Welcoming Your New Puppy: The Essentials

jillkudera
5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

1. Help Your New Puppy Feel Safe and Secure

Your top priority is helping your puppy feel safe, secure, and unpressured as they adjust. Your puppy’s whole world has just changed, and even though you’re wonderful, you aren’t their mom or furry siblings. There’s nothing more adorable than a precious puppy. As challenging as this will be, avoid scooping them up for hugs and kisses right away—this can feel overwhelming and entirely unnatural for a little pup. Give them time to settle in before introducing lots of people.

Let your puppy choose when they’re ready to engage. When dogs feel they have a choice, they become more confident and curious—much like a child who suddenly becomes interested the moment you stop coaxing.

2. Provide a Safe, Quiet Retreat

Every new puppy needs a calm place to rest—a kennel, a bedroom, or even a large walk-in closet can work. This space should only be associated with positive experiences, never punishment. Offer treats, meals, frozen Kongs, or Pupsicles in this space so it becomes a comforting spot they willingly choose.

If you want to close the door, build up gradually in tiny steps: close/open, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, etc., always keeping your puppy relaxed. Like toddlers, pups don’t always know when they need a nap—we often help make that call! Keep the tone neutral and easygoing so this becomes just another regular part of life.

3. Follow a Consistent Potty Schedule

A good rule: puppies can hold their bladder for one hour per month of age. Take them out:

• After meals

• After playing or chewing

• After sniffing around

• After waking up

Keep a short journal at first so that you can learn their schedule and stay ahead of accidents. Take your puppy outside on leash ( preventing potty time turning into play time) for about 5 minutes in a designated spot. When they start to go, quietly say your cue “go potty or hurry up”, then praise and reward immediately after they finish. If they don’t go, bring them inside for 30 seconds, then head back out and try again, repeat until they have been successful.

4. Use Plenty of Tiny, Yummy Treats

Keep a variety of tasty treats on hand to use as rewards. What gets rewarded gets repeated! Choosing treats at the store can sometimes be overwhelming; when using many treats for training, opt for ones that are easy to break into tiny pieces—about the size of a pea—and that don’t crumble easily. Pay attention to what your puppy finds rewarding, as every dog is different. If you reward them with something they don’t enjoy, like a vigorous head ruffle or treats they dislike, it won’t be very effective.

5. Give Your New Puppy Lots of Things to Do. Be sure your choices are age and size-appropriate.

Be mindful that if you take away a behavior like chewing shoes, nipping, or jumping etc., that you have something to replace it with. Puppies need healthy outlets for their endless energy, especially when you’re busy and unable to entertain them. Rotate toys and enrichment so they stay new and exciting.

Some great options:

• Kongs with soaked kibble, pumpkin, PB (no xylitol!)

• WOOF Pupsicle or premade fillers

• Snuffle mats (or a DIY towel version)

• Lick mats—I love the suction cup and bowl versions

• Safe chews like Honest Chew, Nylabone/BeneBone, Canophera

• Food puzzles like the Kong Wobbler or tricky treat ball