Bringing home a new dachshund puppy is exciting but it can also be overwhelming. If you are not sure how to help your dachshund puppy settle in to their new home, then you are in the right place! In this article, we will discuss all the steps you can take to help your dachshund puppy relax and settle in well.
How To Help Your Dachshund Puppy Settle In – Table Of Content:
- Visit your puppy before you get them from the breeder
- Dachshund proof your home before your puppy arrives
- Don’t overwhelm your puppy
- Give your puppy a quiet safe space to relax
- Don’t leave your puppy alone so they don’t get scared
- Follow a daily routine so your puppy knows what to expect
- Set house rules and be consistent with them
- Help your puppy feel comfortable at night time
- Do not punish your puppy for accidents or any damage to your belongings
- Be patient and enjoy the ‘ride’
Visit Your Puppy Before You Get Them From The Breeder
If you are getting your dachshund puppy from a responsible breeder, they should allow you to visit your puppy before you pick them up on the big day. If your breeder doesn’t invite you to visit then make sure to speak to them about it.
It is important to visit your puppy because it gives them an opportunity to get to know you a bit and get used to your scent. Dachshund puppies are clever and may recognise your scent when you pick them up, which will help them relax. It will also be a good opportunity for you to start bonding with your pup.
Dachshund Proof Your Home Before Your Puppy Arrives
Preparing your home before your dachshund puppy arrives is essential for providing them with a safe and comfortable environment. It will help your puppy settle in and relax if all dangerous items are removed and your belongings are protected.
There is nothing worse than stressing out your new puppy on their first day because they got hold of an item that you forgot to put away or because they chewed on a cable that was sticking from behind the cabinet.
Be organised upfront instead of dachshund proofing your home on the go. This way both you and your puppy can relax and enjoy your time together.
You can learn more about how to prepare your home for your puppy’s arrival by reading our article on Best Ways to Dachshund Proof Your Home.
Don’t Overwhelm Your Puppy
Bringing your dachshund puppy into a new unfamiliar environment can be very stressful and overwhelming for them. Everything looks and smells new and can be very scary. Try not to overwhelm your puppy by following these few simple rules. It will give your puppy a chance to soak in all the new things happening in their life at their own pace.
Introduce your puppy to new changes gradually
Feed your puppy the same food they were fed by the breeder for the first four weeks and then change to new food gradually. That is, if you would prefer feeding your puppy different food.
We would also advise to follow the breeder’s routine as much as you can until your puppy is well setlled. This will definitely help your puppy feel more secure and relaxed as you will not be ‘bombarding’ them with lots of new changes right from the first day.
Tune down noise and excitement levels
We realise that picking up your puppy from the breeder and moving them into your home can be very exciting and joyful, especially if you have small children. But too much excitement and noise can be quite overwhelming and scary for your puppy. Give your puppy the peace and space they need to relax and explore their new home.
Don’t overdo it with too many toys and too much playtime
When your puppy arrives, they will be very little and will need tons of sleep during the day. Keep play sessions short and give your puppy an opportunity to get plenty of rest. Not getting enough sleep can make your puppy feel stressed and anxious.
Don’t ‘suffocate’ your puppy with too many cuddles
Your puppy may need some time to bond with you and your family and may not be comfortable to be cuddled and stroked all the time. Follow your puppy’s lead and let them come to you for a cuddle and some loving.
Don’t overwhelm your puppy by inviting too many visitors
Remember that you and your family are strangers to your puppy, which is already quite scary to them as it is. Your puppy needs time to warm up to you and bond with you, which will be much easier for them to do if you limit the number of visitors during the first couple of weeks.
Gently introduce your puppy to the noises around your household
It’s more than likely that your puppy will not be familiar with household appliences such as TV, washing machine or hoover. You want to start introducing your puppy to these household items gently and slowly. Start by showing them to your puppy before you even switch them on and let your puppy have a sniff. It’s important to reward your puppy for calm behaviour so they can develop a positive association with the applience before you switch it on.
Give Your Puppy A Quiet Safe Space To Relax
As mentioned before, your puppy will be very young when they arrive to your home and will need around 18 – 20 hours of sleep per day. It is important for your puppy to sleep in a safe and comfortable bed away from all the hustle and bustle of your home.
Your puppy will not settle in well and will be more likely to become anxious if deprived of their sleep. Getting enough sleep is vital for your puppy’s development and helps their brain process everything they have experienced and learned.
Dachshunds love snuggling with blankets so make sure your puppy has a blanket to sleep with. Many breeders will give you a blanket that smells of your puppy’s mum, which really helps to calm your puppy down. So please don’t forget to get one from your breeder!
Another good way to calm your puppy down is to give them a worn item of your clothing. If they can smell your scent, it will reassure your puppy that you are nearby.
Don’t Leave Your Puppy Alone So They Don’t Get Scared
Young puppies are still babies and therefore need constant attention, love and emotional support. Your puppy will miss their mum and siblings terribly and won’t be used to being left alone. Don’t make it even harder for your puppy by leaving them alone at home!
If you work from home, try to limit your outings to minimum or take your puppy with you. Otherwise take some time off work and spend it by bonding with your puppy instead. The more time and love you give to your puppy, the more their confidence will grow which will help them settle in faster.
Follow A Daily Routine So Your Puppy Knows What To Expect
Starting with a daily routine from the first day your puppy arrives plays an important role in helping your puppy settle in well. It will help your puppy feel more confident and secure if they know when to expect certain activities during the day.
Establish a routine for getting up in the morning, mealtimes, playtimes, nap times, outings, potty times and bedtime. Although it is best to stay consistent, you may need to tweak the routine here and there to find what works best for you and your puppy.
Set House Rules And Be Consistent With Them
When we talk about house rules, we not only mean the house rules you should teach your puppy but also the house rules your family members should follow.
When your puppy arrives into your home, it will be a brand new environment for them. So of course, your puppy will not be familiar with the house rules. Don’t expect your puppy to know that they are not allowed to chew on your new rug. It is your responsibility to train your puppy so they can learn what is expected of them.
The sooner your puppy learns what your expectations are, the faster they will relax around you and your home.
Another way to help your puppy settle in is for your family members to follow some set rules and be consistent with them:
– teach your puppy the same rules otherwise they may get very confused
– do not overwhelm your puppy; it is especially important that your children follow this rule
– make sure your children handle your puppy with care
– allow your puppy get enough rest
Help Your Puppy Feel Comfortable At Night Time
Settling in your puppy for a bedtime is probably the most difficult part of raising a puppy. You need to be prepared for sleepless nights as your puppy will cry at night and will need lots of reassurance.
However, there are ways how you can help your puppy feel more comfortable and secure at night time.
Establish a calming routine before bedtime
Too much playtime right before bedtime will get your puppy too excited so try to calm your puppy down by having cuddles on the sofa instead. Ideally you want to start calming your puppy down about one hour before you put them to sleep.
Don’t feed your puppy before bedtime
Feed your puppy their dinner 2 – 3 hours before bedtime and avoid giving them too much water after dinner. As a result your puppy won’t wake up asking to go to the potty too often.
Let your puppy sleep close to you
Your puppy will feel scared and lonely if left alone at night and will likely cry a lot. If you want your puppy to sleep in a crate, then move the crate next to your bed so your puppy can feel your presence. Lots of new puppy parents let their puppy sleep in their dog bed in their bedroom or even in their own human bed.
This can definitely help to calm your puppy down but it also presents its own challenges such as potential separation anxiety further down the line. Ultimately it is up to you to decide, where you would like your puppy to sleep at night.
Cover your puppy’s crate with a blanket
If you would prefer your puppy sleeping in a crate, you can create a cosier environment by covering their crate with a blanket. This will help your puppy feel calmer and more secure.
Give your puppy lots of blankets
Your puppy will sleep better if they can snuggle with a blanket. And don’t forget about the blanket that smells of your puppy’s mum. This is the perfect time to use it!
Let your puppy sleep with a ‘heart beat’ toy
Before you picked up your puppy, they were used to sleeping next to their mum and siblings feeling their heart beat and warmth.
Letting your puppy sleep with a toy that mimics the sound of a heart beat will help them feel very secure and relaxed. Some of these toys also come with a heat pack, which is a bonus. You can purchase the Snuggle Puppy from Amazon UK or Amazon US.
Play calming music to your puppy to help them fall asleep
There are many calming music videos on YouTube that help your puppy relax and fall asleep. If you prefer to play a tune on Alexa or a radio then choosing a soft tune with a slow and steady rhythm is the best. Your puppy will find it very soothing as they will concentrate on the tune that will help to block out any distracting sounds.
Do Not Punish Your Puppy For Accidents Or Any Damage To Your Belongings
It goes without saying that you should not punish your puppy for accidents or any damage to your belongings. This would have a very negative affect on their behaviour and may cause lots of behavioural issues in the future.
Young puppies don’t have any control over their bladder or bowls so it is your responsibility to help your puppy with potty training. Accidents will happen and you should be prepared to respond to them in calm manner.
We have already discussed puppy proofing your home so you should be aware of the steps to take to protect your home and belongings. You need to keep a constant eye on your puppy and teach them the house rules as part of their training.
Be Patient And Enjoy The ‘Ride’
Settling in a new puppy can be both exciting and exhausting. When you bring your dachshund puppy home, you need to be patient as it can be a challenging experience. But try to relax and enjoy the process along the way. Both you and your puppy will have some ups and downs, which is quite normal so don’t be too hard on yourself. The more relaxed you are, the happier your puppy will be.
How To Help Your Dachshund Puppy Settle In – Conclusion
Helping a dachshund puppy settle into their new home doesn’t have to be difficult. With lots of love, patience and consistency you will help your pup feel happy and relaxed. Take the opportunity to truly get to know your new puppy and they will reward you with unconditional love for years to come.
How To Help Your Dachshund Puppy Settle In – Let Us Know What You Think!
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