How to Help a Puppy Adjust to a New Home

The first day that a puppy spends away from its mother and litter mates can be quite traumatic. The puppy is unfamiliar with the world around it, and the only security that the poor little thing has ever known is gone. The puppy is taken into a strange environment by unknown people and the puppy's natural reaction is fear, trepidation and worry. Many puppies will cry and whimper for their lost family. Some puppies will try to hide. A few puppies will suffer digestive upset from the stress such as vomiting or diarrhea. There are ways to help the new puppy transition and to ease the stress level.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog food
  • Bowls
  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Pet cleaner
  • Stuffed animal
  • Pet bed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule the puppy's first day home at a time when the main human caretaker can be there all day and night. Having a human with the puppy will help ease a bit of the common separation anxiety and fear that the pup will naturally feel. Ideally, the main human caretaker should choose a weekend to spend with the puppy so the transition is easier.

    • 2

      Give the puppy ample time to go potty when you exit the car before taking the pup into its new home. Many puppies will urinate from fear when in unfamiliar surroundings. Let the puppy spend a little bit of time sniffing around outside so it can urinate before entering the house for the first time. Be sure to keep the puppy on a leash in case it should decide to make a run for it when outside.

    • 3

      Bring the puppy into the house and set it down in the middle of the room. Evaluate its behavior by simply watching. Some puppies will start to sniff around, others will run up to you seeking reassurance and others will hide. If the puppy is a hider, then let it hide for awhile. Do not try to coax it out or grab it. Simply let the puppy adjust from its hiding hole to the new surroundings. Eventually the puppy will venture out and you can offer it a treat.

    • 4

      Offer the puppy a bowl of water and food. Feed the puppy the same food that it is familiar with. Changing food on such a stressful day can easily give the puppy diarrhea, so make sure that the same brand of food is fed initially. Let the puppy become familiar with where it will eat and drink. The puppy should have fresh water available at all times.

    • 5

      Set up a dog crate for your new puppy. Let the puppy explore the crate by placing a few toys inside of it. Crates are an ideal way to housebreak a new puppy and also the perfect choice for a puppy bed at night. Most dogs view crates as a large den and readily accept the carrier as their own private space.

    • 6

      Take the puppy outside to potty every hour and after eating. Try to establish a routine on the first day. Dogs adore routines and will quickly find solace in the repetition. Remember to always place the puppy on a leash when outside so it does not run away.

    • 7

      Take the new puppy outside to go potty right before bed. Place the dog crate or dog bed into your bedroom to help ease the puppy's loneliness. Many puppies begin to cry in the dark out of fear. If the puppy whines, try to sooth it in a calm voice. If the whining is persistent, take the puppy outside to potty again. Very few puppies can make it through an entire night without having to go potty in the wee hours.

    • 8

      Place a blanket or stuffed animal into the crate or dog bed with the puppy that smells like its mother or litter mates. Many breeders will provide new owners with a stuffed toy or blanket that harbors such familiar odors but if they do not then bring your own blanket or stuffed toy to rub on the mother or litter mates before picking up the puppy. The familiar smells will help ease the puppy's fears and help it to sleep more comfortably.