The first night..

So tomorrow after work I am going to pick up the newest addition to the madhouse..it has just dawned on me that this will actually be the first time (all being well) I've had to settle a pup in for its first night away from it's litter. Casper ended up in the vet within a few hours of him arriving with me as he injured his leg, so his first few nights were spent in the vet and when he came home he was confined to the crate (vets orders) for a good week or so and was allowed very little attention incase he got too excited and did lasting damage. So ive not really had to settle a pup in as he was just here and ignored bless him.

So what are the do's and donts when I get her home? Casper didn't cry through the night by the time he had finished in the vet, so what if this little one does tomorrow? I can see me being tempted to bring her up to my room but also know that is probably creating a rod for my own back, and Casper isn't allowed upstairs so would probably be unfair to have her up. What should I expect on the first night?

I've not had a pup for many years but others here say some clothing with the mums smell on it should help comfort and when he's more settled you can substitute that with something of yours.

Taking the pup upstairs will set the course going forward, if you don't want a full grown staffs taking over the bed then don't be tempted to let it in now... Rules is rules

Be prepared for some crying the first few nights but again, be strong and things should settle soon enough.

The other thing to remember is to post some pics here so we can all see

If the pup isn't going to be allowed upstairs then be prepared for a bit of whinning. A cloth with the mom's and littermates scent will help. A blanket over the crate and a radio will help as well

We crate trained ours. The crate never arrived in time and she had 3 nights in my bed (the first 2 she slept like a log right next to my head.....then the 3rd she realised there was toes at the bottom if she went under the covers!)
We had a couple nights of whining in the crate and now at 2 the crate doors left open all day and she loves her private space

Oh and radios, blanket or clothes smelling of the others and alot of people say a ticking clock near to simulate mums heartbeat. U can even get a comforter with a heartbeat simulator but yo be fair it shouldnt take long without

Try to get your timings right so when you go to bed the pup is very tired and it should sleep most of the night. Don't let the pup sleep after 7pm or so, and it should be ready for a good nights sleep when you leave it.
A young pup will sleep at least 15/16 hours per day. It's up to you when these hours are.
Pete

+1 for the above, make sure the pup doesnt get too much sleep before bed time.
when we brought howie back all we had was a blanket we bought, put it over his crate just leaving thr front exposed. he slept right through with no noise, sounds like we could of been very lucky!!

The first night I had my pup it was the worst ever! All he did was cry and wine. I had him in my bedroom at first hut after that first night he went straight into the kitchen but soon as uve got the pup settled ull be fine

I put Bo in his crate as soon as he got back home at 10 weeks, to get him used to it. I closed the door and he whined and scratched at the bars but I ignored him and when he'd given up after 20 minutes I let him out. After that he loved his crate and he's loved it even since.

I didn't let him upstairs until he was over 12 months old but now he sometimes sleeps in the big bed and sometimes in his crate. He'll always go to his crate at night and wait to see if I invite him upstairs, and if not he'll settle down straight away, with the crate door open. Then again, he's always slept a lot. He'll sit or sleep between walks and then all evening and all night until about 7:30am.

She's in her crate at the moment with her toys, and a blanket and toy from her breeder. shes looking sleepy but I will try and keep her awake until her bedtime. I shall let you know how it goes

So it's 4:30am and she is not a happy baby. She is whining and has been for a while. It is so hard not going to her! I have left her and Casper in the same room in their seperate crates and haven't heard a sound from him. On a week day my alarm goes off at 6 anyway so I've just got to stick this out until then and I can go to them both

Sorry to hear your first night was a toughie.

The vet advised us to leave pepper no matter how much she whined and for the first 3 days no body slept. It was worse than having a new born in the house! The vet also advised ear plugs (which worked a treat). She's only been with us 2 weeks and now she'll whine for 10/20 minutes and then she settles straight down and we don't hear from her until she hears my little girl getting up.

It is tough but stick to your guns, it won't last forever.

Thanks. I didn't give in and come down to her. I have noticed today she has cried a lot if in a room alone (in her crate) but is quiet the moment someone goes in the room regardless of whether they've given her attention or not. so I'm guessing she just wants to know someone is close at the moment?

Worse than the first!! 'nuff said!

It will get better

Much better! She only cried once for about 5 minutes...Or I slept through all the crying. Either way it's an improvement