Bringing Home Your New Best Friend
3 Simple steps to set you up for success
Disclosure: This site may contain links to affiliate sites that earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products and services that I personally use!
Also, it should go without saying, but all of the recommendations below are based on the average pet dog. If you have a dog with severe sensitivities, you need to seek out a good training to help work through these things.
It’s that time of the year again. The snow is melting, the ground is thawing, and folks are looking for a new best friend to help them escape the long confines of winter. Whether you’re an experienced paw-parent, or a first time dog owner, there are a few easy steps you can take to make your pup’s transition to their new home as smooth as possible.
Invest in a Crate
If crate training wasn’t already on your radar, it should be now. Crates are invaluable tools, not only providing a safe and secure space for your pup to travel in, but also helping with potty training, and generally preventing mayhem. Trust me….you want a crate.
Already have a crate and not sure where to start? Check out my previous block post “What’s in a Crate”.
Create Some Separation
Now that you’ve got your crate, your next step is to set up a cozy den for your pup. But don’t just go dropping that thing in the eye of the hurricane that is your living room.
Have you ever tried to nap on the couch while the rest of your family busily went about their lives? How’d that go for you? Bet it wasn’t super restful.
The same is true of your pup; they need a quiet space that is out of the way, so they can nap without worrying about all the things the rest of the family are doing. Like me on a Saturday night, puppies have major FOMO (fear of missing out) and won’t be able to peel themselves away from the live action instagram feed happening right in front of their eyes.
So pop your pup in a quiet guest room, cover their crate with an old sheet so it’s dark and cozy, and invest in a cheap noise machine so they don’t hear you every time you flush the toilet. Then close that door and leave the room. And NO! DON”T OPEN IT AGAIN! Give your pup at least an hour to chill.
Set a Schedule
Speaking of time, you’ll make your life significantly easier if you can get your pup on a schedule. We’re all creatures of habit who crave stability and a routine. Putting your pup on a schedule will help decrease anxiety, and make potty training easier. When folks ask me how to do this, I recommend they subscribe to a work day type schedule, even if you work from home (see below for an example). It helps to reduce possible separation anxiety down the line, and gives you some moments of sanity where you can…you know live your life.
Because here’s the biggest take away: you got this puppy to complement your life, not rule it. As long as your puppy’s needs are being met physically (exercise, nutrition), emotionally (socialization, bonding with you), and mentally (training) then you don’t need to spend every moment of every day doing something for the dog. You’ll burn yourself out, come to resent your pup, not to mention create a whole slew of behavioral problems to boot. So pop that pup in a crate or x-pen with an amazing chewy, and give yourself a little time to unwind and decompress. After all, you’re only human.
Sample Schedule
Depending on the age of your puppy, your schedule may vary slightly. The rule of thumb is a puppy can hold it for 1 hour for every month of age. So your 8 week old pup is probably good for 2 hours.
6 AM - Wake up, potty dogs. Give puppy its breakfast in a puzzle toy, and pop it in a crate or x-pen. Eat breakfast yourself and get ready for work.
8 AM - Potty puppy one more time, then pop them in their crate with a bone, kong or similar chew. Close door and “go to work”.
10 AM - Quick potty break and back in the crate with a chewy. (Can be dropped as puppy gets older or does not actually potty at this time).
12 PM - Potty break, lunch with a short training session and 15 min play session. Maybe take the puppy out for a walk if you have time. Get one last potty break in before you pop them back in the crate with a chewy or enrichment item.
3 PM - Another quick potty break. (Can be dropped as puppy gets older or does not actually potty at this time).
5 PM - Potty, dinner, training and play time.
7 PM - “Chill time” puppy in an x-pen with toys and bones while you make dinner. Don’t forget to potty!
8 PM - Another potty break, possible play time, or snuggle time on the couch with you. No more water after this point.
10 PM - last potty break, then puppy heads to the crate for bed.