Suggested Items/Products
Puppy proofing your home...
Before a new puppy ever crosses the threshold of your home, you want to make sure your house and yard are puppy proof. In every area that’s accessible to your puppy, get close to the ground and take a look around. Put things that are unsafe or off-limits out of reach, and check for objects that could be invitingly chewable.
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- Keep loose articles off the floor. You may think it’s cute to see your new puppy chewing on an old shoe, but it won’t be funny when he grabs a new one. He doesn’t know the difference, so don’t establish bad habits.
- Puppies can and will put their paws on things until they’re properly trained. Make sure there’s nothing dangerous for them to knock over.
- Put away stowing cleaning products, medications, paint products, and anything that could be poisonous to your puppy.
- If ANY item is smaller than your puppy, it should be put away. Keeping the dog safe is a great incentive for kids to clean up after themselves.
- Put away garden hoses, tools, and plastic toys. Look for anything your puppy can fall into or put in his mouth and secure it somewhere safe.
- Block access to the pool and other hazardous areas-Fence off any area you don’t want your puppy to be in and make sure he can’t squeeze through the grating. Even a dog bred to swim can drown in a pool if he doesn’t know where the steps are to get out.
- Put away chemicals and potential poisons. This includes lawn fertilizers, insecticides, and paint products.
- Check fencing for escape routes.Make sure there’s nowhere for your puppy to crawl under. Check for gaps around gates and fence sections and make sure your puppy can’t get his head stuck in them.
Puppy Items needed before your new puppy comes home.
- Leash/Collar/Harness
- Puppy/Dog Dishes-
We prefer stainless steel dishes.Stainless steel is safer and more durable than ceramic or plastic The best dog dish is stainless steel, weighted to be tip-proof, and has a non-skid bottom. Stainless steel is easy to clean, resists chewing, and is unbreakable. We recommend elevated dog dishes for boxers as adults. With their dishes elevated, they do not consume as much air intake while eating/drinking and helps eliminate your dog to getting bloat. - Puppy Toys-
Toys are good for excise, socialization and stimulation. We recommend buying balls, squeaky toys, kongs and other toys of different shapes and textures. - Puppy Treats-
We recommend nylabones, they are great for teething puppies and they do not splinter like other dog bones. - Puppy Food-
We recommend feeding a high quality diet with no byproducts, no corn, wheat, or soy. If you have any questions regarding foods that we suggest, please ask us. - Puppy Crate-
Your puppy crate should not be too large for your puppy. To eliminate accidents while being crated, we prefer to have the crate be only big enough for the puppy to lay down and sprawl out. (OR, you can get a large wire crate with a divider, and as the puppy grows you give them more room.)
You do not want your puppy to have too much room. We also recommend not leaving any type of pee pads in the crate and do not leave water/food in your crate with your new puppy. - Dog Bed/Puppy Blankets to put in your puppies crate
Preparing for your new puppy...
Bringing home a puppy can be a stressful time for your pup. He’ll be in a strange environment away from his littermates and mother for the first time. There will be new people and new expectations. That’s why it’s important to take some time to prepare for your puppy. You’ll need to make your house and yard safe and set rules for yourself and your family about how to care for your pup. You’ll also need to pick up any last-minute items on your puppy supply list. The more structured you can make this transition, the easier it will be for your puppy to adapt. With a little preparation and patience, you can make the most of the first night with your puppy.
First Night Home!
What to do before bedtime
Take up any food or water after six or seven o’clock to make sure your puppy is running on empty when it’s time to sleep. Otherwise, you’ll be making trips to the bathroom all night, or worse, your puppy will eliminate in the house.
Shortly before you go to bed, spend some time playing with your puppy. You want him to be tired enough to sleep soundly. Definitely don’t let him nap within an hour or two of bedtime or else your puppy will be ready to play when you’re ready to sleep.
Just before bed, take your puppy outside to his soiling area and wait for him to go. When he does praise him and bring him back inside. This reinforces good behavior and begins the house training process.
Where puppy should sleep
You should put your puppy in his/her crate at bedtime. A crate represents a "den" to a puppy/dog. This is a comfortable place for your puppy and is a safe place for when you can not supervise your puppy. Do not leave any food and water in the crate. You can put your puppies crate in a quiet room or let your puppy sleep in your bedroom to reduce the chances of whining or crying at night. Also, the constant contact throughout the night will help your puppy adjust to you and establish you as pack leader. One note of caution: Don’t let the puppy sleep in the bed with you. He/she will eventually expect to be allowed in the bed, and it can lead to numerous behavioral problems as your puppy grows.
First Night Home!
What to do before bedtime
Take up any food or water after six or seven o’clock to make sure your puppy is running on empty when it’s time to sleep. Otherwise, you’ll be making trips to the bathroom all night, or worse, your puppy will eliminate in the house.
Shortly before you go to bed, spend some time playing with your puppy. You want him to be tired enough to sleep soundly. Definitely don’t let him nap within an hour or two of bedtime or else your puppy will be ready to play when you’re ready to sleep.
Just before bed, take your puppy outside to his soiling area and wait for him to go. When he does praise him and bring him back inside. This reinforces good behavior and begins the house training process.
Where puppy should sleep
You should put your puppy in his/her crate at bedtime. A crate represents a "den" to a puppy/dog. This is a comfortable place for your puppy and is a safe place for when you can not supervise your puppy. Do not leave any food and water in the crate. You can put your puppies crate in a quiet room or let your puppy sleep in your bedroom to reduce the chances of whining or crying at night. Also, the constant contact throughout the night will help your puppy adjust to you and establish you as pack leader. One note of caution: Don’t let the puppy sleep in the bed with you. He/she will eventually expect to be allowed in the bed, and it can lead to numerous behavioral problems as your puppy grows.
Introducing your puppy with your other pets...
Your puppy should be introduced to all the other pets in your house including other dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, snakes, and anything else. Of course you don’t want to activate the prey drive in your new puppy by setting your hamster down on the floor for him to chase. But your puppy should be aware of who and what is in his new territory. It's best to introduce your puppy to one animal in your home per day..
If you stay alert and keep meetings relaxed and controlled, introducing a new puppy to your dog, cat, and other pets should be pleasantly uneventful.
If you stay alert and keep meetings relaxed and controlled, introducing a new puppy to your dog, cat, and other pets should be pleasantly uneventful.
Making A Schedule For Your New Puppy
Feeding Schedule
Generally, puppies less than six months old should be fed three times a day, dogs between six and twelve months should be fed twice daily, and dogs older than a year should be fed once or twice a day. Ask your veterinarian for specific guidelines for your dog.
When the dog should be walked
Scheduled bathroom breaks speed the house training process and ensure someone does the job that’s least likely to get done.
How often the kids play with the dog and for how long
Plan at least twenty minutes of exercise daily to keep your dog healthy and out of trouble. Play times should include obedience training so your kids learn how to handle a dog properly and your dog learns to obey commands from everyone, not just you.
Designated Zones For Your Puppy
Designated zones help establish your dog’s routine and eliminate confusion about what your kids are allowed to do with him and where. Assign the activities that make up your dog’s day to particular areas in and around your house. Also, let the kids know which rooms the dog is allowed into and which are off-limits. Important places to note include:
Once your kids have been assigned their tasks and understand the basic rules of dog care, they should be taught how to treat dogs with respect. Make it clear that roughhousing, ear-pulling, poking, smothering hugs, and other such behavior can hurt the dog or cause him to nip/bite. You can use a stuffed animal to explain to younger children how to pet and hold a puppy without traumatizing your dog.
Generally, puppies less than six months old should be fed three times a day, dogs between six and twelve months should be fed twice daily, and dogs older than a year should be fed once or twice a day. Ask your veterinarian for specific guidelines for your dog.
When the dog should be walked
Scheduled bathroom breaks speed the house training process and ensure someone does the job that’s least likely to get done.
How often the kids play with the dog and for how long
Plan at least twenty minutes of exercise daily to keep your dog healthy and out of trouble. Play times should include obedience training so your kids learn how to handle a dog properly and your dog learns to obey commands from everyone, not just you.
Designated Zones For Your Puppy
Designated zones help establish your dog’s routine and eliminate confusion about what your kids are allowed to do with him and where. Assign the activities that make up your dog’s day to particular areas in and around your house. Also, let the kids know which rooms the dog is allowed into and which are off-limits. Important places to note include:
- Where the dog sleeps
- Where he eats
- Where he goes to the bathroom
- Where he should be kept when he can’t be supervised
Once your kids have been assigned their tasks and understand the basic rules of dog care, they should be taught how to treat dogs with respect. Make it clear that roughhousing, ear-pulling, poking, smothering hugs, and other such behavior can hurt the dog or cause him to nip/bite. You can use a stuffed animal to explain to younger children how to pet and hold a puppy without traumatizing your dog.