Here are some helpful hints to help you and your new puppy get off to a great start!
All of our puppies are fed Diamond Natural Large Breed Puppy (Lamb and Rice). If you decide to change your new puppy’s diet, I suggest you ask your veterinarian what they recommend and see what is available in your area.
I highly recommend NuVet Products. You can order on-line www.nuvet.com/70336 or call 1-800-474-7044 code #70336. Here are a list of products I recommend.
- NuVet Plus (Vitamin Supplement)
- Frontline (Flea and Tick)
- Shampoo (NuVet Puppy Shampoo)
- Conditioner (NuVet Shampoo and Conditioner)
- NuVet Organic Stain and Order Remover
- NuVet Therapeutic Ear Cleaner
- Book (The Four Essentials to a Stable Dog)
1) A new puppy is a big commitment. Realize that a puppy is going to put a lot of demands on your time and energy for the first few months, but the extra effort you put into training your puppy now will pay off in big dividends later on.
2) Before you bring your puppy home, have the supplies and equipment you’ll need. Here are some suggestions:
- Washable bedding
- Food and water dishes – heavy enough that they won’t tip over
- Dog crate
- Quality puppy food – don’t skimp on your puppy’s nutrition
- Collar and leash – at this age, collar size 8-10” would work and
light weight leash at first
- Identification tag with your name and phone number
- Safe chew toys (I recommend the Kong for puppies)
- Grooming supplies – brush, gentle shampoo, clippers
- Cleaning supplies for “accidents” – Never use ammonia; puppyurine contains ammonia and your new puppy will think thisis the spot to urinate. There are products on the marketspecifically for cleaning up these accidents.
3) Most important, purchase a good book on puppy care and training. Read it and use it. The better you train your puppy now, the happier you’ll live together later on. Animal shelters are full of abandoned pets whose owners were too negligent or lazy to train them how to behave well. Just like rearing children, you have a responsibility to your puppy to teach him good manners and house training. It’s much easier to start with good habits than to break poor ones later on. Do not wait until your puppy is six months old to begin training; start immediately! (Suggestion for some books.....The Four Essentials to a Stable Dog and also Puppy Raising and Training for Dummies). You can find these and other books on online.
4) Puppy-proof your home. Puppies go through a chewing stage for much of their first year. Put up items close to the floor you don’t want him chewing or that could be dangerous to him. Beware of houseplants—many are lethal to animals. Buy a safe, commercial repellent spray that can be applied to furniture legs or woodwork that will discourage your puppy from doing damage. Until he’s older and can be trusted, decide where in the house you don’t want him to go and put up baby gates. Remember, puppy hood is the time your new dog will be most charming AND most destructive. It won’t last forever. Be patient.
5) Check out your fence for holes or cracks in the gate where a small puppy could escape. If you don't have a fence, never leave your puppy outside unattended. A puppy, like a toddler, will wander off and doesn't know the dangers in a street. It's a good idea to never allow your puppy to be off a leash when outside without a fence.
6) House training: There are many different methods new owners can use, including, crate training, paper training, litter box training, and the tried-and-true method of regular visits outside. Consult your puppy book and read articles on the internet. Decide which method you want to use, and be consistent and patient! Never physically punish your dog for accidents in the house (or rub his nose in his mess). Your puppy is just learning, and harsh punishment only makes him anxious and afraid. Remember, puppies have limited bladder control. They need to go potty when they wake up in the morning, after a nap, half an hour after they eat, and before they go to bed at night. Puppies do best on a regular schedule. House training takes time.
7) A dog crate is a must for all new puppies. You cannot watch your puppy every minute, and when you’re busy, he needs a safe place to go. Puppies that are allowed to wander the house unattended get into trouble. They’ll invariably find something to chew or a corner to go to the bathroom. You wouldn’t let a toddler wander around without supervision; don’t let your puppy either! A dog crate is not a prison; it is his “sanctuary”. Used with reason and moderation, it will be your puppy’s safe haven and place of rest. Experiment where is the best place to put your puppy’s crate. Most puppies like to be near the family, but some cannot settle down near all the activity!
8) Make an appointment for your new puppy with your veterinarian and take your puppy’s shot record. Discuss any concerns you have and set up follow-up appointments for the rest of your puppy’s immunizations. Ask your vet about the advantages of spaying or neutering. Neutering/spaying protects your dog's health and helps him to live longer. Find out when would be the best time for the procedure.
9) Seriously consider enrolling your new puppy in a puppy obedience class. It's good socialization for him and lays a wonderful foundation for good behavior. There are few things people admire more than a well behaved dog and few things they find more irritating than one who is not!
10) Take care to socialize your puppy early. Socialization means that you will introduce your new puppy to as many new people, animals, sights, sounds, smells and environments as often as you can. You want to provide many positive experiences at a young age. The more that your puppy experiences, the more comfortable he will be later on. Your puppy is a "sponge" between eight and sixteen weeks of age, absorbing everything. This is a critical period in your puppy's life. Dogs that aren't well socialized grow up to be nervous, suspicious, or fearful in new situations. They can grow into worrisome barkers and fear-biters.
11) Be aware of important "Don'ts" with your new puppy:
- Don't put your puppy on the ground where unknown animals have been until he's had all his puppy shots. This is how he picks up diseases.
- Don't allow your puppy to become unnecessarily frightened in his first few months of life. Introduce loud noises (vacuum cleaners, hair driers, etc.) carefully and slowly. Lifetime phobias for your puppy are imprinted during these early months.
- Don't overtax your new puppy. He needs a lot of sleep and tires quickly. Be aware of signs of hypoglycemia in small puppies.
- Don't allow your puppy around dogs you don't know to be safe and friendly or around rough children. Your puppy is breakable.
- Don't ignore your puppy's whining when confined in his crate. Take him out to potty, even if it hasn't been long since his last visit outside and you suspect he just wants attention. If he goes to the bathroom, praise him and allow him to remain out of his crate for a while. I f he doesn't, return him to the crate. However, don't reward your puppy for whining by taking him out of his crate just to play or cuddle. Wait until he's quiet--then take him out!
- Don't allow your puppy to expect to always be held or played with. Accustom your puppy to quiet times and being alone for short periods of time. This will prevent separation anxiety later.
- Don't allow your puppy to feel abandoned by leaving him unattended for long periods of time. Know that love and attention are just as important as food and air to an animal who was born to be a companion to his master.
- Don't forget to praise your puppy. Praise is a stronger motivator than harsh words or discipline for a puppy who lives to please.
