A Munchkins To Love Article:

Bringing Puppy Home

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So today's the day!  It's time for Squirt to come home.  You've read the articles, bought your supplies and puppy-proofed your home.  What's left to do? 

When you get the puppy, you'll have the health record and other information from the breeder.  Ask whatever questions you have while with the breeder.  While we are always available, sometimes face to face is good especially if a demonstration would be useful.  We want your life with your new puppy to start out right.

For going home, you'll want a crate, towel or blanket for the puppy.  It's not good for a toddler to be loose in the car and neither is it good for the puppy.  You can use a crate like a car seat and buckle it in for the most secure travel.  But we know you want to cuddle.  That's fine.  But bring something to put on your lap to avoid car sickness.  It does happen.  Not often, but enough for you to be careful.

Be soothing with the puppy on the way home.  Excitement could lead to car sickness.  Take this time to just quietly hold the puppy and talk to him/her and bond.  It's fine to pass the puppy around to other people in the car as long as the atmosphere is calm.  This way the puppy can begin bonding with everyone and start socializing.  We do have some wiggly puppies that don't seem to understand the concept of quiet time *smile*, and that's fine.  Just don't add to the excitement.

Once you get home, again, keep things calm for the first few days.  Over excitement can lead to stress and that can allow illness to get a hold on the young/tiny puppy.  Older/larger puppies are usually sturdier and ready for more interaction and fun.  Take the puppy to the potty place first in case the puppy needs to go.  Then quietly introduce the puppy to everyone else in the household.

Give the puppy time to adjust to their new home.  Sometimes these puppies walk into the house ready to go and sometimes they need a few days.