Responsible Dog Ownership
Bringing Your Puppy Home
The first days set the tone for a lifetime together.
The day your puppy comes home is exciting for the whole family — and a little overwhelming for the puppy. A calm, prepared start helps your puppy feel safe and settle quickly.
A few simple habits in the first weeks will prevent many problems later.
Prepare your home first
Before the puppy arrives, set up a quiet bed, food and water bowls, safe toys, and remove anything harmful within reach. Decide in advance where the puppy will sleep and eat.
Visit your veterinarian early
Arrange a health check soon after bringing the puppy home, and discuss the vaccination and deworming schedule your puppy needs.
Keep the same food at first
Feed the food the puppy is used to for the first days, then change gradually if needed. A sudden change of diet can upset a young puppy's stomach.
Give the puppy time to settle
Let the puppy explore quietly and rest often. Avoid overwhelming it with too many visitors or too much handling in the first days.
Begin toilet training immediately
Take the puppy outside frequently, reward it for going in the right place, and be patient. Consistency is far more effective than punishment.
Create a daily routine
Regular times for meals, play, rest and toilet breaks help a puppy feel secure and learn what to expect.
Never leave a young puppy alone for long
Young puppies cannot cope with long hours by themselves. Build up short periods of alone time slowly so your puppy learns to be relaxed on its own.