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comes home????
This is probably the most frequently asked question when taking a
new puppy home. I recommend that you have every thing ready for
your new puppy before your puppy arrives in it's new home. This will
make the transition easier for the puppy and you too.
Crate or dog bed?
I would recommend that all puppies have their own bed. I prefer to
use a crate as shown in the picture to the side. These are easier to
clean than the plastic crate, and virtually indestructible, unlike a cloth
or canvas crate. A crate provides your new puppy with a "safe" area
in which it can retreat when it needs a break. It is also an important
tool for training. See the crate training page.
Another option that I also use is the puppy play pen, or exercise pen.
It serves the same purpose and can give the puppy more room if you
need to leave it unattended while you are occupied elsewhere.
There are many options for making the crate comfortable for the
puppy. Just remember as a puppy it may have accidents, so make it
easy to wash. Old blankets or towels are great until the pup is past
the messy stage.
We also love the big dog cushions and have several scattered
throughout the house. Having their own comfortable place to relax with
help keep them out of your favorite chair.
What dog food?
Please read the information page on how to pick out a dog food. I use
Kirkland brand dog food found at Costco, which is a A+ rated food. I
start the puppies on the adult version of chicken, rice and vegetables.
By the time your puppy goes home with you it should be eating dry
food, but I will let you know if it still needs it moistened with water.
Let your puppy eat when and however much it wants the first few
days in its new home as it learns to adjust. Be sure to take the food
away in the evening to discourage potty breaks in the middle of the
night. After that first week it is a good idea to begin feeding the puppy
once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Start with a cup each
feeding and scale up or down according to your puppies needs as it
grows.
Dog bowls
I recommend using the stainless steal bowls since they are long
lasting, easy to keep clean, and do not store germs and bacteria like
the pretty ceramic or plastic bowls do.
Toys
Puppies need something to chew on as they loose their baby teeth
and their adult teeth come in, just like human infants. I find that
rawhide chews work great.
Puppies should also be provided with toys to keep them entertained.
There will be a huge selection at any pet supply store. Remember
that they will need to be replaced periodically since the puppy will
chew them up. I would also get toys you can throw into the washer to
clean, soft stuffed toys and most rubber toys work great. Just don't
go overboard and get the puppy too many toys. Only give them 2-3 at
a time.
Training tools
It is important to begin training your puppy as soon as you get it
home. I recommend getting an adjustable collar and a leash, at least
6 foot long. The collar can be either the simple around the neck collar
or a halter. Make sure they don't fit to tight. You should easily be able
to run two fingers under the collar around the puppy's neck.
Since the puppy is started on puppy piddle pads it would be a good
idea to continue this as you begin training the puppy to go outside to
potty. This will help your puppy prevent accidents as it discovers
where it is expected to go in it's new home.
This is probably the most frequently asked question when taking a
new puppy home. I recommend that you have every thing ready for
your new puppy before your puppy arrives in it's new home. This will
make the transition easier for the puppy and you too.
Crate or dog bed?
I would recommend that all puppies have their own bed. I prefer to
use a crate as shown in the picture to the side. These are easier to
clean than the plastic crate, and virtually indestructible, unlike a cloth
or canvas crate. A crate provides your new puppy with a "safe" area
in which it can retreat when it needs a break. It is also an important
tool for training. See the crate training page.
Another option that I also use is the puppy play pen, or exercise pen.
It serves the same purpose and can give the puppy more room if you
need to leave it unattended while you are occupied elsewhere.
There are many options for making the crate comfortable for the
puppy. Just remember as a puppy it may have accidents, so make it
easy to wash. Old blankets or towels are great until the pup is past
the messy stage.
We also love the big dog cushions and have several scattered
throughout the house. Having their own comfortable place to relax with
help keep them out of your favorite chair.
What dog food?
Please read the information page on how to pick out a dog food. I use
Kirkland brand dog food found at Costco, which is a A+ rated food. I
start the puppies on the adult version of chicken, rice and vegetables.
By the time your puppy goes home with you it should be eating dry
food, but I will let you know if it still needs it moistened with water.
Let your puppy eat when and however much it wants the first few
days in its new home as it learns to adjust. Be sure to take the food
away in the evening to discourage potty breaks in the middle of the
night. After that first week it is a good idea to begin feeding the puppy
once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Start with a cup each
feeding and scale up or down according to your puppies needs as it
grows.
Dog bowls
I recommend using the stainless steal bowls since they are long
lasting, easy to keep clean, and do not store germs and bacteria like
the pretty ceramic or plastic bowls do.
Toys
Puppies need something to chew on as they loose their baby teeth
and their adult teeth come in, just like human infants. I find that
rawhide chews work great.
Puppies should also be provided with toys to keep them entertained.
There will be a huge selection at any pet supply store. Remember
that they will need to be replaced periodically since the puppy will
chew them up. I would also get toys you can throw into the washer to
clean, soft stuffed toys and most rubber toys work great. Just don't
go overboard and get the puppy too many toys. Only give them 2-3 at
a time.
Training tools
It is important to begin training your puppy as soon as you get it
home. I recommend getting an adjustable collar and a leash, at least
6 foot long. The collar can be either the simple around the neck collar
or a halter. Make sure they don't fit to tight. You should easily be able
to run two fingers under the collar around the puppy's neck.
Since the puppy is started on puppy piddle pads it would be a good
idea to continue this as you begin training the puppy to go outside to
potty. This will help your puppy prevent accidents as it discovers
where it is expected to go in it's new home.
