The big day has finally arrived!  Today is the day you will be welcoming your new Dachshund puppy into your home for the first time.

I know very well the excitement of getting your new Dachshund puppy home to meet its new family and learn its new surroundings.

Before bringing your new Dachshund home, there a few things you’ll need to do to prepare:

Be sure to bring a small box and a soft blanket when picking up your new Dachshund puppy.

These will be used when transporting your new puppy home in the car.  It’s very important to ensure that your Dachshund puppy is safe and secure on its way home.  A cardboard diaper box and baby blanket work great for this purpose.

You can choose to secure the box with a seat belt or have a friend or family member hold the box on their lap.  Either way, be sure to have your Dachshund puppy secured in the back seat of the car.  Never transport your new puppy in the front seat as this presents a big safety risk.

The move will be very stressful for your new puppy, so be sure to make it as comfortable and painless as possible.  Your new Dachshund will appreciate it.

Have your new Dachshund puppy’s bed and play area set up ahead of time. 

When arriving at home with your new Dachshund puppy, chances are it will be chaotic and fun to watch your puppy run around and investigate its new surroundings.

I’ve found that having your Dachshund puppy’s bed and play area set up beforehand makes for an easier transition into its new home.  The first area that your new puppy should be introduced to will be its play area.  This can be an area that can be fenced or blocked off from the rest of the house when needed.

By doing this, your Dachshund will indentify this as its new territory and will hopefully feel comfortable and content when left here.

Whether you have chosen to crate train your new Dachshund puppy or simply have a bed set up in its play area, be sure to have this available to your puppy when it first arrives.  Chances are your puppy will sniff around its new bed and begin to become acquainted.

Decide beforehand where your new Dachshund puppy will stay when you’re not at home.

As touched on before, you’ll need to make a decision about where your puppy will stay when you aren’t around to watch it.

Crate training is a very popular and recommended means of housebreaking a new Dachshund puppy.  By keeping your Dachshund in a crate when left alone or sleeping at night, you can rest assured that your new puppy isn’t getting into trouble or having accidents around the house.

Some people may have their objections to crate training, but I’ve found it very effective when house training a new Dachshund puppy.  Dachshunds appreciate small, cozy places.  Don’t be surprised if your new puppy develops a quick attachment to their crate.

Your other option is to set up a bed in a secured, designated area for your new Dachshund puppy.  When doing this, be sure that this area is able to be fenced or blocked off, is free of anything you wouldn’t want your puppy chewing on, and has flooring that is able to be cleaned easily.

Remember, your new Dachshund is just a puppy and accidents are inevitable.

With the right amount of planning and preparation, you’re new Dachshund puppy will have a smooth transition into its new home.

Prepare well, be safe, and fun with your new Dachshund puppy!