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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
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
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.