The Supplies You Need

In addition to the supplies on the Shopping List, please consider purchasing these items as well for your puppy’s comfort and well-being.

 

• Stainless steel, non-tip food and water bowls.

• Identification tags with your puppy's name, your name, phone number and your veterinarian's name and phone number. A collar and a leather or nylon 6-foot leash that's 1/2 - 3/4 inches wide (consider using a "breakaway" collar with plastic clips that will unsnap in case your puppy gets hung up on something).

• A home and travel crate, box or laundry basket with a towel with your scent. This crate will serve as your puppy's new "den" at home. We love playpens when at home vs. the crate but, it is up to the new owner. When traveling or riding to the veterinarian's office. The puppy’s and your scent in the crate will provide comfort and a sense of security during these stressful times.

• Brushes and combs suited to your puppy's coat. ( Target has great brush and comb sets)

• Dog shampoo We use Fresh and Clean shampoo and spray, .

• High-quality, safe chew toys to ease teething (rubber, fleece and nylabone work very well). Consider baby toys as well.

• Baby wipes for messes and paws.

• A small but comfortable bed. (They love the lambs wool beds)

• Treats (Kong makes a great puppy treat in a can and they have a new chew stick out too)

 

Helpful Hints

• Use stainless steel, non-tip food bowls, which won't break or absorb odors.

• Avoid taking the puppy to visit or shop for the first 2 weeks until well adjusted to you and your home.

• For a comfortable collar fit, allow for two-fingers of space between the collar and your puppy's neck; consider using an adjustable collar.

 

Making Your Home Safe

To make your home safe for your new puppy, eliminate potential hazards around the house and pay attention to the following items:

 

• Keep breakable objects out of reach.

• Deny access to electrical cords by hiding or covering them; make outlets safe with plastic outlet plugs.

• Safely store household chemicals.

• Keep the following house and garden plants out of reach: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy among others.

• In the garage, be sure engine lubricants and other poisonous chemicals (especially antifreeze) are safely stored.

• If you own a pool or hot tub, check the cover or the surrounding fence to be sure they're in good condition.

 

The First Days at Home

The ideal time to bring home a new puppy is when the house is quiet. Discourage friends from stopping by and don't allow overnight guests. First establish a daily routine and follow these steps:

 

Step 1: Before bringing her in the house, take her to the area in your yard that will serve as her "bathroom" and spend a few minutes there. If she goes, praise her. If not, go into the house but be sure to take her to this spot each time she needs to use the bathroom.

 

Step 2: Take him to the room that accommodates your crate—this restricted area will serve as his new "den" for several days. Put bedding and chew toys in the crate, leave the door open and place a puppy pad outside so that he can relieve himself. Let him investigate the crate and the room. If he chews or urinates on his bedding, remove it from the crate.

 

Step 3: Observe and interact with your puppy while he's hetting used to his new den. This will help forge a sense of pack and establish you as the pack leader.

 

Special Puppy Concerns

Don't treat a young puppy like an adult dog. Treat him the same way you would your own infant: with patience, constant supervision and a gentle touch. The way you interact with your puppy at this age is critical to his socialization.

 

Use these tips:

• Don't bring home a puppy while you're on vacation so you can spend a lot of time with him. Instead, acclimate him to your normal, daily routine.

• Supervise your puppy at all times and interact with him regularly.

• Be alert for signs (sniffing and circling) that he has to go to the bathroom, then take him outside immediately.

• A young puppy has no bladder control and will need to urinate immediately after eating, drinking, sleeping or playing. At night, he will need to relieve himself at least every three hours but it is not recommended that you take him out through the night. This will establish a pattern that will continue into adulthood.

• Don't punish an accident. Never push his nose in the waste or scold him. He won't understand, and may learn to go to the bathroom when you're out of sight.

• Praise your puppy every time he goes to the bathroom outside in his "special place".

• Feed your puppy the food that we recommend. Like a baby, he needs nutritious, highly digestible food. Changing the brand of food may result in diarrhea or, even worse, he may stop eating.

 

Meeting Resident Pets

Keep resident pets separated from your new puppy for a few days. After your new puppy is used to his new den area, put an expandable pet gate in the doorway or put your puppy in his crate. Give your resident pet access to the area. Let pets smell and touch each other through the crate or pet gate. Do this several times over the next few days. After that, give the resident pet access to the den area with your new puppy out of his crate. Supervise their meeting and go back and through the gate / crate meetings if trouble arises.

 

Be sure to give your resident pet much more praise and treats during the introduction stage to ensure that she realizes that the puppy is an addition and not meant to replace her.