Preparing For Puppy’s Homecoming
When you bring your new puppy home, there tends to be a lot of excitement, but it is very important to remember that your home may not be 100% ready for this new addition. Your new puppy will be quite small in size but will still be able to get himself into trouble. Puppies are like babies and love to play with everything. This means that things low to the ground will need to be considered. Puppies tend to want to put everything into their mouths. Things like electrical wires and cords will need to be secured. Another concern for your new puppy can be cleaners and poisons. Many people have cleaners, bug and rodent killers on low level shelves in their homes. Just like you would for your new toddler who is crawling around, you would want to make sure these items are placed on a higher shelf. This is important because virtually all of these are considered to be poisonous to a puppy. Household plants can be very harmful to your puppy. Some plants are very poisonous to animals. Plants such as Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus, and Babys Breath are very toxic, just to name a few. It is always best to check with your local veterinarian before you bring your puppy home. The vet can tell you which plants you may need to get rid of. It is best to remove all objects from the floor and lower areas of your home. It is recommended that you get down to your puppy’s level and see what they see. This can help you spot any problem areas and issue that you might have otherwise over looked. The toilet is another issue for a puppy. You must always remember to keep the toilet seat lid down. Certain cleaners in the water and in your toilet bowl can be very toxic to animals. Also your puppy could fall in head first and may not be able to get a grip to get out. It is always recommended to keep the seat down. If you have a balcony or porch, you must not leave your puppy unattended. Sometimes puppies tend to sneak through the bars or find a little opening. They can slip right through before you even have time to notice they are gone. Also if your balcony is on a higher level this is very important to remember because your puppy could slip through the bars and fall, this could cause serious injuries or even death. Your new puppy will act like a toddler exploring their environment and surroundings. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that your puppy is like a small child, anything that could be harmful for a child will probably be harmful to your new puppy. You will also have to not only puppy proof your home but also pick up a few important items. Here are a few things that you will need to have before your new puppy arrives home; a bed or; a wire or plastic dog crate, bedding for the crate that is machine washable as well and thick for your puppys comfort, also you will need to pick up stainless steal or plastic dishes: one for water, one for dry food and a third for a mixture of dry food and your choice of (cottage cheese, yogurt or canned puppy food), a puppy collar with leash, ID tag with your information in case your puppy ever wanders off, a few high quality chew toys, grooming supplies such as a comb or brush & shampoo, premium dry puppy food, a baby gate or exercise pen for blocking areas that you do not wish for the puppy to go into, your whole house will be overwhelming for your new puppy. Also information on ways to train your new puppy. PLEASE do not feed your puppy table food. Some act like a poison to your puppys system. Salt, onion, lunch meat, garlic, fat & chocolate are just a few that can harm your puppy. After a week or two you will know what to expect and your puppy will begin to become more acclimated to your home and the new environment. You and your new puppy will have a wonderful time learning together! We are always available by phone or E-mail should you have any questions. If you puppy acts sick in anyway PLEASE contact your Vet right away. Follow their instructions. Keep puppy away from other pets until well. Things to have on hand: 3 Food Bowls plastic, metal or ceramic your choice: about 8" diameter 1 for water, 1 for hard dry food & 3rd for dry food mixed with just a little (canned puppy food, cottage cheese or yogurt) this is a enticement to get them to eat. Put 1/4 - 1/3 cup dry puppy food mixed well with small 1 Teaspoon to Tablespoon of the moist additive. I feed this in the morning. In our AZ heat it will go bad during the day, so I try to give just a little, and pick up any left over. ID Tag Collar: Collars that will fit your puppy safely now will be out grown in a few weeks to months. But it is a necessary item. And they need to get use to wearing them ASAP with the ID tags. They will pull and scratch at them at first. For a safe fit one finger space between puppy\\\'s neck and collar; check every week because puppies grow so fast (puppies tend to get it into their mouths, it might get stuck or choke him if too much space is between collar and neck). After 8 months or so 2 fingers space. Harness and Leash within the first 2 months. This is when you need to start working with the leash and harness in your yard for a safe training area. After they had 3 shots then start letting them experience the outside world gradually. If familiar with harness and leash it will make outside trips safer. Puppy training classes are also a great idea, for both puppies and the children. Metal Children safety gates if needed to keep them in a central area. The whole house is too much for them, they would be overwhelmed. A crate or bed, soft clean towels work great for bedding right now. You will still need to take them out to urinate before your bed time, 1 or 2 times during the night (when they cry or whine) and as soon as you get up in the morning. We use Diamond brand Puppy food it is in a purple bag. I will give you a small bag of food. You can buy some now if you wish or wait until later. I do sell Collars, Harness and Leash. If you see anything that you like let me know. You get $1 off each item if it is delivered with your puppy, and no shipping. We have just started making fabric summer harness. They open and close with Velcro so it is fast and easy off and on. If your going to look for puppy training treats, look for all natural and break them into very small bites (not Pupperoni, greasy or sweets). Look for pig hide chews, ( I can not find them here, so I use raw hide: not my 1st choice because they can cause tummy trouble.) but only let them have it when you are in attendance to avoid choking. I have just added a few more safety things on the website under How to Buy a Puppy. Also please read our Puppy Care Tips if you have not done so.
Jane E. John
902 W John Lane
Safford, Arizona 85546
Cell: (928) 965-4396
E-mail: jjspups1@gmail.com |
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