Just like preparing for a new baby’s homecoming, there’s alot to think about and prepare for your new little one arrival! Safety, puppy’s transition to his/her new environment, and basic needs of your new addition to your family.
VET APPOINTMENT!
Please schedule your pups 9th and 12th week vet appointments ahead if you will be picking up pup at 8 weeks of age.
I will be taking pup to 9 week vet appt if you are picking up pup after 9 weeks of age.
Transition:
Please schedule a time when you know you will be there to supervise for atleast the first weeks of transition. Homecoming day should be a quiet time in the household for a positive new beginning of slow exploring of new smells, environment, and introducing new family members and pets. Our pups have been socialized with large older pups and dogs and humans so it’s the human bonding and treatment /experience of pups that is crucial for pups first 16 weeks of imprinting that will mold your pup .
Safety:
Puppy proof your home. You can use baby cabinet/ drawer safety locks to protect pup from getting into bathroom /kitchen/ laundry room/ garage toxic cleaning agents, harmful items in trash that pup may swallow . Keep toxic or harmful items high out of reach . Install a baby gate to protect your pup from falling down stairs and injuries. Appliances /electronics with cords, puppies like to chew and pull, so keep cords tied up out of reach or heavy electronic or small appliances at a lower level or block that area off.
Basic needs:
Lots of chew toys !
No puppy treats including chew sticks! This will give your pup runny stools, it’s a nightmare ,trust me. ? Just use your dry kibble for training or a treat.
Puppy Food:
This is what your pup has been eating the past 4 weeks. It’s Merrick Whole Earth Farms Puppy Recipe. Pup will be eating dry kibble 1/4 cup 3X/day at 8 weeks of age. Don’t feed more than that, if you do, it will be runny stool city! ? I use mealtime for a training opportunity with the dry kibble in your pocket/hand .
If you will transition to a different food, allow a week to gradually add (very little!) each day to their food.
Water and Food Bowls:
Offer water during mealtime and then take it away, this will help you with crate training / housebreaking and you will know when to expect their potty time! If you leave water out for pup all day anytime, then expect your pup will pee all day anytime all over your carpet! ?
Best time to put your pup in a crate during the day= immediately after pup has done #1+#2. Crate pup, leave pup for 2-2 &1/2 hrs.max at this age.
Pup knows how to drink water from a water bottle dispenser ! It’s amazing, get a good quality one and you will have no water mess! I use the Lixit Top fill .
Or you can use a regular water bowl, I recommend using an old tray under the water bowl .
TIP! Feed pup in crate in a bowl or scatter food in crate, pups don’t like to eliminate where they eat . But if left too long in crate they will eliminate!
CRATE:
From weeks 6-9 your pup will be crated 3-4 X during the day time for 2-2&1/2 hours at 7 &1/2 -9 weeks. Your pup will be comfortable and used to his/her crate . Pup has been sleeping in a 24 X 18 X 20 small sized metal crate. We recommend getting a crate the next size up with a divider with room to grow.
As an adult, your pup should use the metal crate size we use for our standard small mama dog and that is : 36 X 23 X 26
Bedding:
Your pup is used to sleeping on a soft bedding . I would recommend placing an old towel on top of bed in case of accidents.
Dog Collar, Harness, and Lead:
Your pup will need a size small collar at week 9 . At 5 months and up your pup will need a size medium.
We like the Petsafe Easy Walk harness! I tried it on my adult 3 Year old dog and he stopped pulling the first try!
Puppy’s Nail trimmer, Brush, and Toothbrush, and toothpaste!
Each week I’ve been trimming pups nails with a safety first baby lighted nail clipper, this works great to avoid the quick .
Indoor Litterbox Potty Wood burning stove Pellets for convenience:
I pick up a bag of these pellets at my local Lowe’s when in Season, if not in season, I’ve found it at McClendons in Renton.
