Your First 24 Hours of New Puppy Care
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting and fun! But there is more to it than just taking a new puppy home and playing with her. If you want to avoid chaos and confusion, you’ll need to do some upfront preparation.
You need to have your puppy’s space ready for her, and you need to have some puppy supplies on hand. You’ll want your new Weimaraner puppy to be comfortable and secure, from the moment that she arrives.
Coming to live with you is a big deal for your puppy. She will probably be a bit scared and disoriented for a little while.
After all, she will have to get used to being in a new place, with new faces, and she will need to learn who is now part of her “new pack”.
Puppy Separation Anxiety
It may be tempting to have a big celebration party when your puppy arrives. But your puppy will be much more comfortable if he has time to become acquainted with JUST your immediate family.
This is a time for bonding with the Pack and getting to know each other. And for your new puppy to get to know her new home and surroundings.
It is important to help your Weimaraner puppy feel accepted and loved. You need to talk to her, hold her and pet her for short periods of time.
After all, she is feeling a bit homesick for her mother, brothers and sisters. And she misses her old surroundings.
While everything will be new and frightening at first, your new puppy should adjust quickly, and soon she will be an important part of your family.
You’ll Need These Puppy Supplies
There will be lots of excitement at your house, when your new puppy arrives. And the last thing that you need to do, is run to the store several times to get puppy supplies that you need.
It is best to have everything ready before your bring home your new puppy. You can find a list of things you’ll need here.
Things that Smell Familiar
Ask to get a towel, toy or just a piece of fabric that has spent some time at the puppy’s former home. You can ask the breeder to purchase a toy. Offer to pay for it.
Or you can bring home an old towel that was in with your puppy’s mother and siblings. Familiar smells will help your puppy to feel comfortable in your home.
Large breed puppy food
Use the same puppy food that the Weimaraner breeder has been giving the puppies. Before bringing home a new puppy, ask what puppy food she has been eating. Purchase some of the same puppy food so that your new puppy will be eating food that she is used to eating. Changing her diet when she has a nervous stomach can lead to digestive problems like diarrhea.
Daytime puppy crate
Using a crate for housebreaking a puppy, makes the job a lot easier. However, even if you plan to use another method for housebreaking, a crate is still a good idea. A crate that is open lets your puppy see the family, but also helps her feel safe in her own space. If you place the crate in the same room as family members, your puppy will start to feel part of your family.
Crate pad or bed
Purchase a nice soft puppy bed so that your puppy will have a comfortable place to curl up and sleep. Her bed will define this area as a sleeping spot—off-limits for peeing and pooping.
Puppy collar and dog leash
While it may seem to be early for this, you are not really leash training at this point. You are keeping your puppy safe. If he needs to go outside (including when you are bringing home a new puppy from the breeder’s), you’ll want to make sure that he doesn’t run away from you—into the path of a car.
Tips to Make Bringing Home Puppy Easy
You arrive at the breeder’s and pick up your new little Weimaraner puppy. What now? It’s like bringing your first baby home from the hospital. You need to know what to do next…
Here are some tips on how to make bringing home a new puppy easier, for all of you:
Pick up your puppy as early as possible
That way you will have a whole day to get used to each other, and for your new puppy to become accustomed to you and her new home.
Have someone go with you
If your puppy is not used to being in a crate, putting him in a crate for the ride home could be very frightening. Being held by someone is more comforting. However, NEVER try to drive while holding your new puppy!
Take towels or paper towels
You will need these for cleanup if your pup urinates on the way home. It’s best to avoid giving her water during the trip (if it’s a short trip). This will help to avoid carsickness and will minimize her having to pee.
First thing when you get home, let your puppy explore his new yard for a few minutes. Place her in the exact location that you want her to use as her bathroom. If she goes, give her praise.
Show your pup her new water and food bowls
Before you bring your puppy home, decide where you want to place her bowls. If you place a waterproof mat underneath them, it will help prevent a mess on your floor.
Get down to his level
Sit or lie on the floor to socialize with your puppy, and get to know him. When you are smaller (not standing), you are less intimidating to a little one.
Play together
Keep playtime short, for just a few minutes. Then let your puppy settle into his crate for a nap. Puppies need lots of little naps.
Bringing home a new puppy is not difficult, and, if you follow these simple hints, the transition for both of you will be easier.
Enjoy your new puppy!
Related Articles
What Age should your new Puppy Be?