The First Night With Your New Dandie Puppy

Bringing your new Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy home is one of life’s most exciting moments. You have probably spent weeks preparing, buying toys, choosing a bed and imagining how wonderful that first evening will be.

The reality?

It may be one of the noisiest nights you’ve had in years!

Don’t worry—this is completely normal.

Your puppy has just experienced the biggest change of its young life. Only a few hours earlier it was sleeping in a warm pile with its mother and littermates. Now it finds itself in a strange house, with unfamiliar smells, unfamiliar people and complete silence. It’s no surprise that many puppies protest.

The good news is that it doesn’t last forever.

Prepare Before Bedtime

Before your puppy arrives, decide where it will sleep. Consistency is important. Moving the bed every night because you feel sorry for your puppy only teaches them that enough crying changes the rules.

Many breeders recommend using a crate (or cage). A properly introduced crate is not a punishment. It becomes your puppy’s own bedroom—a safe place where they can relax, sleep and escape from the excitement of family life.

A crate also has practical advantages:

• It helps with toilet training.

• It prevents your puppy exploring the house unsupervised overnight.

• It keeps your puppy safe from electrical cables, furniture and anything else that might become a midnight snack.

• It gives your puppy somewhere familiar to rest when visitors arrive or life becomes busy.

Setting Up the Crate

The crate doesn’t need to be elaborate.

Inside should be:

• A comfortable bed or mattress.

• Fresh drinking water if appropriate for the crate setup.

• A safe puppy toy or chew.

• Vet bedding or similar non-slip bedding.

Many breeders recommend Vetbed because it allows moisture to drain away from the puppy while keeping them warm and comfortable.

One useful tip is to wash new Vetbed several times before using it. New bedding can shed loose fibres, and washing removes most of them. Some owners also give the surface a quick brush with a slicker brush to lift away any remaining loose fibres before introducing it to the puppy.

Choose Bedding Carefully

Young puppies explore the world with their mouths.

Avoid leaving bedding that can easily be torn apart or stuffed with loose filling. Cushions, fluffy toys with removable stuffing, loose blankets or anything that breaks into small pieces can become a choking hazard or be swallowed.

Simple, durable bedding is usually the safest option until your puppy has proved they can be trusted.

Expect Some Crying

Many puppies cry during their first few nights.

They aren’t being naughty.

They aren’t trying to manipulate you.

They’re simply frightened and wondering where everyone has gone.

Some puppies settle within a few minutes. Others may cry on and off for much of the night.

If your puppy becomes distressed, quietly reassure them. A calm voice is often enough. Avoid turning the middle of the night into playtime, otherwise your puppy quickly learns that crying results in games and attention.

Every puppy is different. Some settle immediately, while others take several nights to find their confidence.

Night-Time Toilet Breaks

Remember that a young puppy has a very small bladder.

Most puppies will need at least one trip outside during the night.

Keep these trips calm and boring. Take your puppy outside, quietly praise them if they toilet, then return them straight to bed. Save the exciting games for daylight hours.

The Morning Surprise

Let’s be honest…

You may wake up to discover that your puppy has been rather busy while you were asleep.

Puppies don’t arrive fully house-trained. Accidents are completely normal, particularly during the first few weeks.

Simply clean everything thoroughly using a pet-safe cleaner that removes odours. Avoid scolding your puppy. They won’t understand why you’re upset hours after the event.

If bedding has become wet or dirty, replace it with clean, dry bedding and carry on as normal.

Every puppy owner has cleaned up accidents. It’s simply part of raising a dog.

Your Puppy Will Be Tired Too

Remember that your puppy hasn’t slept particularly well either.

The first few days are physically and emotionally exhausting. Expect plenty of naps throughout the day while your puppy adjusts to its new routine.

Resist the temptation to introduce lots of visitors immediately. Although everyone will want to meet the newest family member, too much excitement can easily overwhelm a young puppy.

Give them time to settle into their new home first.

The Best Advice

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is this:

Your puppy isn’t giving you a difficult first night.

Your puppy is having a difficult first night.

With patience, consistency and kindness, your Dandie will soon realise that this strange new house is now home—and before long you’ll wonder how you ever slept without a little whiskered face waiting to greet you every morning.