Puppy Care
been thoroughly loved, socialized, and temperament tested
been dewormed at least twice
received his/her first round of vaccinations
been micro-chipped
been introduced to a crate and potty training
Once you arrive home:
Offer your puppy water and immediately take outside to go potty
Focus primarily on connecting with your puppy and potty training for the first few days
Confirm your vet appointment
Finalize Trupanion insurance and register your microchip
Caution:: Until your puppy is 16 weeks old and receive their final vaccinations they are highly susceptible to parvo and other diseases. You can take them out but should keep them off the ground and absolutely no dog parks, kennels, pet stores and other high traffic pet areas. Rule of thumb: 4 paws off the ground for 4 months
Feeding Suggestions:
Puppy Food: High quality food, puppies are currently eating Purina Pro Plan
Recommended Supplement: Nuvet Plus
Changing food: Do so slowly- Days 1 & 2 feed 3/4 old food and 1/4 new food, Days 3 & 4 feed 1/2 old food and 1/2 new food, Days 5 & 6 feed 3/4 new food & 1/4 old food. Day 7 you are good to go.
Having probiotics on hand to add to your puppies food such as Purina Fortiflora may be helpful, especially the first few days. Cottage cheese works as a probiotic as well.
Feed according to your veterinarians instructions typically 2-3 times a day.
Loose stools: see suggestions on take home information sheet
Potty Training Suggestions
Take out to potty w/in 30 minutes after each feeding.
If you feed them 3 times/day they will poop a minimum of 3 times a day.
Take care not to feed them too late or they will certainly mess in their crate
If you choose to crate train
Crate should not be too large
Consider feeding (not watering) you pet in his/her crate
When your puppy gets sleepy place in crate to sleep.
Wait till puppy is calm before removing from crate
Puppies can generally hold their urine for 1 hour per month of life, so when you receive your puppy they should be able to go a minimum of 2 hours into the night before you take them out to go potty.
White towels are best in the crate initially they can be easily laundered in case of accidents and are less of a chewing hazard
Grooming:
Brush 1-2 times/week (slicker brush first and then metal comb)
Bathing: Every month or two
Grooming: Every 12 weeks (nails, eyes/eyebrows, ears etc.)
Brushing Video Clip-link
Grooming Video Clip-link
Local Dog Trainer Recommendation: K9 Action Dog Training & Boarding
Online Training Suggestion: Baxter & Bella (code: sandcreekranch for 25% off)
