Tips & Tricks when bringing your puppy home

Bringing home a new mini Golden Retriever puppy is exciting! To make the transition smoother for both you and your new furry friend, here are 20 helpful tips and tricks:

1. Prepare Your Home Beforehand

Set up a designated sleeping area, crate, and puppy-proof your home. Make sure there are no small objects or hazards that your pup could get into.

2. Start Crate Training Early

A crate provides your puppy with a safe, secure space and can help with potty training. Make it a positive experience by adding a comfy blanket and some treats inside. (I recommend keeping blankets out of their kennel until they’re potty trained) if they’re uneasy in the kennel, putting a blanket over the crate leaving one side open for them to see what’s going can help make their crate feel cozy.

3. Introduce a Routine

Puppies thrive on routine. Set regular times for meals, play, and potty breaks to help your puppy feel secure and know what to expect. Pick a word that’s works for you to repeat as your command.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your puppy with treats, praise, and affection when they exhibit good behavior like sitting, following commands, or going potty outside.

5. Socialization is Key

Expose your puppy to a variety of people, dogs, and environments to build confidence and prevent fearful behavior later in life.

6. Start Potty Training Right Away

Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after eating, drinking, or waking up from a nap. Consistency is key. Generally a puppy can hold it for half their age in weeks. So a 8 week old puppy = 4 hours.

7. Be Patient with House Training

Mistakes will happen. Don’t punish your puppy—just clean up accidents thoroughly and continue to praise and reward when they go outside.

8. Teach Basic Commands Early

Start with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Short, positive training sessions work best for puppies.

9. Leash Training

Introduce your puppy to the leash early. Let them get used to wearing a collar and walking around the house before going outside. I sometimes tie my dogs leash to my belt loop and walk around the house tidying up and giving the pup treats when they stay by my side.

10. Supervised Play Time

Mini Golden Retrievers are playful and energetic, but make sure playtime doesn’t get too rough. Monitor their interactions with toys and other pets to avoid overstimulation.

11. Socialization with Other Dogs

Arrange playdates with vaccinated puppies or adult dogs to help your puppy learn dog-to-dog communication and manners.

12. Establish Alone Time

Start getting your puppy accustomed to being alone for short periods to prevent separation anxiety. Gradually increase the time as they adjust.

13. Chew Toys are Essential

Puppies chew a lot, especially during teething. Provide a variety of chew toys to satisfy their

chewing instinct and protect your furniture.

14. Visit the Vet Soon After Arrival

Schedule a checkup with the vet to ensure your puppy is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming.

15. Establish a Feeding Schedule

Feed your puppy at the same times each day to develop a routine. High-quality puppy food will help with growth and development.

16. Grooming Time

Start brushing your puppy regularly to get them used to the grooming process. This will help with

coat maintenance and also make future trips to the groomer easier.

17. Give Them Time to Adjust

Moving to a new home is a big change for a puppy. Be patient and understanding as they adjust to their new environment and routine.

18. Avoid Overwhelming Your Puppy

While it’s important to socialize your puppy, don’t overdo it with too many people, dogs, or

experiences at once. Take it slow and allow your puppy to acclimate.

19. Provide Mental Stimulation

Mini Golden Retrievers are smart. Puzzle toys and training games can keep them mentally engaged and prevent boredom.

20. Create a Safe Space

Having a “safe zone” where your puppy can retreat for quiet time or rest helps them feel secure in their new home. This could be a crate, playpen, or designated quiet area.

Enjoy the journey, and be sure to cherish the special moments with your new furry family member.