How to Manage Your Puppy When You Return Home

Coming home to a puppy waiting eagerly for you is a joyous moment for many dog owners, but managing these greetings appropriately is crucial for fostering good behaviour and helping your puppy adjust to being alone.

When you first bring a puppy home, you may feel tempted to rush into enthusiastic cuddles and fuss, especially after time apart. However, exaggerated greetings can inadvertently encourage overexcitement and habits such as jumping up, which become harder to correct later. This guide helps you handle your puppy calmly and constructively when you arrive home after leaving them alone for a few hours.

1. Manners at the Door

Your puppy will likely rush to you when you open the door or be as close as possible if confined. It’s important from the start to teach your puppy not to dart out or push past you uninvited. This protects them from hazards like traffic and sets early boundaries about responding to commands and respecting household rules.

2. Calm Greetings on Arrival

After you step inside, take a moment to settle in by setting down your belongings. It’s fine to acknowledge your puppy with a gentle pat or soft hello, but avoid big fusses that might excite them excessively. Calm greetings help your puppy learn to keep their composure when meeting you.

3. Prioritise Essentials First

Regardless of the time spent apart, take your puppy outside promptly to toilet. This builds sound toilet training habits and helps prevent accidents, especially because puppies may struggle to hold it when excited to see you.

4. Quality Time with Boundaries

Once your puppy has relieved themselves and settled from the initial excitement, share focused, positive time together. This could be cuddling calmly, playing gentle games, or going for a walk. Puppies are naturally excitable, so it’s vital to balance showing affection with reinforcing manners like not jumping or nipping.

5. Avoiding Problem Behaviours

Jumping up is a frequent issue during homecomings. Consistently discourage this by gently guiding your puppy to keep four paws on the floor. Establishing this rule early prevents the behaviour from becoming entrenched, which is difficult to change in adulthood. Remember to be patient and consistent, setting rules that apply every time.

6. Tips for Reducing Separation Anxiety

To ease your puppy’s stress when alone, ensure they receive enough physical exercise and mental enrichment before you leave. Providing safe toys and a secure, comforting environment supports their confidence. Keep your arrivals and departures low-key and predictable to avoid making these times a source of anxiety or excess excitement.

7. Gradual Alone Time Training

Build your puppy’s tolerance to alone time gradually, starting with short periods and slowly increasing. Always return before they show distress. Monitoring your puppy remotely, if possible, helps you understand their behaviour and adjust your training accordingly.

By following these steps, you help your puppy feel more secure and well-behaved, making your time apart and reunions pleasant for you both. For those looking to welcome a new puppy, find puppies from reputable breeders who prioritise the health and temperament of their dogs, setting you up for a wonderful companionship.