Bringing your Bulldog Puppy home- the first night
If your Bulldog is a puppy he will need plenty of sleep. It’s easy for excited and enthusiastic family members to overplay the puppy, but if you remember that he’s much like a human baby who needs his beauty sleep, you’ll have a happier bulldog.
Both adults and puppies may experience some distress having left their previous home. This is quite normal. You should try to keep to your dog’s former routine as much as possible. This will lessen the shock, and provide plenty of comfort and support. Schedule and routine is very important. Try to feed him at the same time and place everyday. He’ll soon regard your home as his own.
Your bulldog should have his own special place in the house. The spot will be where his crate is set up. If you don’t choose to use a crate, you can still have a special spot with his toys and bed. This will be his private retreat, the spot to which he can relax when things get rough in the home. Never use this space as punishment.
The first night is bound to be somewhat traumatic. There’s alot of noise and confusion, and he’s just been put in a strange room and left alone in the dark. Why should’nt he cry?
To help him settle in allow your puppy to sleep in your own room, in his own bed by your side. This will also ensure your house training duties are considerably easier. When you sense he’s beginning to stir, you can immediately take him outside -but go with him into the bitter cold of the night.
Allowing your puppy to sleep with you in your room, will not spoil him. It won’t turn him into an uncontrollable alpha dog. It will simply make him aware that your his parent and you will be there to comfort him the way his own mother did before. Some people allow their dogs to sleep in their bed with them, and if your entertaining this idea, you can start him off snuggled right next to your pilllow. This will make your dog more, not less secure. However, because we strongly advise that you crate train your puppy, it may be best to allow him to sleep by your side in his own crate. That way he won’t fall off the bed or wander around the house and get into trouble.
If you puppy cries during the night, talk to him quietly until he falls to sleep. Make sure he’s warm. He may wake up at a time during the night, but this is normal. He’ll soon sleep contentedly throughout the night.
Some tips to comfort your new puppy:
- a small ticking clock
- have the radio on softly our babies love classical and jazz music
- warm hot water bottle- wrapped so he can’t get to the rubber- he will think its one of his siblings
- lots of toys and chewy hides (make sure there safe)