It’s an exciting time. A new puppy home for the first time. I can’t think of much better.

But as well as exciting remember that, for them, it’s overwhelming and often a little scary. If we understand the reasons why that is then we can help them to settle in.

As big a day was it is for you, its bigger for your new puppy a you need to help them get through it.

Sleep.

A new puppy needs sleep. Lot of sleep.About 20 hours a day. It’s up to you to help them get it. Provide a quiet space, away from any and all distractions. Help them to settle down. If they don’t get enough sleep then over stimulation follows in much the same way as our children become overstimulated.

Leaving the litter.

Your new pup is a baby. In addition they’re a baby who’s just left everything they know, from their mother and all of their litter mates, their home pretty much everything really. It’s your job to help them through this time. It’s does get easier. To help them through this time try giving them an alarm clock – with a tick to stimulate their mums heart beat and a hot water bottle.

Parts 2 and 3.

Will come over the next couple of weeks. They’ll look at puppy biting and introducing a puppy to an older dog.