Going Home

 

 

Before Pick-Up you will need:

  • Crate

  • Food and water bowl

  • Puppy pads

  • Brush

  • Tear-free puppy shampoo

  • A few small toys - They like the ones that are soft and easy to chew

  • A few small blankets - I got to Wal-Mart or the fabric store and buy fleece by the yard and just cut it down into 2 or 3 smaller blankets.

  • Schedule an appointment for the puppy to be checked within 3 days of pick-up

  • Puppy proof your house making sure that there isn't anything hazardous within the puppy's reach, or anything that the puppy can choke on.  

 

At Pick-Up you will need to bring:

  • A blanket or two (one will be provided, but it is more for snuggling)

  • A small crate (depending on how far you are traveling)

  • A couple puppy pads

  • Balance due for puppy in cash

  • A small water dish

 

The Car Ride Home

Remember that usually the puppy is not fed in the afternoon on the day she/he is going to her new home. This is to make her first car-ride less accident-prone. I would still recommend that you take a blanket, paper towels, and cleaning solution (Clorox hydrogen peroxide spray is good).  Accidents happen! When bringing home a new puppy in the car, she/he may get car-sick and vomit.


It's a good idea to have at least two people to go pick up the new puppy. That way, when bringing puppy home, one of you can drive, while the other can focus on her/him. I think it's ideal to sit in the backseat with the blanket on your lap, and the puppy on the blanket. I recommend this highly as the most optimal way to bring your puppy home (better than putting the puppy in a crate or in the back of an SUV, etc.). The puppy feels much more secure and comfortable this way.  


Upon Arriving Home
 

As soon as you get home, take the puppy directly to the toileting area that you have pre-decided. Start getting them used to their daily routine . Use a particular word (such as "Do your business", "Go Potty"). You will use this word consistently to train them. Be patient and give them plenty of time.  Hopefully, the puppy will need to relieve themself, and you will have your first toilet training success. Be sure to praise the puppy heartily!

Amidst all the excitement, don't forget to give your new puppy fresh water and food . Remember, he has probably needs to eat.  Also remember to keep taking your puppy out at frequent intervals for her toileting needs.

Your puppy will be very excited about the new surroundings. She will want to explore and sniff around everywhere. As long as you have puppy proofed, you should be fine. However, no matter how much you have puppy-proofed beforehand, your puppy will assuredly be able to find ways to get into trouble. Make sure to follow them everywhere, and watch closely for signs of needing to potty. They are quick, they just squat without thought and go, just watch them and keep taking them back to their area. 

I have found it successful to partition off an area in the kitchen, laundry room, or other area that has a hard floor with 36"H dog wire fencing for the new puppy.  The larger length wire fencing can be reduced down while the pup is small but then expand as they grow.  

Visitors
 

When people find out you are bringing puppy home, they will want to visit.  Politely tell them they can come in a few days (or weeks) -- the puppy will still be just as cute and a lot better adjusted.  Give your new baby a chance to become familiar with her family and her new home first before being inundated with visitors. 

 

Unwinding And Settling Down
 

After the initial excitement of showing the puppy her home and new family, all of a sudden it hits you -- this puppy is home to stay 24/7.  She doesn't understand anything you say, maybe only their name. It is darting around everywhere, and is trying to chew and eat everything in sight. They may have even had an accident or two. All your earlier puppy-proofing efforts seem like they made no difference at all.


Relax!  Your puppy will pick up on this energy and become agitated which could lead to destructive misbehaviour or you could scare her.  She can read expressions and understand tone/inflections. The doors of communication are indeed open - use these to communicate effectively with them. With patience and consistency you will see that very soon she will learn the words as well. Thankfully, schnauzer puppies are incredibly smart.
 
 
 First Night Home

This is your first night with puppy, but if you think you are the only nervous one, think again. From the puppy's point of view, this is the very first night she/he is spending away from their known surroundings and litter-mates. She/he doesn't know you yet, and as a result, will probably feel a bit lonely and nervous the first night. You are not the only one who is nervous after bringing home a new puppy!


Please remember to be patient with them. As I have mentioned elsewhere, a puppy is a little like a human infant, only a bit easier to manage. For instance, usually you don't need to spend innumerable sleepless nights after bring home a new puppy, but you may have a few nights of interrupted sleep. Kalli was a dream for the first few nights, but then started missing us on about day four.  It took only two days for her to settle back down.


Keep your puppy very close to you, next to the bed in her crate. Remember to take her out to relieve herself before she settles down for the night (see the toilet-training section or litter box info). After that, she/he should not have to go out for at least a few hours. If she/he whimpers or barks before that time, simply tap the top of the crate to indicate that she/he should be quiet. You can try techniques like patting them through the door of the crate, and talking to them and so on. I used the same humming lullaby that worked for my son, and it worked!
If your pup has been quiet, and after 3-4 hours she starts to whine or bark, then take her out to her designated toilet area. She/he needs to go. Her/his bladder is small and still adjusting to your timetable. Once she/he is done, she/he has to be put back into the crate for the rest of the night.
In the morning, everything is going to seem a lot brighter!

Daily Routine

Before bringing your Schnauzer puppy home, I recommend that you give clear thought to the daily routine your puppy will have. You should chart out a daily routine with specific times. This will keep it easy to structure his day. This will also be important to plan how your puppy will spend his time. Remember that if left alone to his own devices for too long, your puppy WILL get bored and that WILL turn into trouble.
 
Plan his days right from the start. Here are some questions to think about:

  • Who will wake up in the morning to walk him, feed him and allow him to relieve himself? 

  • Who will be with him throughout the day? To have someone with the puppy all the time is often difficult especially when the parent works. In that case, think about  what times in the day he must be alone and where will he be at that time. It is best not to leave a puppy alone for more than 2 hours at a stretch if possible unless you are  using the litter box. 

  • What are his mealtimes? 

  • How often can you allow him outside so that he can relieve himself? Who will let him out? 

  • Where does he relieve himself? Best to have a marked-off, pre-designated space. 

  • Where and with who will he sleep?