Comprehensive Guide For Bringing a Puppy Home at 8 Weeks
It’s always such an exciting time when you’ve done all your research, have everything planned and have a date set for your new arrival! But there’s still SO much left to do to prepare for bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks for the first time. Your breeder will typically send you a “what to buy” sheet for the new addition to your family. That said, we wanted to share some helpful tips and recommendations based on our own personal experience when we brought our puppy home for the first time.
Tip 1: Puppy Proof your home
Even before you bring a puppy home for the first time, you’ll want to ensure your house is puppy-proof. In the case of Cooper, he was 8 weeks old when we brought him home. He was a tiny little nugget, but VERY mobile. If we hadn’t puppy-proofed our home, he could have potentially gotten into all sorts of things that could cause damage to your belongings, or worse, cause injury to your puppy.
Before your adorable new pup steps into your home, it’s crucial to embrace the concept of ‘best puppy-proofing practices.’ Creating a safe environment for your puppy involves meticulous planning to ensure their well-being and happiness.
To “puppy proof” your home, which is super important to your new furry friend’s safety and your peace of mind. Here are the essentials:
- Any crumbs or morsels of food are removed.
- Any small objects like paper clips, thumb tacks etc are removed.
- Ensure your pup doesn’t have access to trash
- Remove any material or liquids that could spill and would be harmful to your puppy if ingested
- Make sure anything you don’t want damaged is removed such as shoes, socks, kids’ toys, etc.
- Ensure there are no sharp or pointy edges exposed in areas where your puppy will to avoid injury (eg: edge of a coffee table).
Not only will these tips prevent your pup from ingesting anything harmful, but it also sets the stage for effective training.
Generally, you’ll keep your puppy in one particular part of your home. But because they can be mobile and move around easily, they could get into unintended places so puppy proofing is a must!
Tip 2: Supplies/Materials – Puppy Essentials Checklist
Welcoming your furry friend’s arrival goes beyond excitement—it’s also about thorough planning. With a comprehensive ‘puppy essentials checklist’ in hand, you’ll be able to gather all the puppy must-haves that will help you and your pup with a smooth transition into your home. Bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks involves not only physical supplies but also emotional readiness for your new furry friend.
Ensure you have all of the necessary supplies/materials for when you bring your puppy home for the first time. Your breeder should provide you with a check list that. But in the meantime, here’s our list of things we had on hand for Cooper and the “why”. Here’s the list:
1. A collar, leash, and harness as well as dog tags
Typically the breeder can help you with what size you’ll need for each of these, but you’ll need the collar or harness and leash for when you pick up your puppy and bring him/her home for the first time. Beyond that, you’ll need these items to take your puppy out for potty training and walks. The dog tags are a must in the unfortunate case of your puppy getting loose.
2. Car safety belt/basket
Similar to 1, you’ll want the belt/basket for the drive home to keep your puppy safe in the event of a car accident. Worst case is to bring a small laundry basket and blankets with you that can secure the puppy for the initial drive home.
3. A crate (you’ll need to either buy multiple as they get older or get one that you can resize as your dog grows).
The crate will be part of your puppy’s room, which we’ll cover in tip 3. But the crate will serve as your puppy’s safe place and should be big enough for your puppy to relax and turn around in, but not so big that they’ll be able to go potty on one side and rest on the other. Keeping the space smaller will drastically improve your ability to potty train your puppy since they won’t want to go to the bathroom where they relax. Keep the crate door open for your puppy to explore.
4. Baby/pet gates.
Related to the crate, the baby/pet gates will be used to define your puppy’s room to ensure he or she is in a specific, safe space. As mentioned before, puppies get into everything! Gates were extremely helpful with Cooper because of how mobile he was!
5. A puppy safe crate bed (these are a bit different from regular dog beds).
The puppy safe crate beds are typically just a padded mat that will fit in the crate and give the puppy something soft to lay on. It should be washable (trust us!) and not super easy to destroy (puppy teeth are insanely sharp!). This type of crate bed is designed to prevent the puppy from chewing through to the foam and eating it.
6. Dog bowls
The best bet for these are ones that you can clean easily and frequently. You’ll want to get one for water and one for food. We picked out ones that had a small stand so Cooper didn’t have to bend too much so that it would help with digestion.
7. Dog food
This one can be a little tricky, so you’ll want to circle back with your breeder. Changing a dog’s food abruptly when they are little can send their stomachs into a tailspin. Usually you’ll want to keep up with what the breeder uses for a bit and slowly introduce whatever food you and your vet feel is best for your new addition.
8. Puppy pads
Puppy pads are essential diaper mats for your puppy. These were so helpful with Cooper when we first got him. Especially when you bring your puppy home for the first time, accidents can and probably will happen. That’s where puppy pads come in!. But be sure not to make puppy pads the norm or it will make potty training more difficult than it needs to be. Puppy pads also help if your puppy gets over excited or scared for whatever reason. Cooper, for example, has always been very submissive and skittish, so he had some accidents when he was younger.
9. Speak to a veterinarian about potty training
You don’t want to get your new puppy too used to puppy pads as it can make potty training outside more challenging. That said, you’ll want to speak with a veterinarian before you make the decision to potty train your puppy outside. Some puppies may not be fully vaccinated, so you’ll want to check with a vet to see what they recommend so you can make an informed decision about potty training.
10. Lots of chewy toys.
Puppy teeth can be VERY sharp! So you’re going to want chew toys that are recommended for their size/age. Just like humans, puppies have baby teeth that they’ll lose with adult teeth back filling their baby teeth. The chew toy lets you redirect from an object you don’t want them chewing on (your hand for example!) to the toy when they’re in the teething phase. Grooming supplies. Your new addition won’t be fully vaccinated for a while so you’re going to want to keep up with the grooming as their coats come in (especially Doodle coats!). Talk to your breeder about what they recommend. For Cooper’s coat we got a few different metal combs, a rake brush, and a deshedder which helps to pull out his undercoat to avoid major knots from forming in his fur once his coat came in. You can also start getting them used to tooth brushing and ear cleaning. Also remember to get shampoo, nail grinders, nail clippers
11. Puppy training treats
It’s never too soon to start with positive reinforcement. Just make sure the treats are size appropriate for your new puppy.
12. Something with a scent from his breeder
Our breeder sent us a blanket with his littermates and mom’s scent on it. Separation anxiety tends to kick in at night and it’s a challenge for your new puppy to go from being with all their littermates to being all alone in a crate. The breeder’s blanket helped settle Cooper down and he would sleep on it frequently at night.
13. Snuggle Puppy
We also got him a snuggle puppy in combination with the breeder’s blanket to keep him soothed at night. A snuggle puppy is a stuffed animal puppy that has a little heartbeat that you can turn on and off as desired. Coupled with a heat pad, it serves as a surrogate of sorts that your puppy snuggles up to it at night like they would their siblings. Cooper loved his and it really helped the first few nights.
14. Enzyme spray
This helps to eliminate any odors from accidents in the house. Once a dog has an accident on a rug, or piece of furniture, they can continue to smell their scent and think that it’s their new bathroom. The enzyme spray not only eliminates the odors for your nose, it also helps to prevent them from continuing to use that spot as their new potty space. We highly recommend this one that we used – Nature’s Miracle.
15. Cleaning Supplies
You’ll definitely want to ensure you have cleaning supplies on hand. As mentioned earlier, accidents can and probably will occur. So you’ll want to make sure you have cleaning supplies on hand to clean up and sanitize areas where both liquid and solid accidents occur. Additionally, make sure you have sanitation wipes for your puppy’s paws for when he comes in from outside since he won’t have his vaccines. Most importantly, until your dog is up to date on his or her shots, you’ll definitely want to avoid puppy play groups and doggy daycare settings.
Other items: Dog waste bags, puppy cameras, potty training bells, puzzle toys.
Tip 3: Set up your puppy’s room
It may sound funny, but success in ensuring your puppy’s comfort starts with creating a puppy sanctuary. This area is a designated space that will provide your pup with warmth and security. This designated puppy zone isn’t just a physical area, but also a symbol of love and care as a means of investing in their well-being. Establishing a safe puppy space involves building an environment where your pup can thrive, play, and rest without a worry in the world.
The first thing you’ll want to do is establish an area of your home that specifically belongs to your puppy. You can make this area an entire room or part of a room, but whatever you choose, you don’t want to allow your puppy to roam your entire home. If you chose to use part of a room, you’ll want the baby/puppy gate to help cordon off that space.
Once you’ve defined the perimeter of your puppy’s room, you’ll want to set up his or her crate. As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to get a crate that gives them enough space to relax and turn around, but not enough room where they can go to the bathroom on one side and rest on the other. Ensure that your puppy’s crate contains a bed, toys, blanket and food/water bowls. A puppy-safe crate bed provides a soft spot for them to rest while preventing chewing mishaps. Remember, this is their personal retreat where they can unwind and rest peacefully.
In Cooper’s case, he was a tiny little nugget when we brought him home for the first time. He was only 5lbs when we got him from the breeder!. So we purchased a large crate that had a small partition, which was an appropriate size for him at the time.
Another note is that for ease of potty training you’ll want to consider how close your puppy’s room is to an exterior exit. The closer the better to avoid accidents and reduce any confusion for your puppy. The potty place should be as close to the exit as practical to help with potty training.
With your home puppy proofed, materials purchased and room set up, it’s finally time to go pick up your new bundle of joy!
Tip 4: Bringing a Puppy Home at 8 weeks from the Breeder
Ensuring a smooth journey home for your new puppy starts with a thoughtful preparation that includes a cozy puppy travel setup. As you begin this exciting journey bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks, here’s a closer look at how to make their travel experience comfortable, warm, and secure.
Creating a Cozy Travel Haven for Your Puppy:
Before hitting the road to bring your puppy home, remember to prepare a soft and snug spot for them. This simple step can make a significant difference in their travel comfort. Use a soft blanket or a comfortable towel in your vehicle – whether it’s a laundry basket, dog safety basket, or secured with a safety belt. This traveling puppy nest becomes their snuggle spot on the way home and ensures warmth and reassurance.
Warmth, Calmness, and Security:
The journey from breeder to their new home can be a bit overwhelming for a young puppy. The familiar scent of the blanket, towel, toy, etc, will give them a sense of security, providing them with a reassuring connection to their littermates and mom. This is something that the breeder should provide you with. If it’s a blanket or towel, the soft texture cradles them, which gives them a calming effect that should ease any travel-related anxiety. If it’s a toy, it’s something they can snuggle up with on the way home.
Traveling in Style and Safety:
If you opt for a dog safety basket or a safety belt for the travel home, ensure it’s appropriately sized and secured so that you pup doesn’t experience any discomfort or accidents during the ride. The secure confinement provided by these options prevents unnecessary movement, allowing your puppy to settle in and enjoy the ride in a safe environment.
As you make this journey home welcome your new family member, remember that their first impression of their new home begins with this travel experience. By creating a warm, calm, and secure travel experience, you’re setting the tone for a positive transition when bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks. Your puppy will feel your love and dedication from the moment you pick them up, making their journey into their new life as joyful and stress-free as possible!
Tip 5: Showing Your New Puppy Around Your Home
Now that you’ve picked up your puppy, the first order of business is for them to do their business! There are two options; using puppy pads or taking them outside. Puppy pads can be used in your home, but you don’t want to get your puppy too used to them or it will make potty training outside more challenging.
On the other hand, if you plan to bring them outside, make sure you speak with a veterinarian first (see details from tip 3.9). If you choose to potty train outside, bring your puppy to their designated potty area before you even bring them in the house. You can make use of the collar/harness and leash for their first time going potty. Don’t worry, they’ll need to go… and once they do, make sure you shower them with lots of praises and pets! If they don’t immediately go, make sure to be patient and wait for it to happen. They’re tiny and so are their bladders!
As you’re going into your home, wipe each of your puppy’s paws with a sanitation wipe that you purchased. This will help safeguard your pup against any illnesses since they haven’t had all of their vaccine shots yet. This may be an overly cautious step, but might be worth doing if your puppy is in a place with traffic from other people and pets outside your home (for example, if you live in an apartment building).
With your puppy in your home for the first time, you’ll want to introduce them to their puppy room. You should allow your puppy to sniff around and explore his or her new space. Do not force your puppy into their crate, rather, let them go into it on their own free will. Don’t forget, this is going to be your puppy’s safe space and a place they should want to go freely.
Tip 6: Keeping to a Schedule
Now that you’ve brought your puppy home for the first time and they’re now settled, it’s time to plan out a schedule. Know that you’ll need to take your puppy out to potty every two hours or within 30 minutes from when they eat for the first few weeks. You’ll also want to be mindful of how much water they are drinking as their little bladder’s can’t hold much! By the time your puppy is 5 months they should be able to go overnight! Using an alarm will be the best approach for you to keep up with this schedule. Every dog is unique and you’ll be able to pick up your puppy’s cue’s in no time!
With Cooper, we followed the 2-3 hour interval for about a few weeks and increased it an hour when he seemed to be able to manage it. By the time he was 4 months he was fully trained and able to sleep throughout the night. Typically a good rule to follow is the month plus one rule. Take your puppy’ age in months and add 1. That is the maximum amount of time that your puppy should be able to go during the day but they can potentially go longer at night.
The first few weeks will be a challenge as obviously you’ll need to be taking your puppy out at various hours of the night, so sleep for you and your pup will be elusive. This means you’ll need to set a regular alarm and wake up your puppy to take them outside. This is necessary to avoid accidents as you go through the potty training process. With Cooper, we would set an alarm through the first 3-4 months we had him. As we progressed through that time, we would set the alarm at longer intervals. Eventually Cooper would wake us up himself if he had to go and that’s when you know you no longer need the alarm
You’ll want to monitor when your puppy eats and drinks as well as when they potty. In this way, you can get a feel for how they’re progressing with their training. Not all Doodles are the same, so it’s not one size fits all.
Tip 7: Patience
the journey of bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks into your home is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, but it obviously comes with its fair share of responsibilities and challenges. This article provides insight on the comprehensive preparation and care your new furry companion requires, particularly during those crucial initial stages when they step into their new abode.
From the moment your puppy enters your vehicle for the ride home, a world of new experiences is waiting for them. The transition involves not only getting them used to a different environment but also adapting to a new routine and way of life. As your puppy transitions to their new home, a lot of attention, care, and patience on your part is required. Part of that patience is understanding that your puppy is undergoing a significant life change! While the journey might seem a bit overwhelming at times, it’s important to recognize that both you and your puppy are in this together.
Remember that during these early days at home, your puppy’s learning curve is on a steady incline. They’re learning the layout of their new space, adjusting to new feeding and potty routines, and developing a sense of trust and security in their new home.
Just like any learning process, there will definitely be trial and error; for both you and your puppy. That said, it’s really important not to be discouraged by these moments. Every puppy has their own pace, and progress might be gradual.
The bond between you and your new puppy is in its early stages, and this period of adjustment is really the foundation for a strong and lasting relationship. As you work through the uncertainties and small victories, you’ll watch your puppy’s growth. That growth will not only be in terms of understanding their surroundings but also in building a strong bond of trust with you. And that’s something we think you can be proud and joyful about!
As we mentioned, It’s important to remember that every puppy is unique, and their rate of learning and adapting to their new home may vary. The keys are patience and perseverance. There might be days when you feel unsure or moments when you question if you’re doing everything right. We definitely did! But keep in mind that you’re on a shared journey with your puppy. Every challenge you overcome, every routine you establish, and every moment you spend nurturing them makes your bond stronger and fulfilling.
In the end, the journey of introducing a puppy to their new home is a can be an awesome experience even if does have it’s challenges. From the initial uncertainty to the eventual progress, the love, care, and commitment you invest in your puppy’s well-being will lead to lots of joy and strong companionship.
As you can see from this article, your new puppy is going to need a lot of care, especially when you bring them home for the first time. It will take some time for your pup to learn (and maybe you as well especially if it’s your first pup), but don’t worry or give up, they will definitely get there. You just need to stick with it!
And finally, remember that animals can feed off of your emotions. So if you’re patient and calm, your puppy will feed off of that emotion. If you get frazzled and frustrated, it may invoke the opposite reaction you’re hoping for from your puppy.
We hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful as you prepare for Bringing a Puppy Home at 8 weeks. Are there any other tips that you’ve used when you brought a puppy home? Let us know in the comments below.
