Puppy pick-up day is arriving quickly and is right around the corner! Your puppy now depends on you for everything – food, water, exercise, training, good health, and hygiene. Please remember that all puppies are different, and you should consult your veterinarian and trainer for the specific needs of your pup. We highly recommend BAXTER & Bella online training, and with 25% off with my code NMF25, it's a cost-effective way to get everything you need to train your dog and more!
It is exciting to bring your new puppy home and into your life and heart. I know you will be excited to show your puppy off right away but remember to give your puppy some time to adjust! We recommend three days at home. No visitors and no outings. Your puppy is undergoing a lot of change and they need lots of rest while they adjust. Adding more stress during this transition is detrimental to both their mental and physical health.
Puppy Chewing
Puppies have needle-sharp teeth and this can be tough! Some tricks to help you avoid becoming a pin-cushion are to have chew bones and toys always close by! Do not ever let them chew on you. All it takes is one family member that allows this behavior and it will be possible for the toddler to become a chew toy too. Keep your rules and boundaries consistent. If your puppy chews on you, offer an acceptable item for them to chew on. If they persist, then take yourself away from them (get up and leave or turn your back to them). They will not want to lose you! Another tip that works for most puppies is to make a quick, sharp puppy “cry” noise. This is how they let other littermates know it hurts!
Jumping
Jumping is another problem that young puppies may struggle with. Their excitement and overwhelming love for people can make this extremely difficult; however, do not even start allowing this behavior. Do not reward, pet or praise a puppy that jumps on you. Ignore them, turn your back, or walk away! A calm puppy that is sitting is a puppy that is ready for praise and love! Teach calm, self-controlled behaviors now; it will pay off as they get larger and stronger!
Feeding
I have cut the feeding schedule down to a twice-a-day schedule by the time your puppy comes home (morning and late afternoon). So how much should you feed your new puppy? Please follow the guidelines on the particular kibble you feed that correlate to your pup’s weight and age. Your puppy has been eating dry puppy food very well over the last couple of weeks. Your puppy has been eating TLC puppy food. I feed all of my dogs and puppies their products and love that they have eliminated the common allergens like corn, soy and wheat from their food. I recommend purchasing atleast one bag, and then if you choose to change your puppy over to different food, make sure to do it gradually to prevent GI upset. He/She should continue puppy food until 1 year of age, and at that time you can slowly transition to adult dog food.
Potty Training
Depending on your bedtime schedule, remove food and water 2-3 hours before your bedtime to allow the puppy a greater chance of holding it all night. Remember that your dog’s bladder will not be fully developed until he or she reaches five months old. Therefore, as your pup gets older, they will be able to hold it longer. If you do have to take your puppy out at night, please do not make this a play session. Be matter of fact (as little talking as possible) and get down to business. Praise the potty behavior and right back into the kennel. These puppies are very bright and if they know that you will get up in the middle of the night to play, talk sweet and love on them, they will start waking you for this attention alone. I strongly suggest kennel training, and potty training is one of the biggest reasons why. Puppies will rarely potty where they sleep. This is one of the main reasons I begin “potty training” puppies at three weeks old by dividing their whelping box into 2 sections - one for a nurse and sleep area and one for a potty area. When you bring your puppy home and put him or her into an appropriate sized kennel (not too large, just enough room to turn around and lay down) they will fuss when they have to go potty! If you cannot watch your puppy or it is naptime, tuck them into their kennel. When it is time to go out, place the kennel by the door and let the puppy walk him or herself out. In the beginning, you may need to place the kennel right at the door, sometimes they squat just after a few steps! Over time, you can move the kennel farther and farther away from the door. While puppies understand the concept of a den vs. an elimination area, you are bringing them to a new “den” and you will have to show your new puppy the ropes!
When your puppy has an accident, please just clean it up thoroughly and move on. Only clap hands and scold vocally IF you catch the pup going potty. Rubbing their nose in it, etc. is not acceptable and is a complete waste of time. In your pup’s brain, they are wondering why you are making them smell their own urine or feces. They know what it smells like! In general, your pup will need to potty every 30 minutes as well as after a nap, vigorous play, exiting the kennel, and following meals. When in doubt, take out! Again, if you can’t watch your puppy, in the kennel they go!
Kennel Use
Dogs are den animals and actually prefer sleeping in small places. The cost of a crate may initially seem expensive, but when you compare it to the cost of ruined rugs and/or chewed-up furniture, it is well worth it! When you bring your puppy home, it is best to begin using the crate right away. There are many different crates, but I typically use the Petco 300 or 400 series for puppies initially and then purchase an adult crate later on. The kennel needs to be large enough for them to walk into, turn around, and lay down. You should, however, refrain from giving your puppy a large kennel in the beginning, because you don’t want them to have enough space to have both a “sleep” and a “potty” area inside the kennel. Kennel training can make potty training easier, gives you and your puppy a few breaks throughout the day, and helps keep your puppy safe when you can’t watch him or her! I suggest putting a small plastic bin with a lid on the top of the kennel, filled with many different toys to keep your puppy occupied while he or she is inside the kennel. Toys like Kongs, Busy bones, Nylabones, etc. are all great options. Puppies will enjoy going into their kennel to see what special surprise you have for them!
Even though we expose puppies to kennels early on, they have free reign in and out of them. Once you close the door, the protest will occur. This is where tough love comes into play – you will need to ignore the whimpering all the way up to the outright screaming (just make sure the pup does not need to potty or that something is wrong). If you let them out, you are teaching them that screaming will get them out! If you “console” them, you are teaching them that they are correct in their feelings of disdain. You cannot enable this behavior if you do not want it to persist into the future. Both behaviors from you will make this process very difficult. Try to get the pup to enter the kennel on his or her own, by luring them with one of those special treats or toys and then close the door. Make sure you name the behavior as they walk in with the word, “Kennel” or something cleverer if you prefer. Generally, the crying and protesting only last 3 days - stick with it, it will pay off!
Socializing and Developmental Stages
It is imperative that your new dog socializes with other people and pets in a safe manner. It is imperative to steer clear of other dogs and any areas populated by puppies and other, until your veterinarian has administered all of your dog’s vaccinations. Having your puppy around other people, dogs, new locations, in the car, etc. will create a much happier, well-socialized dog in the long run. You will be so proud to take your pup with you on the go, and he or she will enjoy meeting new people and visiting new places. However, you must be cautious of Parvo, a highly contagious and very dangerous virus that can live in any environment for years and can be easily tracked into your own house on your shoes. We suggest you clean your house before your puppy comes home and keep your shoes at the door. Do not keep your puppy sheltered during these precious developmental weeks, just make sure that you avoid areas with other dogs and that your pup keeps all four paws off the floor outside of the home. Brief and safe socializing is so important to the proper development of a puppy.
NEVER wake a sleeping puppy! They need their sleep just as much as a baby does. Down time is critical to a healthy puppy. Play lullabies at bedtime to help transition puppy to a calm state. We ask Alexa to play “spa music” or “lullabies” for 1-2 hours at night or during nap time.
Obedience/Training
Please start training your puppy immediately. They are smart, eager to learn and want to please! Dogs are pack animals and are looking to you for leadership and guidance when they join your pack. You will be amazed at how much they can learn starting at 8 weeks old. It is very exciting and rewarding when your pup learns something new! Start with sit, down, stay, kennel, and go potty. I also highly recommend enrolling your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class. They get to socialize, start learning self-control and begin on basic obedience tasks. Follow through with any “puppy homework” you are given to continue building your relationship with your pup and helping him or her learn through repetition. Please do not stop at puppy kindergarten. Upon graduation enroll your pup in a basic obedience class as well.
It’s not natural for us to love last, I know, but they are animals and they
have to know and understand the RULES, BOUNDARIES and LIMITATIONS to be happy,
well-behaved dogs. Correct unwanted behavior BEFORE it happens. You have 3
seconds to react to them thinking about doing something, ie. jumping on the sofa, to
stop the action. Once it happens, they won’t understand why they’re being corrected.
Usually a strong, confident voice saying “no!” is enough. Consistency is the key.
Veterinarian Care
Vaccination records are enclosed in the puppy packet. Your puppy will have received their first vaccination around weeks 6-7. Most veterinarians recommend the second vaccine between 10-12 weeks and the third between 16-18 weeks. However, your vet will advise you on what is best for the proper care of your pet. I use Aidmore Animal Clinic and Dr. Howard for all of my small animal veterinary care. If you are in need of a vet, please reach out to them and let them know that I sent you. Their office number is 706-733-7181.
Parvo is a very deadly virus that can kill an immunocompromised puppy! Please be aware, that until your puppy has had all of his/her puppy shots, she is at risk for becoming seriously ill from Parvo virus! You can prevent Parvo exposure by not taking your puppy to places where other dogs have been. If you have to take your puppy somewhere(i.e. the vets office, or even into a pet store), do NOT put your puppy on the ground. Make sure that you carry your pup, even at the vets office! Baker Institute has a great learning resource about Canine Parvo Virus.
Please spay or neuter your pup at approximately a year old. The health benefits are overwhelming, not to mention the implications of an unplanned pregnancy can be devastating.
Parasites
Unfortunately, parasites in pups are extremely common and it is estimated that 95% of pups have parasites. We do our very best to keep our puppies parasite-free. They are on a deworming protocol while at the farm however, not all parasites respond to particular deworming, and excess stress with “go-home” can “awaken” parasites that previously lay dormant. Upon bringing your puppy home, it is worthwhile for your pup to have another fecal test done at the veterinarian when you bring them in for their vaccinations.
Love and Patience
You have made the important decision to let a puppy into your heart and home. We sincerely thank you for trusting us to give your puppy the best start possible. I know there will be frustrations and patience will be tested in having a puppy, but I also know the rewards are wonderful and exponential. Enjoy the complete innocence of a puppy, their ability to stop and smell the flowers, and maybe even taste them, their curiosity is contagious, and playfulness is humorous. I can promise you that you will gain a comedian, confidante, companion, and ultimately a new family member. Please don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me if you have any questions and of course please send lots of updates and pictures!
Puppy Go Home Instructions
We suggest the following protocol when taking your puppy home to ensure a smooth transition. Stress, lack of sleep, new people etc. can compromise your pup’s immune system, and unfortunately, puppy parasites can flourish. While ALL puppies are treated on a deworming schedule, pups can leave me “clean” only to be home for a week or two and have a parasite.
Please know that nearly all dogs/puppies have parasites. When you deworm and / or medicate you can kill all live/active parasites; however, parasites and protozoa have a plan for survival in place. They lay dormant eggs in the tissues of the host. The ONLY way these eggs can be “activated” is through stress, a compromised immune system, pregnancy (hence the puppy parasites – they are passed from mama to baby), and sickness/disease. Our job is to treat live parasites and then keep pups healthy and happy to ensure their body is not a place where dormant eggs can be activated. Unfortunately, a puppy is a preferred host since they are 80% water upon birth, grow at an incredibly fast rate, and naturally have a compromised immune system.
After a lot of thought and experience, I recommend you try the following protocol to minimize the activation of dormant parasites:
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Keep the house completely calm and stress-free for three days to a week (no new visitors, limited commotion, minimal handling, etc.). Treat them like a newborn baby coming home. When you come home or have visitors stop by, please keep all shoes at the door. Parvo can be brought inside on shoes.
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Do not wake the “sleeping baby”. Puppies sleep an incredible amount of time. Do not worry. As long as your pup wakes up with puppy energy, silliness, eats well, drinks well then all is good!
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Mushy poop is common with stress, a nice bland diet is imperative during a tough transition. If after three days, stools are firm, then SLOWLY add in puppy food to the bland diet, increasing the dog food ratio over the next 5 days.
When to worry:
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Poop contains mucus or blood. If this happens, feed a bland diet for 24 hours and if the condition remains after this time period, a fecal test might be in order.
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Puppy is lethargic, does not play with some vigor, and or refuses to eat.
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Puppy cannot poop and vomits. This can indicate he or she ate something and has a
blockage. This is an emergency. Seek immediate veterinary care.
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Liquid poop. Be careful. A puppy can dehydrate quickly, so if poop does not improve
quickly, then a visit to the veterinarian will be needed.
You are always welcome to call or text me anytime if you have questions or concerns. My cell is 706-799-9153 . Welcome to the NMF family!
Recommendations
We have partnered with Trupanion Pet Insurance to
provide your puppy with 30 days of free pet insurance.
Offer Details:
· Immediate coverage (they waive waiting periods!)
for no obligation with a $250 deductible.
· California and Florida have separate offers.
Activation Period: You must call to activate 24 hours
before taking your puppy home! If you forget, you
have until 24 hours after the pet goes home to activate
the Go Home Day Offer.
Call 855.266.2156 | Code: BR1NG9820 within 24
hours of going home with your puppy.
Or visit TRUPANION.COM to activate coverage.
CKC and/or AKC Registration
Your puppy is eligible to be registered with CKC and/or AKC. On pickup day, you will be provided with paperwork that must be completed to finalize your puppy's registration.
Photography by Gina Lynne: 706-564-9131
Remember all of those beautiful puppy pictures you received and saw on Facebook? My Mom is a professional photographer and I am blessed to have her a part of the NMF Doodle team! If you want additional photos taken, contact her. She can also do a private photo shoot for your puppy before "go home" day!
Mutts & Manners (Aiken SC): 402-730-9180
Dog On It Training & Grooming (Grovetown, GA): 762-994-0007
Aidmore Animal Vet Clinic: 706-733-7181