So, you’ve pulled the trigger on the new puppy and you’re ready to take your new furry friend home with you – congratulations! Adopting a new puppy is an exciting time – full of laughter and cuteness, messes and chaos, but most of all, a whole lot of love.
Surely this is not the first time you’ve heard this, but adopting and bringing a new puppy home can be quite the responsibility. It can be difficult to remember everything you need for them, so here’s a well-rounded guide to make sure you have what you need when it comes time to bringing Fido home.
Before You Pick Your New Puppy Up
Though it can be tempting to jump right into the cuddles and kisses on the drive home, it’s important to make sure you have what you need at home before your furry friend arrives. Puppies are a serious commitment, so do not make any rash decisions – make sure everything is thought out beforehand, and it will make an easier transition on both you and your new puppy.
It goes without saying, but bringing a new puppy into the house will make it a little more difficult than usual to keep your home squeaky clean. Prepare to embrace the chaos!
However, it’s important that your living space is clean for when you first bring your puppy home. They will want to sniff around and explore the new space, so make sure it’s tidied up for them to have access to all their new areas.
Keep an eye out and clean up any hazardous materials such as cleaning agents or chemicals that may be lying around your home. Substances that smell will specifically catch the attention of a puppy, and you certainly don’t want that.
Cleaning supplies, oils, fertilizers, and other substances are important to look out for. Think through all the spaces your puppy will be allowed to roam – if they will have access to the garage, make sure anything hazardous is put up and stowed properly.
Be sure to look through your yard and check for any allergens or hazards. Fertilizers and lawn treatments can be toxic to animals, so make sure those substances are put away before your puppy gets there to explore. Also be wary of any thorny bushes and potentially harmful plants that your dog may stumble into as they explore their new space.
Picking Your New Puppy Up
So, you’ve done all the prep work at home and it’s time to go pick up your new furry friend. There will certainly be a lot of excitement involved, so it’s good to think through the process of actually picking them up from the breeder or shelter before you actually get there. Here are some things to consider for when you’re there with your new puppy and the breeder, shelter or handler.
Be prepared with any questions you may have for the breeder or handler of your puppy. Questions regarding their diet, any known allergies, comfortable toys or blankets, and so on are all important when it comes to offering your furry friend the easiest transition into their new home. It may also be a good idea to request an appropriate contact number for the breeder or handler in case any unexpected questions come up in the first few days.
Request a few days’ worth of the puppy’s food before you leave so you can appropriately transition their food if necessary. Immediately changing a puppy’s food type or brand can upset their stomach, so having a small supply of their original food to ease their way into a different type or brand is the best route.
Be prepared to request any applicable paperwork on your puppy. There should be an adoption contract, as well as veterinary records and any other documentation that was discussed. Registration papers for purebred puppies should also be readily available. Do not be afraid to ask for this documentation if it is not provided up front, as it will make care for your puppy much easier down the road.
If your puppy has recently eaten, it may be a good idea to wait a while before transporting them home in the car. Puppies are more vulnerable to motion sickness than adult dogs are, so to avoid any major messes and help to keep their nerves at ease, it may be best to wait for their food to settle. You can also request with their breeder or handler beforehand that they are not fed yet when you pick them up, and you can feed them as soon as you arrive home.
The Car Ride Home
Alright, alright, enough already – let’s get to the fun part! You’ve done all the prep work at home, got all the information you need, and have all your puppy’s documentation. It’s time to take your new fur baby home. How can you make this transition the least stressful for your new puppy while also ensuring their safety?
When it comes to transporting your puppy home in the car, start by following all the recommended guidelines for traveling with any dog in the car.
First and foremost, they should be transported in either the back seat of your car, or the cargo area of an SUV. Never transport your puppy in the front seat of your car, as the airbag can cause severe damage and injury to them in the event of a crash.
Crate vs. Carried
When it comes to how your puppy should travel, crates are often recommended as the safest and most secure way for them to ride in the car. Crates are designed to serve as a safe space for your puppy that helps to keep them secure and protected in the event of an accident.
There are plenty of options for crates when it comes to taking your puppy home, and many come with straps that buckle directly into your back seat to keep the crate from sliding.
A basic loading kennel like this one on Amazon is a solid option for transporting your puppy home. You can buckle the crate by using the seat belt of your car, or run a safety strap over the top of the crate to hold it secure.
While crates are a great option for car travel with a dog, your puppy might not be crate trained as of yet. If that’s the case, a crate may not be the best idea. As mentioned above, crates are intended to serve as a safe space for your dog. If they are not properly trained and adjusted to the crate yet, a trip in a strange car to a new home in a crate may do more harm than good. If that’s the case, it may be a good idea to consider carrying them in a passenger’s lap.
Bring a friend or relative with you who can drive the car home while you sit in the back seat with your new puppy on your lap. Make sure you are properly buckled and your puppy has a treat or toy to gnaw on during the ride. Keeping them calm and secure for their own well-being and the driver is key.
It’s a good idea to avoid any additional or new harnesses or collars at this time. While harnesses and safety belts are a great method of travel for older dogs, these kinds of restraints often require training before the dog is comfortable in them. The key here is to eliminate any external stressers that may cause your puppy to panic.
With all that said, it is oftentimes the best idea to keep your puppy’s first trip home as simple as possible: on your lap, in the back seat, with ample toys, treats, and comfort blankets.
Keep in mind that your puppy has just left its mother, siblings and first home. They are likely to be confused, potentially stressed and maybe even panicked. Take the first ride home to focus on their well-being. You can incorporate travel accessories like harnesses and safety belts later.
Other Tips for Bringing Your Puppy Home
If you have a long car ride ahead of you, be sure to have ample food and water for your puppy. Both should be offered periodically to your puppy, but provided at times where they will be able to take a rest stop shortly after. Take periodic breaks so your furry friend can get out and stretch, do their business and drink some water outside of the car.
If you need to stop for yourself for any reason, whether it be for the restroom, for food, and so on – never leave your puppy unattended in the car. No matter whether or not the weather is extremely cold or hot, this is not a good habit to develop. This is another good reason to bring a friend or relative with you, so that someone can stay with your puppy at all times, should you need to take a quick break for yourself.
Once Your Puppy is Home
Congratulations! You’ve made it home with your new fur baby. Take them in your backyard or outdoor area so they can stretch and do their business. Be sure to offer them plenty of water and set up their food somewhere you’d like for them to get accustomed to. Introduce them to your home and allow them to explore, sniff around and be curious. Communicate with them in a calming voice, and encourage their curiosity without pushing them. Allow your puppy to explore their new home at their own pace. You should be proud of yourself for successfully completing the first of many road trips with your new puppy.
In Conclusion
You are embarking on an exciting new journey with your furry friend, and with proper research, patience, and love, it has the potential to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Start this journey out right with an easy trip home, and build up that foundation of trust right from the beginning! Best of luck!