Congratulations on your new addition! We’re here to help make your first days and weeks together a success.
Below you’ll find expert tips, checklists, and helpful links to guide you through everything from potty training to vaccines.
A detailed guide to help you start off strong and build a lifelong bond!
● Keep the environment quiet and predictable.
● Allow free access to one or two rooms at first.
● Provide a designated “safe zone” like a crate or playpen.
● Use calm voices and slow movements.
● Overwhelming them with new people or places.
● Rushing introductions to kids, pets, or visitors.
● Free roaming of the entire house.
● Learn more here
Key Rule: Supervise + Schedule + Reward.
Step-by-Step:
1. Set a consistent schedule:
○ First thing in the morning
○ After eating or drinking
○ After playtime
○ After naps
○ Before bedtime
○ Every 1–2 hours for puppies under 12 weeks
2. Choose a designated potty area outdoors.
○ Take your puppy to the same spot every time.
○ Use a phrase like “Go potty” as a cue.
3. Reward IMMEDIATELY after they go outside.
○ Treats and praise should come within 3 seconds of finishing.
4. Accidents? Stay calm.
○ Never punish. Interrupt gently if you catch them in the act.
○ Clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle) to remove
scent.
5. Supervise or confine indoors.
○ Use baby gates, leashes, or crates to prevent unsupervised roaming.
Read more here
Why it matters:
Crate training helps with potty training, prevents destructive chewing, and gives your puppy a
space of their own.
Choosing the right crate:
● Just large enough to stand up, turn around, and lie down.
● Use dividers if it’s too big to prevent pottying inside.
Steps to train:
1. Introduce slowly.
Toss in treats and toys, leave the door open at first.
2. Feed meals inside the crate to build positive association.
3. Start short sessions with the door closed.
Gradually increase duration, starting with 5–10 minutes.
4. Use for naps, bedtime, and short absences.
Never use the crate as punishment.
Don’t crate longer than puppy’s age in months = hours (e.g., 3-month-old = 3 hrs
max during the day).
Learn more here
Start leash training indoors once your puppy is comfortable in the home.
Basic Steps:
1. Let them wear a collar or harness for short, supervised periods.
2. Attach the leash and let it drag behind them indoors at first.
3. Reward when they walk with a loose leash.
4. Use short sessions outside with few distractions.
Training Tips:
● Don’t pull — use treats to guide them toward you.
● Stop walking if they pull. Resume when the leash loosens.
● Reward for checking in and walking by your side.
Collar & Harness Types:
● Flat Collar – Basic, for ID tags; not for walking/training.
● Martingale Collar – Safer option for escape-prone dogs.
● Back-Clip Harness – Gentle for young puppies.
● Front-Clip Harness – Helps discourage pulling.
● No-pull Head Halters – Only for older puppies under supervision; requires proper fit.
Learn more about collars from PetMD: Dog Collars: Types and Uses
The ideal window for socialization is 8–16 weeks, but exposure should be gentle and positive.
Expose them to:
● Different surfaces (grass, tile, carpet)
● Noises (vacuum, doorbell, music)
● People (kids, adults, people with hats or umbrellas)
● Other vaccinated dogs in controlled settings
Make every new experience positive with treats, toys, and calm praise.
Essential steps to help your new puppy thrive!
Visit HPA!’s Pet Assistance Resource Page for information on our low-cost community store, veterinary options, and upcoming microchip and vaccine clinics. Click below to learn more and give your pet the care they deserve.