Welcoming Your Border Collie Puppy Home: A Guide to the First Month
Welcoming your border collie puppy home is an exciting adventure filled with love, joy, and a few challenges along the way. As you embark on this journey with your new furry friend, it’s essential to be prepared for what lies ahead. From delaying that first bath to mastering housebreaking and bite inhibition, here’s your comprehensive guide to the first month with your border collie puppy.
When your puppy leaves us here at Willowcreek, they are familiar with crates, x-pens and they have been able to confidently stay in a restricted area without too much fuss. Ensure they have toys, chews and a comfortable area to sleep.
Note: Puppies chew! They are teething and it is a natural activity of a healthy pup. If you have your eye on an expensive bed, we recommend you hold off on that purchase until they are much older. Blankets and starter beds are a much better option for young pups and will save you $$ and frustration through the early months.
Delaying the First Bath: Why Patience Pays Off
When you bring your border collie puppy home, you may be tempted to give them a bath immediately to freshen them up. However, we recommend delaying that first bath until your puppy has settled into their new environment, typically after several days. This allows them to adjust to their new surroundings without the added stress of a bath, which can be overwhelming for a young pup. When you do bathe your border collie puppy, be sure to use a gentle, puppy-specific shampoo like Burt’s Bees to avoid skin irritation.
Welcoming your border collie puppy home . Housebreaking: Establishing a Routine
One of the first tasks when bringing home a border collie puppy is housebreaking. Consistency is key in establishing a routine for your puppy. Take them outside frequently, especially after meals and naps, and be sure to praise them when they go potty outside. Accidents indoors are inevitable, but with patience and positive reinforcement, your puppy will learn where it’s appropriate to relieve themselves.
Puppies have been introduced to potting outside. We tend to use reusable/washable pee pads in our whelping area however neither Brenda or myself uses disposable pee pads. We find they ingest them, play with them and it really just becomes messier than it’s worth. We highly recommend that you opt to introduce them to outside pottying as soon as possible and get in the habit of taking them out after sleep, play and every 1-2 hours through the early days.
Welcoming your border collie puppy home . Accidents in their sleep area
If your puppy isn’t making it through the night or they are not telling you that they need to go outside, their sleep area is to large. Most crates come with dividers and you may need to use the divider to ensure they do not have too much room in their pen or sleeping area. Border Collie Puppies and puppies in general do not like to go to the bathroom in their ‘space’. If they are, it means they feel they have enough room to go in one area and sleep in another.
Welcoming your border collie puppy home. Bite Inhibition: Teaching Gentle Play
Border collie puppies, like all puppies, explore the world with their mouths, which can lead to nipping and biting behaviors. Teaching bite inhibition is crucial during the early months. When your puppy bites too hard during play, yelp in a high-pitched voice to mimic the sound of a littermate in pain. This signals to your puppy that their bite was too rough. Redirect their attention to a chew toy or engage in a different activity to reinforce gentle play.
Welcoming your border collie puppy home. What to Expect in the First Month
During the first month with your border collie puppy, expect a whirlwind of excitement and adjustment. Your puppy will be exploring their new surroundings, bonding with you and your family, and learning the ropes of their new home. Be prepared for sleepless nights as your puppy adjusts to their new sleeping arrangements and begins to establish a routine. Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation through interactive toys, games, and short training sessions to keep your puppy engaged and happy.
Bringing home a border collie puppy is a rewarding experience that comes with its own set of challenges. By delaying that first bath, establishing a routine for housebreaking, and teaching bite inhibition, you’ll set your puppy up for success in their new home. Embrace the journey, be patient, and enjoy the precious moments with your furry companion during their first month home.
Willowcreek Border Collies, is a Border Collie Breeder in BC as well as Ontario. We have been breeding companion/sport Border Collies for 7 years and are celebrating 10 years with our founder, Riley. Willowcreek has focused on breeding stable, confident Border Collie puppies with our priorities being Health & Temperament.
