First hours with your new puppy
When you bring your puppy home, the best thing to do first is to take them to their toilet area. Puppies will need to go to the toilet regularly, so giving them the opportunity straight away will help before they go inside. Remember to give them lots of praise or even a treat when they go to the toilet in the right place – for more information, visit our toilet training guide.
Showing them where their bed and food/water bowls are straight away will help them get used to their new surroundings and learn where the important things are! A new home will be a lot for your puppy to take in, so it’s best to introduce them to each room slowly. We’d recommend avoiding giving your puppy access to your whole house on day one. Too much too soon can get them over-excited or stressed, so slow introductions to new things is key. Make sure you keep your home (and everyone in it!) nice and calm. It’s probably best to avoid visitors for a few days while your puppy adjusts.
It’s really important that everyone stays calm when your puppy first arrives. It’s an exciting day for any owner (especially if you’ve been waiting for the puppy for a while), but it’s easy to overwhelm your new friend with so many new people and experiences.
First day with your puppy
For the rest of the day, we’d recommend following our top tips:
- Set up their feeding times. Puppies under 3 months should be fed 3-4 times a day and it is really important if you will keep feeding your puppies at the same time every day! A consistent feeding schedule helps puppies learn what to expect and can help to prevent "little accidents". Please visit "feeding your puppy" page for more information.
- Offer lots of toilet time. Give your puppy the chance to go out to the toilet regularly and give them lots of praise when they go in the right place! It’s especially important to take them out after mealtimes and naps as this is when they’re likely to need it most.
- Playtime can be OK. Puppies are playful and curious, with a lot of energy (when they’re not napping). Short playtime sessions are absolutely fine, but remember that your pup will tire out quickly so keep them short and sweet.
- Naps are important. Puppies are still growing, which is tiring! Some can sleep 18-20 hours a day, so don’t be surprised if your new addition prefers to nap, especially after playtime.
- Avoid walks. Your puppy had 1st vaccinations done, but is not fully vaccinated yet!!!. Until they’ve had their full course of vaccinations, it’s important to keep them in places where no other unvaccinated dogs have been so they don’t pick up any nasties. Stick to supervised playtime in a secure garden, keeping them away from water sources and thick undergrowth where rats could have been.
- Spend lots of time together. Your puppy is always learning, so make sure you spend lots of time with them so they know they can be happy and safe around you.
First night
We’re not going to lie to you – the first night (or even first few nights) with a new puppy can be a little tricky. They’re used to sleeping with their siblings and mum, so not having them there is a really big change and can be upsetting at first. New noises, new smells, new people, everything can be overwhelming for your puppy. But don't worry, small steps bringing to big success!
There are a few rules we’d recommend sticking to for your pup’s first few nights (and beyond):
- Stick to a set bedtime. Golden retrievers love routine, so get your puppy into a regular routine as soon as possible!
- Decide where they are sleeping. Whether you plan on your puppy forever sleeping in your bedroom, or want them in a separate room, you need to start this from the beginning and stick to it. If you have your puppy in your bedroom but plan to move them into a different room at a later date, this can be really distressing for them.
- Keep calm. Keep bedtime as calm as possible for your pup. Give them gentle praise (such as a few strokes) when they settle where you want them to.
- Sleep in the same room for the first few nights. For the first few nights, your puppy will need time to adjust to being without their mum. Wherever you decide to settle them in your house, it’s a good idea to spend the first few nights in the same room with them so they don’t wake up in a panic because no-one is there.
- Remind them of mum. We will provide your with blanket with mum's scent on it. Pop this where they sleep every night as it will help to comfort them and keep them calm. Please do not wash the blanket until it gets too dirty!
- Night time toilet breaks may be needed. Puppies have little bodies and little bladders! For the first few weeks you might find they need a toilet break during the night.
- It’s OK to comfort them. If your puppy is worried during the night, they might cry or bark. This is completely normal as they adjust to a new home and environment. Don’t worry about teaching them they’ll get attention whenever they cry or bark – leaving them (even if they seem to settle) can cause a lot more stress. When your puppy is scared, comforting them will help, but being ignored will make them feel isolated and even more frightened. It’s OK to go and comfort your pup until they get more confident sleeping alone.