The First Week with Your New Bernedoodle Puppy: What to Expect Day & Night
Bringing a new puppy home can be exciting and a little stressful! You want to know what to expect and how you can minimize transition stress for both you and your puppy. From your puppy’s first car ride to settling them into their new home and building a strong relationship with consistent positive reinforcement, there is a lot to process. Keep reading for some notes on what these first hours and days might look like, and some tips and tricks to help you both get through the first week successfully.
Before You Bring Your Puppy Home
Dream Villa Pets sends you home with a starter kit to help ease the transition; however, there are a few things to consider before bringing your puppy home.
- Make sure to puppy-proof your home: (a) get puppy gates to separate safe zones with easily cleaned floors from carpeted areas and (b) put away anything that might look fun to eat or chew; puppies are curious and will try to get into things that aren’t always safe for them.
- Identify your puppy’s new potty spot and decide on a feeding method.
- Decide on a few cue words that you will consistently use with your new puppy. For example: will you say “pen” or “crate” when directing them into their crate?
- Choose a vet and make sure they are accepting new patients.
- Once you have your pickup date set, schedule your puppy’s first appointment to happen within the first 10 days after you get them.
- Look into, choose, and schedule any training or socialization program your pup might be attending.
What to Expect on the Car Ride Home
Now that you are ready for your new puppy, it is time to go pick them up. This is likely going to be your puppy’s first car ride! Even though you may want to hold and snuggle your new friend, this might not be the best option. To help prevent motion sickness, use a crate or carrier that limits their visual stimulation.
- Keep the car cool and crack a window for air movement.
- Provide a familiar washable blanket or towel.
- Give them continuous positive reinforcement.
Even when doing what you can to help, they may still get car sick the first few times, so be prepared with paper towels, puppy pads, and some wet wipes to help clean up the potential mess.
What to Do When You Arrive at Home
As soon as you are home, take your puppy to their new potty spot and give them the potty cue you will be using. Reward any efforts they may make. Keep their safe zones small, limiting them to one or two rooms. Allow them to explore and let them sniff things out in this small safe zone.
If You Have Children at Home
If there are children in the house, tell them ahead of time the ways to handle a puppy. Things like not chasing, grabbing, or picking up the pup are important. Allow the puppy to approach the children on his/her own terms. Negative experiences for your pup are hard to de-program.
If You Have Other Pets at Home
If you have other pets in the house, you want to be able to control the first meeting between them and your new pup. It can be overwhelming for both your other pets and your new puppy to meet for the first time; it is imperative that they all are kept safe and given time to learn from each other.
- Keep them separated.
- Allow them to sniff each other through gates/doors.
- Keep both leashed and at a distance to look at each other for a bit of time and slowly allow them to come closer.
- If either one shows any negative behavior, stop/slow down the process.
Your Puppy’s First Day Home
This first day has been a big one for your new puppy! They need to recuperate from the car ride and rest from all the new stimulation; they are most likely going to sleep quite a bit for the next day or so. Don’t be surprised if they do not eat or drink much right away; this is very normal. Give them access to fresh water and feed them. Take them to their potty spot anytime they eat or wake up.
Your Puppy’s First Night at Home
For nighttime, put them in their crate covered on the sides and top. It might be tempting to give them a soft bed or toys/stuffed animals, but there is a chance your pup will have accidents in their crate in the beginning. Make sure any comfort items given in the crate are easily washed. Stay nearby so they can be comforted by your presence. Instead of letting them out when they cry, reward them when they quiet down. Give them regular potty breaks.
Your Puppy’s First Week Home
Get to work on getting to know each other more! Consistent positive reinforcement and rewards are very important in building a successful and strong relationship with your pup. Use gentle correction to address any unwanted behaviors.
- Anytime your new puppy comes up to you, give them treats and positive affirmations.
- Use their name frequently, and when they respond to it, treat them.
- Encourage them to use the potty area anytime they eat, wake up, or every hour; reward any efforts.
- Use treats to guide them into their crate, reward them anytime they are calm and quiet in their crate or when they go into it on their own. Seeing a pattern?
Puppy Goals for the First Week
By the end of the first week, your puppy should be confidently approaching you, responding to their name, and becoming familiar with their potty area and crate. Don’t set massive goals beyond these basics – your puppy is transitioning during this first week, and it can be overwhelming for them too. Young puppies need lots of rest, and you can expect them to be taking lots of naps.
How to Introduce Your New Puppy to New People
Now that your pup is hopefully a little more settled in, you can let new people come meet them! Keep groups of new people small, 1-3 people at a time, so as not to overwhelm your pup. Allow the puppy to be curious and approach new people on his/her own terms. Continue getting them used to using their name, potty area, and feeling confident coming to you. Use their crate as a safe and comforting place, not a punishment.
Summary: The First Week with Your Puppy Doesn’t Have to be Scary
The first week is important for building a strong foundation with your new Bernedoodle pup, but don’t let it overwhelm you. By following this simple guideline, both you and your puppy will be on track for long-term success. Focus on learning more about your puppy – their potty cues, their behavior when they're tired, their favorite ways to play, etc. – and forming a healthy connection, and the rest will follow.
Good luck and have fun with your new mini Bernedoodle puppy!
If you have more puppy questions, you can contact Dream Villa Pets any time – we are here to help.
Posted in: Bernedoodle Puppy Tips & Tricks
