4 Tips To Make Your New Puppy Feel At Home
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for the whole family. This is your new companion who will provide you with many years of love and friendship. However, you should remember that puppies are still very young, and they have a lot to learn about the world. Here are four ways you can make your new puppy feel comfortable in their new home:
1. Feed them a familiar food.
If your puppy is already eating solid food by the time you bring them home, make sure to find out what brand of kibble their breeder has been feeding them. A new home is a big adjustment for a little puppy, but familiar things can provide stability and comfort. If possible, feed your puppy the same kibble they're used to eating. This can prevent an upset stomach and might even help your dog's appetite.
2. Bring home a favorite toy.
It's not uncommon for dogs to develop favoritism for certain toys, just like human children do. If your puppy has a favorite toy at their breeder's home, find out if you can take the toy home with you. This object can provide comfort as your new dog gets used to an unfamiliar environment. Soft plush toys are usually the most soothing, since they mimic some of the characteristics of another dog.
3. Give your dog a comforting place to sleep.
If your puppy is young, it might feel lonely or scared at night. Remember that until recently, your new puppy was used to sleeping with its mother and littermates. Give your puppy a warm, comfortable place to sleep by purchasing them a dog bed. It's a good idea to get a dog bed large enough to accommodate your puppy's adult size. Larger breeds will probably require an extra large dog bed.
If your puppy gets anxious at night, give them a piece of clothing that you've worn, They'll find the scent comforting. A hot water bottle can mimic the body heat of other dogs, which can also calm your puppy and help them fall asleep.
4. Introduce other pets slowly.
It's completely possible to integrate a new puppy into a household with existing pets, but you need to do so deliberately and carefully. Allow your old and new pets to get used to each other gradually. Confining your new puppy to a single room and allowing your dogs to smell each other through the door can help them become familiar with each other's scent. Always supervise your dogs' interactions until you're certain that both animals have become friends.