| Getting A Puppy Things you will need to get before bringing puppy home - You need to provide him with a suitable bed. An old box or basket raised off the floor makes a good adequate bed while your puppy is growing up. You can then buy a better one later once you know the size your pup will grow to be. The inside of the bed should be lined with an old blanket so that he can snuggle into something soft and warm.
The bed should be somewhere that is relatively quiet so that he can sleep undisturbed whenever he is tired. You may want to partition off an area around his bed for a few days to create a little "den" where he can feel secure and be out of harm's way. Or you can purchase a dog crate, there not that expensive and it’s a safe place for your pup to stay out of harms way.
He should have his own food and water bowls. Have a supply of food ready for his arrival. Find out from the breeder, shelter, or rescue place you got your puppy from on what he is used to eating. It is best to maintain the same diet for a few days. - All puppies NEED to chew. Give your puppy some toys of his own to chew. Toys don't need to be elaborate, but make sure they are nontoxic, large and sturdy enough that they cannot be swallowed, and relatively indestructible. My dogs like the soft stuffed small animals, I usually get mine from yard sales. I just put them all in a pillow case and wash them when I get them home. I remove all buttons or clasps on them first so puppy can’t chew them off and accidently swallow them.
- Another good thing to do is to check over there toys daily to inspect for wear and damage to them, those puppy baby teeth are very sharp and could quickly destroy the stuffed toys.
You will need a suitable collar and leash for him. The collar should be soft and well-fitting. For the first few days he need only wear it for short periods when you are there to supervise. You may want to consider a collar with a quick-release feature, (just in case you need to get the collar off puppy quickly). Check his collar daily and loosen it as his neck increases in size.
You also need to buy a brush and comb - the type depends on the hair type of the breed. Ask the breeder, or a groomer to show you how to groom your puppy properly and to recommend some suitable grooming equipment.
While he is small, keep out of reach everything in your home that might be dangerous to your puppy. He may tug or chew anything he finds, including plants and electrical cords. Also make sure you have all your socks, slippers etc put away pups love chewing them rofl.
Check your yard to see that the fencing is secure and that there are no small holes through which your puppy could disappear. Make sure that your gate shuts securely and that your puppy won't be able to squeeze through or under it. Its sometimes is handy to put a sign on the gate to please keep closed incase others enter your yard like the meter man to read meters etc. they some times for get to close gates so you may have to check the gate each time you let the pup out if it will be out alone for any amount of time. Pools and ponds should be covered. -
When your puppy arrives
It is best to acquire your new puppy when you know you will be home for a few days to spend some time with him/her. When your puppy first arrives, let him sniff around and make himself familiar with his surroundings; then introduce him to his bed.
Choose a name for him as soon as possible. - Young children in the family should be taught that puppies are not toys.
- The new pup should be able to check out his surroundings and not be picked up and carried around a lot especially by small children that could drop them. To much attention and being carried around a lot at first makes it more difficult for the pup to settle at night time. A crying, barking pup is no fun to put up with when your trying to sleep.
- You will find that your puppy plays vigorously for short spells and then may retire to his bed for an hour or so. Sleep is as important for your puppy. For the first few nights your puppy will probably be restless and whimper when he is left alone. Wrapping a water bottle and a ticking clock in a blanket and placing it in his bed can be very reassuring for a new pup. I had to put my pups crate in the bedroom at night as she settled better knowing I was in the same room with her.
Dogs are pack animals and do best if not separated from their pack especially when adjusting to new home as in the wild such isolation could be deadly, so it scares them. Your pup may have just left his other litter mates and will be scared at first.
Feeding your puppy
The breeder, shelter or rescue place should give you a written diet sheet telling you what foods, how much and how often the puppy has been fed.
Young puppies need relatively large amounts of food in order to meet the demands of their rapidly growing bodies. They must be fed several small meals each day, and their diet must provide all the right nutrients in a comparatively small volume.
Generally a puppy should be allowed 15 to 20 minutes to eat at each mealtime. After 15 minutes remove any uneaten food and serve fresh food at the next meal. Don’t worry if your pup didn’t eat it all he/she will be ok and will make up for it at the next meal time.
While bones provide chewing exercise they can also be dangerous if they splinter. Be very careful on the type of bone you give to your pup and supervise the pup while pup is chewing on it.
Make sure that your puppy has his own feeding and water bowls and that they are kept clean. Fresh water should always be available.
Training your puppy
Both you and your puppy will be much happier if he is well-trained. Through training he will learn to understand what is required of him and how to please you.
House training
You should begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home.. Patience and perseverance are required.
A young puppy will want to urinate and defecate frequently because he has a small bladder and bowel. If you have an enclosed yard, take him out preferably on leash and place him on a suitable spot whenever he indicates that he wants to relieve himself. - In addition, take him to the same spot first thing in the morning, last thing at night, after every meal, and whenever he has been inside for long periods. Make sure that you go with him and stay with him until he performs; then praise him lavishly. This way you know when hes gone and he knows what you expect of him.
Don't punish him when mishaps occur. This will only lead to confusion and fear. Never "rub his nose in it" if he makes a mess. - If you have to go out for a time and leave the pup at home alone, a good idea is to make sure the pup has been taken out to do its duty and placed into a dog crate or closed off area till you return.
- If you find the dog has had an accident, when you return there is no point in you doing any punishment, or even telling them there bad as you don’t know when the dog did it.
- A pup has a short memory and will not know why your telling it its bad for having the accident. Best thing to do is let the pup out of the confined area and take the pup out side and praise it when it goes .
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Basic Training
You will need to teach your puppy a few basic commands. For training to be of any benefit, he must first respond to his name and understand the meaning of the word "no."
You must keep him under control at all times when he is in a public place, and for this a leash is essential. Introduce him to his collar and leash and let him get used to wearing them before you first take him out.
Once he is used to the leash, you can begin his basic training. All members of the household should be involved in the training program. Use short words for commands. The first four essentials are heel, sit, come and down. Be clear in your commands and, above all, be consistent. - Dont use down meaning lie down, get off the couch, dont jump. It is inconsistant and confuses him, down is lie down, use other terms for other things. Here are some suggestions: For lie down say DOWN. For off the couch just say OFF. For don't jump say SIT.
Reward him with a show of affection and by stroking him when he does well. - Remember, you don't necessarily need to provide a food reward while training. Food was the only thing that worked with my dogs though lol. But I used very small bits of cheese and beef and used them sparingly as I didn't want them to get used to always getting a food treat for reward.
- Don’t punish him for not obeying a command, simply withhold the positive reinforcement. Otherwise, he will associate the command with punishment.
A skilled instructor can also help you to overcome any problems that have arisen. - Puppy kindergarten can start as soon as your puppy has been fully vaccinated. These classes are fun for you and your puppy, and they also allow him to socialize with other dogs.
Exercise
All dogs need daily exercise. The amount your puppy needs depends not only upon his size but also upon his breed. While he is very young, he will get enough exercise naturally, but as he grows up, he must be taken for regular walks and runs.
Regular and varied walks are not just essential to keep your puppy fit - they also provide the opportunity for him to explore and to experience new stimuli, including meeting other dogs.
All exercise should be supervised. Don't allow your puppy to stray and never let him out during the day to fend for himself.
Grooming
It is best to get your puppy used to the grooming routine at an early age in order to avoid difficulties when he is older.
Naturally, long-haired breeds require brushing much more frequently than short-haired dogs. Always pay attention to areas that mat easily, for example, behind the ears and in the armpits. Ask the breeder to show you the best way to groom your own puppy and which type of brush and comb is recommended for your breed or coat type. Vets can advise for those wonderful dogs coming from shelters and rescues we know as mixed breeds
Dogs need bathing at times. Make sure that you do this only in fine weather or you keep him indoors to avoid chills. Young puppies need extra special care. - Use only products that have been designed for use on dogs. Whenever you bathe your puppy, his bedding should be aired and washed at the same time. This, of course, should also be done at regular intervals between baths.
While you are grooming him, you can take the opportunity to check the condition of his coat and skin to look for any abnormalities such as swellings, skin allergies (rashes), wounds or evidence of parasites.
You should also check that his eyes and ears are clean and clear and free from excessive discharge. You should open your puppy's mouth regularly so that he becomes used to the procedure from an early age. - This practice will prove useful in the future when you may need to brush his teeth or administer medication by mouth. This is also a good time to teach your dog to let you brush his teeth. This can reduce plaque and bad breath.
As he ages, deposits may develop around the base of the teeth near the gums. These can be removed by your veterinarian.
Your puppy's nails might also require trimming on a regular basis. Dogs that are regularly exercised on hard surfaces are less likely to need any attention, as the nails wear down to about the correct length. Regularly handle your puppy's paws from an early age. That makes him better behaved later for groomers or veterinarians.
Your puppy's health
Once they have been weaned, most puppies can expect to live long, happy lives. Most dogs live between 8 and 15 years, and some individuals live well beyond that. Generally speaking, small and toy breeds tend to have a longer life expectancy than large and giant dogs. Check with your veterinarian on what full vaccination program he/she recommends for your puppy
Your veterinarian
Your greatest ally in the prevention of health problems is your veterinarian. Make sure you register with a veterinary practice as soon as you get your puppy rather than wait until an emergency arises.
Within a few days, have your puppy checked by your veterinarian, who will also advise you on vaccinations, deworming, heartworm prevention, feeding and general health care.
Do keep a careful watch on your puppy and if you note any sign of illness, have him treated promptly.
Be a responsible dog owner
A well-trained and disciplined dog is an asset to his owner, so make sure he receives at least some basic obedience training.
All dogs, pups whether there from a Breeder, Shelter or a Rescue all deserve the best of care and love. Further reading on preparation for your new pup |
