Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting and joyful experience!

These adorable companions can bring boundless energy and love, but they also come with responsibilities. Preparing your home and family for the arrival of a new puppy or kitten is essential to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.

If it has been years since you had a new puppy or kitten, Wags & Wiggles offers a "Before You Get Your Puppy" private in-home lesson to give you the best start. Discover how to design the ideal space for raising your puppy and establish effective schedules!

You'll also find the latest advice on the fastest potty training techniques, dealing with puppy biting without squashing their spirit, and ensuring proper socialization.

Preparing Your Home

1. Pet-Proof Your Space

Puppies and kittens are naturally curious and can get into trouble quickly. Remove hazards such as toxic plants (check out this list by the ASPCA), electrical cords, small objects they might swallow, and any breakable items within their reach. Secure trash bins and ensure that medications and cleaning supplies are out of reach.

They will naturally be attracted to anything you touch, like remote controls or personal clothing items like shoes and socks.

2. Designate a Safe Space

New puppies and kittens need a small enclosed area of the house for the first couple of weeks. You want to be able to expand this area gradually over time. Baby gates and exercise pens can create a safe space. Crate training is suitable for naps and overnight, but you will need larger areas for the rest of their time.

For kittens, you will also need to consider where to put the litter box. A spare bathroom or bedroom is often best. Most kittens can climb a baby gate or exercise pen. To entirely confine them when needed, you can shut the door. Some clients will add an internal screen door to the room so they have the option for airflow, etc.

Adding a puppy or kitten to your home will require intense supervision outside their designated safe space. Remember, this space also gives you a break! This designated safe space will be used to introduce your new puppy or kitten to new humans or animals, too!

3. Gather Supplies

Stock up on essentials such as:

• High-quality pet food appropriate for their age and breed
• Treats for training
• Bowls for food and water
• A collar, ID tag, and leash
• Microchip information transferred to your name
• Puppy potty pads for the first few days
• Puppy pad holder to prevent chewing of pads, like this one.
• A litter box and litter (for kittens)
• Toys for mental and physical stimulation (for puppies, check out Kongs! They are a great source of entertainment when filled with something yummy!)
• Grooming tools, such as a brush and nail trimmers

Introducing Your New Pet

1. Gradual Introductions

Start by spending a lot of time with your new pet inside the designated safe space. You want them to feel like this is the best place to be. Gradually introduce friends and family, one at a time, which is best. We recommend one new greeting daily, not having everyone come at once. The new person or animal can be outside the safe space until the new pet wants to meet. Keep initial meetings short and positive.

2. Establish Routines

Pets thrive on routine! Set regular schedules for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks. Consistency helps them feel secure and aids in training efforts.

3. Socialization

Early on, expose your new pet to various people, environments, and experiences to help it grow into a well-adjusted adult. Puppy classes can be an excellent way to build social skills and reinforce training. However, there is a wrong way to socialize your new pet, including overexposure and flooding. A Wags & Wiggles Certified Trainer can give you the best techniques.

Training, Care, & Daycare

1. Veterinary Care

Schedule a veterinary appointment soon after bringing your pet home for a health check, vaccinations, and guidance on flea and parasite prevention.

2. House Training

Puppies need consistent potty training with frequent trips outside and positive reinforcement for success. Potty pads can be helpful overnight or during longer periods, but as your puppy can hold it longer, you should transition to going potty in their final potty area.

Kittens need a quiet space that does not have human and other pet traffic. They will avoid it if they don't feel safe in that space.

3. Basic Training

Training should start the same day you bring your puppy or kitten home! Teach your puppy basic cues, such as learning to come to their name and station in an area, like a platform or mat, for future focus work. Kittens can also learn cues and tricks with patience and rewards.

The best training method uses positive reinforcement methods and a marker like a clicker or the word "yes."

Wags & Wiggles offers an online Puppy Membership if you need a good place to start! This membership gives you the tools to start your puppy on the right paw once they get home.

4. Puppy Classes

Puppy classes are an excellent place to begin your training journey while providing safe, professionally supervised socialization.

First, we teach you new cues so you and your puppy can understand the same language. The second segment of the class involves building confidence through obstacle courses, handling exercises, or puzzles. Lastly, puppies meet and play with their classmates while behavior experts supervise them!

At Wags & Wiggles, you can start our Puppy Classes once your puppy has the following:

• You have had your puppy for at least 7 days
• Your puppy is between 8 weeks and 5 months of age
• Your puppy has up-to-date vaccinations, including at least ONE Bordetella vaccination and at least ONE Distemper/Parvo (often abbreviated as DHPP) vaccination
• Your puppy has a clean fecal test result

 

5. Behavioral Issues

If your puppy is starting to show problem behaviors, seek professional training from Wags & Wiggles. It is essential to address these things early.

Examples of when to seek professional help include:

• Your puppy is still showing fear after 3 days inside the home
• They show fear during their first attempts at socialization or at their first vet visit
• Other pets in the home do not like the new addition
• Conflict between kids/new pet
• If anything doesn't seem quite right that you want to address

 

6. Daycare 

Once your puppy has reached the proper age, has a clean bill of health, and is up to date on their vaccines, daycare is a must! Dog play creates happiness and friendship.

Daycare provides your puppy with proper socialization, teaches them how to regulate their emotions, builds confidence, and get exposure to all different kinds of dogs and people. While at daycare, they are supervised by daycare staff who know when to let the play go and when to step in.

Visit our Meet and Greet webpage for requirements and steps to get started!

Building a Bond

1. Quality Time

Spend time daily playing, cuddling, and engaging with your new pet. This strengthens your bond and helps them feel loved and secure.

2. Patience and Understanding

Adjusting to a new home can be overwhelming for a puppy or kitten. Be patient as they learn the rules and routines of your household. Positive reinforcement and gentle corrections will encourage good behavior. We follow the 3/3/3 system: 3 days to feel safe, 3 weeks to learn the routine, and 3 months to feel at home.

3. Celebrate Milestones

Acknowledge milestones like learning new cues, successfully navigating social interactions, or just growing up happy and healthy. These moments are a testament to your care and effort.

Adding a puppy or kitten to your household is a rewarding journey filled with love, laughter, and learning.

With preparation, patience, and dedication, you can create a nurturing environment that helps your new companion thrive. Enjoy the adventure of pet parenthood and cherish the memories you'll develop and build!