Set up a vet appointment in advance
Let your vet know you are getting a puppy and he/she is coming home on what date. Find out from breeder Date of Birth, deworming schedule , vaccines and if pup is microchipped. In PA there is the puppy lemon law that you have to have the pup seen by a vet within 7 days. So schedule your appointment in advance. If you don’t have a vet, get recommendations from family and friends and ask for suggestions on facebook . If you are getting a puppy on short notice there are vet walk in the clinic. It is very important to keep pups vaccinations on schedule.
Communicate with the breeder
on the day and time you will be there to pick up the puppy. I know I allow 30-1hr for each family . I want to have the time to explain the warranty, feeding schedule and what food , vaccine and deworming schedule and as much as I can about each puppy.
Have a way to control your puppy in your vehicle
I recommend a tote with lots of puppy pads. I like the tote because it is solid and there is no way any body fluids can leak onto me, passengers or my car. Puppies can get car sick and vomit the tote with pads will allow easy clean up and a way to contain it. I also like to bring grocery bags so I can roll dirty pads up and put them into the bag and tie it off helps control smell.
Bring water & a bowl
If you are traveling a way to pick up a puppy stop and offer water I bring bottle water and a small bowel. As a rule of thumb I stop and offer potty breaks and water breaks every hour . I am a big water drinker when I travel so I offer potty breaks everytime my bladder is screaming.
Bring a leash/collar combo with you when you travel
I send one home with every puppy. New parents tend to guess too big or too small for a collar . I know you can’t wait to give your new puppy their first fancy collar but just wait pups grow so fast. I also like a collar with a bell on it so you can hear your puppy coming . Pups tend to dart under your feet. Plus you can tell when your puppy is getting up easier the bell will sound it is time to take them out.
Bring a lot of puppy pads
I use them in the car every time I travel until I know they won’t get car sick. No one wants to clean up puppy vomit from between the seats. We also use them to put on the ground for pups to go to the bathroom on when we travel or go to the vet. Protect them if they are not fully vaccinated yet. You don’t know if a dog with something was there and exposing your new puppy to a canine disease . It is your job to protect them.
Crate or exercise pens
I like the exercise pens because you can start off small and increase it as needed. Or if you have a room you can block off for the new pup you will need gates. Pups like a place that is theirs; it becomes their safe place . It goes back to their days of being wild animals. It is their den.
Take time to puppy proof your home
All cords up pups like to chew not only will they chew and ruin a cord but if plugged in can cause electrocution . All shoes up pups like to chew things that smell and as much as we like to think our feet don’t stink , remember pups have a better nose than us. Plus if your pup loves you they will love all things that smell like you socks and underwear are some of dogs favorite things to eat.
Pet insurance
Pet insurance is a great way to protect your new puppy. If a puppy will get into something it is usually the first couple years of life when they are still babies and getting into trouble. Some insurance companies have puppy care plans .
Play toys and chew toys
Pups love to play hard and sleep harder. Remember your baby will soon be teething and they will chew . Give them something to chew like cow hooves or they will find something to chew like your furniture .
Food for your new puppy
Find out what food your new puppy is currently being fed. We feed and recommend www.pawtree.com/plumcreek it is a holistic food. Remember your puppy will do best to stay on the current diet, but if it is a sub quality food I recommend changing it. Remember we are what we eat. , but do it slowly by adding new food to old food and adding a probiotic . I send probiotics home with every puppy . A good probiotic will help prevent gi upset from food and water changes. The one we recommend is from pawtree.
A clean pup is a happy pup
Puppy shampoo and conditioner. I also love the between wipes to just freshen them up if they need it. I also like baby wipes for feet , faces and butts if they need a quick wipe.
Have patients with your puppy
They are just babies and everything is all new. They are being taken from their moms , siblings and the human that has been taking care of them. Give them time to bond to you.
Set good habits early on
don’t start habits you will have to break later. If you don’t want a 80lb dog in your bed don’t place the 10lb puppy in it. It isn’t cute to have a 80 lb dog jump on grandma so don’t allow the puppy to jump ,make them sit for attention.
Potty time
I recommend going to the same stop in the yard to go to the bathroom. It will make it easier to clean up.
Recent Comments