The new puppy comes home

So on Thursday, we finally got to meet our new addition, Beatrice. We went fully prepared with baby wipes, puppy pads, kitchen roll and towels just in case she didn’t travel well on a long journey and the breeder was 97 miles away. It was an absolute joy to meet her beautiful mum and see the siblings all scrambling over each other to sample their favourite delicacy, new fingers to chew on. As all puppies are, they were adorable and so after a lots of cuddles, we came away with the next love of our life.

Puppy’s First Night Home

There is no getting away with it, your puppy’s first night usually means very little or at very best, disturbed sleep and Beatrice was no exception. Wow! This tiny 4.4kg English Springer puppy was so loud!

When Should I Pick My Crying Puppy Up?

Puppies need to get used to their new environment and the quicker they can learn what that is, the better they will adjust. A puppy will always cry the first night without mum or siblings to snuggle in to. Most puppies will cry for 5-10 minutes and then settle down. Then start all over again when movement to find another sibling to snuggle into is fruitless. Eventually they should give in and settle down for much longer periods. It is important that you do not rush to pick up and comfort them as soon as they cry as hard as it may be, otherwise it will make it so much harder for her to adjust. If however she has been crying for 20 mins, she is genuinely distressed and it’s time to pick her up.

How Long Should I Cuddle My Puppy For?

If your puppy has been crying for 20 minutes whilst alone on her first night home, she is genuinely distressed. Pick her up and give her a cuddle whilst taking in a low, calm voice. It’s important that you do not give any praise at this point, otherwise you will be rewarding the crying. As soon as she has settled a little and stopped crying, place her straight back in the crate with as little fuss as possible and say goodnight.

Maddie Knight

ACC.Ad.Dip.Can.Psy AMACC Canine Psychologist and Behaviourist
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