What to do with your puppy on the first day

The big day’s finally arrived – time to pick up your new puppy. You’ve probably done plenty of research into whether to get a dog , sorted out your puppy insurance , and maybe even done a bit of new puppy shopping , but it’s a good idea to actually think about what you’ll be doing in that crucial first 24 hours, and beyond. Oli Juste is a dog trainer and behaviourist who has offered his expertise in Channel 4’s Puppy School . “Socialisation starts as soon as you bring your pup home,” says Oli. “Puppies need exposure to different situations, environments and ‘things’ to help them develop into happy and confident dogs. “From car trips , automatic doors at the supermarket, and vet visits, to hoovers, children and other dogs – pups need to be exposed to as much as possible, in a calm and positive way.” And while you want to settle your puppy into your new home smoothly, that socialisation process should really start as soon as possible. “Socialisation should take place before they’re 16 weeks old, and can shape their behaviour well into adulthood. If your puppy has missed the critical window, be patient and introduce them to new environments slowly,” says Oli. What you’ll need for day one Before you go to pick up your puppy, get ready for training success by making sure you have these essentials: Four puppy lessons to start on day one These are Oli’s top tips for helping new pet parents train happy, healthy pups from that first day, and beyond Lesson one: Toilet training Dogs are contextual learners – they learn by doing and experiencing. Here’s some advice for getting started with toilet training - and if you want to go further, check out our full puppy house training schedule . Lesson 2: Discourage jumping Jumping up is a common problem for puppies and dogs. Here are some tips for addressing the issue on your puppy’s first day at home: Lesson 3: Puppy biting Puppy teeth are very sharp and, while nibbles aren’t usually a sign of aggression, puppies need to learn that biting or chewing people (or furniture) isn’t good behaviour. Consider the following advice from day one: Lesson four: Prevent separation anxiety On day one, it’s probably best to make sure you’re available for your pup all day. But sooner or later, you’ll have to leave the room - and the house - without them. Here are some things to consider: Crate training is a great tool for helping your puppy feel safe and relaxed in their ‘den’ while you’re away. Puppy schedule Puppies need short bouts of activity and plenty of rest. This is what a typical day might look like for your very young puppy: You can use this schedule as a basis for your day, but adjust it to your own puppy. They might need more frequent garden breaks, for example, or you might want to do more training and less playtime - or vice versa. The main thing is to have a plan ready for that crucial first day - then you can adjust and adapt as your puppy grows.

What to do with your puppy on the first day

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