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Welcoming Your New Puppy
We know that getting a new puppy is very exciting, but let's be honest, it can be overwhelming. We want to help you feel prepared so that when you get your puppy, you will be able to enjoy all those special first moments. Below are some tips and tricks for welcoming home your new puppy.
Introducing Your Puppy
Introducing your puppy to its new home should be done one room at a time then gradually introduce the remainder of the house and be cautious with stairs. Provide some undisturbed den (crate) time so it can adjust and get proper rest. Puppies and children are similar in that they will keep going out of their curiosity for new things and become overstimulated. When a puppy is overstimulated, they forget to eat or drink. This can lead to low blood sugar also known as hypoglycemia.
Crate Training
We recommend housebreaking your puppy by crate training. Some people may dislike the thought of using one, but dogs are actually den animals. They find security and comfort in their “cave” crate environment. This makes it easy to train your dog to love their crate! The principle in using a crate is that dogs like their "den" clean and avoid going to the bathroom near their eating and sleeping areas, so their instinct will be to keep their crate clean! Keep your puppy in the crate whenever you are not directly supervising them. They may whine at first during "crate time" but some tough love and consistency will lead to the best results.
Patience and Consistency
Potty Schedule example:
- First thing in the morning
- After eating
- After drinking
- After napping
- Before bed
-Once in the middle of the night
Take the puppy outside every 2 1⁄2 hours and 1⁄2 hour after eating (once during the night). Take them out the same door and to the same spot every time. This will create a Potty for Life spot. Once again be patient and be consistent!
As your puppy begins to recognize the schedule, it becomes easier. Potty training can be done in 3-4 weeks depending how the puppy responds to its training.
For those who would like a more detailed schedule....
Detailed Puppy Schedule:
7:00 A.M. Wake and go potty, play time
7:30 A.M. Food and water. Remove leftover food.
8:00 A.M. Go potty, play time
9:30 A.M. Rest time in crate
11:15 A.M. Go potty, play time
11:45 A.M. Food and water. Remove leftover food.
12:30 P.M Go potty, play time
2:30 P.M. Rest time in crate
4:45 P.M. Go potty, play time
5:30 P.M. Food and water. Remove leftover food.
6:00 P.M. Go potty, play time
7:45 P.M. Rest time in crate
9:00 P.M. Go potty, play time
9:30 P.M. Water only. Remove leftover water
10:30 P.M. Go potty, play time
11:00 P.M. Go potty and place in crate over night
(Keep in mind, overnight potty break between 2-4 AM)
(Rest time in crate with the exception of bedtime can be in crate with exercise pen attached.)
"Potty for Life": If you are wanting your pup to potty in the same area of your yard every time, follow our "Potty for Life" tip:
• We recommend setting up a small pen in your grass or outside potty area for them to hang out at potty time. This should help them get used to going potty outside and may also encourage them to head to the same spot when they need to go! We discourage playing with them during this time.
Kisses, Hugs, and Loads of Attention
We all know that babies need special care, right? Well so does a Cavapoo puppy! Treat the puppy as you would your own infant with a boat load of patience, constant supervision, and a gentle touch. It’s no surprise that like kids, your puppy can easily become spoiled without proper training and discipline. It’s very important to be consistent with your expectations. We suggest only spoiling with lots of kisses, hugs, and loads of attention!
Meeting New Friends
All contact between a new Cavapoo puppy and resident pet should be 100 percent supervised for the first two weeks. Do NOT introduce them on your current pet's home turf. Outside, neighbor's house or even grandparents are great places for this initial introduction to be made. It will keep the attention and excitement of a new puppy away from your current pet's territory and give them time to adjust before going home. Be especially careful if your other pets are much larger than your new puppy. We suggest separating your pets with child safety gates or pet exercise pens until they are acclimated.
The Don'ts
Until your Cavapoo has completed its immunization shots, remember to keep your Cavapoo puppy away from areas where non-resident pets may frequent. (public parks, rest stops)
When your puppy comes home, it is NOT fully immune to the many devastating and fatal viruses until all booster shots have been given. Puppy booster shots are typically completed at 4-5 months of age. We encourage you to speak with your licensed Veterinarian about completing these vaccinations when you receive your puppy. Your Cavapoo puppy will be up to date with our excellent deworming and vaccination program when he/she goes home!
The Good Stuff
Do not put the food in a bowl and assume your puppy is eating. Pay careful attention to how much they are actually eating each day because this is critical to their health. Your new Cavapoo puppy should be eating three times a day, 1/4 cup of dry food (approximate). We feed our puppies “Diamond Naturals".
Whichever food you choose to feed your puppy, always read the label! Look for these ingredients: Whole meats, Whole grains (Oat and Rice), Natural preservatives or non-at all, Animal based Proteins, Good Fats (Omega 3&6), Fruits, and Vegetables. The best dog foods contain high quality ingredients that are appropriate for your dog's digestive system.
If you choose to switch to a different brand of dog food, the change must be a gradual one. Change the food over a 4-day time period, giving 100% of the original food the first day, 75% original food and 25% new food the second day, 50% of each the third day, and 25% of the original and 75% new the fourth day. This gradual change will reduce the amount of stress to the puppy.
The Bad Stuff
Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of his reach. Restrict access to food, plants and chemicals that are dangerous to dogs:
-Foods: chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, chives, moldy foods, alcoholic beverages, nuts, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, corn on the cob, Xylitol (found in sugar free diet foods), milk, bleu cheese.
-Plants: Azalea, Amaryllis, Daffodil, Bird of Paradise, Eucalyptus, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Iris, Calla Lilly, Morning Glory, Rhododendron, Rose, Jade, Tomato plants, Tulips, Poison Ivy/Oak
-Chemicals: Antifreeze, Ibuprofen, rat bait.
Remember to safely store all chemicals out of reach.
Make sure breakable items are out of reach. Put up electrical cords so he/she won’t chew on them. Keep toys off of the floor-since some parts may be small enough for your puppy to swallow. Use a cover and/or protective fencing if you have a pool or hot tub.