There are a few basic things you should know before you bring your new puppy home. I realize when you pick up your new baby; your family will be so excited you will most likely retain only about 10% of what I tell you about puppy care.
Your puppy will go through an adjustment period of about 4-6 days. He will actually mourn the loss of familiar sounds and scents that was part of his world while he was here with his mama and litter mates. After this period, the memories will fade away as that is the way of nature. During this time he will need a great deal of love and patience. Many puppies will not eat as much during the first several days of separation, that’s why I suggest feeding 2-3 times a day in his crate. A little white corn syrup in each feeding will help perk him up.
Do not expect him to want to play or interact with his new family right at first. If children are in the household, do not let them chase him, but let the puppy come to them. Have them in a seated position on the floor, the first few days, so everyone can get to know each other.
If other animals are in the household, introduce them slowly and under supervision. Friends and family should come to your house to visit your puppy as taking him around from place to place right at first will only confuse him as to where he really belongs. Also, until all the puppy shots have been given to your new baby, it is dangerous to expose him to environments where you do not know what kind of animal pathogens are present.
Puppy shots come in a series of three shots given three weeks apart. The reason for the three shot series is because it is not known when his immune system will accept the shot and protect him against disease. Your puppy will have had his first shot, which is called Puppy Shot #1, by the time you pick him/her up. Make sure the remaining 2 shots are given as needed to fully protect your new family member. It is very important that, until his last shot is completed, he NOT go into public places as some diseases are air-born spores. When you take him to the vet for his second shot in the puppy series, have someone wait in the car with him until his name comes up, then take him in. Do not let him walk on the floor or mingle with other animals and request paper towels be placed on the scale when they weigh him. Take a towel from home with you and spread on the examination table for his protection and comfort. I have watched many times, with shock, as families bring their new puppy into a waiting room full of sick animals. They let everyone pet their puppy and even allow sick animals to go nose to nose, saying how cute that is.
I advise feeding white corn syrup in a little bit of warm milk prior to each shot. This will keep his blood sugar up and help him recover more quickly.
Your puppy will have been already wormed when you pick him up. I always use Strongid-T as it is the best and most gentle product available at your vets. I do not advise over the counter products as they can cause damage to the intestinal tract and colon.
I suggest bathing your puppy once a week for awhile to get him used to warm water and bubbles. I use White Rain shampoo and conditioner available at your favorite grocery store. Use a hair dryer with a bristle brush attachment so your puppy is dry before you let him down to play. Remember he is a baby and subject to chills and colds just like you.
I believe the safest place for a new puppy is in his crate, if you have to leave even for a short period of time. Your home is just too big and bewildering for a pup left alone. He can get into a great deal of trouble very quickly.
Let your puppy only chew on Nylabone non-edible products. The leather chew sticks and edible Nylabone products can be chewed quickly to a small stub and swallowed, many times causing death by suffocation. So read the labels CAREFULLY!
Your puppy will need to be on wet food a few days after you take him home. His new teeth still need softened kibble. I suggest using Nutro's Ultra Small Puppy food. It can be found in the organic/holistic dog food section of most major pet stores, including Petsmart. Soften the dry kibble in warm water and just before serving add more warm water and a small amount of Gerber baby chicken or veal. Do not expect your pup to drink much water as long as he is on wet food. He will eat better if his food is warm , so I always freshen his meal up with a little more warm water. His stools will be soft as long as he is on wet food so you will want to wean him to dry kibble as soon as possible. Do this by adding a little dry kibble to his meals a couple of days after you get him. Remember to always have plenty of pure or filtered water available.
The first night or two could be rather noisy. Your puppy should be in his crate at night. If you get up and comfort him each time he cries or barks, you have taught him to keep fussing because you have just trained him how to get attention.
At night find a room away from the family for his crate so everyone can get some sleep. You will be amazed how fast your puppy will figure out the system. During the day use the same system. Only take him out when he is quiet, in other words, reward good behavior.
On the subject of discipline, I strongly believe that you should NEVER strike or hit your puppy with any object, especially your hands. Hands are for loving and petting, never for inflicting pain! In extreme cases of bad behavior use a few sheets of rolled-up newspaper. When the unwanted behavior happens, say “NO” bark, or jump etc, and strike your own arm. The firm tone in your voice and the sharp smack of the paper on the arm will get your message across. Then give him assurance in a soft voice so he learns your good dog voice and your bad dog voice.
You have many wonderful adventures ahead of you with your new puppy. Your goal should be to raise him to be well adjusted, obedient, and quiet on command. What you do the first month will imprint him for the rest of his life. Bookstores, as well as libraries, are full of information on all kinds of training. Find a method that works for you and your puppy and everyone should live happily ever after.
