Ready to bring your puppy home?
As you prepare to bring your new puppy home, there are often a lot of questions that come up. We are here to help this transition go as smoothly as possible and provide answers to common questions. Feel free to contact us at any time as well.
What food is my puppy eating?
Your puppy has been enjoying Purina Pro Plan for Puppies (rice and chicken formula) as it has come highly recommended by our vet and should be easy to find at your local pet store. We will provide a small baggie of food in case you decide to transition onto another brand. Do so by mixing some of the food provided with your food of choice over the first few days. When switching foods, a spoonful of pumpkin puree with each meal can help ease the transition as it soothes the stomach. (Don’t stress if poops are a little irregular the first few days as stress can also affect digestion.)
How do I potty train my puppy?
While there are many options for potty training, we highly suggest crate training. When possible start the crate area small and grow it as the puppy learns its home. Make a comfy bed for your pup and make the crate a happy place (don’t use it as punishment).
Dogs like to keep their homes clean and will try to potty farther away, but it will take time for the pup to recognize your home as his so start slow and with small areas, slowly increasing. Basic crate training with potty training involves a simple routine: put puppy in crate for bed, straight from crate to outside for potty, playtime in house while puppy is being monitored. (If pup starts sniffing a lot, get him back outside!)
There are lots of helpful blogs and videos you can find out there. There are also helps like bell training at the door that Goldens are usually quick at learning when they are a little older.
How do I balance socialization and safety?
When possible give your pup time to adjust to her new home before introducing too many new friends—especially other dogs—or places. While your puppy has been socialized with other dogs and people, the first week in your home is a huge change and the pup needs time to adjust to the stress. Each pup is different, and some will be ready right away for new adventures while others will be more timid. Give your pup time to come to know her new world.
While your pup has received her first dose of vaccinations, she is not fully protected from disease until after the third dose. Dog parks and unvaccinated dogs should be avoided when possible until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
What do I need to be ready for my new puppy?
Here is a quick list of things to do to prepare for puppy:
- Book appointment with vet for second boosters (you will want this about one month after first shots. A third booster should be a month after that and then your pup will be good for a year.)
- Buy crate and make bed for puppy.
- Food and water dishes and pick your puppy chow of choice (puppy will come with enough food to transition him onto your food of choice)
- Treats for training. (We find freeze dried snacks are easy for pups to eat and have great flavour.) Pup is ready to start learning, but be patient in the first couple weeks as he is still very much a baby. Start with easy things like coming to his name, sit, and lay down and work from there. There are lots of youtube videos that can help.
- Leash – though your puppy will probably need time to learn. Teach her to come to her name, and work from there.
- Plan how you want to travel with puppy, whether a pad on your car seat or a crate, etc.
- Puppy proof house: Make sure puppy does not have easy access to carpeted areas of house if possible. If your house has mostly carpets, focus on your crate training – straight from the crate to outside and then you can bring her back in for play. Also, puppy will be teething. Provide toys that she can chew on, and remove objects you want safe (a good way to train kids to put their toys away.)
- Prepare to be entertained for hours and receive all the love.
Copper Acres 