Bringing Bowser home
Q: I'm bringing home a new puppy soon. Is there anything I need to do to get ready?
A: Yes! A puppy means a big change in your life and it helps, as the Boy Scouts say, to be prepared.
Taking time now to plan and get things in order will make a big difference in the long run.
Start out with the right attitude.
The first weeks of your new puppy's life with you will be busy and demanding. There may be times when
you wonder if getting a puppy was such a good idea. Things will go better if you have patience and keep
your sense of humor. Remember that puppy hood only happens once. The extra effort you put into it now
will pay off in the future.
What you'll need
Get the supplies and equipment you'll need. Here's a list:
· Wire or plastic dog crate
· Easily washable, hard-to-destroy bedding material, imitation sheepskin works well§ tip-proof,
stainless steel or hard plastic food & water dishes.
· Buckle puppy collar & lead; I like the soft braided nylon types.
· ID Tag with your phone number to wear on the collar
· a collection of high quality, safe chew toys: Puppy Nylabones, Cressite rubber balls or bones and
sturdy stuffed squeak toys.
· grooming supplies: ask your breeder for recommendations
· a quality brand of dry puppy food.
· "Bitter Apple", a safe spray-on product to discourage chewing on inappropriate objects.
· a wire, wooden or plastic “baby gate” for blocking doorways.
· a good book on puppy care & training . Read through them before bringing your puppy home.
Puppy-proof your home.
Raising a puppy is a lot like raising small children -- they get into everything!
Some of what they get into can be hazardous to their health or to your possessions. You can make life
safer for the puppy and your furniture by getting rid of hazards and temptations ahead of time.
To a puppy, the world is brand new and fascinating! He's seeing it all for the very first time and
absolutely everything must be thoroughly investigated. Puppies do most of their investigating with their
mouths -- "Look at this! What is it? Do you want something to eat? Something to play with?" Murphy's
Law says that a puppy will be most attracted to the things he should least have -- electrical cords, the
fringe on your expensive oriental rug, your brand new running shoes, etc.
Preventing destructive and dangerous chewing is easier than trying to correct the puppy every second.
Look around your home. What objects could be put up out of the way of a curious puppy? Bitter Apple
spray can be applied to furniture legs, woodwork and other immovable items. Are there rooms your
puppy should be restricted from entering until he's better trained and more reliable? Install a baby gate
or keep the doors to those rooms closed.
Take a walk around your yard looking for potential hazards. If your yard is fenced, check the boundaries
and gates for openings that could be potential escape routes. Puppies can get through smaller places than
an adult dog. If your yard's not fenced, make a resolution right now that your puppy will never be allowed
to run off lead without close supervision. He won't ever know enough to look both ways before crossing
the street to chase a squirrel. Keep him safe by keeping him on leash!
Use a schedule
Work out a schedule for you and the puppy. Housetraining is much easier when the puppy's meals,
exercise and playtimes are on a regular schedule throughout the day. Housebreaking is a whole subject
in itself, one there isn't time for in today's short column. Your book on puppy care and training should
have a section on housebreaking with suggestions and a recommended schedule. Read through it and
create a game plan before the puppy arrives. Many people like to bring their puppy home on a weekend
in order to devote extra time to settling in and housebreaking those first few days.
Everybody needs his or her own place
Decide where to put the dog crate, and have it set up and ready for his arrival. Where to keep the crate
will depend on what's most convenient for you as well as the puppy's response. Many puppies don't like
to be isolated in one part of the house while their family is in another but some puppies won't settled
down in their crates if there's too much activity going on around them. You might have to experiment with
different locations until you learn what works best for both you and the puppy.
Visit your vet
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to give the puppy a complete checkup within 72 hours of
your purchase. If you don't have a vet yet, ask the breeder or local kennel club for a recommendation.
Although the puppy has most likely been health-checked by the breeder (or should've been!), an exam is
additional security against health defects, problems that weren't apparent the first time. If your vet offers
microchip ID implants, this an excellent time to get one!
Ask questions!
Use your puppy's breeder as a valuable resource for advice and information. Don't be afraid to ask
questions. The breeder wants your relationship with your puppy to be successful and can offer many tips
based on years of experience.
Article by: Vicki DeGruy
Dog Owner's Guide: Bringing your new puppy home
(www.canismajor.com/dog/bring01.html)
is a part of the Dog Owner's Guide internet website
and is copyright 2003 by Canis Major Publications.
Used by permission.
Q: I'm bringing home a new puppy soon. Is there anything I need to do to get ready?
A: Yes! A puppy means a big change in your life and it helps, as the Boy Scouts say, to be prepared.
Taking time now to plan and get things in order will make a big difference in the long run.
Start out with the right attitude.
The first weeks of your new puppy's life with you will be busy and demanding. There may be times when
you wonder if getting a puppy was such a good idea. Things will go better if you have patience and keep
your sense of humor. Remember that puppy hood only happens once. The extra effort you put into it now
will pay off in the future.
What you'll need
Get the supplies and equipment you'll need. Here's a list:
· Wire or plastic dog crate
· Easily washable, hard-to-destroy bedding material, imitation sheepskin works well§ tip-proof,
stainless steel or hard plastic food & water dishes.
· Buckle puppy collar & lead; I like the soft braided nylon types.
· ID Tag with your phone number to wear on the collar
· a collection of high quality, safe chew toys: Puppy Nylabones, Cressite rubber balls or bones and
sturdy stuffed squeak toys.
· grooming supplies: ask your breeder for recommendations
· a quality brand of dry puppy food.
· "Bitter Apple", a safe spray-on product to discourage chewing on inappropriate objects.
· a wire, wooden or plastic “baby gate” for blocking doorways.
· a good book on puppy care & training . Read through them before bringing your puppy home.
Puppy-proof your home.
Raising a puppy is a lot like raising small children -- they get into everything!
Some of what they get into can be hazardous to their health or to your possessions. You can make life
safer for the puppy and your furniture by getting rid of hazards and temptations ahead of time.
To a puppy, the world is brand new and fascinating! He's seeing it all for the very first time and
absolutely everything must be thoroughly investigated. Puppies do most of their investigating with their
mouths -- "Look at this! What is it? Do you want something to eat? Something to play with?" Murphy's
Law says that a puppy will be most attracted to the things he should least have -- electrical cords, the
fringe on your expensive oriental rug, your brand new running shoes, etc.
Preventing destructive and dangerous chewing is easier than trying to correct the puppy every second.
Look around your home. What objects could be put up out of the way of a curious puppy? Bitter Apple
spray can be applied to furniture legs, woodwork and other immovable items. Are there rooms your
puppy should be restricted from entering until he's better trained and more reliable? Install a baby gate
or keep the doors to those rooms closed.
Take a walk around your yard looking for potential hazards. If your yard is fenced, check the boundaries
and gates for openings that could be potential escape routes. Puppies can get through smaller places than
an adult dog. If your yard's not fenced, make a resolution right now that your puppy will never be allowed
to run off lead without close supervision. He won't ever know enough to look both ways before crossing
the street to chase a squirrel. Keep him safe by keeping him on leash!
Use a schedule
Work out a schedule for you and the puppy. Housetraining is much easier when the puppy's meals,
exercise and playtimes are on a regular schedule throughout the day. Housebreaking is a whole subject
in itself, one there isn't time for in today's short column. Your book on puppy care and training should
have a section on housebreaking with suggestions and a recommended schedule. Read through it and
create a game plan before the puppy arrives. Many people like to bring their puppy home on a weekend
in order to devote extra time to settling in and housebreaking those first few days.
Everybody needs his or her own place
Decide where to put the dog crate, and have it set up and ready for his arrival. Where to keep the crate
will depend on what's most convenient for you as well as the puppy's response. Many puppies don't like
to be isolated in one part of the house while their family is in another but some puppies won't settled
down in their crates if there's too much activity going on around them. You might have to experiment with
different locations until you learn what works best for both you and the puppy.
Visit your vet
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to give the puppy a complete checkup within 72 hours of
your purchase. If you don't have a vet yet, ask the breeder or local kennel club for a recommendation.
Although the puppy has most likely been health-checked by the breeder (or should've been!), an exam is
additional security against health defects, problems that weren't apparent the first time. If your vet offers
microchip ID implants, this an excellent time to get one!
Ask questions!
Use your puppy's breeder as a valuable resource for advice and information. Don't be afraid to ask
questions. The breeder wants your relationship with your puppy to be successful and can offer many tips
based on years of experience.
Article by: Vicki DeGruy
Dog Owner's Guide: Bringing your new puppy home
(www.canismajor.com/dog/bring01.html)
is a part of the Dog Owner's Guide internet website
and is copyright 2003 by Canis Major Publications.
Used by permission.
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Bringing Your Puppy Home
Use the information in this section to prepare your home and family for life with your new puppy.
The Supplies You Need
Before you bring your puppy home, be sure you have the following supplies:
1. Premium pet food to get your new puppy off to a good start.
2. Stainless steel, non-tip food and water bowls.
3. Identification tags with your puppy's name, your name, phone number and your veterinarian's name
and phone number. A collar and a leather or nylon 6-foot leash that's 1/2 - 3/4 inches wide (consider using a
"breakaway" collar with plastic clips that will unsnap in case your puppy gets hung up on something).
4. A home and travel crate that's airline approved and will accommodate your puppy's adult size. This
crate will serve as your puppy's new "den" at home, when traveling or riding to the veterinarian's office. His
scent in the crate will provide comfort and a sense of security during these stressful times.
5. Stain remover for accidental soiling.
6. Brushes and combs suited to your puppy's coat; ask your veterinarian or breeder about an
appropriate brush or comb for your dog.
7. Dog shampoo, toothbrush and paste.
8. High-quality, safe chew toys to ease teething.
9. Flea, tick and parasite controls.
10. Nail clippers.
11. Treats
Helpful Hints
· Use stainless steel, non-tip food bowls, which won't break or absorb odors.
· Toys with parts that squeak or whistle can be dangerous if swallowed.
· For a comfortable collar fit, allow for two-fingers of space between the collar and your dog's neck;
consider using an an adjustable collar.
Making a Home Safe
To make your home safe for your new puppy, eliminate potential hazards around the house and pay attention
to the following items:
· Keep breakable objects out of reach.
· Deny access to electrical cords by hiding or covering them; make outlets safe with plastic outlet plugs.
· Safely store household chemicals.
· Keep the following house and garden plants out of reach: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb
cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy among others.
· In the garage, be sure engine lubricants and other poisonous chemicals (especially antifreeze) are safely
stored.
· If you own a pool or hot tub, check the cover or the surrounding fence to be sure they're in good
condition.
· If you provide your puppy with an outdoor kennel, place it in an area that provides sun and shelter in
the pen; be sure the kennel is large enough to comfortably accommodate your puppy's adult size.
The First Days at Home
The ideal time to bring home a new puppy is when the house is quiet. Discourage friends from stopping by
and don't allow overnight guests. First establish a daily routine and follow these steps:
Step 1: Before bringing him in the house, take him to the area in your yard that will serve as his "bathroom"
and spend a few minutes there. If he goes, praise him. If not, proceed into the house but be sure to take him
to this spot each time he needs to use the bathroom.
Step 2: Take him to the room that accommodates your crate—this restricted area will serve as his new "den"
for several days. Put bedding and chew toys in the crate, leave the door open and line the area outside of the
crate with newspaper, in case of an accident. Let him investigate the crate and the room. If he chews or
urinates on his bedding, permanently remove it from the crate.
Step 3: Observe and interact with your puppy while he's acclimating to his new den. This will help forge a
sense of pack and establish you as the pack leader.
Special Puppy Concerns
Don't treat a puppy as young as 6 to 12-weeks old like an adult dog. Treat him the same way you would
your own infant: with patience, constant supervision and a gentle touch. The way you interact with your
puppy at this age is critical to his socialization. Use these tips:
· Don't bring home a puppy while you're on vacation so you can spend a lot of time with him. Instead,
acclimate him to your normal, daily routine.
· Supervise your puppy at all times and interact with him regularly.
· Be alert for signs (sniffing and circling) that he has to go to the bathroom, then take him outside
immediately.
· A young puppy has no bladder control and will need to urinate immediately after eating, drinking,
sleeping or playing. At night, he will need to relieve himself at least every three hours.
· Don't punish an accident. Never push his nose in the waste or scold him. He won't understand, and
may learn to go to the bathroom when you're out of sight.
· Praise your puppy every time he goes to the bathroom outside.
· Feed your puppy a formula designed for puppies. Like a baby, he needs nutritious, highly digestible
food.
Meeting Resident Pets
Keep resident pets separated from your new puppy for a few days. After your new puppy is used to his new
den area, put an expandable pet gate in the doorway or put your puppy in his crate. Give your resident pet
access to the area. Let pets smell and touch each other through the crate or pet gate. Do this several times
over the next few days. After that, give the resident pet access to the den area with your new puppy out of
his crate. Supervise their meeting and go back to through-the-gate/crate meetings if trouble arises.
Use the information in this section to prepare your home and family for life with your new puppy.
The Supplies You Need
Before you bring your puppy home, be sure you have the following supplies:
1. Premium pet food to get your new puppy off to a good start.
2. Stainless steel, non-tip food and water bowls.
3. Identification tags with your puppy's name, your name, phone number and your veterinarian's name
and phone number. A collar and a leather or nylon 6-foot leash that's 1/2 - 3/4 inches wide (consider using a
"breakaway" collar with plastic clips that will unsnap in case your puppy gets hung up on something).
4. A home and travel crate that's airline approved and will accommodate your puppy's adult size. This
crate will serve as your puppy's new "den" at home, when traveling or riding to the veterinarian's office. His
scent in the crate will provide comfort and a sense of security during these stressful times.
5. Stain remover for accidental soiling.
6. Brushes and combs suited to your puppy's coat; ask your veterinarian or breeder about an
appropriate brush or comb for your dog.
7. Dog shampoo, toothbrush and paste.
8. High-quality, safe chew toys to ease teething.
9. Flea, tick and parasite controls.
10. Nail clippers.
11. Treats
Helpful Hints
· Use stainless steel, non-tip food bowls, which won't break or absorb odors.
· Toys with parts that squeak or whistle can be dangerous if swallowed.
· For a comfortable collar fit, allow for two-fingers of space between the collar and your dog's neck;
consider using an an adjustable collar.
Making a Home Safe
To make your home safe for your new puppy, eliminate potential hazards around the house and pay attention
to the following items:
· Keep breakable objects out of reach.
· Deny access to electrical cords by hiding or covering them; make outlets safe with plastic outlet plugs.
· Safely store household chemicals.
· Keep the following house and garden plants out of reach: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb
cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy among others.
· In the garage, be sure engine lubricants and other poisonous chemicals (especially antifreeze) are safely
stored.
· If you own a pool or hot tub, check the cover or the surrounding fence to be sure they're in good
condition.
· If you provide your puppy with an outdoor kennel, place it in an area that provides sun and shelter in
the pen; be sure the kennel is large enough to comfortably accommodate your puppy's adult size.
The First Days at Home
The ideal time to bring home a new puppy is when the house is quiet. Discourage friends from stopping by
and don't allow overnight guests. First establish a daily routine and follow these steps:
Step 1: Before bringing him in the house, take him to the area in your yard that will serve as his "bathroom"
and spend a few minutes there. If he goes, praise him. If not, proceed into the house but be sure to take him
to this spot each time he needs to use the bathroom.
Step 2: Take him to the room that accommodates your crate—this restricted area will serve as his new "den"
for several days. Put bedding and chew toys in the crate, leave the door open and line the area outside of the
crate with newspaper, in case of an accident. Let him investigate the crate and the room. If he chews or
urinates on his bedding, permanently remove it from the crate.
Step 3: Observe and interact with your puppy while he's acclimating to his new den. This will help forge a
sense of pack and establish you as the pack leader.
Special Puppy Concerns
Don't treat a puppy as young as 6 to 12-weeks old like an adult dog. Treat him the same way you would
your own infant: with patience, constant supervision and a gentle touch. The way you interact with your
puppy at this age is critical to his socialization. Use these tips:
· Don't bring home a puppy while you're on vacation so you can spend a lot of time with him. Instead,
acclimate him to your normal, daily routine.
· Supervise your puppy at all times and interact with him regularly.
· Be alert for signs (sniffing and circling) that he has to go to the bathroom, then take him outside
immediately.
· A young puppy has no bladder control and will need to urinate immediately after eating, drinking,
sleeping or playing. At night, he will need to relieve himself at least every three hours.
· Don't punish an accident. Never push his nose in the waste or scold him. He won't understand, and
may learn to go to the bathroom when you're out of sight.
· Praise your puppy every time he goes to the bathroom outside.
· Feed your puppy a formula designed for puppies. Like a baby, he needs nutritious, highly digestible
food.
Meeting Resident Pets
Keep resident pets separated from your new puppy for a few days. After your new puppy is used to his new
den area, put an expandable pet gate in the doorway or put your puppy in his crate. Give your resident pet
access to the area. Let pets smell and touch each other through the crate or pet gate. Do this several times
over the next few days. After that, give the resident pet access to the den area with your new puppy out of
his crate. Supervise their meeting and go back to through-the-gate/crate meetings if trouble arises.
