Naturally, everyone is excited. This is the day they have been waiting for. It's time for your household members to officially greet the new dog and welcome it into the family. Its arrival is also an important time to establish a predictable routine to make your dog feel secure and to make the job of integrating it into your household that much easier.
Take it slow and easy. When you bring your new dog home, the first thing family members will want to do is pick it up and take turns passing it around. They may want to invite their friends over to meet the pup as well. It's understandable. You don't want to squelch their joy and pride, but it's best not to pass the dog around like a football or overwhelm it with hordes of new people. Explain that this is an important time to share within your own family circle. As it gets used to its new home, there will be plenty of time to show your dog off to friends and neighbors.
After the little dog has performed its sniffing ritual, it's a good time to let each household member take turns getting to know the new arrival, stroking it and talking softly to it as you hold it and then holding it themselves if they are old enough to do so safely. This is a good time to review puppy safety, going over the following points with your own version of show-and-tell:
Picking up the puppy safely: Place one hand under its chest, holding its body against yours with its front legs dangling down between the fingers of your other hand. It will feel secure against your body. If the pup is too wiggly or squirmy, place it safely on the floor. Never drop it or let it jump!
Holding the pup: You love it to pieces, but don't hug or squeeze it too hard. You could hurt the puppy, causing it to defend itself by scratching, nipping, or trying to get away from you. Supervise very young children at all times.
The name game: Use its name often as you talk to the pup. It will soon catch on that hearing its name means it's time for food, affection, a trip outside, or a play or training session. Calling its name as you get it to follow you around is also a subtle way to establish yourself as the leader of the pack from day one.
Using a leash: Getting a puppy used to walking on a leash will take lots of patience, but it is the first step in obedience training. You should never drag it, poke it, or pull on any part of its body.
Food do's and don'ts: Do not feed the dog from your plate or tease it with food. The processed and seasoned foods that we eat can make a puppy sick. Feeding it table scraps will teach it to be a beggar and a picky eater. It will prefer people food instead of the quality dog food it needs.
No hitting! Even if the puppy acts fresh and nippy, as they all do occasionally, physical punishment is a big no-no. Hitting a dog with your hand or a newspaper will teach it to bite to defend itself or become afraid and distrustful of its own family.
Private time: Do not bother the pup if it is sleeping or eating. A new puppy is like a new baby brother or sister. It needs lots of rest.
Holding the puppy is a huge part of the all-important bonding ritual. Everyone should get their share of puppy licks and kisses!
The items on your pup's daily to-do list will be potty calls, eating, drinking, playing, resting, training, grooming, and socializing. That's quite an agenda for a pint-size dog!
Once you have been playing with your new dog for an hour or so on that first day, take it back to the potty area. Remember that puppies usually need to relieve themselves every two hours or so and approximately half an hour after a meal. Give lots of praise if the mission is accomplished!
You have shown the puppy where it will go potty. The breeder has probably instructed you on the feeding schedule so if it is due for a meal, it's time to show your pup where it will eat. The breeder probably sent some food home with you. Toy and small-breed dogs can eat only a small amount of food at a time. Don't overfeed. Read the recommended amount on the bag of dog food. Initially, small-breed pups need to be fed several times a day because their tummies are so small. Feeding your pup on a regular schedule will help you manage its potty trips. To prevent accidents, feed it, and crate it for thirty minutes, then it's potty time once more. If not, it's time for some rest in its crate.
The crate will be kept near you at night. During the day, it can be placed in a quiet corner where the dog can sense the presence of family but be removed from the hubbub of activity to get its needed rest. Along with that all-important blanket with its mother's aroma, place one of your own unwashed T-shirts or socks inside the crate to add to the newcomer's comfy, scent-laden refuge when it's safely tucked away.
When you crate your dog for the first time, throw in some treats or a chew toy along with those all-important scented articles and then go about your business. It's fine for you and your family members to be busy nearby, but don't hover over the crate. The pup needs to get used to its little den. If it cries or whines, speak soothingly but let it be. It is probably tired from all the excitement of its homecoming and needs a rest. If you open the door and let it out every time it cries, it will soon learn that when it makes noise, you'll come running. It will eventually settle down, chew its toy, and take a snooze.
Article Source: http://www.netplaces.com/small-dogs/bringing-yourmemdog-homethe-first-day-at-home.htm
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