To start off with, I'd like to suggest a short list of supplies that you should have on hand before you pick up our new dog. My suggestions:
- leash
- collar
- I.D. tags (or as soon as possible)
- food
- food and water bowls
- toys
- bedding
- a designated spot where the puppy will sleep
- a designated space where you can put the puppy when you can't be there to watch it
- a crate, though this isn't essential right at first
- cleaning supplies
The first thing I recommend in giving the puppy a tour of your house, apartment, dorm room, or wherever our residence happens to be. You may even want to have a camara or video camara on hand for the occasion.
Conduct the tour with the dog on a leash. Lead the dog gently from area to area in the house. This will help start the process of the puppy getting used to the leash. Be sure to identify as many of your personal belongings as possible that you don't want damaged by your puppy and put those, if possible, out of reach.
Next, as you are guiding the puppy through your residence, you can use the leash to alert the puppy to items that off limits. Simply give a short, sharp tug on the leash when it approaches objects that are "taboo." This is not intended to be punitive. It is really more of an alert. At this beginning stage in new puppy training, you are merely introducing the puppy to boundries you will to establish. Remember to give you pet lots of praise for all right actions.
When you finish with the tour, show the puppy where its food and water bowls are. Do not change the location of the feeding place. Show the puppy its bedding, and let it sniff and start becoming accustomed to sleeping place. Again, do not change the location. If you happen to have a crate, you begin letting the puppy investigate it by going in and out and sniffing. At this stage, don't put the dog in the crate. If your puppy is 8 weeks, you can start crate training and crate housebreaking. The object in crate training is let your dog make friends with the crate. When done properly--and this is not difficult--your dog will consider the crate a special place of refuge, a sort of den. The crate should never be thought of or used as a cage.
Last, when you observe that your puppy has become accustomed to the physical surroundings of its new home, after a few days, you can start the process of socializing to its new surrounding environment. Keep in mind that if your puppy is under 8 weeks, you may want to postpone aggressive introduction to large, loud, and possibly scary seeming urban environments. Also, before you take it out to meet the outside world, be sure to have its immunizations in place
I think it is important to keep in mind that your puppy needs lots of affection, a predictable environment, and established, predictable routines. Bringing a new puppy home should be a fun, happy occasion, and this will start you on the path to long and happy relationship with your pet.
More helpful links
Housebreaking Puppies in Winter
Housebreaking and Potty Training Inside
Housebreaking Your Puppy--Safe, Humane Tips for Success
