You
should be familiar with all
of the possible stresses involved
with the changes of going home.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
This is a very important time
in your puppy's life and it
is vital that you make the puppy's
transition as smooth as possible.
His/her new life starts the
day you bring him/her home.
What he/she needs most is for
you to limit his/her stress,
while increasing structure in
the form of routines, training
and confinement. Offering daily
stress-release outlets, in the
form of play, exercise, toys
and positive training also helps.
STRESS:
Too much stress can cause puppy’s
immune system to weaken and
could lead to illness.
 New
Surroundings - your home is
new to them so be patient
Sleep
Deprived - puppies require 16-18
hours of rest per day
Excessive
Handling - deprives puppies
of much needed sleep
Vaccinations
Ear
Cropping
Change
of Diet
Young
children should always be taught
to be gentle with a puppy and
parents should always supervise
interactions. Puppies are not
toys!
Separation
Anxiety - stress your puppy
feels when left alone.
Housetraining
Bathing
SIGNS
of STRESS:
Diarrhea
(sometimes with mucus or bloody
mucus)
Not
eating or drinking
Lethargy
Vomiting.
Contact
your veterinarian.
NUTRITION:
Feed your puppy a healthy balanced
diet
Feed
your puppy at least 2-3 times
per day.
Fresh
water accessible at all times!
Daily
Vitamin
WAITING at HOME
Leash
and collar (harness)
Food
and water dishes
Blanket
Training
crate & cushion
Dog
food
Several
stuffed toys (semi-replacements
for its lost littermates)
Puppy
Litter or Puppy Pads
Puppy
gate (if it is desired to confine
the puppy to certain areas)
DO's and
DONT's
Do
not expose your puppy to "outside"
animals until its immunity is
fully up and running (at about
16 weeks).
Don't
bathe him/her until four or
five months old (use puppy wipes),
or ask your vet. Puppy's skin
is very sensitive and dries
out quite easily.
Do
not pick the puppy up by the
scruff of the neck.
Do
not allow children to roughhouse
or maul the puppy. You wouldn't
let the neighborhood kids do
so with your ten-week
old baby. Puppies aren't any
different.
Do
continue his/her vaccinations
and heartworm medicine.
Don't
forget to get rabies shots as
required by law.
Don't
let the puppy near stairs until
he/she has entirely mastered
them under strict supervision.
Do
keep the puppy well confined
during the first several weeks
home. A puppy that gets loose
may wander away and forget,
or not know, where home is.
Do
housebreak and train your dog
with kindness and attention
to detail.
Do
give your puppy all the love
and attention you can possibly
spare. He/she is going to need
it and will return it to you,
with interest.
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