Preparing for your Puppy

Getting a new puppy can be such an exciting beautiful time in our lives. But it can also be quite daunting if you haven’t had a puppy in a while or some have never had a puppy. There is so much advice out there on the internet so it can be a great resource as you navigate your way through. This is one of the reasons we have ongoing support for our litters and also give new owners information sheets to help get them started.

Learning about potential issues that you will face will help you navigate any potential issues from arising as your puppy grows. Sometimes allowing some behaviours when your puppy is young can be detrimental to their development and training. As an example - jumping to greet you. This is cute for a small puppy, and everyone is excited however if your dog is going to be 20 plus kg, this can obviously cause potential issues. So learning about these behaviours before getting your puppy will make your life and your puppies life much easier.

But what are the things you can do prior to getting your puppy?

Food

Find out what food your puppy has been on prior to pick up and get some. It is best to keep them on the same food just as a transition as a transition alone can cause an upset tummy. Then slowly change and explore different foods if you wish. Remember your puppy will grow quickly, meaning the amount of food will also increase quickly. It is important to consider your dogs weight etc when working out how much they will need.

Chewing

It's typical for puppies to chew on various objects as part of their normal eating and exploring behavior. Chewing is essential for their physical and mental well-being. Puppies often use sniffing and chewing to investigate their surroundings. During the teething phase, which begins around 12 weeks of age, puppies need to chew a lot as their baby teeth are being replaced by permanent adult teeth. It's important to provide a variety of items for your puppy to explore and chew on to prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects. We also advise new owners to keep valuable items out of reach as puppies learn. In addition to unintentionally damaging items, puppies may harm themselves by swallowing objects.

For more help and advice on puppies chewing, head here.

Book Puppy School

Puppy school is not only great for providing essential guidance as your puppy grows, but it's also important for socializing them when you can't take them out due to incomplete vaccinations. A good puppy school will have a group for young puppies who haven't completed their full vaccination schedule in a safe environment. This not only supports training but also addresses the important socialization 'fear period,' which typically occurs around 8-11 weeks of age. You can learn more about fear periods in dogs and puppies here.

Book Your Puppies Vaccinations

Your puppy would of had one vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age and will be due again at 10-12 weeks. So it is best to do your research on your preferred vet and book them in ahead of time.

Worming

Any good breeder would have been worming your puppy since two weeks of age. It is a good idea to find out what they have been using as worming can sometimes upset their tummy and they will be due again every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then it cuts back to monthly until six months. At six months they can then transfer to an adult dog puppy worming schedule. We use Drontal liquid wormer with all of our puppies but this can change at ten weeks as by then a tablet may be easier to give to your puppies.

Toileting

Our puppies start training early by introducing age-appropriate activities. We use grass mats for toileting as soon as they start walking. It's important to take your puppy out regularly to a grassed area to help them learn. Most puppies will go within 10 minutes of waking up or eating. However, they tend to go more frequently than full-grown dogs, so it's important to watch their behavior to see if they are looking for somewhere to go, such as sniffing around, crying at the door, etc. Puppies prefer texture under their paws, so we recommend closing off any carpeted areas and removing rugs while they are learning. This will help avoid accidents on carpets and rugs until you are confident with their toileting. Remember that your puppy is still learning and is eager to please, so positive reinforcement is important as your puppy learns about the world around them.

These steps can help you prepare for the arrival of your new puppy and ensure a smooth transition for both you and your furry friend. By addressing their dietary needs, understanding their chewing behaviors, enrolling them in puppy school, and scheduling their vaccinations, you can set your puppy up for a healthy and happy start in their new home. Remember, patience and consistency are key as you welcome your new companion into your life.