Useful information for new puppy owners:
Your new puppy is so excited to be a member of your family. Even though he/she is excited, it can be a terrifying experience for them. Your new puppy will be scared and will be looking for his/her siblings. It will take time and patience from you for your puppy to be comfortable in their new surroundings. Below we have compiled a few tips to help you and your new puppy adjust smoothly to your new family.
What to expect for the first few days:
Going into a new home is a stressful situation for a puppy. It is important to give your new puppy time to relax so that they may transition to their new surroundings. Be sure not to overstimulate your puppy as this can overwhelm them and be detrimental to their overall health. Until they have adjusted, make sure to give them plenty of time to sleep and rest, and make sure they have plenty of food and water.
Before the puppy is 16 weeks old:
By the time the puppy is 16 weeks old they should have all of their adult shots. This includes the DA2P and rabies vaccinations. Before they are fully vaccinated it is unwise to take your puppy places where there may be other dogs, or where other dogs may have been. If your puppy is not fully protected it may be susceptible to dangerous viruses such as Parvo. Before your puppy has had all of their shots it is important that they avoid places like dog parks, stores that allow pets, and common areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been. If you are unsure of whether or not it is a good idea to take your unprotected puppy somewhere, it is generally better to not bring them along. You do not want to risk exposing your new puppy to potentially deadly viruses.
Loose Stool:
Joining a new family can be very stressful for a puppy and you should not be surprised if they get loose stool. The combination of stress and new food/treats can irritate their stomach and cause loose stool. So long as your puppy is eating, drinking, and acting normally then there is no need to worry. Make sure to give your puppy at least a week to adjust. If your puppy does get loose stool you can give them a couple of tablespoons of canned pumpkin to help harden their stool. However, if your puppy becomes lethargic, has bloody diarrhea, or is not eating/drinking take your puppy to the vet immediately.
Potty Training:
Your new puppy will not be potty trained when you first get them. It is important to remember that puppies bladder muscles do not fully develop until they are 6 months old. It is possible that potty training them may take this long, so patience is imperative. Here are some helpful tips to help with the potty training process:
Establish a schedule and stick to it the best you can. This helps the puppy get in a routine and will hopefully prevent unwanted accidents. You should let them out every 30 minutes to an hour.
Take your puppy to use the bathroom after every meal.
Take your puppy to use the bathroom immediately after they wake up from a nap.
Take them to the same spot to use the bathroom. Their scents will prompt them to go.
Accompany your puppy when they go out to make sure they have relieved themselves.
Be sure to praise your puppy and give them a treat when they use the bathroom.