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Jasper Comes Home: New Puppy First Night
We got home with Jasper in the afternoon. I had watched a ton of videos in preparation so I had everything I thought I needed.
New Puppy First Night List
Here’s a list of things you will need for your new German Shepherd puppy first night home.
- Crate with divider
- Crate pad-washable. I used one that was vinyl on one side
- Water and food bowl. One that can’t be easily tipped over
- Collar-Don’t spend much money on this one he will outgrow it quickly
- Leash
- Puppy pads
- Cleaner for mistakes
- Several chewies. I like bully sticks. Use these to distract those teeth!
- Few puppy size toys-Don’t spend much as he will outgrow and/or destroy these!
- Something such as a toy or rag with mothers scent on it if possible.
- Poop scooper and poop bags
- Brush, comb- German Shepherds shed. A lot!
- A firm plan for what your rules will be such as on furniture or not.
- A book or videos on puppy care and training that you have already watched or read.
- Patience, Patience, Patience. Remember he is just a puppy.
Crate or no crate?
I suggest a crate that can be divided. A dog the size of a German Shepherd is going to grow to need an extra-large crate so save money and go ahead a buy the extra large with a divider to make it smaller. You don’t want to give your puppy all the crates room as he will use part for a bathroom. That might be OK if you have a small breed you intend to use puppy pads ongoingly, but German Shepherds grow fast and so do the presents they leave!
There is some controversy over crating dogs. But from what I have observed owing many dogs over the years, dogs grow to consider their crate a safe place to relax. In fact, for my little male Papillion, it’s preferable to my lap!
Ninety percent of training issues can be resolved just by using a crate for those times you are not interacting with your dog. Having said that, a German Shepherd is not a breed of dog who will be happy spending 8 hours a day in a crate. You are inviting issues if that is your plan.
Use a Long Line
When your puppy is out of the crate, keep him on a long line. Keep a leash clipped to his flt collar. It will save you both a lot of trouble!
Feeding Plan
Be sure to ask your breeder how often she has been feeding your puppy. If possible get the same kibble she is using.
A general rule of thumb for an 8-week-old puppy is to feed 3-4 times daily. Your kibble bag will tell you how much. It’s based on how big your dog is expected to get.
I fed Jasper in his crate so he would associate good things with the crate. I gave him about 10 minute to eat and then took up what he didn’t finish.
With my small Pappillions who have a dog door. I free feed. I would not suggest that with a large dog.
A chosen place for doing his business
I was fortunate our breeder Addy had a system she used with her puppies to begin house training. She had an area with alpha hay where the puppies did their business so I bought a box of that and put it where I wanted Jasper to do his business. Being led by his nose, he recognized what the space was for more easily.
A Plan for Taking Him Out
Puppies will need to go after eating, drinking, playing or sleeping. So pretty much at the end of any activity! Jasper learned the cues, “Do you need to go out?” and “Do your business” very quickly. I was diligent to observe him when out of the crate and we had very little trouble with house training.
When I took him out of the crate I carried him to the door before putting him down. That only lasted two weeks and he was already too big for me to easily carry! By that time though he understood the cues pretty well.
Something from Home
If at all possible ask your breeder for a rag or toy with the scent of your puppy’s mother and littermates on it. This can be comforting in those first few nights.
Jasper’s crate was in the living room. I spent the first few nights on a pallet on the floor by his crate close enough he could smell me and I could reach my fingers into his crate if he stirred. Sometimes that was enough and he settled. Most of the time he needed to go out.
The rule of thumb is a puppy can probably hold it about one hour for each month of age. Jasper for the most part did much better than that but I was up often carrying my 30-pound puppy to the door! So don’t expect to get a full night’s sleep. If possible take off a week to give time for you and your puppy to acclimate
The pallet on the floor did not last long. Did I mention I’m 65? By the fourth night, Jasper was at the foot of our bed and my sweet husband was sharing in puppy duty! He is an early riser and myself a night owl and that made it even easier.
Everything is Training: Be sure you teach the right things
What many people don’t understand is every interaction or even failure of interaction is training. You will train your dog to respect you or ignore you in every interaction. Be clear from the beginning what your rules are. Your cute puppy will be a large powerful dog in less than a year.
Do you not want the dog on the furniture or bed? Never let him go there to being with. Do you not want to be nipped by those very sharp little puppy teeth? Keep something in your hands at all times when interacting to distract him with. Puppies will chew. If you don’t want it to be your shoes, put them up and provide him supervision and alternative chewies. Do you not want him to jump up on you(believe me when I say you won’t when he weighs 90 pounds!), never allow him to begin. Teach the command off early and only give attention if his feet are on the ground. If you have children teach them these rules and make sure they follow them.
As a matter of safety teach your puppy to wait at all doors both house, car and crate. This is an easy command to teach and may save his life one day. To teach the command just say wait open the door and if he moves quickly shut it and say wait and try again. when he succeeds give him a treat and say OK to release him.
While it’s early to begin any formal training, it’s not too early to do luring as a precursor for training later and charging your markers. It’s also a great way to bond!
Conclusion
The first night home with a puppy is an adventure and a challenge. If you are consistent, understand that every interaction with your pup is training him for better or worse and have fun with it, he will learn quickly. Teaching the right things from the beginning will make life much easier in the long run. Have fun!
For more on German Shepherds ck here.
For Jasper’s take on the first night home click here.
Resource
Mccann has a great list of puppy training guides that I watched extensively before bringing Jasper home. I get nothing from them just like their puppy training videos.
