Maggie Afonya Litter 2021

Puppy 101

Your puppy will be joining you before you know it…how exciting!!! However, the first couple of days in their new home can be stressful for your new puppy. Remember this is the first time they have been away from their mother, littermates and their first human family. This is also a new time for you so we have come up with a list of do’s and don’ts to hopefully make this transition as smooth as possible. I'm posting this early so you can start the fun part (shopping for your new pup...supply list is below).

Make sure you go back and read over this before your puppy joins your family so you remember our recommendation of do's and don'ts for the first night.

Also- you should have receive an email regarding TLC puppy food (from the TLC company) if you did not please let me know. They will send you a neat goody back once you place your first order.

1. Puppy Proof Your Home:

This is VERY important. There are many things that your new puppy can get into that are harmful for them. You will want to puppy proof your home just as you would for a baby. For example, there does not need to be any cords that your puppy can get to…they will chew on them! There are chew repellent sprays that you can use to spray furniture legs to keep your teething puppy from chewing them. The best option is to have a safe environment that your puppy can play in without you having to be right there….there are many different size playpen options that will work.

2. Bringing your puppy to meet their new family:

Remember this is all new to your puppy…make this a calm time. Let them explore and get use to everything. All puppies are different…some may run around exploring and some may just freeze because they are overwhelmed. Either way it is perfectly normal and doesn’t define “what your puppy will always be like”.

If you have another pet put them away at first when your new puppy arrives. Once your puppy is comfortable in the new area you can introduce other pets. Also, if you have small children try to let your puppy get comfortable with their surroundings before bringing them around the puppy….kids excitement can scare your puppy at first. The calmer this initial introduction is the easier it will be for your pup. Also, remember your puppy will need sleep after a long day with a lot of change so allow them to do so.

3. Setting a routine for your new puppy:

Puppies are like children…they need a routine. We will send you a copy of the routine they are on when they are with us. You are more than welcome to change it up (gradually) to better fit your lifestyle. Just remember at 8 weeks they are still babies and need to go potty frequently. They will need scheduled eating, play, potty and rest times. You will be able to lengthen the time between potty breaks as they get older. When you take your puppy out to the bathroom make sure you take them to a spot you always want them to use. While it may be easier to let them use the bathroom right by the back door in the middle of the night just remember you do not want your full grown dog always going potty right by the back door! Also, potty time is always serious business….this is not a time to play. Just repeat the command you use (ex. “go potty”) until they do….once they do give them light praise and then back inside or to their play area.

4. The first night:

Oh the joys of the first night! Your puppy WILL cry. You WILL believe this may never end. I promise you it will and they will survive. Remember this is their first night away from the world as they know it. We will send home a blanket with their littermates and mom’s scent…use it! This will bring some comfort to them. We have also found it helps to have a stuffed animal in there for them to cuddle up to (this is how they sleep with their littermates). Even though your puppy is crying do not let them out of the crate or pay them any attention. You do not want your puppy to associate that the more noise they make the more likely they are to get out of the cage! Stick to your routine and only let them out when it’s time for them to go potty. I promise as the days go by if you stick to your routine the puppy crying will end.

5. Training:

I cannot stress enough how important it is to start training your puppy as soon as you get them. There is a book called “The Perfect Puppy” by Gwen Bailey (It can be found on Amazon). I recommend reading this before your puppy joins you. It gives a lot of great advice on raising a well behaved dog!

Do not let your puppy get away with a behavior if it is something you would not want a full grown dog to do. For example it may be cute that your puppy jumps up on your leg for you to pet them but they will quickly be 70 + pounds and it will not be nearly as cute! Same goes for allowing them to play bite…this is a big no no and should be corrected immediately.

6. Supplies:

Here are a list of supplies we recommend having for your new puppy

a. Leash and Collar. Your puppy will need a collar that can be adjusted easily. The collar should fit snuggly so it won’t slip off but not too tight; you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the pup’s neck. Make sure to check this frequently because your puppy will be growing quickly. Most of our puppies are wearing 8-11 inch collars before they leave at 8 weeks and they are usually as loose as they can go. A leash is needed for walks, potty break and training. I would recommend a short leash in the beginning so you are in control during the training process….you do not want a dog that is going to pull you around the neighborhood- you want one that will walk by your side.

b. Crate and playpen. We are big on crate training and playpens- not only because it keeps your puppy safe when you are unable to watch them but it also helps with the potty training process. I recommend purchasing a 42” wire crate. These crates will be too big for your puppy at first so make sure you purchase the crate with a divider to section the place off where your new puppy will sleep. You do not want them to have the whole crate because dogs do not like to go potty where they sleep….if they have the option to go to the other end of the crate to potty then come back to sleep that makes the potty training process a lot harder. Make sure your puppy is able to stand up, lie down, turn around and stretch inside the crate. Here is an example of a crate we recommend: Amazon.com : Large Dog Crate MidWest ICrate Folding Metal Dog Crate Divider Panel, Floor Protecting Feet Large Dog : Pet Kennels : Pet Supplies

Here is a playpen we have used and like (of course there are many to choose from so get one that best fits your space) Amazon.com : MidWest Foldable Metal Dog Exercise Pen / Pet Playpen. Black w/ door, 24"W x 30"H, 1-Year Manufacturer's Warranty : Pet Kennels : Pet Supplies

c. Puppy Food- We feed TLC puppy food. You can purchase the food by clicking here: TLC Whole Life Natural Pet Food - Free Home Delivery (tlcpetfood.com)

d. Food and Water bowls. There are many different types of doggy dishes to choose from. I would recommend using a stainless steel bowl because they are easy to clean and sanitize (unlike plastic bowls which can easily get scratched and hold bacteria and residue in these areas). They also cannot be chewed up by a new teething puppy.

e. Grooming. We use baby shampoo on all of our puppies and adult dogs. You will also need a brush, nail clippers (make sure to only cut the hook of the nail off. If you are uncertain have your vet show you the proper way) and tooth brush. Start a regular grooming routine as soon as your puppy joins you- this will make the process a lot easier when they are adults. We use the furminator brush to help cut back on the shedding...here is the one I personally like Pet Shedding Tools : Amazon.com: FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs, Large, Long Hair - 101008

f. Toys. Puppies love toys. We recommend strong durable, well-made toys (like kong toys) that are sized appropriately for your dog. Cheaper is not always better- you do not want a toy that your dog can easily take apart and swallow small pieces. Rope toys are also good as they help floss teeth while the puppy plays. Also make sure to get fetching toys such as tennis balls. I am not a fan of rawhide bones so my advice is to steer clear of those. I do like the greenies- they are great for their teeth Amazon.com : GREENIES Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews Oral Health Dog Treats, 36 oz. Pack (36 Treats) : Pet Snack Treats : Pet Supplies

g. Cleaning Supplies. Your puppy is going to have accidents inside. You will need to use an odor neutralizing cleaning supply that removes all traces of urine and pet stains to keep your puppy from repeatedly using the same spot. There are many different options online

h. Dog beds- I highly recommend you do not purchase a nice fluffy pillow for your new puppy- unless you want to come home to a nicely shredded cotton ball. Your puppy is teething and 99% of them will shred their bed within the first few days. I am a big fan of the Kuranda beds...our adult dogs love them too. They are cool in the summer and you can buy pillow toppers for the winter time. Amazon.com : Kuranda All-Aluminum (Silver) Chewproof Dog Bed - Large (40x25) - 40 oz. Vinyl - Smoke : Pet Supplies

i. Training- There are different types of training treats. We use Zuke's puppy training treats. Amazon.com : Zuke's Puppy Naturals Puppy Treats Pork and Chickpea Recipe - 5 oz. Bag (33085) : Pet Supplies

We use clicker training for our dogs- here are a few training accessories I recommend for our pet owners who have a dog staying for Masters Training. Clicker- Amazon.com : Patty Both Clicker training 2 pcs - click and train pet training dog, cat, horse, pets : Patty Both : Pet Supplies

Treat bag- Amazon.com: Vivaglory Dog Treat Bag, Hands-Free Puppy Training Pouch with Adjustable Waistband and Built-in Dog Waste Bag Dispenser, 2 Ways to Wear, Black: Pet Supplies

If you want to train your puppy to use a potty bell here is the one I recommend Amazon.com : BLUETREE 2 Pack Dog Doorbells Premium Quality Training Potty Great Dog Bells Adjustable Door Bell Dog Bells for Potty Training Your Puppy The Easy Way - 7 Extra Large Loud 1.4 DoorBells : Pet Supplies

j. THIS IS A MUST BUY- Last but definitely not least is what I consider a lifesaver for the puppies first few nights home. This would be Mr. Lambchop. Puppies are used to sleeping on top of their littermates in groups so we have found that having this lambchop gives them the feeling of sleeping in a "pack". Buy it now- thank me later :)

We use the jumbo size while the puppies are here with us. Pet Supplies : Pet Toys : Multipet's Officially Licensed Lamb Chop Jumbo White Plush Dog Toy, 24-Inch : Amazon.com