Getting a new puppy in the house can be an exciting time, and it’s great fun for everyone the day you bring your new puppy home. But what about your puppy’s first night at home in its new surroundings?
Everything is new and exciting and the happy puppy is a bundle of cute joy. She will bound around the house, sniffing here and there–looking for new scents and discoveries. The kids will want to play with your puppy and your puppy will play right back. Everything is good!
Then, your puppy’s first night at home comes. Your puppy is pooped out and seems tired and ready for bed. You may have set aside a little place, perhaps a little dog crate, for your puppy to spend the night. Everything seems great…until your puppy realizes she’s all alone that is. Remember, she’s been curling up to a bunch of other, snuggly litter mates for the past few weeks and mom is always nearby with a steady heartbeat and some warm milk. Now your puppy is alone. Sure, she has her new family, but you’re all in your own beds…trying to sleep. So, the puppy begins to cry…and whimper…and whimper more and cry and so on. It will be a pitiful little noise and your heart will break.
There are many different ways to handle your puppy’s first few nights. You can try to ignore her. You can stay up all night trying to make her calm and sleepy. You can get up occasionally, trying to remind her that she’s not alone. Perhaps there’s really no right answer, but most experts agree that you should establish your routine right away. You need to establish the boundaries and rules that you expect your puppy AND you to live by.
Generally speaking, it is probably best not to let your puppy sleep in your bed the first week…unless it is something you plan on continuing forever. You should also probably not ignore your puppy the entire first night. Tough love has its place, but your puppy’s bladder is very small and she may need to use the potty occasionally. Keeping her in a crate or tethered with a short leash near your bed will generally keep her from voiding during the night as dogs do not like to go where they sleep; but, she will not be able to hold it all night. You have to help her out.
If the crying and whining persists you can give your puppy some gentle reassurance that everything is okay, but don’t overdo it. Eventually, she will learn that crying is not leading to anything and she will probably stop. It might take an hour or so…or it might take a few nights, but eventually she’ll get it. Most of all, stay consistent and patient. Do not yell one moment and rub her belly the next. If you find yourself getting upset, take some deep breaths and count to ten or something. Remember, this is your puppy’s new home and you’ve brought her here. You need to provide the best environment you can and show her how comfortable and loving her new home will be.