Puppy Proofing
Puppies are curious and they are teething. This can get them into serious trouble. It is a good idea to prepare your home or at least the rooms your puppy will be in so there is minimal chances of an accident. Here is a list of possible safety issues:
Remove poisonous house plants. Visit this site for a list http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.
Secure cleaning products where puppies can’t get to them, (do not use Swiffer floor cleaner), paint and paint thinner, fertilizer, disinfectants, mothballs, insect and rodent poisons, antifreeze, medications (prescribed and over the counter), sewing supplies such as buttons, pins, yarn, ribbons, etc., hardware like nails, screws, paper clips, etc., plastic bags, six-pack holders. Keep electric cords out of chewing reach.
Put lid down on the toilet. It could fall on their head and toilet cleansers can be harmful if swallowed. Always check when leaving puppy at home to make sure he is in a safe area. Look at a room from the viewpoint of a puppy. Clean up car leaks. Anti-freeze is deadly to dogs and it is appealing to them.
Things to Have Before the Big Arrival
When you pick your puppy up your puppy will be wearing a collar. Your puppy will also have:
- Leash, Brush, Bowl, Blanket and favorite toys (to help with the transition from our home to yours)
- tag with his microchip information
- bag of dry food of that they have been eating
- folder with all of his papers.
In addition to these things you will want have other essentials ready before your puppy comes home.
FOOD
We have tried many foods out there for our dogs and puppies. Here are a few of the foods we use and recommend. Please check with us to see which food we are using for your puppy before you order.
Lifes Abundance all life stages . https://lifesabundance.com/Pets/LifesAbundance/LifesAbundanceDog.aspx?realname=20039077&cat=5&hdr=&Ath=True&crt=0&Category=AllStageDogFood_v11(Pet_Base) .
If your dog has some allergy issues this food has been great Fish for Dogs
.
Below are the supplements all of our puppies are on and we recommend you continue these supplements throughout their lifetime. You can click on the link below to order and have them on hand for when your puppy comes home!
Deodorizer:
There will be accidents and when they happen it is good to have a pet safe cleaner that will totally take the smell from the site. A product that uses a digest to eliminate the source of the oder is important so your puppy will not have an impulse to “go” there again.
Bowls:
You need one for water and one for food. Stainless and crockery or ceramic are the best. I use a heavy, large ceramic bowl for water and a medium stainless steal one with rubber on the bottom for food. The stainless is easy to clean and the rubber keeps it from sliding. As they get bigger, I raise the bowls up so they are level to the dog’s front chest using an ordinary wood box. You can also get commercial bowl stands at pet stores. This makes it easier for them to eat and drink.
Crate and bedding:
I like crate training. It gives a puppy their own place to be and feel safe. If you are going to crate train you will want one the first night you bring puppy home or even for the car ride home. I prefer the wire crates that fold down for storing. You will want to buy one that is the size your adult dog will fit in preferably one with a divider. You can get a pad that is made for the dimensions of the crate. I just use use old blankets or bed covers. They are easy to wash if there is an accident.
Grooming tools:
Puppy hair is almost worry free. Until their adult hair grows in, the coat does not take much maintenance. However, you will want to get your puppy used to being handled and groomed. A small pin bush is good.
Veterinarian:
You definitely want to find a good vet before you need one. Plus, for the Health Guarantee, you need to have the puppy seen by a vet in the first 3 business days you have him. Ask family and friends who they would recommend. You can also find vets close to you and set up a time to visit them and see for yourself if they are someone you can talk easily with and can trust to care for your puppy. Once you find your vet, keep their phone number and on call number in a easy to fine place, in case of an emergency.
Toys:
Toys are not just to spoil your puppy. They are good for exercise, give an alternative to chewing your things, and provide mental stimulation. Make sure the toys you choose cannot splinter, be torn apart or swallowed. Old clothes such as socks and shoes are not good to use since it tells your puppy that is okay to chew your things.
Make a schedule:
Figure out a game plan or make a schedule of who is going to be doing what and when with the puppy before he arrives. There is a lot to do to take care of a young puppy. If you already have the family prepared for their part that they are expected to help with and the time they need to do it in, the easier your new addition to the family will be.
Read up:
For more detailed information on caring for a puppy and bringing up a great dog, read some books on the subject. Some good ones are:
- “The Art of Raising a Puppy” by The Monks of New Skete
- “How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With” by Clarice Rutherford and David H Neil
- “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raising a Puppy” by Liz Palika ( I like this one to start off with)
When the Big Day Comes
You might want to pack the car the day before you come to pick up your new puppy. With the excitement of the day you can easily forget some things that will make the trip a bit smoother.
- Towels: Bring some old towels for accidents and for your puppy to cuddle on if he is riding on the passengers lap or in a crate. Paper towels can also be nice to have for clean up.
- Empty Container and Bowl for Water: If you have a long drive, over an hour, you might need to stop for a pee break and to let you puppy have some water. I will fill your container with our water which your puppy is use to drinking. Sometimes even a change in water can upset a dogs digestive system, especially on a car ride.
- Crate: If there will be only on person picking the puppy up, the puppy will be safest in a crate. Some owners prefer the puppy be in a crate when traveling in the car. In these situations you will definitely want to put the crate in the car.