As an actor, I was used to first night nerves, but this first night had nothing on it! My puppy crashed out within half an hour of getting back but I was wide awake all night. Has he stopped breathing? Is he warm enough? What if I roll over and squash him?

There are pros and cons to allowing a dog to share your bed, but puppies should certainly be as close as possible and definitely in the same room on their first few nights in their new home.

Travis snuggled up in his new bed, zonked out after his eventful journey, while I had several hours to try to adjust, mentally at least, to my new life with a puppy. I confess, I have always allowed my dogs to sleep on my bed, but then again, they only have me with whom to compete and I am always in control of when they get on and off. There are some concerns about the transmission of zoonoses  when humans sleep with companion animals, but cases are rare and, as long as full parasite treatment is given regularly, dangers are limited for healthy people.

When Travis is on the bed, he sleeps well. My problem is getting him to sleep at all, but that’s another story…

Next week: To wee or not to wee, that is the question

Meanwhile, why not check out R+Dog Training Puppy Start Right Courses and register for the new Puppy Social Walk in Chiswick House grounds starting in a few days.