Welcome Home, Border Collie Puppy!

Border collie puppies, just like human kids, are curious, energetic, and love to explore things. Similarly, they can feel uncomfortable when their environment changes. Joining a new home is a whole new experience for your border collie puppy. It is very understandable that the new and unfamiliar environment can be confusing and even scary for the puppy. Therefore, while you introduce your border collie puppy to his new home and family, make sure you take things nice and slow.

Here are a few tips on how to bring your border collie puppy home and introduce him to his new family:

Puppy Proof Your Home

Make your home puppy proofed. Start with clearing the floor from any chewable thing. Also, make sure there isn’t anything on the floor that your border collie puppy is tempted to destroy. The little ones are not trained and may start chewing anything and everything they find! Give them chewable toys to satisfy their urge.

Have a Dedicated Place for Rest and Sleep

Generally, a young puppy sleeps for 15-20 hours a day, spending most of his time in one place. That place for rest and sleep should be the puppy’s dog bed or crate. The crate aids puppy to feel safe and secure. Take the puppy to his crate as soon as you feel your border collie puppy is about to take a nap. However, don't force your pup into the crate. You can put the crate in the living room or somewhere close to his reach and let him explore it by himself. Avoid buying any expensive crates or dog beds as border collie puppies are known to be notorious for chewing things and they love to chew beds, too!

Introduce your Puppy to New Spaces Slowly

Introduce your puppy to new spaces slowly. Start with a specific area in your home, most preferably around the puppy’s crate, where you can place food and water. Then, let the pup explore the immediate surroundings and get used to them. Do not take your puppy to other exploratory missions immediately, and don’t allow the puppy to roam freely; too many smells or places may confuse him.

Introduce Puppy to Family Members

Your border collie puppy is going to interact with your family and kids in the future, so it is better to get him accustomed to them early. But make sure you don't scare or overburden him. Therefore, it is preferable to start with one person at a time and give your pup time to meet every family member quietly and slowly.

The biggest challenge is to introduce the puppy to kids. Here are some quick tips for doing that.

• Ask your child to come near the puppy from the side and then wait for the puppy to come to the child. Border collie puppies feel safer when they approach someone by themselves.

• Let the puppy sniff or gently touch your child.

• Once the puppy shows signs of acquaintance and feels calm, ask your child to gently pat or stroke his head or neck, but avoid sensitive areas such as ears, stomach, feet, tail, etc.

• If the puppy or your child gets overexcited, then it is better to reintroduce them later.

Supervise Your Puppy

Constant supervision of a border collie puppy is mandatory. Border collie breed is renowned for being agile and energetic, so it is important you keep an eye on your pup. You can keep his crate where you can see him all the time. Take him to all the parts in your home one by one and let him get used to them but let him get off of your sight.

Start Teaching the Rules

The earlier you start teaching some basic rules, the better. Border collies are fast learners, and it is better to keep your pup more consistent and structured from the start. Your border collie will be happier if he is organized from the start. Whether you want to minimize his chewing habit or control any other bad behavior, make sure you redirect your puppy gently; border collies can be especially sensitive. Just deflect the bad behavior and appreciate the good behavior.

Bringing a border collie puppy home is such a memorable and happy event. Taking things slowly and calmly and having the house puppy-proofed with designated spaces for the puppy, will make the experience feel under control and peaceful. You are off to a great start with your new pup!