Your new puppy is just like a newborn baby adjusting to a new home! The environment will be different and your new puppy will be surrounded by new faces and voices. This is all a bit overwhelming, so make sure that the puppy has quiet time to rest and adjust.

Such questions as where the puppy’s bed is to go, where its food and water bowls will be sited, and which parts of the house it is allowed access to, should have been decided in advance. The bed and bowls should already be in place, so that from the start the puppy can see that its essential needs have been provided for.

When the puppy feels sufficiently at ease in its new surroundings it will come forward of its’ own accord and indicate that it is ready to make friends. Young children should not be left unsupervised with a puppy.

The puppy’s name should be used frequently from the beginning. After the settling-in period, the puppy will be ready to start playing, but games must be gentle. Puppies tend to get overexcited as any small child - also they tire easily.

Until both vaccinations have been completed, usually at about nine to fourteen weeks of age, your puppy must not be allowed into areas where other, unvaccinated, dogs and or other animals, may have walked. Use puppy pads for toilet training until both vaccinations are complete.
Puppies need help and time to understand that they are supposed to go outdoors to "go." Take your puppy outside as often as possible once vaccinations are completed, especially right after you get up, after meals, and before bedtime. Keep him confined to one area with newspaper on the floor until he learns to go outside. If you see him sniffing the ground for a place to go or starting to squat, pick him out and take him outside immediately.

When he goes in the house, say "No" firmly to him, but don't punish him in any way — he won't understand. He may not be able to control himself anyway until he's older. When he goes outdoors, praise him and give him a small treat (we have found that training by reward works best).

If your household already has pets, all of the animals will need time to adjust to each other. Keep the animals in separate areas at first, and let them get to know the scent of the other animal. When you introduce the animals, supervise their time together until you are sure that they get along.