Bringing Your Puppy Home
Don't be in too much of a rush to pick up your puppy. Arrive prepared and everything will go better for everyone. Have a supply of old towels in the car, as well as paper towels and a trash bag. Take along the new collar and leash you've selected for the pup. If the trip will be a long one, you may need a crate or some way to keep the pup safe and secure over a long distance.
The first thing you and your puppy will do together is drive from the breeder, foster home, or shelter to your home. Remember, this will not only be a strange new environment to the puppy, but will also be the first lengthy period of time away from everything he or she has ever known. You and your family are sure to be very excited about this event; for your puppy's sake, you want to manage it as calmly as possible.
When you arrive for your puppy, plan to spend some time just hanging out so the pup gets somewhat used to your attention and the smells of you and your family. Let your children interact with him (under appropriate supervision) while you take care of the final details. Go over any questions or concerns you have. Put the new collar you bought on the pup, and let him sniff the new leash.
The day you bring your puppy home from the breeder's is one of the happiest and most exciting — so long as you are prepared for his homecoming.
If he's old enough, take him for a short walk. It would be best if he eliminates just before getting in your car. Although dogs rarely suffer from what we call motion sickness, the noise, vibrations, and sudden movements can cause lots of anxiety. Some dogs will develop lifelong anxiety associations with driving and will vomit or urinate in a car even before the engine starts.
Travel with someone else who can drive so that you can tend to the puppy during the trip. Don't trust this to your kids, who will be too excited and may drop or otherwise mishandle the puppy — and purely by accident, which is something they shouldn't experience.
There is nothing cuter than children and puppies. But children, especially young children, are not experienced in handling such small animals. They don't know their own strength and how delicate puppies are. Puppies are not stuffed animals. You really need to tell your children not to squeeze too hard and hurt the newest member of your family.
Stop at convenient rest stops or about every half-hour to an hour to allow your pup to relieve himself if he needs to. Don't linger on these visits; they're for doing his business only! If he doesn't have to go, be on your way. If he does, tell him what a good puppy he is before scooping him gently back into the car. Don't do anything to compromise the safety of your puppy. Stay away from other dogs, don't let your kids run around with the pup, and don't feed him junk food even if you're having some. Keep him on a secure leash and close to you so he is not exposed to anything that could harm or upset him.
When you get home, allow your pup to explore the outside of your home. Be absolutely sure that any other dogs or pets you have are securely confined to another room before bringing him inside. The last thing you want or need is for your other beloved dog(s) to suddenly attack your pup. If you think it couldn't happen, think again. Let your new pup explore on his own before introducing any other pets. (Chapter 7 explains introducing new pets to each other.)
