The First Day With Your New Puppy

Good starts are very important, and this is very true for your first few days with your new puppy. For the puppy away from mom and the rest of the litter, this is the biggest adventure of his life. He is out in the great wide world and its up to you on how his adventure will go. With a few simple preparations and some common sense you can start your new relationship off perfectly with your new pup.

One of the essentials to provide your new puppy is an adequete and comfortable bed.
* The bed should be well padded and raised off the floor to keep the puppy warm
* Place the bed in an area with no drafts; puppies have a low resistanc to infection and drafts are dangerous to their health
* The bed should be kept clean at all times
* The bed should be made of a non-chewable durable material
Make it a rule that no matter what type of bed you choose, when the puppy is sleeping, he is off limits to intrusion. Nothing is more important to his growth and emotional stability than peaceful sleep.

As a new pet owner you also need to provide your new puppy with food and water bowls. These should be non-breakable as well as non-chewable bowls that are kept clean for your pet. Feedings should be frequent and light while fresh water should be provided at all times. Another important item for your new pet is a comfortable collar. The collar should fit snugly around the neck, but with enough room for your fingers to slip between the collar and the neck of the puppy. To this collar you need to attach any local dog licenses required by law, as well as your contact info in case you ever get seperated from your new puppy.

As for the first day with your new puppy, if possible bring him to his new home early in the morning. This gives the puppy all day to get accustomed to his new home before his first bedtime without the litter. If your family includes young children you especially want to get this relationship off an a positive step. Here are some play-safe rules for children as well as every member of the family to keep in mind when playing with the newest member of the group.
* Never grab the puppy by his front legs, they are not strong enough for this treatment
* Avoid sudden loud noises which may startle the puppy
* Never tease the puppy, you want to gain his confidence
* Avoid any potential high falls from tall furniture
* Don't overtire the puppy, rest is important to his health
* Do not disturb the puppy while he is eating, and allow some quiet time after eating to aid digestion

If you already have a cat or dog in your home then you may have a delicate job of introduction on your hands. Your existing pet may react unexpectantly to the new addition of the family. It would be advised that introductions go slow and be very supervised in the beginning. To start, allow the new puppy to explore with the previous pet secluded away in the garden. For their first meeting allow a face to face, but with a glass or screen door between them. When ready to be in the same room together, remember their will be some sound effects and postering, but in the end the two pets will become fast friends and playmates.