Getting Ready For Your New PUPPY!!!!
(These are suggestions that I think will help you out, there are many different ways of training a puppy and welcoming one into your home... Doing research on the internet, reading books, talking to others who have adopted puppies are all great ideas to keep in mind when getting a puppy)
House Training:
The First thing you should do (after all of the hugs and puppy kisses of course) when you bring your puppy home is to take him/her to where they are expected to do their business. Whoodles are an incredibly smart breed and you will find that they are very easy to train. The first thing you do in the morning when you get up and last thing you do before you go to bed is letting your new puppy out for a bathroom break. It is also a good idea to let them outside after you feed them. Training a puppy is as much training them as it is training us to look for the signs. They often will let you know that they have to go outside by their actions. They may sniff around or walk in circles for example. Kennel training is an easy way of house training. A puppy never likes to do its business where it eats or sleeps so will cry when it has to go outside. You do have to be very patient with your new little one as they are just babies. Remember that they are going through many changes in there little life so they need all the love and attention that you have to give. Puppies that go through many changes may have stools that may be looser then normal so don't worry if this happens with your puppy. They are going to be okay and after a day or two they will be back to normal! There are many different ways of training a puppy these are just a few suggestions that I have. Puppy treats when they do a good job is a good thing to have on hand throughout the training process. Good Luck!!
Puppy Food:
I am currently feeding the puppies Purina Puppy Chow in a light blue bag. I would recommend staying with this brand of food for a week or two until the puppy gets settled. They already have a lot of changes happening around them so it is a good idea to keep as much familiar to them as possible. When you think that your new puppy has settled in you can slowly change their food. You slowly add the new brand of food to the purina puppy chow. You can ween them off of there old food over a week or two. Slowly add a little bit more of the new food to the Purina each time you feed your puppy until there is eventually no Purina left.
Right now because I have seven puppies I let them free feed. I don't want the little ones to be overpowered by the bigger ones resulting in them not all being fed. Feeding arrangements will vary from family to family and you can always ask your vet what he/she would recommend as far as amounts. My suggestion is that you start with half a cup of food and if they eat it all right away add more until they don't gobble it all down in a matter of seconds. I have heard of others feeding their pups three times a day. Some doing half a cup and adding until they don't gobble it all and others that let their pup eat as much as he/she can in a matter of a half an hour. Free feeding is also an option that some people decide to go with. They are a growing puppy so expect them to eat ALOT!!!
Vaccinations:
The puppies as you know will be vaccinated at eight weeks of age. They are then to be vaccinated at twelve and sixteen weeks. I would recommend not letting your puppy meet many if any other animals until after the second set of vaccinations. It to me is not worth the risk of having them catch something. I deworm the puppies with Strongid T. They don't have a reaction to it and it works well. You can do this at the same time as the shots.
It is important to find a vet that you like and are comfortable with. I actually have a vet that is five minutes from my house but still pack up all my babies and drive an hour and a half to my vet from my home town. I have known him for years and trust him completely. It is important that you trust your vet. Unfortunately he retired this year so I am once again looking for a vet I trust. After many calls and a friends recomendation I think I have found another really good vet!! Good luck in your search!!
Preparing Your Home For Your New Addition:
Prepare and puppy proof your home before the puppy arrives. This includes deciding where your puppy is going to sleep. A comfy crate is a good idea. Make sure that it will be located in an area free of extreme heat or cold drafts. Have a food and water dish ready for your new puppy. Some toys are always fun to have ready for your new baby as well!
If you have children talk to them about the proper handling of the puppy.
Keep your shoes and other items picked up to avoid having them chewed on. If the puppy chews on your fingers try and replace it with an appropriate chew toy. It will take time as every puppy chews but with patience and love this can be overcame.
First Week:
The puppies first night they may be feeling a little bit sad. I will be sending a long a toy and a blanket with their moms and sibblings scents on it so make sure they have it with them. It will comfort them. I have heard of some people putting a ticking clock under a blanket for them to remind them of their moms heart beats. This may be an idea for you as well. Whenever I seperate a puppy from the sibblings and mom at night I put the kennel in my room so that they can see me. Your puppy loves to be close to you so seeing you will help them sleep better. It is a good idea to never leave your puppy alone (unless they are in their crate) for the first little while as they are little explorers and can get into something they shouldn't which could harm them. Once again there are many ideas out there but these are a couple that I have found work. Love is the most important thing that you can show them that will help them settle in!!! I have had the priviledge of meeting many wonderful little puppies and fall completely in love with each and everyone as will you!!!
It is very important to praise your puppy A LOT when they do something expected of them. They aim to please!
I hope that I have answered most of the questions that you will have but please never hesitate to contact me by phone or email if I have missed anything. If you have any suggestions or ideas that have worked well for you I would appreciate hearing about them so I can pass them on to others!
I want you and your puppy to be completely happy and comfortable with the whole transition!
Have fun with your new puppy!
