GO HOME INSTRUCTIONS
WHEN RAISING YOUR PUPPY, FOLLOW 6 RULES
1. Your puppy should be introduced to different surfaces: carpet, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, wood chips, etc...
2. Played with different types of objects: big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, fuzzy toys, squeaky toys, paper or cardboard items, metal items, wooden items, etc.
3. Be in different locations: yard, house, car, garage, crate, kennel, barn, cottage, senior home, vet, office, school, etc...
4. Meet and play with different people: include children and older adults
5. Exposed to challenges: go through a tunnel, in a vehicle for a drive, climb steps, go swimming, go for a boat ride, climb over obstacles, play hide and seek, go in and out a doorway with a step--up and down, run around a fence....
6. Play with or been exposed to different animals: cats, horses, cows, chickens, other types of dogs, both small and large, birds, fish, etc...
THESE ARE ALL THINGS I BELIEVE MAKE A WELL ROUNDED PUPPY
PUPPY CARE INFORMATION
Finding a quality puppy can be a daunting task. To find the right dog from a reputable breeder will take time and homework on your part. Remember, you are purchasing a member of the family that will hopefully be with you for the next 15 years. If this is the first time you are buying a puppy or it has been a long time since you had a puppy- we are here to help. We like to share helpful tips, tricks and information to assist you in raising your puppy.
Prior to Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Puppy-proof your home and eliminate possible trouble spots.. Get down to their level so that you may see what and where their eyes and nose will draw them to investigate.
Discuss and define puppy rules that ultimately reflect how you want your dog to behave both in the home and when out in public. Good social skills and manners are learned NOT inherited.
Carefully consider how you are going to follow through on potty training your puppy. Don't forget to plan on how your puppy is going to relieve themselves when you are going to be away from home during the work day or for extended duties or appointments.
Create a Training Plan. Formal Obedience Classes are a great benefit to both owner and dog. Training methods have evolved and changed greatly in the last few years.
Research what dog related opportunities and activities are in your area. There is a whole new world to discover, with plenty of fun Dog Sports to consider joining. Agility Trials, Field Trials, Tracking Tests, Rally Obedience, Standard Obedience and all kinds of activities are available to all purebred dogs and their families
Puppy Feeding Schedule:
The amount will vary as they adjust to your schedule and their new home. Don't be alarmed if you find that your puppy isn't eating for the first 24 hours, this is from our experience fairly common. If concerned, soak a bit of puppy food in hot water till it is soft and try feeding your puppy. At the NEXT feeding back to dry only. Start with 2 cups a day and increase as they are growing. If they finish all kibble at the end of the 3rd feeding, increase the amount for the morning feeding. May get up to as high as 7 cups per day (not the norm) but often 5 cups per day. This will subside to 2-3 cups a day as an adult. Feed puppy food until they are through growing (approx. 1 to 1 1/2 years old. He/She "grazes" (has food to eat out of a feeder 24/7) at our kennel. Break this up into 3 feedings to start with, when you take them home. Last feeding is 4 hours prior to family retiring for the evening. You will have 1 potty break after last feeding and another potty break before bedtime. They will sleep through the night and not wake you up to have a potty break. Only put water down at feeding time until you are confident that they won't relieve themselves in the home. I always have the water dish outside.
Types of Foods
Better quality , such as premium brands, have better digestibility, which translates to less waste. They will need to eat less and be fuller longer. Dry food will help with your puppy's need to chew, as well as help control plaque. AVOID giving table scraps, or people food as this is not healthy for your new family member. The problem with people food is the spices--- without spices it is okay.
*Please note: We feed our puppies Diamond Naturals SMALL and MEDIUM breed Puppy. You can buy it from Amazon and it is delivered to your home.
Treats and Chews
I DO NOT recommend beef, pork or chicken bones, leather rawhide bones, pigs ears or anything rawhide. They can not digest the rawhide and it settles in the intestines and causes problems down the road. This includes NO Greenies.
I DO recommend all antlers. If you have friends that hunt deer, elk or other animals with horns or antlers, ask them if they need to get rid of them. They are all calcium and the dogs love them. It keeps their teeth free of tarter.
I am now giving all our dogs in the kennel, Probiotics. What a difference!!! Talk to your vet for advice.
What to expect in the first few days
Your puppy may experience some stress and behave differently than what you remembered in our home. The first few days and nights, keep them in close to you. Because you are replacing ALL familiar surroundings, siblings and US, they will look to you to make them feel secure with their new home. Get a blanket and let them sleep with you. Put their crate by the bed and when they go to sleep, put them in the crate to sleep. If you adhere to the no water and food after the 4 hours before bedtime, He/She will sleep through the night. VERY GOOD BONDING TIME
Potty Training
The training will go a lot quicker when you establish a routine for the puppy from the beginning. Take the puppy either outdoors or to a puppy pad (do not use a puppy pad, if you want them to go outside to "potty") immediately after they awake or come out of their crate. Allow them some time to go. After each feeding, take the puppy to your desired location. Remember to give them time to get used to this. Puppies usually will eliminate within 20 minutes after a meal. Before bedtime or crating, remember to take the puppy to their pad or outdoors. If using the outdoors, try adding a bell, or something similar, to your door that the puppy can use to alert you to their needs. All our puppies are "doggy-door" trained. If your puppy has an accident please do not rub their nose in it, as they do not understand your gesture, as many may believe. Please have patience with your puppy. Tip: To speed up the training process only use the front or back door (pick one) when letting the puppy out. Once they understand the routine, they will simply sit in front of the door to let you know they are ready to go out. Again, a "doggy-door" is great. Reward them with a treat. Lots of "good boy" and "good girl" is highly recommended.
Teething
Every puppy will go through a teething stage, which means for a few weeks they will bite and chew on everything that will make the uncomfortable feeling in their mouth go away. The best way to get through this stage is to provide your puppy with lots of different chew toys. Soft toys and blankets will feel good on their gums, other times they love to chew on something hard like a rope or squeaky toy. Dollar stores actually offer a wide variety of puppy toys.
Bathing
The skin of a puppy is different than our skin. That is the reason why you shouldn't bathe your puppy often. Usually ONCE A MONTH is enough. If you bathe your puppy too often its skin may dry out. We recommend you use either puppy/dog shampoo or tear free baby shampoo. Human shampoo is TOO harsh. Try to keep the inside of the ears dry as well as its face (eyes/nose/mouth). If your puppy gets wet/dirty due to wet weather, you don't necessarily have to bathe them. Towel dry your pup first. Especially the paws and if you have a crate or use a laundry room, you can put them there for a bit till they are dry. Brush them up a bit afterwards --- they will look good as new.
Brushing and Grooming
All puppies and dogs need to be brushed. Take your puppy to a pet store and they will tell you what is best for your dog. Regular brushing is great and most puppies and dogs love it. Your dog will need to be taken to a groomer at least every 3 months. Regular clipping the nails and upper 1/2 of the ear hair short, will need to be more often.
Parasite, Worms, Fleas, Ticks, Mites.....
Even in the best of conditions, most puppies will have intestinal parasites. That is why all our puppies have had 2 different dewormers at 2, 4, 6, & 8 wks old. Please understand that your puppy can pick up any of them by just walking once around the block When you are at the vet, talk to them about these critters and they will give you lots of options to choose from to eliminate any problems that could arise.
Keep The Ears Clean
Springers have long beautiful ears, that if not taken care of, can get infected. Clean your puppies ears, every week or more often if the dog is in the water a lot. Keeping their ears clean will prevent ear infections, ear mites and a host of other potential problems. An average vet bill for treating ears can run up to $120 or more. You can avoid that all together by keeping the ears clean and cutting the hair short on the upper 1/2 of the ear, inside and out.
Something to Consider
Choose your vet carefully. Vet costs will vary depending on your location. Ask other family members or friends about their vets, call around and do your research. A quality vet does not need to cost you a fortune !!!
A lot of things are toxic and deadly to dogs. Wouldn't think that air fresheners are on the list. We quit using Fabreeze, for this reason. UPDATE-- Fabreeze is now safe for animals. Go online and check it out.
PUPPY STARTER CHECKLIST
( ) Food/water dishes ----included with purchase if needed
( ) Puppy Food ------------quart container included with purchase
( ) Leash and collar ------included with purchase
( ) Blanket and ? or Puppy Pillow
( ) Various chew toys such as ropes, soft safe plush dog toys, etc. I highly recommend antlers!!
( ) Crate (optional, but definitely recommended) buy a large one that has dividers.
( ) Puppy Pee Pads (if you want your puppy to end up eliminating outside, do not use pee pads)
( ) Probiotic chews --I recently start all the kennel on them --what a difference!!
WE WILL TRY TO UPDATE THIS SECTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, AS WE ACQUIRE NEW INFORMATION.
1. Your puppy should be introduced to different surfaces: carpet, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, wood chips, etc...
2. Played with different types of objects: big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, fuzzy toys, squeaky toys, paper or cardboard items, metal items, wooden items, etc.
3. Be in different locations: yard, house, car, garage, crate, kennel, barn, cottage, senior home, vet, office, school, etc...
4. Meet and play with different people: include children and older adults
5. Exposed to challenges: go through a tunnel, in a vehicle for a drive, climb steps, go swimming, go for a boat ride, climb over obstacles, play hide and seek, go in and out a doorway with a step--up and down, run around a fence....
6. Play with or been exposed to different animals: cats, horses, cows, chickens, other types of dogs, both small and large, birds, fish, etc...
THESE ARE ALL THINGS I BELIEVE MAKE A WELL ROUNDED PUPPY
PUPPY CARE INFORMATION
Finding a quality puppy can be a daunting task. To find the right dog from a reputable breeder will take time and homework on your part. Remember, you are purchasing a member of the family that will hopefully be with you for the next 15 years. If this is the first time you are buying a puppy or it has been a long time since you had a puppy- we are here to help. We like to share helpful tips, tricks and information to assist you in raising your puppy.
Prior to Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Puppy-proof your home and eliminate possible trouble spots.. Get down to their level so that you may see what and where their eyes and nose will draw them to investigate.
Discuss and define puppy rules that ultimately reflect how you want your dog to behave both in the home and when out in public. Good social skills and manners are learned NOT inherited.
Carefully consider how you are going to follow through on potty training your puppy. Don't forget to plan on how your puppy is going to relieve themselves when you are going to be away from home during the work day or for extended duties or appointments.
Create a Training Plan. Formal Obedience Classes are a great benefit to both owner and dog. Training methods have evolved and changed greatly in the last few years.
Research what dog related opportunities and activities are in your area. There is a whole new world to discover, with plenty of fun Dog Sports to consider joining. Agility Trials, Field Trials, Tracking Tests, Rally Obedience, Standard Obedience and all kinds of activities are available to all purebred dogs and their families
Puppy Feeding Schedule:
The amount will vary as they adjust to your schedule and their new home. Don't be alarmed if you find that your puppy isn't eating for the first 24 hours, this is from our experience fairly common. If concerned, soak a bit of puppy food in hot water till it is soft and try feeding your puppy. At the NEXT feeding back to dry only. Start with 2 cups a day and increase as they are growing. If they finish all kibble at the end of the 3rd feeding, increase the amount for the morning feeding. May get up to as high as 7 cups per day (not the norm) but often 5 cups per day. This will subside to 2-3 cups a day as an adult. Feed puppy food until they are through growing (approx. 1 to 1 1/2 years old. He/She "grazes" (has food to eat out of a feeder 24/7) at our kennel. Break this up into 3 feedings to start with, when you take them home. Last feeding is 4 hours prior to family retiring for the evening. You will have 1 potty break after last feeding and another potty break before bedtime. They will sleep through the night and not wake you up to have a potty break. Only put water down at feeding time until you are confident that they won't relieve themselves in the home. I always have the water dish outside.
Types of Foods
Better quality , such as premium brands, have better digestibility, which translates to less waste. They will need to eat less and be fuller longer. Dry food will help with your puppy's need to chew, as well as help control plaque. AVOID giving table scraps, or people food as this is not healthy for your new family member. The problem with people food is the spices--- without spices it is okay.
*Please note: We feed our puppies Diamond Naturals SMALL and MEDIUM breed Puppy. You can buy it from Amazon and it is delivered to your home.
Treats and Chews
I DO NOT recommend beef, pork or chicken bones, leather rawhide bones, pigs ears or anything rawhide. They can not digest the rawhide and it settles in the intestines and causes problems down the road. This includes NO Greenies.
I DO recommend all antlers. If you have friends that hunt deer, elk or other animals with horns or antlers, ask them if they need to get rid of them. They are all calcium and the dogs love them. It keeps their teeth free of tarter.
I am now giving all our dogs in the kennel, Probiotics. What a difference!!! Talk to your vet for advice.
What to expect in the first few days
Your puppy may experience some stress and behave differently than what you remembered in our home. The first few days and nights, keep them in close to you. Because you are replacing ALL familiar surroundings, siblings and US, they will look to you to make them feel secure with their new home. Get a blanket and let them sleep with you. Put their crate by the bed and when they go to sleep, put them in the crate to sleep. If you adhere to the no water and food after the 4 hours before bedtime, He/She will sleep through the night. VERY GOOD BONDING TIME
Potty Training
The training will go a lot quicker when you establish a routine for the puppy from the beginning. Take the puppy either outdoors or to a puppy pad (do not use a puppy pad, if you want them to go outside to "potty") immediately after they awake or come out of their crate. Allow them some time to go. After each feeding, take the puppy to your desired location. Remember to give them time to get used to this. Puppies usually will eliminate within 20 minutes after a meal. Before bedtime or crating, remember to take the puppy to their pad or outdoors. If using the outdoors, try adding a bell, or something similar, to your door that the puppy can use to alert you to their needs. All our puppies are "doggy-door" trained. If your puppy has an accident please do not rub their nose in it, as they do not understand your gesture, as many may believe. Please have patience with your puppy. Tip: To speed up the training process only use the front or back door (pick one) when letting the puppy out. Once they understand the routine, they will simply sit in front of the door to let you know they are ready to go out. Again, a "doggy-door" is great. Reward them with a treat. Lots of "good boy" and "good girl" is highly recommended.
Teething
Every puppy will go through a teething stage, which means for a few weeks they will bite and chew on everything that will make the uncomfortable feeling in their mouth go away. The best way to get through this stage is to provide your puppy with lots of different chew toys. Soft toys and blankets will feel good on their gums, other times they love to chew on something hard like a rope or squeaky toy. Dollar stores actually offer a wide variety of puppy toys.
Bathing
The skin of a puppy is different than our skin. That is the reason why you shouldn't bathe your puppy often. Usually ONCE A MONTH is enough. If you bathe your puppy too often its skin may dry out. We recommend you use either puppy/dog shampoo or tear free baby shampoo. Human shampoo is TOO harsh. Try to keep the inside of the ears dry as well as its face (eyes/nose/mouth). If your puppy gets wet/dirty due to wet weather, you don't necessarily have to bathe them. Towel dry your pup first. Especially the paws and if you have a crate or use a laundry room, you can put them there for a bit till they are dry. Brush them up a bit afterwards --- they will look good as new.
Brushing and Grooming
All puppies and dogs need to be brushed. Take your puppy to a pet store and they will tell you what is best for your dog. Regular brushing is great and most puppies and dogs love it. Your dog will need to be taken to a groomer at least every 3 months. Regular clipping the nails and upper 1/2 of the ear hair short, will need to be more often.
Parasite, Worms, Fleas, Ticks, Mites.....
Even in the best of conditions, most puppies will have intestinal parasites. That is why all our puppies have had 2 different dewormers at 2, 4, 6, & 8 wks old. Please understand that your puppy can pick up any of them by just walking once around the block When you are at the vet, talk to them about these critters and they will give you lots of options to choose from to eliminate any problems that could arise.
Keep The Ears Clean
Springers have long beautiful ears, that if not taken care of, can get infected. Clean your puppies ears, every week or more often if the dog is in the water a lot. Keeping their ears clean will prevent ear infections, ear mites and a host of other potential problems. An average vet bill for treating ears can run up to $120 or more. You can avoid that all together by keeping the ears clean and cutting the hair short on the upper 1/2 of the ear, inside and out.
Something to Consider
Choose your vet carefully. Vet costs will vary depending on your location. Ask other family members or friends about their vets, call around and do your research. A quality vet does not need to cost you a fortune !!!
A lot of things are toxic and deadly to dogs. Wouldn't think that air fresheners are on the list. We quit using Fabreeze, for this reason. UPDATE-- Fabreeze is now safe for animals. Go online and check it out.
PUPPY STARTER CHECKLIST
( ) Food/water dishes ----included with purchase if needed
( ) Puppy Food ------------quart container included with purchase
( ) Leash and collar ------included with purchase
( ) Blanket and ? or Puppy Pillow
( ) Various chew toys such as ropes, soft safe plush dog toys, etc. I highly recommend antlers!!
( ) Crate (optional, but definitely recommended) buy a large one that has dividers.
( ) Puppy Pee Pads (if you want your puppy to end up eliminating outside, do not use pee pads)
( ) Probiotic chews --I recently start all the kennel on them --what a difference!!
WE WILL TRY TO UPDATE THIS SECTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, AS WE ACQUIRE NEW INFORMATION.
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NEW PUPPY BASICS
New puppies are like a blank slate. You get the chance to introduce almost everything to them for the first time. This means that you get the opportunity to make every first experience a positive one, and make both your lives easy from the start. You also get to start all his/her training from step one, without any negative associations getting in your way. Arm yourself with some tasty treats and all you patience and read on!
PREPARATION
Before you bring your new puppy home, you need to get your home ready and make the necessary preparations for having a new dog in your life. It is important that you find a vet that you are happy with before the time comes that you need one. Talk to other families that have favorite vets.
You must also puppy proof your home so there's nothing your little ball of fur can get into. This will safeguard your possessions and ensure that the curious new pup won't find something that could hurt him/her. The best idea is to get on all-fours and move about you house. If you can reach something on all-fours your puppy will most likely be able to reach it, also.
There are several supplies you'll want to have ready before you pup comes home. Before day one with puppy, you should have a crate, a bed, water bowl, food dish, safe chewable toys, puppy shampoo, doggy toothbrush, toothpaste. Our kennel provides the first collar, leash, and a quart container of the puppy food we feed.
SPAY or NEUTER THAT PUPPY
Unless you intend to show your pooch, it is a good idea to spay or neuter. Spaying and neutering makes a difference in personality, behavior, and most importantly, life expectancy. I HIGHLY recommend neutering a male puppy before 5 months old. This way, they don't come into their own, get the scent of females and start to hike their legs (marking territory). They may squat to pee for their entire life. I also recommend you spay your females by 6 months old. Often they have sneaker heats and will be bred by the neighborhood St. Bernard . Some vets are wanting to make you wait till they are a year old. FIND A NEW VET!!
VERY IMPORTANT, before you come to pick up your puppy, schedule an appointment for his/her 9 wk shots AND the spay/neuter. I am seeing a lot of families having trouble getting appointments
SCHEDULE
Puppies learn fastest when you keep them regular schedule. They are more comfortable and pick up more quickly on training lessons when they know what's coming next. Feeding on a regular schedule will also help your dog figure out house training and help you know when he/she need to go potty. Try to get into a set schedule from day one. For example, get up in the morning, then go straight out for a walk, then feed puppy when you get back. After a few days, puppy will understand that when you wake up, it is time to go for a walk, so he'll know to hold it until then, and he'll know that breakfast is coming shortly after.
HOUSE TRAINING
The most important aspect of house training is supervision. If your puppy never has a chance to go potty inside, he/she will much more quickly realize that outside is always where he/she is supposed to go potty. Keep in mind that in the beginning, puppies have very little control (if any) over their elimination, so you need to anticipate their needs. Every time your puppy eats, drinks, plays or wakes up, it is time to go outside immediately after. In the beginning, break up the feedings into at least 3 feedings. Never leave food or water down for them, until you are comfortable that they WILL NOT ELIMINATE in the house.
CRATE TRAINING
The safest place for your pooch when you're not around to keep a close eye on him/her is in a crate. Dogs who are properly crate trained think of their crate as their safe zone, their room, their den. Introduce your dog to the crate by putting some tasty, tempting stuff inside and letting him/her explore it with the door open. Feed him inside several times with the door open, then try closing the door just until he's done eating. Then start leaving him/her in the crate for very short periods of time and rewarding calm behavior. Before you know it, your dog will be hanging out in his/her crate all the time.
CORRECTION AND PRAISE
Remember that your new pup doesn't yet understand ANYTHING you're asking him/her to do. Most things a new puppy does wrong are the fault of the owner. If he destroys something or goes potty in the house, he should have been watched more closely. If he doesn't listen to what you tell him/her to do, he either doesn't understand yet, or you haven't offered sufficient reinforcement. The bottom line is, many experts claim that one should never reprimand a puppy for these types of transgressions. Many believe that reprimanding a puppy for going potty in the wrong place will make him/her fear going potty outside The safest way to teach your pooch without letting fear be part of the equation is to ignore undesirable behavior and ecstatically praise your pup every time he/she does something right.
NIPPING
When your puppy nips you or your hand, loudly yelp "ouch" then pull your hands away, turn your back on them. Then do not offer any play or affection until puppy stops trying to play and nip. I am working with my puppies and NOT allowing them to chew on my ankles or mouthing (chewing on my fingers). I diligently say NO!!! Litter mates do this by withholding social interaction when a puppy bites too hard. If he/she persists at "mouthing", biting pant legs, shoes etc, you need to assume the "alpha roll". Don't be passive at reprimanding your puppy, they are like your children and take advantage by just ignoring you. If all else fails, I roll a newspaper up, and when they start to bite, mouth etc., I hit my leg with the newspaper so it will make a loud noise--- YELL NO!!!!!!!!! It will get their attention. You are letting them know that YOU are the boss. When I am contacted by a new puppy family about their puppy biting legs and hands, it is because they have allowed the New Family Member to take CONTROL. and assume the "ALPHA" role. Please don't allow this to happen. Your puppy has NOT been allowed to assume the alpha roll at our kennel and is NOT allowed to bite at us like we are their playmates.
SOCIALIZE
It is very important that puppies learn to be social with other dogs and other humans. This will make it easier to walk your dog and also will make him/her more comfortable outside the home, at the vet, and if you have to board him/her. It will also make him/her safer to be around and more accommodating of guests in your home. Taking your puppy out in the world will be okay. Just make sure he/she isn't exposed to strange dog/cats that may NOT have appropriate vaccinations. Once he/she is fully vaccinated, take him anywhere dogs are allowed. Let him/her play at the dog park, take him/her to pooch-friendly restaurants, introduce him/her to friend's children (as long as they are calm and know hot to treat puppies gently). AGAIN, BEWARE OF COVID 19. IT IS TRANSMITTED TO DOGS.
TEETHING
Teething is one of the reasons puppies can be so destructive. When their new teeth are coming in, it is quite painful and chewing helps to relieve this pain. Provide your puppy with plenty of safe chew toys. I recommend deer or elk antlers. They are all calcium and are great chew toys. I DO NOT give my dogs any rawhide bones, pigs ears, Greenies etc. They can't digest them. Puppies who are provided lots of their own toys to chew on are significantly less likely to seek out your possessions for chewing. It also ingrains in them form day one that they have their own things to chew, so your slippers are off limits. Putting chew toys in the freezer (especially a rope toy soaked in water) provides nice, chilly relief for sore gums.
EARLY OBEDIENCE TRAINING
It is never too soon to start teaching your puppy simple commands like sit, down, and stay. Just don't push it. Keep training sessions short (five minutes or so is plenty in the beginning), fun and filled with lots of praise. Soon enough puppy will look forward to training time the same way they look forward to play time, or trips outside. Make training time extra enticing by picking a special, extremely strong-scented and tasty treat for use ONLY in training sessions. Whenever you take these treats out, your puppy will know it's the time when he/she has a chance to please you and be rewarded with extra yummy snacks.
EARLY LEASH TRAINING
Young puppies can't walk far without growing very tired, but that doesn't mean you can't begin leash training. Start them on the road to leash training by just attaching the leash when he/she is relaxed and calm, and rewarding him/her with treats. After doing this a few times, encourage him/her to walk with it attached by enticing him/her with treats or a toy. After awhile, hold the leash as you entice him/her to walk forward with it on. Just as with obedience training and crate training, as long as you maintain positive associations with the leash, you pup will enjoy learning and should take to it well.
GROOMING
Your dog must be brushed from time to time, his/her nails must be clipped, and his/her teeth must be brushed (antlers help with keeping tarter off the teeth). You can have these tasks done for you at the vet or groomer, but if so you miss out on a great bonding experience with your dog. Teaching your dog to be comfortable with these simple grooming practices is a big step in teaching him/her to be comfortable with being handled in general Remember, you have a BENCH BRED SPRINGER. Don't allow your groomer to do a field trial springer cut. Make sure the upper 1/2 of the ear is cut very short (inside and out). This part of the ear is like an incubator for bacteria because the ear is hanging very close to the head. I put a few drops of ear cleaner in the ear canal after they swim etc. Heat + Water = Infections.
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CERTAIN FOODS AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CAN BE DANGEROUS TO DOGS!
It's only natural for dogs to be curious. But their curiosity can get them into trouble when they get into areas where you store household items such as medicine and detergents. Many common household items that you use every day can be harmful, and sometimes even lethal to your dog.
Foods that are harmful to your dog:
May cause vomiting, abdominal pain
and/or diarrhea:
Wild cherry
Almond
Apricot
Balsam Pear
Japanese Plum
May cause varied reactions:
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds
Macadamia nuts
Tomato and potato leaves and stems
Avocados
Onions and onion power
Grapes
Raisins
Chocolate
Pear and peach kernels
Mushrooms (if also toxic to humans)
Rhubarb
Spinach
Alcohol
PREPARATION
Before you bring your new puppy home, you need to get your home ready and make the necessary preparations for having a new dog in your life. It is important that you find a vet that you are happy with before the time comes that you need one. Talk to other families that have favorite vets.
You must also puppy proof your home so there's nothing your little ball of fur can get into. This will safeguard your possessions and ensure that the curious new pup won't find something that could hurt him/her. The best idea is to get on all-fours and move about you house. If you can reach something on all-fours your puppy will most likely be able to reach it, also.
There are several supplies you'll want to have ready before you pup comes home. Before day one with puppy, you should have a crate, a bed, water bowl, food dish, safe chewable toys, puppy shampoo, doggy toothbrush, toothpaste. Our kennel provides the first collar, leash, and a quart container of the puppy food we feed.
SPAY or NEUTER THAT PUPPY
Unless you intend to show your pooch, it is a good idea to spay or neuter. Spaying and neutering makes a difference in personality, behavior, and most importantly, life expectancy. I HIGHLY recommend neutering a male puppy before 5 months old. This way, they don't come into their own, get the scent of females and start to hike their legs (marking territory). They may squat to pee for their entire life. I also recommend you spay your females by 6 months old. Often they have sneaker heats and will be bred by the neighborhood St. Bernard . Some vets are wanting to make you wait till they are a year old. FIND A NEW VET!!
VERY IMPORTANT, before you come to pick up your puppy, schedule an appointment for his/her 9 wk shots AND the spay/neuter. I am seeing a lot of families having trouble getting appointments
SCHEDULE
Puppies learn fastest when you keep them regular schedule. They are more comfortable and pick up more quickly on training lessons when they know what's coming next. Feeding on a regular schedule will also help your dog figure out house training and help you know when he/she need to go potty. Try to get into a set schedule from day one. For example, get up in the morning, then go straight out for a walk, then feed puppy when you get back. After a few days, puppy will understand that when you wake up, it is time to go for a walk, so he'll know to hold it until then, and he'll know that breakfast is coming shortly after.
HOUSE TRAINING
The most important aspect of house training is supervision. If your puppy never has a chance to go potty inside, he/she will much more quickly realize that outside is always where he/she is supposed to go potty. Keep in mind that in the beginning, puppies have very little control (if any) over their elimination, so you need to anticipate their needs. Every time your puppy eats, drinks, plays or wakes up, it is time to go outside immediately after. In the beginning, break up the feedings into at least 3 feedings. Never leave food or water down for them, until you are comfortable that they WILL NOT ELIMINATE in the house.
CRATE TRAINING
The safest place for your pooch when you're not around to keep a close eye on him/her is in a crate. Dogs who are properly crate trained think of their crate as their safe zone, their room, their den. Introduce your dog to the crate by putting some tasty, tempting stuff inside and letting him/her explore it with the door open. Feed him inside several times with the door open, then try closing the door just until he's done eating. Then start leaving him/her in the crate for very short periods of time and rewarding calm behavior. Before you know it, your dog will be hanging out in his/her crate all the time.
CORRECTION AND PRAISE
Remember that your new pup doesn't yet understand ANYTHING you're asking him/her to do. Most things a new puppy does wrong are the fault of the owner. If he destroys something or goes potty in the house, he should have been watched more closely. If he doesn't listen to what you tell him/her to do, he either doesn't understand yet, or you haven't offered sufficient reinforcement. The bottom line is, many experts claim that one should never reprimand a puppy for these types of transgressions. Many believe that reprimanding a puppy for going potty in the wrong place will make him/her fear going potty outside The safest way to teach your pooch without letting fear be part of the equation is to ignore undesirable behavior and ecstatically praise your pup every time he/she does something right.
NIPPING
When your puppy nips you or your hand, loudly yelp "ouch" then pull your hands away, turn your back on them. Then do not offer any play or affection until puppy stops trying to play and nip. I am working with my puppies and NOT allowing them to chew on my ankles or mouthing (chewing on my fingers). I diligently say NO!!! Litter mates do this by withholding social interaction when a puppy bites too hard. If he/she persists at "mouthing", biting pant legs, shoes etc, you need to assume the "alpha roll". Don't be passive at reprimanding your puppy, they are like your children and take advantage by just ignoring you. If all else fails, I roll a newspaper up, and when they start to bite, mouth etc., I hit my leg with the newspaper so it will make a loud noise--- YELL NO!!!!!!!!! It will get their attention. You are letting them know that YOU are the boss. When I am contacted by a new puppy family about their puppy biting legs and hands, it is because they have allowed the New Family Member to take CONTROL. and assume the "ALPHA" role. Please don't allow this to happen. Your puppy has NOT been allowed to assume the alpha roll at our kennel and is NOT allowed to bite at us like we are their playmates.
SOCIALIZE
It is very important that puppies learn to be social with other dogs and other humans. This will make it easier to walk your dog and also will make him/her more comfortable outside the home, at the vet, and if you have to board him/her. It will also make him/her safer to be around and more accommodating of guests in your home. Taking your puppy out in the world will be okay. Just make sure he/she isn't exposed to strange dog/cats that may NOT have appropriate vaccinations. Once he/she is fully vaccinated, take him anywhere dogs are allowed. Let him/her play at the dog park, take him/her to pooch-friendly restaurants, introduce him/her to friend's children (as long as they are calm and know hot to treat puppies gently). AGAIN, BEWARE OF COVID 19. IT IS TRANSMITTED TO DOGS.
TEETHING
Teething is one of the reasons puppies can be so destructive. When their new teeth are coming in, it is quite painful and chewing helps to relieve this pain. Provide your puppy with plenty of safe chew toys. I recommend deer or elk antlers. They are all calcium and are great chew toys. I DO NOT give my dogs any rawhide bones, pigs ears, Greenies etc. They can't digest them. Puppies who are provided lots of their own toys to chew on are significantly less likely to seek out your possessions for chewing. It also ingrains in them form day one that they have their own things to chew, so your slippers are off limits. Putting chew toys in the freezer (especially a rope toy soaked in water) provides nice, chilly relief for sore gums.
EARLY OBEDIENCE TRAINING
It is never too soon to start teaching your puppy simple commands like sit, down, and stay. Just don't push it. Keep training sessions short (five minutes or so is plenty in the beginning), fun and filled with lots of praise. Soon enough puppy will look forward to training time the same way they look forward to play time, or trips outside. Make training time extra enticing by picking a special, extremely strong-scented and tasty treat for use ONLY in training sessions. Whenever you take these treats out, your puppy will know it's the time when he/she has a chance to please you and be rewarded with extra yummy snacks.
EARLY LEASH TRAINING
Young puppies can't walk far without growing very tired, but that doesn't mean you can't begin leash training. Start them on the road to leash training by just attaching the leash when he/she is relaxed and calm, and rewarding him/her with treats. After doing this a few times, encourage him/her to walk with it attached by enticing him/her with treats or a toy. After awhile, hold the leash as you entice him/her to walk forward with it on. Just as with obedience training and crate training, as long as you maintain positive associations with the leash, you pup will enjoy learning and should take to it well.
GROOMING
Your dog must be brushed from time to time, his/her nails must be clipped, and his/her teeth must be brushed (antlers help with keeping tarter off the teeth). You can have these tasks done for you at the vet or groomer, but if so you miss out on a great bonding experience with your dog. Teaching your dog to be comfortable with these simple grooming practices is a big step in teaching him/her to be comfortable with being handled in general Remember, you have a BENCH BRED SPRINGER. Don't allow your groomer to do a field trial springer cut. Make sure the upper 1/2 of the ear is cut very short (inside and out). This part of the ear is like an incubator for bacteria because the ear is hanging very close to the head. I put a few drops of ear cleaner in the ear canal after they swim etc. Heat + Water = Infections.
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CERTAIN FOODS AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CAN BE DANGEROUS TO DOGS!
It's only natural for dogs to be curious. But their curiosity can get them into trouble when they get into areas where you store household items such as medicine and detergents. Many common household items that you use every day can be harmful, and sometimes even lethal to your dog.
Foods that are harmful to your dog:
May cause vomiting, abdominal pain
and/or diarrhea:
Wild cherry
Almond
Apricot
Balsam Pear
Japanese Plum
May cause varied reactions:
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds
Macadamia nuts
Tomato and potato leaves and stems
Avocados
Onions and onion power
Grapes
Raisins
Chocolate
Pear and peach kernels
Mushrooms (if also toxic to humans)
Rhubarb
Spinach
Alcohol
Common household items that are
harmful to your dog:
Acetaminophen
Antifreeze and other car fluids
Bleach and cleaning fluids
Boric acid
Deodorants
Deodorizers (air fresheners)
detergents
De-icing salts
disinfectants
Drain cleaners
Furniture polish
Gasoline
Hair colorings
Weed killers
Insecticides
Kerosene
Matches
Mothballs
Nail polish and remover
Paint
Prescription and
non-prescription medicine
Rat poison
Rubbing alcohol
Shoe polish
Sleeping pills
Snail or slug bait (some are okay
for around animals, read the
labels)
Turpentine
Windshield-wiper fluid
harmful to your dog:
Acetaminophen
Antifreeze and other car fluids
Bleach and cleaning fluids
Boric acid
Deodorants
Deodorizers (air fresheners)
detergents
De-icing salts
disinfectants
Drain cleaners
Furniture polish
Gasoline
Hair colorings
Weed killers
Insecticides
Kerosene
Matches
Mothballs
Nail polish and remover
Paint
Prescription and
non-prescription medicine
Rat poison
Rubbing alcohol
Shoe polish
Sleeping pills
Snail or slug bait (some are okay
for around animals, read the
labels)
Turpentine
Windshield-wiper fluid
PUPPY OWNER CHECKLIST
If you have any questions about the checklist below, MOST of the information is on our web site.
Health:
( ) Vaccinations
( ) Wormings
( ) Heartworm Prevention --- ask your vet if it is recommended for your area
( ) Flea Prevention
( ) Ears
( ) Teeth
( ) Exercise
Food:
( ) Brand_________________________
( ) Type___________________________
( ) Serving Size-------------------------- ( ) times per day_____________
Grooming:
( ) Tools
( ) Nail Care
( ) Groomer Recommendation
( ) At-home Grooming
Training:
( ) First Night
( ) Housebreaking/Crate Training
( ) Leash Breaking
( ) Chewing
( ) Jumping
( ) Existing Dog
( ) Kids
( ) Traveling
( ) Classes for Obedience
Business:
( ) AKC Dog Registration Application Form
( ) Review Bill of Sale Contract
( ) Contact Information
( ) Spay/Neuter
Equipment & Supplies:
( ) Leash and collar
( ) Crate/Pen
( ) Beds
( ) Toys
Safety:
( ) Electrical Cords
( ) Poisonous Plant
( ) Table Scraps ---especially with spices added
( ) Dangerous Foods: Chocolate, Raisins, Onions etc.
( ) Fencing
Breeder Contact Information:
( ) Name:_______________________________________
( ) Phone:_______________________________________
( ) Email:_______________________________________
( ) Cell & Texting ________________________________
( ) Vaccinations
( ) Wormings
( ) Heartworm Prevention --- ask your vet if it is recommended for your area
( ) Flea Prevention
( ) Ears
( ) Teeth
( ) Exercise
Food:
( ) Brand_________________________
( ) Type___________________________
( ) Serving Size-------------------------- ( ) times per day_____________
Grooming:
( ) Tools
( ) Nail Care
( ) Groomer Recommendation
( ) At-home Grooming
Training:
( ) First Night
( ) Housebreaking/Crate Training
( ) Leash Breaking
( ) Chewing
( ) Jumping
( ) Existing Dog
( ) Kids
( ) Traveling
( ) Classes for Obedience
Business:
( ) AKC Dog Registration Application Form
( ) Review Bill of Sale Contract
( ) Contact Information
( ) Spay/Neuter
Equipment & Supplies:
( ) Leash and collar
( ) Crate/Pen
( ) Beds
( ) Toys
Safety:
( ) Electrical Cords
( ) Poisonous Plant
( ) Table Scraps ---especially with spices added
( ) Dangerous Foods: Chocolate, Raisins, Onions etc.
( ) Fencing
Breeder Contact Information:
( ) Name:_______________________________________
( ) Phone:_______________________________________
( ) Email:_______________________________________
( ) Cell & Texting ________________________________
I RECOMMEND PRINTING THIS SECTION AND EAR-MARKING AREAS OF CONCERN.