Before Your Pup Arrives
Read all of this information thoroughly. Be familiar with what your new pup will need and have it on hand BEFORE s/he arrives. Have a plan on how you will house your pup during the day and the night and where and how you will house break your little one. For Example, a crate, potty pads, litter box or doggy door (we use more than one of these depending upon the situation and the dog).
Things To Have When Your New Pup Arrives
- Food as recommended. (Ask me what your pup has been eating.)
- Pure spring water for drinking at least at when s/he first arrives and for a week or so (never use regular city tap water if you can avoid it due to the chemicals and chlorine which your pup has never had)
- Nutra-Cal (this is good to have in case pup is not eating well at first. It can be given often to keep blood sugar up in pups until they settle in. Give several one inch strips every few hours as needed. (They usually love it.)
- Crate which is a nice home for your puppy to feel secure in and use as his/her bed, even with the door open. We recommend crate training even if you are going to be using a doggy door.
- Collar
- Leash (we recommend Flexi-Type lead although some people like the harness.
- Toys (soft mushy ones that squeak)
- Chew toys like pig ears, cow hooves, elk horns, bully sticks. We do not recommend rawhide.
- X-Pen ( a portable fence that you can set up in a room to contain your pup or put in front of the doggy door if you are using one.
- Puppy bed, crate and clarity where pup will sleep --- If you give your pup the choice s/he will pick YOUR bed
- Set up for where pup will stay during the day.
- Holistic remedies to help with transition to his/her new home. (This will be included when you purchase your puppy.)
- Doggy door (we highly recommend this method as it is easy and your pup is probably already partially or completely trained with a doggy door is s/he is big enough). It gives them and you a great deal of freedom. The pup can decide when s/he has to go and will not have to try and get your attention or try and hold it for long periods of time. (You will still have to watch pup when s/he first arrives until he knows your new routine and her/his new location.) They do make doggy doors for sliding glass doors as well.
- We suggest Bac Pac (friendly bacteria for the colon) which we feed to all of our dogs for better colon health (and we sell it here and can send you some). Prozyme (This is an enzyme that makes digestion easy. Good to use, especially when the pup is changing foods). It can be ordered from www.revivalanimal.com 1 800 786 4751 If you only choose one of these choose Bac Pac
- Apple Cider vinegar and a touch of honey (if desired). These can help re-vitalize dogs and some say it helps keep worms away. Use a few drops in water or give in a syringe. Be sure it is not a lot and be sure pup is drinking!
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Any changes will stress the immune system, a few examples:
- Moving or big change in environment
- Change in routine
- Vaccinations
- Worming
- Sudden change of food or water type
- Family upset (yes they will "feel" your upset)
- New adventures if not introduced with care
- Spaying/neutering
- Illness or antibiotics
Remember that your puppies' immune system is still getting stronger. Keep him from other dogs and unusual germs until s/he has had 4 shots.
Your job is now to minimize stresses as best you can. Some of course are inevitable but the more you know the better home you can provide for your precious one.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
These are some recommendations to better educate you on caring easily and responsibly for you new family member. These are available through www.amazon.com. I have just cut and pasted them here for ease.
Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
by Cesar Millan
Before and After Getting Your Puppy
by Ian Dunbar
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition)
The Art of Raising a Puppy
by New Skete Monks
Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs
by Karen Pryor
Puppies Raising & Training Diary for Dummies
by Sarah Hodgson
