Bringing Home a New Puppy -- The First Night
After bringing home a new puppy, you have done well throughout the day. But now, it's your very first night with puppy! Nervous? Don't worry -- it's natural. And I'll walk you through what to do. Hopefully, you have already decided where your Golden Retriever puppy is going to sleep, and arranged her crate there. Ideally, this location is in your bedroom next to your bed. So please remember to be patient with her. As I have mentioned elsewhere, a puppy is a little like a human infant, only a bit easier to manage. For instance, usually you don't need to spend innumerable sleepless nights after bring home a new puppy. But you will certainly have a few nights of interrupted sleep. 
Keep her very close to you, next to the bed in her crate. Remember to take her out to relieve herself before she settles down for the night (see the
toilet-training
section). After that, she should not have to go out for at least a few hours. If she whimpers or barks before that time, simply tap the top of the crate to indicate that she should be quiet. You can try techniques like patting her through the door of the crate, and talking to her and so on. My wife has had personal experience with lullabies working miracles at putting our puppies back to sleep!If your pup has been quiet, and after 3-4 hours she starts to whine or bark, then take her out to her designated toilet area. She needs to go. Her bladder is small and still adjusting to your timetable. Once she is done, she has to be put back into the crate for the rest of the night. In the morning, everything is going to seem a lot brighter!
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