One of pup’s worst days is its first day with you. That is not a commentary upon you. After the excitement of being with you and seeing the new home, pup will realize that it does not have its mother nor its litter mates. The other puppies in the litter have been a constant source of companionship, play and warmth. Now, pup only has you.
It is enough to make any pup cry and whine.
And pup will cry. That first night will be terrible for pup. It will be lonely. The whimpering will be heartbreaking and mournful. You may be tempted to save the rest of the night and take pup into your own bed. Don’t do it.
If you allow pup into your bed, you will be setting expectations. Pup will expect that this is where it will sleep – always. It is delaying the inevitable; and, when you want pup to sleep by itself, it will be a harder struggle. To pup, you will have changed the rules. You are not consistent. And that has implications on pup’s trust in you.
Even with the whimpering and the crying, pup will survive the first night. You may want to leave pup with a towel with your scent for a couple of hours when left alone. There needs to be a check to see that pup is not eating the towel.
You are not being mean when you leave pup alone. In fact, it is a kindness. You are allowing pup to learn to be alone. Pup is learning to be bold. Pup is learning that nothing bad will happen when it is left alone. Being bold and learning to be alone are critical lessons for pup. It starts from that very first day – and it starts from you being able to tolerate whimpering, crying and barking. It does stop… really, it does.
Catherine Forsythe
Recommended Puppy Book: The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete