When you adopt a dog, he becomes part of your family. As with any other member of the family, you want your pup to feel safe in your home, whether you are home, or he is left alone. There are some simple things you can do right from the start that will help ensure your new puppy feels secure at home.
Provide a Den
Dogs like having the security of a den, so give your pup something that can be used as one. Most dog owners will just opt for a crate as that is the simplest solution and very easy to find. Ensure that your chosen crate is large enough for your pup to stand up and to also have room to turn around. Don’t forget to account for your pup growing in his first year of life, so you may want to buy a crate with some extra room if your puppy is still growing.
To make the crate more den-like and comfortable, line it, using something soft and washable. This can be a towel or blanket. After your puppy has been with you for a week or so, replace that blanket or towel with one that has your scent.
Choose a Bedtime Location
When they are young, puppies tend to feel safest if they can hear their humans breathing and moving around at night. Because of this, you may want to move the crate to your room at bedtime. Once your pup is older and housetrained, you can keep a dog bed in your room instead. You can let your puppy sleep on your bed as well, but do not do this or even let him up there unless you plan to make it allowed permanently.
Be Social
When you pick up your puppy for the first time and throughout your first few weeks together, make an effort to be social with the pup, spending plenty of time with him. Ideally, you should pick him up with someone else so the puppy can get held in his car ride. When you get home, be sure to keep giving your pup lots of attention. This will not only make him feel safe, but the socialization will also help encourage good behavior in the future.
Introduce the Family
In line with being social, ensure that your new pup gets to meet everyone who lives in the house, both human and animal. You do not want your puppy to get surprised by an unfamiliar person or animal as this can hurt his feelings of safety. In the case of smaller pets, the introductions can take place at a distance without any problem. The most important thing is letting your pup smell everyone in your household.
Provide Structure
In the quest to make your pup feel safe, do not overlook the importance of a routine. Dogs appreciate having boundaries and routines as uncertainty can cause fear, losing that feeling of safety. Avoid this and help your puppy feel secure by creating a schedule and sticking to it whenever possible.