Before Puppy Comes Home
Items to have on hand
- A training plan
- A variety of high-value treats (Look for treats that are small, soft, and smelly)
- Adaptil DAP collar*
- Age-appropriate chews
- Appropriate food
- Crate
- Dog bed
- Enzymatic cleaner
- Grooming tools (rake, nail clippers, shampoo & conditioner)
- Leash, harness, and collar
- Toys
- Water bowl
- X-pen or baby gates or other puppy-safe areas
*Adaptil DAP collars work by emitting a dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), the same one mother dogs give off while your puppy is nursing. One study** followed 60 puppies for two weeks after they were adopted. All puppies went home wearing a collar, either a DAP collar or a visually identical placebo collar, the adoptive families did not know if their puppy had the DAP collar or the placebo. The puppies wearing a DAP collar showed significantly fewer nights where the puppy was active, vocalizing, and trying to leave their confined space. This is not a cure-all of magic wand type solution, but it has strong potential to help make your puppy's transition into your home easier. - Gaultier, et al. (July 2008) "Efficacy of dog-appeasing pheromone in reducing stress associated with social isolation in newly adopted puppies" Retrieved from: Site Link
Making Your Training Plan
- Decide if you want to attend a puppy socialization class either virtually or in-person.
- Screen for trainers, even if you don't expect to need one. Having one in mind and already knowing they'll suit your needs should you need them is great for peace of mind.
- Check out the breed's parent club and the information pages here to see what specific training needs your puppy will have.
- How will you keep your puppy out of trouble when not directly supervised?
- What will you do if your puppy is whining in the crate; biting; struggling with house training; pulling on the leash; is suddenly fearful of new things; and other common puppy problems? And what will you do to prevent those behaviors and set your puppy up for success?
- How will you socialize your puppy to make sure they will be set up to live a confident, happy, life?
- What do you want your puppy to do as an adult, and how will you set them up for success?
Further reading
Books
Puppy Socialization -
Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor
The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs Patricia B. McConnell
The Puppy Primer Patricia B. McConnell and Brenda Scidmore
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Dr. Sophia Yin
How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford
Puppy Bible: The Ultimate Week-by-Week Guide to Raising Your Puppy by Claire Arrowsmith
See our main training page for information on finding a trainer and some of our recommendations.
Puppy Socialization -
Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor
The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs Patricia B. McConnell
The Puppy Primer Patricia B. McConnell and Brenda Scidmore
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Dr. Sophia Yin
How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford
Puppy Bible: The Ultimate Week-by-Week Guide to Raising Your Puppy by Claire Arrowsmith
See our main training page for information on finding a trainer and some of our recommendations.