* (Adapted from ASPCA guideline chart)
Last week we talked about the physiological development of your Habibi Bear puppy and how amazing they are in their natural inclination to want to bond and live with us. This week, we will review how long it takes for your puppy to feel secure and at home after their arrival to your home “planet.”
Even though we all know how fantastically inclined our loving Habibi Bear puppies are to bond and be loving, we need to consider the main characteristic that comprises that natural tendency: sensitivity. Therefore, it is a wonderful point of reference to allow the Rule of Three to help us guide our expectations of how puppy “should” be in our home.
The first three days after coming home with you, look for subtle signs of puppy being shut down, withdrawn, silent, or showing no interest in food or water. These are signs that puppy could be overwhelmed by the change in location, the travel time it took to get to your home, and the new smells in your home. This is no reflection on you as an owner, or an indication of how your relationship will unfold! As we talked about last week (Space Puppies), your Habibi Bear puppy is still building neural pathways and their brains are still developing rapidly! The changes in a new home means that there are an awful lot of new signals and information flooding puppy’s brain all at once. Let’s consider what it would be like for us to be shuttled off to a new workplace where another language is being spoken, the smells are different, and everyone is, even if well intentioned, trying to touch you and holding the expectation of you to perform a brand new job. We would desperately need a spa day, maybe even a weekend getaway to decompress! Of course, there are some puppies that do better than others, but it helps to remember to allow our Habibi Bear guys and gals some time to adjust to the changes of coming to a new home before we begin demanding commands and tasks. Let’s honor their sensitivity and offer them clear consistent boundaries and a routine that they can depend on to make them feel safe.
During the next three weeks, your Habibi Bear puppy is still learning their way around your house, where to go potty, their routine with you, and is familiarizing themselves with all the new smells in their environment. Remember, dogs are spatial learners who rely on their primary sense of smell, so the more that they recognize and establish their own smell in their environment, the safer they will feel. Your Habibi Bear puppy will begin to recognize you as the wonderful bearer of amazing things like food, fun, and safety, which will plant the seeds of love in their furry little Habibi hearts!
After three months, if all has gone well, a comfortable routine has been established with your puppy, boundaries have been formed and the bonds of trust and love are stronger than ever. Your Habibi Bear puppy knows their territory and their place in your family pack and has settled in comfortably.
We hope this blog is helpful for all our new Habibi Parents - our
latest puppies were just posted in time for spring training! Remember, if you ever need help troubleshooting transition issues with your Habibi Bear puppy, our Pup Start program is an indispensable resource that is getting rave reviews! Reach out and drop us a line anytime. We’re always here for you, cheering you on!