W hen a puppy goes to his new home, we provide new owners with A LOT of information to help. This is often overwhelming to new owners, so much of it will be written out for you, and we try to post as much as possible on this website. We also know that although we will go over this information with you before you take your puppy home, many people are so excited with their new baby that they forget what we tell them! So please remember you can always call or email us with any questions you may have.
H ere are the basic important things you need to remember:
A puppy will be nervous and probably a little scared when they leave our home (the only home they have ever known) for the first time. We make sure our puppies are well socialized which also helps them to adjust quickly to the new people in their lives. We tell new parents to keep things quiet for the first little while, but, we also know that many families are so excited with their new addition that there are often a lot of visitors invited over to meet the new baby right away. Please try not to do this. Puppies do need quiet and sleep, but, if you cannot give him much rest and quiet time immediately following his arrival, then MAKE certain puppy is eating and drinking often. We cannot stress how important this is. If you are having any trouble with your new baby eating in the first few days, you should buy some Nutrical (we carry tubes here for $10), or please call me so we can ensure things are going well. (Please see our page on Hypoglycemia).
Your puppy will have to learn new rules and routines now that he is home with you, and you should start soon after he arrives home. However, for the first 48 hrs, food, water and having the puppy feel comfortable are the most important things. You can work on routines much more effectively once puppy has settled in and is happy.
Vet Care Schedule
W hen you leave here with your puppy, you will be given a written health guarantee. Your puppy has already seen our vet and has been declared healthy. As per our contract, we ask that you make arrangements to take your puppy to your vet within 3 days as well, just so we all agree that your baby is happy and in good condition.
One month following puppy's 2nd vaccinations (provided by us), you will need to take him in for his 3rd and final puppy shot. You will also need to have a rabies vaccine done at this time as well. (Yes, they can absolutely be done on the same visit!) You will also need to inquire about parasite control. We use Revolution and it is available from your vet. We will provide your puppy with an initial dose before he leaves our home no matter what time of year. It is good for 1 month so he will be protected from the time he leaves our home until this vet appointment.
Spaying and neutering
W e strongly recommend having your pup spayed (females) or neutered (males). This prevents many potential behavioral issues as well as unwanted pregnancies. Most vets recommend having this procedure performed at 6 months of age. If you have a male puppy who has begun 'humping' things (or people!), it can be performed earlier before these behaviors become habits.
Yearly Exam
Y our vet will normally ask you to bring your pup in once per year for an annual exam. Yearly boosters used to also be given at this time, but these vaccines are now given every 3 years. You will however, still need to go in every year if you want to purchase Revolution from your vet.
To sum up:
*within 3 days of leaving our home have a well puppy exam
*1 month later - 3rd (final) puppy Vaccine, Rabies & Revolution
*6 months of Age Spay/Neuter
*every Year general Exam
*every 3 years Vaccines/boosters
Supplies
Most people really enjoy a shopping spree to the pet store in anticipation of ‘the big day’.
A lthough there are many things you will want to buy for your new baby, there are only a few basic supplies that we feel are a necessity to get you started.
These include:
*2 Dishes - One for food, one for water. Make sure they are heavy enough that puppy cannot easily spill them. Ceramic or stainless steel are easiest to clean.
*Several Toys - We recommend toys with different textures in order to keep puppy occupied and to relieve the discomfort of teething. One rigid toy, one rubbery/chewy toy and one soft toy is usually a good start. If purchasing a soft toy, make sure it either has no stuffing, or is made of material that cannot be torn open, such as hemp. Otherwise, puppy will not only make a big mess, they risk choking on the stuffing.
Please do NOT buy ‘Greenies’. They are a chewy product that claims to keep teeth clean. We have had puppies who used this product suffer from ‘Bloat’, a serious acute condition probably caused when the chlorophyll in the product fermented in the pup’s belly.
A Crate - (If you are planning on using one.) You do not HAVE to crate train; there are other methods of potty training. If you are planning on leaving puppy confined for more than 3 hrs, please do NOT leave them in a crate – it is too small. In this case, please use an exercise pen, play pen or purchase baby gates and allow the pup to stay in a certain room where they have access to toys, food and water, and a place to go potty. For additional info, please see ‘Crate Training’
Dog Food - (Your puppy will come with a small complimentary supply from us to get you started). We will also give you a coupon for your next bag. We feed and recommend Royal Canin. We highly suggest keeping him on the same food he has already been eating in order to not upset his GI system during the initial move to your home. Royal Canin has a great Mini puppy food that can be used until puppy is 10-12 months of age. They have a breed specific ‘Yorkie’ brand that can be used after that.
*Harness & Leash - Please ensure it is well fitting, comfortable and secure. A puppy just learning will initially resist a harness, so it is very dangerous if they are able to slip out of it! Most people who bring harnesses to pick up their pups find that they are too big to fit. We do have a small supply of tiny harnesses that normally fit well, (both the harness and the leash are approx $13 – check with us in advance for supply) and can be used for the first few weeks/months until puppy is grown. At that point, it is much easier to find a well fitting harness and there are many more options for styles and colours.
Blanket/Towel - For the trip home, in case of car sickness. Adoptive parents also often bring toys and/or blankets here in advance of the trip home for their pup to sleep on. They then bring it home with puppy on ‘the big day’. This is a great idea because puppy has the security of a familiar scent to take with them when they leave for their new home.
*Nurical/Energel - A toothpaste like dietary supplement which is high in protein and sugar. This is a very good item to have on hand in case of loose stools/nausea/lack of appetite in order to prevent complications due to Hypoglycemia, and we HIGHLY recommend it!
T hese are the bare necessities. There are many other things you will find that you need as well, but you will probably not need them immediately. Please keep in mind that although it is a lot of fun to shop for your new baby, and bring your new pup to the pet store with you, we generally do not recommend doing so. Pet stores are high traffic areas, and there are many different germs and parasites that your new baby will be exposed to here. Your puppy will already be stressed from leaving our home, and will probably not yet be protected from all 3 sets of puppy vaccines, leaving him/her extremely vulnerable. If you do choose to take your new pup with you, use extreme caution and do NOT let your puppy touch the floor while at the store. (The same also applies to your visit to the veterinarian!)
*W e carry a small selection of items marked with a "*". They are quality items which we recommend and are available for sale when you come to visit/pick up your new puppy. Harnesses are available as well in order to ensure a proper fit. Although we are working on accepting different payment methods in the near future, we are equipped only to accept cash at this point. If there is a specific item that you are interested in, please ask in advance as our inventory is limited!
