I remember when we first brought home our puppy, Asti, and how much I worried about the little things I never even thought about before.
I’m Jenny, and I’ve been living with our corgi, Asti, for 5 years now. We got her at 3 months old, and today I’ll share how we made it work in those early days together.
Our First Days with corgi Asti
The first thing that really concerned me was: How could I leave such a tiny puppy home alone? What if she chewed on something or got upset? To be honest, at first, we took her everywhere with us—whether it was a trip in the car or even to the shopping mall.
I know, it sounds a little crazy, but we didn’t want to leave her by herself!
After a week or so, we started feeling more comfortable. We began to notice what Asti liked to do when we were gone. Luckily, she wasn’t very interested in cords or anything she shouldn’t chew. Eventually, we started leaving her alone for a couple of hours at a time.
Tips on Leaving a Puppy Alone at Home:
- Make sure to remove any exposed cords and unplug them.
- Leave lots of toys accessible. The more variety, the better. We’d play with the toys beforehand to make sure she knew they were for chewing, not the furniture.
- Always leave fresh water. I used to put several bowls around the house because Asti loved laying in her bowl while drinking.
- If you notice your puppy trying to chew on furniture, block access to those areas when you leave.
- Use rubber toys to help curb chewing—just make sure you have plenty of them, and that they’re different types.
- Don’t leave for the whole day right away, try to hurry back during the first few days. If your puppy is anxious, it’s important to show them that you’ll return. Bring something tasty as a reward for their patience. 🙂
First Days at Home Tips
The first few days at home were all about helping her get comfortable. Let her explore, sniff everything, and find her place. I didn’t want her to cry or get lonely, so I kept her busy with toys. She may have missed her mom and siblings, but with a bit of attention, she got used to being with us.
For potty training, I spread puppy pads around the house, especially in places where she spent time. If she went in the right spot, I’d reward her with a treat.
Creating a Comfortable Space for Your Puppy
One thing I really emphasize is giving your puppy their own space. Asti has a cozy bed, and over time, I made sure she had her personal corner. I’m not a fan of the idea that dogs shouldn’t have their own spot. Every family member should have a comfortable place!
We invested in a mix of rubber, plush, and rope toys, and it paid off. Asti had plenty of options to play with, which kept her from chewing on inappropriate things.
One of her favorite brands, Gigwi, has been great. Their toys last, and I even toss them in the wash!
Food and Feeding Tips
We opted for a high-quality puppy food right away, despite being advised to transition slowly from the breeder’s brand. Fortunately, we didn’t run into any issues. However, if you’re worried about allergies or stomach upset, it might be wise to start with a smaller pack or stick to what your breeder used.
Looking back, I think we did well to plan ahead and buy all the essentials—bed, toys, potty pads, and food. And honestly, there was no need to take Asti everywhere in those early days. At three months old, she was sleeping most of the time! But taking those first steps to help her settle made all the difference.
Let me know in the comments if this post was helpful to you! Wishing everyone happy tails!