Bringing Home a New Puppy Dog: What to Do!

You must have all ready to receive the dog. Think well where you want to have the dog, and place his bed there. This place should be particularly hot, without a draft, and easy to clean. It's also important not to isolate the dog, but to make the dog part of the family. Many people opt for the kitchen for this purpose, a good choice if it is a big place. When arriving, place your dog next to a puppy cot in case he wants to do his necessities. A box full of paper can serve as water closet when he cannot go outside. After some minutes try to give the dog a small portion of food, and then leave the dog alone, so he starts to get used to the place. If you feed the dog frequently, defecation will be stimulated, so better put some papers on the floor and near his box. The first night in a strange place could be disturbing for a little dog. So it won't be surprising if he starts to howl for a long time during this period. Try to put the dog on his bed, but if not, give the dog a little space in your room. Protect your carpet as far as possible, with a plastic covered by a thick layer of newspapers. Try not to get upset with the dog during this period, even if he doesn't stops howling. Dogs are very sensitive and they react accordingly with the tone of your voice; so you better talk to the dog quietly, sweetly, to calm the dog down. The major problem allowing the dog to sleep in your room, is that, afterwards, maybe he won't want to sleep somewhere else. When two dogs that do not know each other are in your house, you better keep them apart at night. Try to establish a strict schedule for his meals from the beginning, following the advice of the former owner. Choose a name for the dog, and call the dog by his name as much as possible, so he gets used to that sound. If the whole family is involved in taking care of the dog, that will help the dog to develop a close relation with all of them, instead of just one person.