Your Puppy's First Day
Give your dog a head start on a happy life by making
his first day a great one. Your puppy's first day in
your home is one of the most important times in his
young life. Try to make it one of his best days.

It's very important for your dog to be wearing an ID
tag from the first day he is at your home.  Before you
bring your new dog or puppy home, have the tag
ready for him. If you haven't chosen a name for your
dog yet, just put your address and phone number on
it.

The first thing you are going to want to do is hold
your puppy. You might want to hold him all the time.
But it is very important for your puppy to have a
chance to meet the other people in your family. He
also needs to explore his new home. Holding your
puppy is important so he learns to love you, but on
the first day, hold him only a few minutes at a time.

You and your parents should get your house ready
before your pup comes home. Puppy-proofing your
house will keep your new pup safe from danger.

Puppy-proof your house:
1. Make sure cords and wires are not where your
dog can reach them.
2. Place trash in cupboards or have your parents get
trash cans with lids.
3. Ask your folks to remove dangerous liquids, like
cleaners and antifreeze.
4. Clear off tables that your pup might reach.   

Have a couple of toys ready for your dog to play
with. He may not want to play the first day, but they
will be there if he does.

Have a place for your dog to sleep. A crate makes a
good bed. When your puppy is resting, he can be in
a private place where no one will bother him. If you
don't have a crate, put his bed somewhere that is
cozy, comfortable, and private for him.

Your pup will probably need to go to the bathroom
soon after he arrives. It would be a good idea to take
him outside before he begins to explore your home.
Praise him when he goes.

Give your new dog time to explore your house, but
don't leave him alone. You can stand behind him and
follow him to the places he wants to go.  Be very
gentle. Only hold him a little bit.

Joining the Family
The best place for your new dog to meet your other
dog for the first time is outside--in your yard (fenced)
or in a park (on a leash). When they are comfortable
with each other, bring them indoors.


Quiet, please!
Your puppy will do better if your house is quiet. Loud
noises may scare him. Later, when he is used to
your house, you can introduce new sounds slowly.

Give your pup some water right away if he's thirsty.
Wait and give your dog some food after he has been
home for a while and is feeling more comfortable.
Don't forget to let him outside every time he drinks
or eats. See 'Housebreaking Your Dog' for tips.

It is very important to know what Humane means:
Humane means acting kind, gentle, and generous
toward your pets. Your new puppy needs to feel safe
at all times. You can help him to feel that way by
being humane to him.


TIP:
Don't start any training on this first day. This is your
pup's day to meet everyone.
It might be very tempting to take your dog out and
show him off to your friends, but you need to wait a
little while. First, let your pup get comfortable at
home and with everyone that lives in your
house.  Then, after your pup has had it's shots to
protect him from illness, take him out for short walks
not very far from your house. Always remember to
tell your pup he is doing a great job.