New Puppy Cheat Sheet

 I wrote up this list of pointers as a summary of the most important things you need to know when you bring your puppy home.

1. Some puppies may have worms!   Your vet will do a fecal to be sure they do not.  Until them remind everyone who handles the puppy to wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.

2. Keep Caro Syrup on hand in case of Hypoglycemic attack.

3.  At 8 weeks the puppies are 3-5 lbs.  Feed them about a cup of food per day.  Feed 1/3 cup 3 xs a day....soften food with water...do not change his brand for the first 2 weeks.  Feed more as the puppy grows. (see bag for recommendations)  Treat your puppy with his kibble and do not use special treats until he is well adjusted to his new environment.

 4.  Provide water at all times.   (Be vary wary of dehydration if your puppy ever gets sick! ) .

5. Puppy Proof your house!  Remove all electrical cords and choking hazards from puppy play areas.
 
6. Be aware of things that are poisonous to your puppy.  Remove Poisonous house plants inside and outside.  Do not feed your puppy grapes, onions, chocolate.

6.  Use a crate with your puppy.  It is invaluable as a training aid.

7. Puppies can hold their bladder 1 hour for each month of their age.

8. Puppies need to go pee pee after every nap, and after they eat dinner.

9.  When you take puppies out to potty they usually go pee pee right away.   But it takes about 20 minutes to get their bowels going in the morning.  Activity will help speed that up.

10.  Provide stuffed Kongs and Chew toys to your puppy when you leave the house for extended periods of time.  That will ease the separation anxiety.

 11 Never allow new puppy to roam the house!  You will create potty training problems.Increase puppies play space and area of independence very gradually as the months go by.    


12.  Teach puppy to enjoy his crate and pen, by letting him get settled there during the first few weeks.  Do not allow him to roam the house.  Only let him out during supervised play time. 

13 When taking your puppy out of his pen resist the temptation to reach over the edge.  Ask him to sit, and then  let him out the door.   Dogs who always use the door are less likely to learn to climb out of their pen.

14. Introduce your puppy to as many people and pets as possible during his first year.  Make sure each meeting will be a fool proof positive experience by talking to the person first to be sure they are comfortable interacting with your puppy.

15.  Schedule your Puppies first vet appointment before you pick up your new puppy..  Do NOT allow your veterinary to administer vaccinations closer than 3 weeks apart!

16. Keep your veterinary appointments. Provide Heartworm medication once a month.   Administer Flea Medication on schedule.

17 Spay or Neuter your pet by 6 months of age to avoid the behavioral issues and challenges that come with a female dog being in heat or a male dog not being neutered.   Males and females both mark their territory during that hormonal time, and the perfectly potty trained dog will suddenly begin that behavior.   Other challenges include both male and female dogs trying to escape to find a breeding partner.   These are just a few reasons why I highly recommend that you spay and neuter your dog before they reach sexual maturity.