When a new puppy comes into your home for the first time, it’s important to be prepared for what can happen.
It’s like starting a new job or moving into a new house — there are some things that will come with the territory and others that will be completely unexpected.
Introducing Puppy to the House
The first thing you should do when introducing a puppy to your home is give them a place to rest.
You want to make sure they have enough room where they feel comfortable and safe.
This could be a crate, a bed, a basket, or even just a corner of the basement.
Make sure they have plenty of toys to play with while they wait for their owners to get back from work (or wherever they went).
If you plan on leaving them alone for long periods of time, make sure they have access to water, too.
They may not be able to hold it until you return.
Once you have a spot picked out for them, bring in a few of their favorite treats or bones.
Then leave them alone for 10 minutes or so, just to see how they react to being left alone.
If they seem happy and relaxed, then you know they’re ready to meet the other members of the household!
If they’re nervous, try holding them for a little bit longer before letting them out.
Introducing Puppy to Other Pets
Once they’ve been introduced to the house, it’s time to introduce them to the family pets.
There are several ways to do this, but we recommend waiting until they’re older (at least 8 weeks old) before bringing them around any animals that are larger than they are.
One way to do this is to let the puppy stay in a separate room for a couple of days.
Over those two days, feed them a small amount of food to encourage them to eat more.
Once they start eating well, you can take them outside to sniff around.
After a few minutes, lead them over to the dog who has been patiently waiting for them.
Keep them close to the dog and allow them to sniff each other.
Continue this process until they get used to each other.
It’s also possible to do this by introducing them one at a time.
For example, you could put the puppy in the kitchen and let the dog wander through the house.
Once he gets comfortable with the puppy, bring the puppy inside and repeat the process.
As soon as the dog feels comfortable with the puppy, take them both outside together and allow them to sniff each other once again.
The best way to introduce a puppy to another animal is to keep them separated for a few days.
When they finally get to meet each other, they’ll likely become very excited and anxious.
This is normal behavior and it means they’re bonding properly.
Take care not to overwhelm them at this stage, though.
Allow them to sniff each other for at least a minute or two before allowing them to interact.
If they still look uncomfortable after this period, don’t force anything.
Just let them calm down and continue with the process.
Introducing Puppy to Humans
Now that you’ve gotten them accustomed to meeting other dogs, it’s time to introduce them to humans.
This will probably be the most difficult because puppies are naturally wary of strangers and unfamiliar environments.
To help ease their anxiety, be patient and gentle.
Don’t rush into things and don’t force them to interact with people they aren’t comfortable with.
Start by getting the puppy used to you and your voice.
Hold them in your arms and talk softly to them.
Ask them questions such as “who are you?” “what do you think about me?” or “do you want to play?”
Let them explore you and your surroundings without making them afraid.
Eventually, you’ll be able to pet them gently without causing them to run away.
Next, you should try to find someone who is willing to act as a substitute parent for a short period of time.
Try to find someone who is friendly, kind, and patient.
Introduce the puppy to the person slowly and calmly.
Watch for signs of discomfort, fear, or aggression.
If you notice any of these behaviors, stop immediately and let the puppy calm down.
Never push the interaction further.
Finally, bring the puppy to the appropriate adult member of the household.
While it’s best to take them directly to the owner who brought them home, this isn’t always possible.
Instead, ask the owner to sit down somewhere nearby and watch the puppy for a few minutes.
The puppy should be able to recognize the owner’s face and smell, so they should eventually come to associate the scent of the owner with safety and comfort.
Once the puppy is comfortable with the owner, you can bring them over to say hello.
How Much Should a 6 Week Old Puppy Weigh?
A 6-week-old puppy should weigh between 8 and 12 pounds (3.6-5.4 kilograms).
The average weight of a healthy adult dog is about 20 pounds (9 kilograms), which means your puppy will be on the smaller side when he’s fully grown.
The first thing you should do when introducing your new baby to your home is to make sure that the flooring in his area is safe for him to walk on.
If he’s not walking around on carpet or wood floors, you’ll want to lay down some newspaper.
When Do Puppies Start to Potty Train?
Puppies learn their way around the house and how to use the bathroom as they grow up.
They start out using litter boxes at an early age, but by five or six weeks of age, most puppies are potty trained.
The first step is to get your puppy used to going outside in his own yard.
This will help prepare him for when he’s ready to be taken to the vet or groomer.
Once you decide that it’s time to take your puppy to the vet, you’ll want to make sure he has a clean bill of health before bringing him home.
If you’re just starting to train your puppy to pee outside, there are some things you can do to help along the way.
In addition to setting up a place where your puppy can go to pee (a crate or box) and getting him used to the sight of the door leading outside, you should also consider these tips:
Teach your puppy to associate the door with going outside. Every morning, open the door and let the puppy walk through it. Then, close the door behind him and wait until he goes into the crate or box to pee. Repeat this process several times throughout the day. As soon as you see your puppy urinating in his crate or box, praise him and reward him with food treats. When he starts to urinate outside, give him more praise and rewards.
Provide plenty of opportunities for your puppy to relieve himself. If you don’t have access to grass or other outdoor areas, put down a few sheets of newspaper. Keep a bowl of water nearby, and always keep your puppy on leash when he’s outside. You may not realize it, but many dogs learn better when they’re being walked than when they’re left alone. The goal is to encourage your puppy to feel comfortable enough to pee outside whenever possible.
Keep your puppy away from places he might find tempting. For instance, if you have cats, keep your puppy away from them. Dogs who spend time near cats often pick up bad habits like spraying urine. Also, don’t leave your puppy unattended while in public spaces. Even though he’s a puppy and small, he could easily get lost.
As we age, our bodies change, including our ability to urinate properly.
It’s important to note that while normal urine production is good, having a strong bladder muscle isn’t bad either.
The stronger your bladder muscles become, the less likely you are to develop incontinence later on in life.
A strong bladder muscle also means you’ll have better control over when you go to the bathroom.
There are several things you can do to keep your puppy healthy, including feeding him high quality food and making sure he gets enough exercise.
If you suspect that your puppy has a UTI, there are also some medications you can use to treat it.
However, if your puppy has a UTI, it’s best to contact your veterinarian right away.
Signs That Your Puppy May Be Sick
Puppies are very alert and aware of their surroundings, especially as they get older.
They can tell when something is wrong with them or someone else in your home.
This alertness also includes noticing changes in their body language.
For example, if they seem lethargic, you should pay closer attention.
If you notice that they’ve stopped playing, or they don’t respond to being petted, this may be an indication that they’re not feeling well.
If you think your pup might be sick, here are some signs you should look for.
Reduced Activity Level
An active puppy will usually be running around, exploring everything in sight.
He’ll want to play and he won’t want to nap unless it’s absolutely necessary.
If he seems less interested in things around him, he could be showing symptoms of illness.
You can try to play games with him, but if he just sits there staring off into space, he probably isn’t interested.
Vomiting
Some puppies eat too fast and end up throwing up.
This can happen even before they start eating solid food.
Other puppies develop vomiting problems later on because they’ve eaten too much, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough nutrition throughout the day.
Fever
A fever is another symptom of illness that many puppies experience.
A high temperature means that something inside the puppy has gone haywire.
The problem can range from the obvious (bacteria) to the more subtle (a virus).
It’s best to take your puppy to the vet right away if she develops a sudden high fever.
There are certain viruses that are particularly dangerous to dogs, so if she starts acting strangely, bring her to the vet immediately.
Lethargy
Another sign of sickness is lethargy.
You might think that your puppy has been sleeping all day, but he could actually be experiencing a mild form of encephalitis, which is caused by a viral infection.
If you suspect that your puppy is suffering from a viral infection, call your veterinarian right away.
Other symptoms include listlessness, drooling, and lack of appetite.
Sudden Weight Loss
A puppy that suddenly loses weight could suffer from several conditions, including liver disease, intestinal infections, and other illnesses that affect his kidneys.
He could also be dehydrated, meaning he doesn’t have enough water in his system.
Keep an eye on how much water he drinks during the day, and give him extra water if needed.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, but it can also be a result of other health issues, like parasites or allergies.
If your puppy suffers from diarrhea, it’s best to contact the vet right away.
He needs to be treated with medication, and he may also need fluids and electrolytes intravenously.
When to Call the Vet
If your pup is not showing any signs of illness or discomfort, and he’s still peeing and pooping on schedule, then there’s no reason to worry.
However, if your little guy isn’t acting like himself, it might be time to take action.
As puppies begin to grow up, they will often show signs of separation anxiety (also known as house phobia).
This is when they start worrying about going outside and can become extremely skittish when you try to take them outdoors.
If this happens to your puppy, try using a blanket over his crate door instead of leaving him in his crate alone.
You could also use a leash and walk around the block with him, but keep an eye out for any signs of aggression.
Another common sign that your puppy may be sick is excessive drooling.
This can sometimes happen when puppies are teething, but it could also indicate something more serious.
Make sure to ask your vet what to look out for if your puppy starts licking excessively.
How Often Should a Puppy Pee?
You may be wondering how often should a puppy pee? Well, that depends on the breed of dog and what stage your pup is in his training. A young puppy will need to go outside every hour or two during the first few weeks of his life. As he matures, it’ll take him longer to get up and go to the bathroom. Some breeds are born with their bladder muscles already developed, therefore they can hold it for much longer than other dogs. Puppies also have different levels of urinary tract infections (UTIs). A puppy who has a UTI won’t necessarily show signs of discomfort, but will likely be lethargic and have an odor coming from their urine. If your pup has been drinking more water than usual, this could mean that he’s dehydrated. You should always check his water bowl before giving him any food or treats. If your puppy has been acting like he’s constipated, it could be because he hasn’t eaten enough kibble or too much wet food. Also, if he doesn’t eat enough solid foods, then he may not have enough fiber in his diet and could end up being constipated as well. Make sure to give him plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
