Caring for Your New Puppy
When You Come Home:
You will be provided with a small supply of food, collar and a toy that has the scent of your new puppy’s mom and littermates. Let him relax and try to give him space for the first day. Try to keep him in a quiet space. Limit how much he is handled the first day especially by children. Moving to a new home can be stressful and he will miss his mom and siblings. You should have at home a small crate ready for the puppy. Line it with a soft dog bed or blanket to make it more comfortable. If you don’t have a crate you can use a large box or laundry basket temporarily. After he seems settled, encourage him to eat and drink. If by dinnertime, he does not seem interested in eating, rub a little honey on his gums to help keep his blood sugar levels up.
You will be provided with a small supply of food, collar and a toy that has the scent of your new puppy’s mom and littermates. Let him relax and try to give him space for the first day. Try to keep him in a quiet space. Limit how much he is handled the first day especially by children. Moving to a new home can be stressful and he will miss his mom and siblings. You should have at home a small crate ready for the puppy. Line it with a soft dog bed or blanket to make it more comfortable. If you don’t have a crate you can use a large box or laundry basket temporarily. After he seems settled, encourage him to eat and drink. If by dinnertime, he does not seem interested in eating, rub a little honey on his gums to help keep his blood sugar levels up.
Crate Training:
Make sure the crate is the correct size, it should be just big enough for him to stand or lie down in comfortably. If the crate is too large, he will start to use it as a bathroom as well. Crate training helps your puppy to learn to be litter trained. Crates give your puppy a safe space that he will consider is his den. This also provides him safety while you are away. Crate training is especially useful when traveling. Keep the crate in the room you are in most, this will help him to not feel lonely. You can bring it to the bedroom at night. This helps keep your puppy adjust to it.
Let your puppy get used to the crate with ½ hour sessions. Never leave him in it for more than 2 hours. Make sure he has a chew toy in his crate as a distraction. If he barks or cries, give him a few minutes to settle down. If he doesn't stop barking or whining, give him a sharp “NO.” It might take some time and several tries, but he should quiet down. After 10 minutes of being quiet, take him calmly out of his crate. Be sure not to make a fuss, you don’t want to reward the act of coming out of the crate or he won’t want to go back inside his crate.
Never put a puppy pad used for elimination inside his crate. They are designed to encourage your pup to eliminate. Never put your puppy in his crate for punishment. This is supposed to become his “happy place.” If you have been away, don’t immediately rush to the crate and make a big fuss. Instead, do something else for just a couple of minutes, this helps him learn to be patient. After a brief moment, calmly go to his crate and take him outside immediately to eliminate.
Make sure the crate is the correct size, it should be just big enough for him to stand or lie down in comfortably. If the crate is too large, he will start to use it as a bathroom as well. Crate training helps your puppy to learn to be litter trained. Crates give your puppy a safe space that he will consider is his den. This also provides him safety while you are away. Crate training is especially useful when traveling. Keep the crate in the room you are in most, this will help him to not feel lonely. You can bring it to the bedroom at night. This helps keep your puppy adjust to it.
Let your puppy get used to the crate with ½ hour sessions. Never leave him in it for more than 2 hours. Make sure he has a chew toy in his crate as a distraction. If he barks or cries, give him a few minutes to settle down. If he doesn't stop barking or whining, give him a sharp “NO.” It might take some time and several tries, but he should quiet down. After 10 minutes of being quiet, take him calmly out of his crate. Be sure not to make a fuss, you don’t want to reward the act of coming out of the crate or he won’t want to go back inside his crate.
Never put a puppy pad used for elimination inside his crate. They are designed to encourage your pup to eliminate. Never put your puppy in his crate for punishment. This is supposed to become his “happy place.” If you have been away, don’t immediately rush to the crate and make a big fuss. Instead, do something else for just a couple of minutes, this helps him learn to be patient. After a brief moment, calmly go to his crate and take him outside immediately to eliminate.
Toys:
Provide your new puppy with plenty of chew toys for him to play with. You can give him rope toys, hard rubber toys, Nyla bone, and/or stuffed toys. His toys will entertain him and hopefully help keep him less interested in chewing your things. When toys become torn or damaged – please throw them away – he can choke on small pieces.
Provide your new puppy with plenty of chew toys for him to play with. You can give him rope toys, hard rubber toys, Nyla bone, and/or stuffed toys. His toys will entertain him and hopefully help keep him less interested in chewing your things. When toys become torn or damaged – please throw them away – he can choke on small pieces.
Food and Water:
Provide your puppy with fresh water and food daily. Do not use plastic bowls, they can change the color of his nose. When you first bring your puppy home, let him free feed until he is eating and drinking well. You can begin him on schedule as he grows. Start with four or five times a day and then to two or three times a day. We recommend that you feed him high quality puppy food.
Provide your puppy with fresh water and food daily. Do not use plastic bowls, they can change the color of his nose. When you first bring your puppy home, let him free feed until he is eating and drinking well. You can begin him on schedule as he grows. Start with four or five times a day and then to two or three times a day. We recommend that you feed him high quality puppy food.
Housebreaking:
To housebreak your puppy he must go out often: after playing, eating, drinking, and before bedtime. It takes a lot of time and patience to housebreak a puppy, but once housebroken it will be worth all of your effort. It is recommended that you start leash training your puppy immediately.
To housebreak your puppy he must go out often: after playing, eating, drinking, and before bedtime. It takes a lot of time and patience to housebreak a puppy, but once housebroken it will be worth all of your effort. It is recommended that you start leash training your puppy immediately.
Grooming:
Brush your puppy daily. You can use combs, pin brushes or a slicker brush. When bathing your puppy, use a quality pet shampoo with conditioners or moisturizers. Put cotton in his ears to protect them from getting water inside. Trim his nails every two weeks. If you use nail clippers, be sure to keep Kwik Stop powder handy in case you accidently cut too short.
Brush your puppy daily. You can use combs, pin brushes or a slicker brush. When bathing your puppy, use a quality pet shampoo with conditioners or moisturizers. Put cotton in his ears to protect them from getting water inside. Trim his nails every two weeks. If you use nail clippers, be sure to keep Kwik Stop powder handy in case you accidently cut too short.
Socializing:
Make sure to socialize your puppy once he has had his 4th shot. Keep him away from pet stores and dog parks until then. Once he has had his 16 week shot, you should take him with you to restaurants and stores so he can meet other people and animal friends.
Make sure to socialize your puppy once he has had his 4th shot. Keep him away from pet stores and dog parks until then. Once he has had his 16 week shot, you should take him with you to restaurants and stores so he can meet other people and animal friends.
Shot Schedule &
Veterinary Care:
Veterinary Care:
- Second Puppy shot around 10 weeks.
- Third Puppy shot around 13 weeks.
- Fourth Puppy shot around 16 weeks.
- Rabies shot around 4 months.
- Ask your vet for preferred flea and tick control.
- Ask your vet about worming.