Go-Home Guide

Your Puppy's Go-Home Guide

Getting ready for your new DandiDoodles puppy

Getting Ready

Your puppy's go-home day is almost here! This guide brings together Denise's notes on preparing your home, what to buy, feeding, potty training and the first weeks with your puppy. Having a puppy is work, but once you get over that hump and your puppy settles into a routine, it gets easier.

Feeding

• Feed hard puppy kibble 3 to 4 times a day, about ¼ cup each feeding.
• Your vet may change the way you feed once you've visited.
• Make sure your puppy has plenty of water, especially when in the kennel.

Treats

• Small bags of kibble treats are best.
• Reward your puppy for every good deed.
• Treats never replace a meal.
• Better Belly highly digestible rawhide: there's one stick in your puppy's bag. It takes a while to eat and is great for teething. Denise has found these at most pet stores.

Supply Checklist

Have these ready before your puppy comes home:

• Crate (or one for each room you plan to use)Denise doesn't recommend a specific brand, but she likes crates with two door openings.
• Dog bed / soft beddingSomething smaller that covers half of the crate during training.
• Collar & ID tagsYou'll go through several collar sizes as your puppy grows.
• Leash & harnessA body harness and leash for backyard practice. A bigger harness will come probably around 6 months.
• Food & water bowlsPossibly in several areas of the house.
• Puppy foodThe brand will be given to you before pickup.
• Toys & small training treatsLots of toys to keep your puppy busy. Small bags of kibble treats are best.
• Teething toysBetter Belly sticks or small prickly toys. (And Band-Aids for you!)
• Puppy padsWashable whelping puppy pads (Amazon; Denise will text you a link) or disposable pads. Puppies do like to tear them up.
• Potty bellsA long strand of bells, or a bell that attaches to the bottom of the door (Amazon or local pet stores).
• Plain peanut butterHelps with crate training, and in a Kong for boredom.
• Puppy shampooDenise recommends Burt's Bees Puppy Shampoo.
• Nail trimmers / file
• Ear wash with a drying agentFloppy-eared dogs can get yeast infections in the ear.
• Dog toothbrush & toothpaste
• Pooper scooper & poop bags
• Carpet / rug cleanerFor potty-training accidents.

See the Appendix for suggested items with Amazon links.

Snacks From the Kitchen

Most dogs like fruits and veggies, and Denise's own dogs eat all of these: carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, green beans, canned pumpkin, plain yogurt and boiled eggs (Denise notes they can even eat the shell, which is great calcium). Please Google and read up on which fruits and vegetables are safe before you share.

Potty Training

Denise recommends crate training and/or bells on every door your puppy may use to go outside. Together, these set you both up for success and faster potty training.

Setting up the crate

Put a potty pad at the back of the crate and the bed or mat at the front. That way your puppy won't run to the crate door when they're excited to see you and land in poo! Your puppy may make a mess a time or two, but they generally don't potty in their crate much more than that.

Bell training

Every time you go outside, give the bells a jingle and say the same phrase. Your puppy will learn to link the two and let you know when they need to go out.

Give a small training treat every time your puppy potties outside. Your puppy will learn to potty outside. It just takes time and patience.

The First Days & Weeks

• Make the crate a happy place. With the right training, your puppy will grow to love the crate as a safe, comfortable spot.
• Play and practice at home. Play with your puppy in the backyard, and use the body harness and leash to get them used to walking on a leash.
• Hold off on sidewalks and dog parks until all shots are completed, and check with your vet about their instructions.
• Teething: puppies lose their puppy teeth at about 4 months of age. Better Belly sticks or small prickly toys give them something to chew so they don't chew where they shouldn't.
• Stuffed toys: once a stuffed toy is torn, Denise empties the stuffing and gives back the flat piece of fabric, and puppies still play with it. Always throw away plastic squeakers so they can't be swallowed.

Keeping Your Puppy Safe

• Poisonous plants: read up on plants that are poisonous to puppies, such as oleander and others.
• Plastic squeakers: throw them away once a toy is torn open.

Vet, Vaccines & Grooming

• Keep your puppy vaccinated, and ask your vet about the new influenza vaccine.
• Your vet may adjust your puppy's feeding once you've visited. Follow your vet's instructions on walks and outings.
• Hold off on grooming until your puppy has had all of their shots, including Bordetella.

Grooming tips

• Denise usually grooms about every 3 months, more often in the warmer summer months, with a clean-up in November or December for the holidays.
• Google and save pictures of puppy cuts you like to show your groomer.
• Tell your groomer whether you want your puppy blow-dried. Denise loves letting them dry naturally so the waves show!

Stay in Touch

Love your new little fur-baby! Please contact Denise with any questions. She's always available and will be glad to help however she can. Please include her in pictures throughout the years, not just the first year. Once you're happy with DandiDoodles, we'd really appreciate a review on our Facebook page.

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