Bringing Your Puppy Home

This weekend our puppies turn 8 weeks old and will all be going home to their new families.  It is an exciting day to bring a puppy home, but it does come with its moments of anxiety.  Hopefully if you know what to expect ahead of time, you can relieve some of these anxieties.

First of all, when the puppies ride home, it is not uncommon for them to cry or whine.  Just driving in the car itself is something new.  When I took the pups to the vet, a few of the pups complained very loudly in the car.  They just were not sure about the motion of the vehicle.  On a long car ride, your puppy might also get car sick.  So be prepared with a towel for him to sit on.  It is recommended that you come with a companion so that someone can drive and the other person can hold the puppy.  This makes it a little easier on the pup.

Your puppy will miss his litter mates a bit as well.  If your pup cries, he is not crying for Dixie, as she does not spend very much time with them anymore.  She does romp with them sporadically during the day....but she has stopped nursing them completely over these past few days and she has been separating herself from them naturally.

You can relieve the litter separation your puppy is feeling by letting your pup be near you as much as you are able.  You will quickly replace his litter.

It is hardest for the puppy at night time, because he has always had a furry friend to curl up with.  It is not recommended that you sleep with your dog...but I have known several people do this for the first few days to get through the initial loneliness the puppy feels.  Do not lock your pup up in a basement or laundry room if he whines or cries...it will only add to his anxiety.  The best thing to do, is to tether your puppy to your bed, so that he can be near you, smell you and hear your breathing.  As long as he is tethered, it is unlikely he will soil your rug.  You can also put the litter box within his reach so he can use it in the night if he needs to.

Being close to you is comforting to him, and will help him bond to you.  He will go to sleep much easier.  If he seems happy in his crate, then you could also crate him in your room.

If the puppy has been sleeping quietly for several hours in the night and then wakes up and starts crying again....chances are he needs to use the potty.  You will need to take him to his litter box if it is not within his reach.  In time his bladder will mature and then he will sleep through the night.