Introduction of puppy to a new home
Limit your pup's access. Too many new places, smells, and people at once can confuse you. Instead, let him explore a designated area where you are also located. Then introduce it to the rest of the house, one room at a time.
Choose a place to go to the bathroom. Start by taking him to the outside area where you want him to eliminate. When he relieves himself, use a command you can follow, such as "go potty," and reward him with a special treat and praise.
Introduce him to his new family. If possible, do this one person at a time. Give him the opportunity to get to know each of you in silence. Supervise small children. Discourage them from picking up the puppy. Let him hold it in his lap with your help.
Minimize stress and emotion. Don't invite friends and neighbors to meet him yet. That will be important very soon, but it shouldn't start on day one.
Introduce other family pets. Puppies are still developing their communication skills and do not understand the rules set by adult dogs. As long as an adult dog's behavior is appropriate when correcting a puppy, it's okay for him to growl a little. If the older dog becomes agitated, separate or redirect the puppy.
Do not interact with dogs outside your home. Because your puppy probably has not received all of his vaccinations, he should not interact with strange dogs or walk where other dogs do.
Start enforcing the rules. The puppy needs to learn the rules of the house from the beginning. Praise good behavior. Set your rules ahead of time and stick to them, for example: Where do you want the puppy to sleep? Is the puppy allowed on the furniture? Can the puppy have leftover food from the table?
Start a routine and stick to it
Structure will help your new canine family member feel secure and understand what is expected of him. Routine makes it easier for everyone, including humans. Create a schedule and stick to it. Please note:
Feeding time Puppies eat 2 – 3 times a day. Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule. What comes in on a regular schedule will come out on a regular schedule.
Going to the bathroom Every time your puppy eats, drinks, wakes up, plays, sniffs the room, most young puppies have to relieve themselves at least every 45 minutes when they are awake. Pick up the puppy and take him to the designated potty area. Never punish him for housetraining "mistakes." When he eliminates outside, reward him immediately.
Playtime: Your puppy needs exercise and interaction with you. A word of warning: Sustained strenuous exercise (long runs, jumping) is not good for puppies, but playing with toys and with you, mental stimulation with puzzles, and running around in the yard are great. A tired puppy is a good puppy.Surviving the first night
Some puppies sleep through the night from the beginning. Others may cry for some nights. And some may not be able to hold their urine and need a trip outside in the middle of the night, but this usually ends by 4 or 5 months of age.
• For many puppies, nighttime is the “witching hour,” and if you anticipate it by starting play, you may use up some energy and calm down. An evening walk gives you exercise and a chance to take a bathroom break. Make sure he relieves himself right before going to bed.
• Put the box in your bedroom. Your puppy will feel safer if he has you around. Bring home a blanket or stuffed toy that smells like your puppy's mother and keep it in his crate.
• A set bedtime makes setting up and training at home easier for everyone. It doesn't matter if it's 8 p.m. or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine. Take him to his cage and help him settle in for the night, giving him a small treat when he comes in voluntarily.
• If your puppy still isn't able to get through the night, when he whines, take him quietly for a quick, boring potty break. Then put it back in the box.
• If your puppy cries, don't put him in your bed unless you want him to sleep there. You can put the box right next to your bed and put your hand inside to reassure him that you are there. A cage is like a den, where a puppy does not relieve himself.