Predictable challenges of the first days in a new home are potty training regression, crate training regression, and GI upset. All of these are normal responses to stress, and we can see why: when you’re super confused or scared, you probably aren’t intellectually at your best and you probably don’t feel your best physically! Please be patient with your puppy in these moments and help them develop the impression that your home is a safe place to be, even if they make mistakes.

During your training session, our lead trainer will discuss how to respond to potty accidents, whining in the crate, and any other questions along these lines that you may have. As a training client, you will have access to our training team to answer any questions that may pop up. 

We suggest that you spend the first evening with your puppy quietly, with an effort to help your puppy get acclimated to their new surroundings and caretakers. There will be plenty of time to show them off to visitors in the weeks ahead – wait for that until they seem more settled in. When it’s bedtime, put your puppy in their crate and sleep nearby. The chances of a puppy needing to use the bathroom on their first night are high (even if they are already fully potty trained) so it’s best to sleep close. 

As each day unfolds, you will begin to see more and more of your puppy’s personality. Sometimes there are pockets of difficult behavior in the first few weeks – these are from the puppy processing leftover stress hormones. They will pass! If you have questions or concerns about how your puppy is settling in, you can contact the care team for help.