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Welcome to your new puppy survival guide - the first 24 hours. We’ve got a full rundown of what to do when your new puppy arrives, to get them off to the best possible start in their new life with you.
Having raised plenty of our own pups here at Potty Buddy HQ, we know that new puppy first 24 hours are a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, fun & questions. So we’ve got you covered with all the things we wished we’d known in those first few hours with a new puppy. Including the big hitters - where should my puppy sleep at night time? And what do you do when your new puppy cries at night?
Plus, we’ve got a full schedule for that new puppy first 24 hours, so you can be sure they have all their needs met!
Let’s start at the beginning, the pickup.
Make sure you take into account any delays or possible traffic, as it’s ideal to get to your breeder or rescue on time. This is because they’ll most likely have your puppy ready to go at the scheduled time. If you’re lucky, they’ll have tired your puppy out plenty with playtime, so your pup is ready to spend the ride home sleeping peacefully. If not, try and tire them out before you leave with a little game.
That said, many puppies will find the whole leaving-their-only home thing pretty stressful. There might be some crying and confusion to start with. Most often though, this only lasts a few minutes, especially if they are tired. So simply soothe them with a gentle voice and hold them if they look in need of reassurance. A little tasty treat can help too!
Definitely ask your breeder if you can have something that smells like mom to take with you. This can really help a young puppy feel calmer and more settled in their new surroundings. They might even let you take a few familiar toys with you too.
Yep, you heard right. It starts now! So take your puppy straight to their potty spot, like your new Potty Buddy Pad, and let them do their business. This sets you up for future success, as puppies are way more likely to use a spot they’ve been before. That’s why our Training Spray works so well, so top marks if you spray that on your pad before your pup arrives!
Instead of smothering your new doggo with love straight away, it’s best to let them explore on their own terms. In those first few hours with your new puppy in a new home, they’ll want to have a good sniff of their new surroundings.
There’s no better way to get a puppy feeling happy and confident in a new space than a good play session. So after they’ve had an explore, see if you can entice them to play some games with you to really start that bonding process.
Make sure they know where their water bowl, toys and bedding is, so they can make choices about their needs. Extra brownie points if you have a secure room or pen they can explore safely, with a cozy bed and a Potty Buddy ready.
To help the evening go a little smoother, it's a great idea to start introducing the crate now. Start with baby steps, by simpling placing treats inside and then rewarding your puppy for stepping inside. Keep the door open and just keep jackpotting them for choosing to go inside, or following a lure inside. That’s your first training session - cute!
Yep, that’s right it’s time to pee again. To get that housebreaking off to a strong start, build the habit of taking your puppy out every 30 minutes (or more if they’ve just had a big gulp of water!). After about an hour of activity, your pup is probably ready for a nap. So give them a stuffed kong to calm down, or sit with them quietly until they nod off.
To try and help your puppy have a good first night's sleep, try and keep them up for a little over an hour before you plan to have lights out. This way they’ll be ready for a good long sleep.
If you’re wondering where should my puppy sleep at night time, the answer is…close by! Whether you want them crate trained or sleeping in your own bed, start by keeping them close. This means having the crate right by your bed tonight, even if it won’t stay there forever. Alternatively, you can camp down next to your pup’s crate instead.
On the first night, you can expect that your pup might feel worried. They’ve no longer got mom or littermates to cuddle up to. So don’t be worried about soothing and comforting them. That might mean taking them out of the crate or pen and holding them for a little while. This first day is all about showing them you are there for them, you can work on crate training later!
Want more help with crate training? Read our guide to Fixing Crate Whining.
Puppies need a whopping 15-20 hours of sleep a day. That’s because all that growing is tiring stuff. Don’t be worried if they seem super sleepy on that first day, but also be aware that a wild puppy is often an overtired puppy. So if they are acting like a total landshark - it’s time for a nap!
Consistency is key, so make sure you take them to their designated spot every 30 minutes, or after every ‘event’ in their day. Just finished a play session? Pee! Just finished eating? Pee!
One of the best ways to boost your chances of success is to use a training aid, like our Housebreaking Spray. The pheromone-mimicking blend sends signals to your pup that they’ve used this spot before, which encourages them to choose there over, say, your favorite rug!
And if going out every 30 minutes sounds like a nightmare, whether it’s 6 feet of snow or 6 flights of stairs, then why not invest in a Potty Buddy? Our mega-absorbent pads will keep your floors free of accidents while needing a simple machine wash to be restored to their fresh glory. So you can save money, time, and the planet! Plus they are super cozy, great for lining a crate!
If your new puppy has diarrhea on the first day home, don’t panic. This is pretty common. Stress diarrhea is normal when puppies find themselves in a new place, and sometimes just takes some time to clear up. If you think it might help, a little chicken and cooked white rice can help them settle their stomach.
Usually, stress diarrhea improves over 48 to 72 hours, but if you see no improvement or the diarrhea worsens, it's best to get an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you can, as this could be more than just first-day nerves.
It’s also not normal for a puppy to have diarrhea with blood, or to have brightly colored diarrhea (unless you’ve given them frozen carrots to gnaw on!), so if you notice any odd colors coming out, contact your vet.
There you have it! Your full schedule for your new puppy’s first 24 hours!
We hope this helps you feel you are putting your best foot forward with your little doggo, and we can’t wait to see the advent-paws you undertake together!
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