refuses to eat or drink for more than 24 hours, has bouts of vomiting or diarrhea or acts lethargic you should contact your veterinarian as these can all be signs of health concerns.
The first 72 hours with your new puppy set the tone for a lifetime. At Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, CO we do everything we can to help get that life off to a great start, from answering your questions to giving you advice and letting you know what kind of behavior to expect so you’re not taken by surprise. That’s our commitment to our customers, because we know that every happy ending starts with a good beginning!
