GETTING YOUR HOME READY: We strongly recommend that you take  time to prepare for the arrival of your new puppy well in advance of his / her homecoming. “Puppy proof” any areas that your new puppy will have access to. Keep in mind that anything they get their mouths on will be chewed. This includes electrical cords, which are very dangerous! Children’s toys can also be a hazard.  Keep in mind, common household cleaners are very poisonous if the puppy gets in contact with them.  Also make sure your yard is safe. Puppies can squeeze through very small holes or get stuck in the process. Some common plants and shrubs are highly toxic to little puppies, too.

FOOD: You will need puppy food. We feed our puppies Pedigree Puppy Chow canned food.
Royal Canine Dry food, which can be purchased at Pet Smart or Pet Sense, or 4Health Puupy, which can only be purchased at Tractor Supply. It’s highly advised to keep your puppy on the brand of food he / she is accustomed to eating. If you decide to change brands, do so gradually. Mixing small portions of the new brand with the old and reducing the amount of old over a period of several days. If your puppy seems to have an upset tummy a tablespoon of plain yogurt will help. Make sure your puppy always has access to a fresh water. Being overweight might look cute, but it isn’t healthy. It is also very hard on their backs. If you notice your dog getting a little chubby, adjust his or her food intake and make sure he or she is getting enough exercise.

FEEDING DISHES: You will also need separate water and food dishes. Stainless steel is the best surface for the inside of the bowls as it is non-porous and easy to clean. It’s also helpful if your feeding dishes have a non skid bottom as this will help in not letting them be shoved and pushed around while the puppy is eating.

CRATE/CARRIER: We crate train all of our dogs. Your puppy will have a head start and we recommend you continue the process. You should have one for your home and one for your vehicle. Never allow your puppy to run free in a moving vehicle. This could cause the puppy to get injured, or even worse, cause you to have an accident.

TOYS: You will want to provide your puppy with plenty of toys to play with. A bored puppy can become destructive. We recommend products from Nylabone and Kong. Keep plenty on hand at all times and keep them clean. For a very tiny puppy you might also want to provide a cuddly toy. Be sure there are no eyes, buttons or other objects that can be swallowed.

QUALIFIED VETS: If you don’t already have one, you should find a reputable veterinarian for your new puppy. Your puppy will be current on vaccinations and de-wormings upon arrival and your vet can keep your puppy on schedule. Also, it never hurts to have a “back up” vet in case you are unable to get in to see your regular vet. Just make sure they are both aware of any medications or treatments being administered. We also advise that you take your puppy for a check-up as soon as possible after bringing him/her home. Be sure to take the vaccination records you will be given at the time you purchase your puppy.

TRAINING: We also suggest enrolling in puppy training classes once your puppy is 6 months of age and has at least 3 sets of shots. Not only can it help you with basic obedience training, it also helps with socialization. Make sure you find a trainer that concentrates their methods on positive reinforcement which rewards wanted behaviors rather than a compulsion trainer whose training is based on punishing unwanted behaviors. You want your puppy to want to please you, not be terrified of you.  Training with love goes a long way with any puppy.

GROOMING: You will also need a brush, comb and nail trimmers. Even if you have your puppy professionally groomed, he or she will need some grooming in between appointments to keep hair from matting and nails from becoming painfully long. It is also a good idea to brush your puppy’s teeth regularly to prevent tartar build up. If you start off slowly, it will become just another part of their grooming process and time they get to spend with you.

COLLAR/HARNESS/LEAD: It’s never too early to get your puppy used to wearing a collar and walking on a leash, even if you never leave your living room or back yard. We suggest using an adjustable harness to attach to the lead rather than a buckle collar or choke chain. Never drag your puppy by the lead. Even with a harness, they can still get injured. A buckle collar is good for attaching identification to in case your puppy gets lost. A lightweight lead is best for your little puppy.

IDENTIFICATION: An ID tag attached to the puppies collar that is small and lightweight with your name and phone number is a good idea. Microchipping is also helpful if the puppy is lost or stolen. Some vet offices and animal control scan for microchips and it could help return your puppy more quickly. It is also a way to “prove” the dog belongs to you if stolen.

INTRODUCTIONS TO FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER PETS: When you first arrive home with your new puppy it will be difficult to stay calm and quiet due to all the excitement. But for your puppy’s sake, try your very hardest! Especially if the puppy was shipped, he or she will have had a long and stressful day. When we have had a stressful day, the last thing we want when we get home is more stress. Don’t overwhelm the puppy by letting each family member pass him or her around. Keep handling to a minimum for the first couple days. Never let a small child hold a puppy off the ground. Puppies are squirmy and could easily be dropped causing serious permanent neurological damage. Puppies also have very sharp little teeth and will gnaw on anything and anybody. Always supervise any interactions between your puppy and small children for both their sakes. If you have other pets, it is best to put the puppy in a travel crate (not wire crate) and let the existing pets in for sniffing and introductions. Remember to stay calm and reward the existing pets for reacting to the puppy in a favorable manner. If it doesn’t go well the first time, separate them and try again later. Do not punish the existing pets for growling, barking, etc. That will cause a negative association with the puppy. Also, never leave your new puppy alone and unsupervised with an older puppy or dog. Things can go bad quickly and the puppy could be injured or killed before you could stop it.

SOCIALIZATION: It will be tempting to take your new puppy everywhere you go to show him or her off, but be careful about what you expose him or her to prior to 6 months of age. Just because you are diligent about keeping your puppy current on vaccinations doesn’t mean everyone else is. Some canine infectious diseases are air-born and others can lay dormant on surfaces for extended periods, which includes the floors of popular pet supply stores. And, unfortunately, vaccinations are not a 100% guarantee against infection. Common sense goes a long way! You do want your puppy to be well socialized though. It is best to do that in places that are safe. Have friends and family over who can interact with your puppy in a positive manner – no rough play! Have other puppies or dogs over that you know are healthy and vaccinated to play. Be sure to keep an eye on them at all times! Take your puppy to friends’ and family members’ homes. Avoid places like parks, dog parks, and pet supply stores until your puppy is at least 6 months of age and has all of his/her puppy vaccinations.

LOVE, LOVE AND MORE LOVE: Your new puppy will try your patience at times. But it will be worth every sleepless night, stepped in piddle puddle, stepped on poop plop, shredded pee pee pad mess, chewed up belongings, whining/barking headaches, and any other mistakes they make during the learning process we call life. One look into those eyes that reflect the unconditional love they have for you makes the memories of all the aforementioned fade away. If you can love your puppy as much as he or she loves you, then you will truly live happily ever after!