Preparing For Puppy

Preparing for Puppy

Puppy Is Coming Home

Bringing a puppy into your home takes preparation, just like bringing a baby. Your puppy will need consistent rules and boundaries to keep him/her safe as well as your home. Your puppy will be cute little bundle of fluff and it is easy to "humanize" them. DON'T. If the puppy is doing a behavior that is unacceptable from a big dog, then do not allow your little one to do it. Please take the time to read the linked articles BEFORE YOU PICK UP YOUR PUPPY. I will ask you! Establish your puppy's boundaries and make sure the entire family is on the same page.
Pre Puppy Preparation

Puppies First Night Home

First Night With Puppy

Puppies and Children

Your children are going to be excited to have their new puppy. However, it is extremely important to teach your children to respect the puppy's personal space. Your puppy will need time to rest. When he/she is sleeping, teach your children to leave the puppy alone. Puppies need frequent nap-time and their crate is the best place for that. Do not allow children to disturb the puppy when it is in its crate. Please review the linked article.
PET ADVICE FOR PUPPIES AND CHILDEREN
WATCH this video with your children and other children who come to your home.

How to Puppy Proof - Very important safety information

  • Secure your laundry! Puppies love to chew and eat underwear and socks. If swallowed these things can become stuck in the intestines and become potentially deadly and/or require surgery to remove.
  • Get your children to pick up their clothes and toys.
  • Secure your toilet paper and tissues. These are a delicacy, unfortunately.
  • Cat litter boxes: Another treasure box. Relocate them into an area the puppy can't go or find a dog proof one.
  • Spray furniture legs, upholstery, electrical cords, rug tassels, etc with a bitter apple type product. We have already had to do this. It works as a deterrent but needs to be reapplied if they regain interest.
  • Use child proof locks to keep substances like pesticides, meds, cleaning products, plants, etc locked up in cabinets and away from your puppy.
  • No Rawhide they are dangerous and full of nasty chemicals. Cow hooves, bully sticks, Nylabones, etc are a great substitute.
  • Fencing: If you have one check it for holes or potential "escape" routes. If not consider getting one in the near future. Either an electrical one or a solid one will be needed by the time the puppy is 3-4 months old.
  • Be aware that some foods and plants are toxic to dogs.
  • Good Hint: Most yards in the United States have yew bushes, they are as common as maple trees. They are toxic! Many dogs will not mouth them when older because they taste awful (which is why we rarely hear about them being toxic), but to a puppy the desire to play is much greater and can ingest. Either remove or mark the plants with a red marking tape to remind you to keep the pup away from them.
  • Avoid heat stroke and don't leave puppies or dogs locked in cars.
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