5 Essentials for Your Puppy’s Seamless Transition to Their New Home

Bringing a new puppy home, like this sweet bichon frise, Lilly, is an exciting and rewarding experience.  However, you quickly remember how much work puppies are!  Setting your pup up for success is key to a happy, stress free home. Neigh Care LLC pet sitting and dog walking has helped countless Summerville pet owners create smooth transitions for their puppies. Here are five essentials to make your puppy’s homecoming a breeze!

1. A Safe and Comfortable Space 

Your puppy needs a designated area to feel secure in their new environment. Create a cozy, puppy-proofed space with:

• A healthy relationship with being kenneled for naps and nighttime sleep.  Crate training provides your dog with a safe, comfortable space that mimics a natural den, helping to reduce anxiety and promote better behavior. It also ensures your pet’s safety when unsupervised.  Puppies must feel comfortable rather than fearful of crates because your puppy will likely encounter being crated at a groomer or vet visit
• Baby gates to block off unsafe areas
• Chew toys to keep their little teeth busy and away from furniture. Those puppy teeth are powerful and you will want to give these toys only under supervision to be sure they do not ingest small pieces they gnaw on.   

2. A Structured Routine 

Puppies thrive on consistency and mental stimulation! This is where Neigh Care comes in! We will help you establish a healthy daily routine that includes:

• Regular feeding times to encourage healthy digestion
• Potty breaks every 2-3 hours to build good habits.  As your puppy gets older, they will be able to go longer between potty breaks.  A good rule of thumb is however many months old they are, that is how often (in hours) they need the opportunity to go outside to potty.  If your puppy is 4 months old, they should be going outside every 4 hours.
• Daily walks and playtime to burn off energy and enrich their mind.  This is a great time to turn puppy training into a game! Our sitters will help reinforce the boundaries and behaviors you want to encourage, helping them pick up on their training that much quicker!

Need help sticking to a schedule while at work? Neigh Care LLC provides reliable puppy visits and potty breaks to keep your pup on track! Schedule a Dog Walking Consultation.

3. Proper Socialization & Training

Early socialization is crucial for a well-adjusted dog. Help your puppy gain confidence by:

• Introducing them to new sights, sounds, and people in a positive way
• Scheduling playdates with friendly, vaccinated dogs
• Starting basic training like potty training, not biting, and not jumping up.  If you don’t know where to start, Summerville has some amazing trainers.  We highly recommend Denise Miller and Aubri Wells.

Our team at Neigh Care LLC will not socialize your puppy with other dogs while in our care, but we will absolutely get them out on the paths and walkways Summerville has to offer so they can engage with new smells and everything nature has to offer!

4. The Right Nutrition & Supplies 

• High-quality puppy food suited to their breed and size
• Food and water bowls in a quiet feeding area
• Vet-approved treats for training and rewards

Summerville has fantastic local pet stores! One of our favorites is All is Well on Old Trolley Road. The owners, Annette and Christina, have an extensive background in canine nutrition and can help you navigate what will benefit your puppy’s health!

5. Have Pet Care Professionals You Trust

No one wants a dog who dreads the groomer, having their nails trimmed, or visiting the Vet.  You can avoid this by creating an enjoyable experience at a young age around these seemingly scary places.    

• Schedule vaccines for your puppy and go get a pup cup afterward
• Start early Look at reviews and talk to multiple groomers before choosing one.  Find a groomer who will be patient and work with your puppy to establish manners  when being handled.  We have some great groomers! We recommend All is Well on Old Trolley Rd. They have a great self-serve option for baths as well.  Nails by Holly (607)371-1340 will come to your home for simple grooming needs like nails and anal gland expression.  Lastly, there is a new groomer in the Nexton area, Taylor owns Sitting Pretty Pet Salon and will take great care of your dog. 
• Have a healthy relationship with your pet’s groomer, vet and dog walker.   Summerville has some amazing pet care professionals who have years of wisdom to share.  They will let you know when they notice something off or different.  Listen to them and ask questions! They love your pet and have their best interest at heart when they have those hard conversations with you.