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Puppy moves in - preparing the house and apartment properly
Before the puppy can move in, a few precautions must first be taken. Small objects that are at puppy height and are dangerous for the little four-legged friend, which it could injure itself on or swallow, must be put in a safe place. Objects that are dear to you should also be placed out of the puppy's reach. This is because young dogs are particularly curious and bring things to light that we have long forgotten and no longer have in view.
Another thing that many prospective puppy parents don't think about is the electrics: these should be well hidden away before the new family member's first day. It is not uncommon to hear of dogs nibbling on cables and suffering electric shocks as a result. This can be very dangerous for young animals and can even result in death.
Another source of danger in the house or apartment are poisonous plants for dogs. These plants do not belong in a household with puppies! These four-legged friends will play with anything they can get between their little teeth and cannot tell whether an object or plant is not good for them. Many plants can cause serious damage to dogs' health and lead to severe poisoning and death.
However, a puppy doesn't just stay in the living room or bedroom. They will also find their way into the bathroom and, of course, the kitchen at some point. You should therefore also lock away household cleaners and other toxic chemicals for dogs.
Make the garden "puppy-proof"
If a cat flap leads from the house into the garden, make sure that the new arrival has no access to it. Some puppies are so small that they can easily slip out through these flaps and possibly hurt themselves. Nobody wants their first time with puppies to be dominated by visits to the vet.
That brings us to the garden: If you have a garden, you should spruce it up too. Because the puppy is moving in and its curiosity won't stop at the garden. A fence is very important for dogs, especially if you live on a busy road. This fence should be immaculate, because dogs are particularly talented at digging under fences or finding every conceivable hole in the fence and enlarging it. In no time at all, the young dog has escaped through the fence The following also applies in the garden: poisonous plants for dogs should be removed. The little four-legged friend will play with anything he finds interesting. Sticks or leaves that are poisonous to him may end up in his mouth. Dangerous objects such as rakes and other garden utensils also belong in the designated garden shed.
Breeders and veterinarians recommend proceeding in the same way as with a child when a puppy moves in. This is because puppies move in and like to explore their new territory straight away. Therefore, everything that can be reached at puppy height should also be safe for the four-legged friend.
Picking up your puppy - do's and don'ts
When you pick up your puppy - from a breeder, an animal shelter or through a private agency - you must bear in mind that the puppy's arrival at its new home will begin with a separation. The young dog is separated from its parents/mother and littermates during a very sensitive phase. As a rule, dogs are relinquished between 8 and 10 weeks of age. This seems so natural to us that we sometimes don't even realize what an emotional break this separation can mean for the puppy. You are taking in a living being that is completely dependent on the care of others during a fragile phase. It is therefore all the more important to create a place of trust for the little rascal, where he feels comfortable from day one and is accepted by his new humans. Because even small puppies have a need for security.
The puppy-human bond in the first few days
Settling a puppy into its new home depends to a large extent on the security of and trust in the new family. This building of trust begins during visits to the family of origin and at the latest when the puppy is transported to its new home. Before you pack your new family member into the car and set off on your adventure together, you should first explore the means of transportation and, if necessary, the dog carrier together. Perhaps you could put a toy or a small treat in the crate. This will help your puppy to associate the crate and the carrier with something positive. These are the first steps on the ladder of trust. The transport box should also be equipped with a comfortable blanket and something old from its original family. To minimize possible homesickness, a souvenir, a toy, a towel or a small blanket with the smells of the mother and the littermates is beneficial.
First trip with the puppy - what you need to watch out for
During the journey, the dog should not sit alone in the trunk, but next to the human partner with whom the little puppy has built up the most trust so far. It is best to put your hand in the transport box to give your puppy a feeling of security. If your little one starts to whine or shows fear during the journey, make sure you don't stroke him. This will reinforce his behavior and fear all the more - this is also known as reinforcing the negative emotion. Also remember to take breaks in between if the journey home takes a few hours.
After arriving at the new home, it is good for the four-legged friend to be given enough time to get to know the new environment. Self-assured puppies usually start exploring their environment straight away. You can have this new experience together in a playful way. You can simply lift a leaf on the ground at your puppy's height and examine it, encourage him to play and sniff, direct his curiosity and interest towards a bush. As you and your puppy interact with each other, the first phase of communication and mutual understanding begins. Trust is built up and the bond between the new family member and you is strengthened. It is also advisable for the puppy to have a trusted person at the beginning, to whom he will look for the most. The change of many caregivers can even increase the puppy's lack of security and the separation experienced in the first few days.
But remember, the puppy's first walk and the following days should always be taken on a lead. The four-legged friend is not yet conditioned to you and could bolt faster than you can see. Especially if you live on a busy road, you must make sure that the little rascal does not run out of the house unobserved.
Arrival at the new home - settling the puppy in
The puppy's first day in its new home is not only exciting for you and any other family members, the little four-legged friend is also excited. After all, he doesn't know what to expect. When the new roommate crosses the threshold, it is best to show him the room where he will spend most of his time, his food and water bowls, toys and of course his dog basket where he will sleep.
He should not be left alone, especially at the beginning. On the one hand, you will condition him better to you and on the other hand, you can intervene quickly if he starts to be silly and wants to nibble on a chair leg or shows great interest in things that are not intended for small puppies.
In any case, remember that the puppy's first experiences on the first day and with the new home should be positively linked.
With so much excitement, the little one will soon have to do its business. This is the right time to start house-training your dog and assign him a place outside where he can do his business. The puppy's first walk should not be too long, 15 minutes at a time is enough. In any case, make sure that the little one has plenty of rest breaks. If the puppy withdraws, it should sleep in its basket.
Meeting other family members
When a puppy comes into the house, everyone involved is naturally excited: the puppy, the adults and also the children. However, people must not let their excitement show: Over-excited behavior and rushing towards the new arrival could cause restlessness and insecurity. Therefore, it is best to adjust the excitement somewhat and wait with exuberant caresses and hugs.
Ideally, all immediate family members will have already met the little puppy at the breeder or at its place of origin. This gives the four-legged friend the feeling that he is coming to friends, which of course makes him even happier and more secure.
If there are children in the household, it is advisable to practise picking up a puppy with them from an early age using soft toys. Children should also be warned not to be too euphoric or too brash with the little dog.
Friends, grandparents and other acquaintances and relatives should suspend their visits with the puppy in the early days. This could lead to sensory overload for the little rascal and he will lose direct contact with you.
Meeting other animals in the house
If there are other pets in the household, you should find out whether your pets, cat or dog, would get along with other animals before getting a puppy. If this is not the case, we strongly advise against getting a puppy.
If there is already an older dog in the household, it is generally less problematic to introduce a puppy to it. Older dogs do not see puppies as a threat and are happy to share their territory with the young newcomer. An adult dog is also well suited to training the puppy and putting it in its place. He signals the reprimand either with his paw, which swings at the little puppy, he barks at him or even snaps at him, occasionally baring his teeth. This can sometimes look like an attack to outsiders, but in dog language this is completely normal. This is no reason to panic, but you should make sure that the puppy doesn't become too pushy. You still know your dog's behavior best and can judge his posture well.
If there is a cat in the household, the encounter between puppy and cat could become more problematic. While dogs accept young cats more quickly, it is more difficult the other way round. Adult cats have less of an urge to play with young puppies and quickly feel pressured by the four-legged friends.
So while you are introducing the puppy to your cat, always keep him on a lead so that you can control him and his behavior. Give him a clear signal if the little four-legged friend pressures the cat too much. The puppy should learn right from the start to treat the cat with distance and respect. The cat should also be able to escape at any time if the whole situation becomes too much for it.
Where does the puppy sleep? First night in the new home
Opinions vary widely as to where the puppy should sleep for the first night and the following night. While some favor a room far from the bedroom and strictly forbid the dog access to the bedroom, others tend to let the four-legged friend sleep directly in their bed. In short, there is no right or wrong answer.
As a pack animal, dogs like to be close to their humans and it is up to each dog owner to decide whether they need to sleep in the bed with them. If you decide to let your new animal roommate sleep in your bed, this does not mean that it has taken on the role of leader and feels equal to humans.
If you decide to let your dog sleep outside the bedroom, you should do this gradually. For the first few nights, it is recommended that the puppy is not kept so far away from people. You can place his basket right next to your bed and perhaps let your hand hang from the bed into the basket at night. The puppy's first night should give him a feeling of security. The little dog needs physical contact and the reassurance that he is not alone. Up to now, the four-legged friend has always spent its nights in the protection of its mother and its littermates.
Remember: a puppy rarely sleeps through the night. Therefore, you may be faced with sleepless nights and have to take your little rascal out at night.
