... has anyone any tips on how I should handle his first few hours in his new home?
There will be an hour's drive back from the breeder, so I will take him out in the garden as soon as we get back to empty himself of course
No advice but I will be waiting on pins and needles to hear how your first night went
Becky
Will you be getting a little toy or blanket/Vet Bed from the breeder to bring home with him - it can be a comfort for them to have something with a familiar smell in a strange place? Most of mine have come with their own piece of Vet Bed but Herbie had a lovely little duvet/quilt with a doggy design all over the fabric, to bring with him.
Good luck!
Rosemary
I'm excited for you I'm sure everything will go well. Enjoy your new puppy and don't forget the photos. Don't forget to praise him when he's been a good boy.
When I collected my puppies I sat in the back of the car and gently tickled and talked to them. Previously I sent a blanket to the breeders so they had the smell of something familiar. I think this was a comfort.
I don't believe in keeping the puppies away from you at night. I personally would have a pen by your bed so they feel the comfort of knowing you are there.
My little puppies are monsters and at four years old and it is a race who gets a space in the bed first :slp:
Thank you Meljoy Yes I have a set of rules in mind. There will be several closed doors for the time being. I have removed anything I can see that might be dangerous to him.There are a few wires/cables that I can't do much about ie TV/ Sky box/ telephone icon_nwunsure
I have made myself laugh thinking about toileting words actually, imagining the neighbours listening to me saying 'go wee wee' or similar :lol:
I put a filled box/plastic tub or two in front of those areas for a while. Gracie has shown no interest at all in electrical cords or outlets.... but when we first brought her home, these were very helpful.
When I had my previous two boys I used to tell them "Toilet, toilet!" - My sister-in-law having heard me calling this one evening to them said "All your neighbours must think you've named the dogs 'Toilet'"...
:lol::lol::lol:
You don't have to use the words like wee or poo that we'd normally associate with toilet training - since our dogs don't actually speak English you could say 'Jellyfish' or 'Iggly Piggly' and that would be fine :lol: - as long as you're not likely to be using the words regularly in conversation or in a context where a pup might get the wrong message! But preferably use short words with a distinct sound that Alfie won't confuse with other commands like 'sit' and 'down', etc.
Rosemary