Setting the Stage for the New Puppy  
Bringing the Puppy Home  
First-Night Loneliness  
The Puppy's Second Day and Thereafter  

FIRST-NIGHT LONELINESS

His first night in a strange surrounding will be a big hurdle for the puppy. If he was confused and bewildered during the day, he's going to be lonely and depressed at night. Where once he nestled close to his mother or curled up against his litter mates, he now has to sleep alone. He will not take this drastic change without a loud protest, so be ready for some whimpering or howling. But make a resolution to be firm about his sleeping in his bed, not yours.

Learning to sleep alone is an important lesson the young puppy must learn. It is one that will have a future bearing on his behavior in the house. Sleeping or staying alone without barking or howling is a must for city dogs. So, start teaching the pup this important lesson the first night.

Be sympathetic, but be firm. Place him in his bed, give him a pat and a few words, and then go away. When he complains, you'll have to resist the impulse to pick him up. If he persists in whimpering or howling, go back to him and tell him "No!" Don't bring him into your bedroom, unless you want him there for the rest of his life. You can help him to console himself by placing a hot-water bottle in his bed. He'll nestle up to this and may go to sleep. Or you can put a loud ticking clock alongside his bed. The ticking of the clock is often a comforting sound and will help overcome the pup's self-imposed insomnia. A few more "sleep-inducers" are a dish of warm milk just before bedtime and one of his new toys. You may have a sleepless night yourself, but once you and the puppy get through it, you should have an easier time next night.