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Bringing Your Puppy
Home
 Puppy proof:
Before your puppy comes in, you'll need to "puppy proof"
your home. Remember that puppies are like babies, they want to
explore and they put everything into their mouths! Here's a simple
checklist to make sure your home is safe for a puppy:
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely
stored out of puppies reach. That includes household cleaners,
laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, and insecticides,
cleaning fluids, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, roach, ant
and rat poisons. These can be deadly to puppies.
Check your plants. Many plants can be threatening
to a puppy. Ask your veterinarian for a complete list.
Look at your house from a puppies point of view.
That is right, get down on all fours and look around. Are there
any dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags, or just
plain tempting objects that will be in puppy's reach?
There are certain things your puppy will need
from day one, so it's best to purchase these in advance:
Food & Water Bowls.
The best tip here is to select bowls they won't tip over! Make
sure they're easy to clean and that you have a separate bowl
for food and water.
Collar & Leash.
You'll need a lightweight, preferably rolled collar, with room
enough for two of your fingers to slide under. Since it will
play a pivotal role in training, behaviorists recommend a non-retractable
leash, six feet in length. (we prefer a harness)
Brush & Comb.
Choose a brush and comb that suits your breed by checking with
your veterinarian, breeder or pet supplies carrier.
Toys. Safe,
appropriate toys are important. Choose toys such as nylon chewing
bones and hard rubber balls. Make sure you select toys of a safe
size. As a general rule, if the toy can fit comfortably in a
puppy's mouth, it is too small. (Caution: Remember to weed out
toys that become too small as your puppy grows!)
Never, under any circumstance, allow your puppy to chew on
your old shoes, socks, towels or rugs. Remember that a dog can't
distinguish old from new. By allowing a puppy to chew on your
old shoes today, you're inviting her to gnaw on your favorite
new shoes tomorrow.
A good quality puppy food will start your puppy on the right
track with the essential nutrition of puppy food. Remember that
puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, quality
puppy food will meet those needs. It's all the nutrition your
puppy needs and since it's quality puppy chow, you can rest assured
that your puppy is getting the complete and unsurpassed nutrition
he deserves.
Crate or Sleeping
Bed. You puppy will need a warm, comfortable place
to sleep. For reasons that follow, behaviorists recommend a combined
sleeping/housebreaking crate.
Puppy/Baby Gate.
You'll want to use agate to confine your puppy to a place where
it's safe for him to investigate, such as the kitchen.
To Crate or Not to
Crate? Many people have the wrong impression about
crate training. Unknowing friends have called it cruel or unfair
to crate-train a puppy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Here's why: It makes a puppy feel secure. Most puppies were
raised in a small pen or whelping box. (Remember that dogs in
the wild such as wolves and coyotes raise their pups in dens.)
The best way to approximate this familiar den is by providing
a crate that big enough for him to stretch out and stand up but
small enough to feel cozy to your puppy. Doghouses have been
accepted for generations. Consider a crate an indoor doghouse.
Crate training helps in housetraining. Most puppies are instinctively
clean and will not soil their beds. When your puppy cannot be
with you, his crate gives him a safe place to stay until you
can get him outdoors to eliminate in the appropriate area. If
you allow an untrained puppy the freedom of your home, he will
unknowingly make mistakes. If you use his pack instincts and
crate as a training tool, you will be providing your puppy with
the opportunity for success, and your heartfelt praise!
It's a Safe Place.
Babies start out in cribs with slats built in for their own safety.
Until they are ready for more freedom, puppies need the safety
of their crates when they are napping or can't be supervised.
The First Few Days.
Bringing your puppy home can be a wonderful, joyful occasion
for you and your family, it can also be stressful for your puppy.
Help ease the transition by planning in advance: Decide on a
name and consistently call your puppy by that name. Plan your
puppy's home coming at the start of a weekend or some other time
that you will be able to stay with her for a day or two to help
orient her to her new environment. Limit visitors for the first
few days. Let your puppy get used to his new home before adding
more excitement. Keep your puppy in your line of sight at all
times. it's important to establish your household rules quickly
by guiding your puppy to the correct behavior. Never disturb
a sleeping puppy! There will be plenty of time to play when she
wakes, well-rested and eager for your attention. Teach your family
the proper way to hold a puppy by placing one hand under her
hindquarters and the other under her chest. Never pick up a puppy
by her front paws or scruff of her neck. Do not leave a new puppy
unattended with very small children or other family pets until
you're sure everyone is ready.
Elaine's Poodleville
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