Your puppy is moving in: Tips & checklists

Congratulations on your new family member! The decision to take in a puppy is an exciting and significant life change. In this article, you'll find out how to organise the journey home and the arrival at your new home.

The arrival of a puppy marks the start of a wonderful journey full of love, joy and responsibility. It's important to prepare well for the arrival of your little furball to provide them with a warm and loving home. From setting up a cosy place to sleep to choosing the right food - there are many things to consider to ensure your puppy feels comfortable and secure from the start.

1. Picking up the puppy: preparation & the right time

Preparations: A safe home for your puppy

A puppy is a curious explorer. Every open drawer, every shoe and even potted plants are new territory and are carefully inspected and sometimes nibbled on. Therefore, there are a few things that are important to bear in mind to make your home a safe place.

The following things are essential:

Secure power cables and power sources
Store any medication safely
Pack away commercially available poisons (pesticides, rat poison, insecticides, pesticides, etc.) and cleaning products
Place poisonous plants out of reach (better not to bring any into the home at all)
Watch out for small parts that can cause choking if swallowed
Avoid sharp objects such as nails, pins, etc.
Always lock food storage units, tinned food shelves and cellars
Store all food that is poisonous to dogs out of reach

The right timing

Our tip: Ideally, you should pick up your little puppy as early as possible on a weekend morning so that you arrive home during the day and have plenty of time to get used to each other. Cuddling and playing together will make the start of your puppy's new family life easier. Your puppy will usually miss its mum and siblings during the first few nights. Therefore, make sure not to leave your puppy alone in a room under any circumstances - it needs your company and the feeling of not being alone.

The pick-up day is often set by the breeder, the animal shelter or the foster home so that all puppies can be picked up on the same day and start their new life. It is less stressful for both the puppies and the mum.

You are welcome to ask in advance what your puppy's daily routine has been like so far. When and how often it was fed, when it was played with and walked extensively and when the puppy's rest breaks were. All of this information can help to ensure that your little puppy quickly settles into its new home and feels right at home.

2. Pick up puppy: The journey home

Important: The puppy should be able to have contact with you during the car journey. Ideally, you should not be alone when picking up the puppy, but have another person with you who can look after the puppy during the journey. This will give your little one a feeling of security right from the start.

Before setting off on the journey, your new family member should be given the opportunity to relieve themselves. The puppy should also not have eaten beforehand so that it doesn't get sick during the journey. If he starts to smack his lips during the journey, this can be a sign of nausea. In this case, pull over and take a short break where you can stretch your feet and paws and take a deep breath.

If you have a longer journey ahead of you, plan short wee breaks.

Checklist for the car journey home:

Kitchen towels and (dog faeces) bags to collect and remove bodily fluids such as spit or vomit
A blanket or towel for your furry friend to lie on
Fresh water + (travel) bowl
Harness, collar & lead
Poop bags for a possible poop break

3. Arrival in the new home

Give your puppy enough time to settle in

When you arrive at your new home, give the puppy the opportunity to relieve itself in the garden in peace and quiet to avoid the first ‘mishap’ in the new home. Let him have a good sniff in the garden or on a meadow and praise him lavishly when he has done his business. Only then should he go to his new home.

The rest of the day should be as calm and relaxed as possible. Give the little puppy the time he needs to explore his new home and don't leave him alone under any circumstances.

Show him where to find his water and food bowls and where he can rest and sleep.

Less is more

You should not overstress your puppy during the first few days in its new home. Let him come to you and be patient if he finds his new surroundings more exciting than you. You are welcome to reward him when he makes contact with you and does something right, but don't give him any commands just yet.

To introduce the little one to your new life together, make your day as ordinary as possible. Ignore the puppy if he lifts his head curiously and sniffs with his nose when you are preparing your food in the kitchen. It is also not worth following you to the toilet. Your puppy will gradually learn that he can continue to sleep peacefully and relax in his dog basket even when he hears smells, noises and movements

Postpone family meeting

You should not overstress your puppy during the first few days in its new home. Let him come to you and be patient if he finds his new surroundings more exciting than you. You are welcome to reward him when he makes contact with you and does something right, but don't give him any commands just yet.

4. Puppy at home: feeding

Everything you need to know about feeding your puppy can be found in detail in the following articles:

5. Puppy at home: The first nights

Even if it sounds harsh at the sight of the little ball of fur with the big saucer eyes, your puppy should spend the night in its ‘proper’ sleeping place right from the start. Ideally, the dog bed or dog crate should be in the bedroom right next to your bed so that he feels your presence and realises that he is part of the community. Under no circumstances should the puppy have to sleep alone in a separate room.

Puppies don't like to do their business in their sleeping area, which you can take advantage of. Let him sleep in a dog crate or in a large cardboard box. Your puppy will let you know at night with whining and whining when it's time to go out.

6. Puppy at home: Encounters with other pets

If there are already other animals living in your home, it is important that you familiarise your puppy with the other pets in a controlled and gentle manner and gradually introduce them to each other.

Cohabitants such as cats should have secure retreat areas that your newest member cannot reach. The same applies to small animals such as hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, exotic animals, etc. Give everyone some time to see, smell and get to know each other slowly and at a distance.

If there are other canine housemates, it is usually advisable to introduce them to each other outside their own territory and walk a few steps together on a lead before going into the house/garden. Not all dogs are equally happy to share your attention from now on and puppy protection does not exist, or only in a family pack that has grown up together. Normally, the older dogs like to set rules for the newcomer, are reserved and even dismissive at first, but will thaw out and make friends after a short time.