Leaving the Nest! |
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This BIG DAY has finally come! You are going to be bringing home your new family member. In preparation of your puppy pick-up day, I created this page in hopes that the experience may go a little smoother. I hope the information I want to share will be easier to remember and a lot of it can be referenced back to this page or my website as often as you need.
There is a lot to prepare for and I hope to have included a decent amount of learning material here on my website for my puppy families. PLEASE browse around - especially in the "Education" section of my website!
If you haven't already, please visit AT MINIMUM the following pages....
then check out the other topics such as Nail Trimming, MDR1, Ear Sets & Taping, Proper Body Condition, & Dental Care.
There is a lot to prepare for and I hope to have included a decent amount of learning material here on my website for my puppy families. PLEASE browse around - especially in the "Education" section of my website!
If you haven't already, please visit AT MINIMUM the following pages....
then check out the other topics such as Nail Trimming, MDR1, Ear Sets & Taping, Proper Body Condition, & Dental Care.
What will puppy pick-up day look like?
When you arrive, please send me a text and I will let you in. I will have you take your shoes off or put on shoe covers if you would prefer. We will wash hands and then you can interact with your puppy. It is best if you can sit down and allow the puppy to come to you. Children are required to sit down as it's easy to trip over them or they may wiggle and jump from arms. Toys are provided to engage with the pups and offer something for them to chew on rather than your hands.
We will first go over the contract and discuss the major points (since the contract is read by the buyer beforehand). Both parties will sign it and I will print a copy for your records.
Then we will discuss the puppies folder and the records within. The puppy's folder typically includes:
We will then go over the puppy go-home tote and the included supplies.
We will first go over the contract and discuss the major points (since the contract is read by the buyer beforehand). Both parties will sign it and I will print a copy for your records.
Then we will discuss the puppies folder and the records within. The puppy's folder typically includes:
- Copy of the contract once signed
- Unofficial pedigree of the puppy (An official AKC pedigree can be purchased after registration)
- Eye exam from my veterinary ophthalmologist
- Veterinary exam record
- Vaccination records and related due dates for you to show your veterinarian
- Information on NuVet multi-vitamin supplement
- Microchip tag and number
We will then go over the puppy go-home tote and the included supplies.
FEEDING:
Upon pick up I will let you know how much food I am feeding the pups at that time. Because I have so many to feed, I separate their food into breakfast and dinner feedings with a snack in the middle of the day. However, that is NOT what I would recommend you do now that your puppy is going home and has one on one time with you.
Here is what I would LOVE for you to do! 🙂 Measure out your pup's DAILY food ration, for example it may be 2/3 of a cup. Take that amount and put it in your training pouch. Then you know you have all that food to use throughout the day for several types of activities such as:
Whatever food you have leftover at the end of the day is most fun when given through enrichment items like a Snuffle Mat, Kong Wobbler, food dispensing ball, or other puzzle type toys that are easier for a puppy to figure out. You don't even need to use a bowl, honestly! Just "Ditch The Bowl" as some trainers say. There are more useful ways to feed your puppy and they will enjoy it so much more! 😉
When should you use TREATS as opposed to their daily food? High value rewards such as treats that they don't get as often are best used for behaviors that are MOST important to train. I would keep a little bag or a pocket in your training pouch with HIGH VALUE treats for rewarding things like:
Here is what I would LOVE for you to do! 🙂 Measure out your pup's DAILY food ration, for example it may be 2/3 of a cup. Take that amount and put it in your training pouch. Then you know you have all that food to use throughout the day for several types of activities such as:
- Sprinkling food around the house or novel objects to encourage exploration/confidence building
- Communication game at home to start handler focus (See Puppy Basic Training)
- Beginning basic obedience at home (loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, wait, leave-it, etc). These can be continued as you attend an in-person class.
- Begin teaching them how to ring the bells for potty training (bells are provided in my go-home bag)
- Training in public WHEN your puppy is old enough
- Begin teaching tricks as you would like
Whatever food you have leftover at the end of the day is most fun when given through enrichment items like a Snuffle Mat, Kong Wobbler, food dispensing ball, or other puzzle type toys that are easier for a puppy to figure out. You don't even need to use a bowl, honestly! Just "Ditch The Bowl" as some trainers say. There are more useful ways to feed your puppy and they will enjoy it so much more! 😉
When should you use TREATS as opposed to their daily food? High value rewards such as treats that they don't get as often are best used for behaviors that are MOST important to train. I would keep a little bag or a pocket in your training pouch with HIGH VALUE treats for rewarding things like:
- Pottying outside!! Big party, treats, and praise!!
- Recall! Coming back to you when called - pick a word that is unique and can always be exciting!! Using their name is sometimes not the best because if it used often, it can loose its value for the puppy. Picking a verbal cue can be "Come!", "Heel!", "With Me!" or something more unique like a fun name as long as you remember what you choose and stay consistent with it!
- If your puppy experiences something scary like a loud noise or a dog or person startles them, that is an appropriate time to reward them with a high value treat and praise them to help make it as positive as possible!
PRO TIP!
If your puppy has loose stools, diarrhea, or mucousy poops, it most likely because of:
1) Overfeeding OR
2) Stress
So if you start to see this with your new puppy, please monitor them closely for other signs of sickness such as vomiting, decreased appetite, decreased energy, etc. I don't want you to take it lightly in case it is parvovirus which requires immediate veterinary attention!
HOWEVER, PawTree is a very nutrient dense food and a puppy CAN be overfed. If it is just unusual stools... please do the following and see if it resolves:
Stools should ideally return to normal within about 1-2 days. If they continue to stay loose, you can offer boiled chicken and plain brown rice for a couple days. This is gentler on the stomach. Once stools are back to normal, transition back to regular dog food.
If you have tried all the things and stools are still not normal (and they are not acting sick otherwise), you can have a fecal sample checked for potential parasites. If that is normal, please consult with me and we can discuss food and treat options and considering trialing with some other options. 🙂
Please be mindful as pups grow and require more food, it is best to increase the amount of food you are feeding over at least a week. Bumping up the amount of food, though intentionally for a growing puppy, may require some adjustment for their GI tract and can cause some softer stool until they adjust.
If your puppy has loose stools, diarrhea, or mucousy poops, it most likely because of:
1) Overfeeding OR
2) Stress
So if you start to see this with your new puppy, please monitor them closely for other signs of sickness such as vomiting, decreased appetite, decreased energy, etc. I don't want you to take it lightly in case it is parvovirus which requires immediate veterinary attention!
HOWEVER, PawTree is a very nutrient dense food and a puppy CAN be overfed. If it is just unusual stools... please do the following and see if it resolves:
- Decrease the amount of food and treats you are giving
- Make sure you are giving a probiotic until resolved
- Give a spoonful of 100% pure pumpkin 1 to 2 times a day
- Try to take it easy for next couple days as to avoid any unneeded stress during this time
Stools should ideally return to normal within about 1-2 days. If they continue to stay loose, you can offer boiled chicken and plain brown rice for a couple days. This is gentler on the stomach. Once stools are back to normal, transition back to regular dog food.
If you have tried all the things and stools are still not normal (and they are not acting sick otherwise), you can have a fecal sample checked for potential parasites. If that is normal, please consult with me and we can discuss food and treat options and considering trialing with some other options. 🙂
Please be mindful as pups grow and require more food, it is best to increase the amount of food you are feeding over at least a week. Bumping up the amount of food, though intentionally for a growing puppy, may require some adjustment for their GI tract and can cause some softer stool until they adjust.
PROBIOTICS:
Because the transition from my home to yours can be stressful for a puppy, I highly recommend feeding your puppy a quality probiotic for at least a few weeks if possible. I have been giving the pups probiotics since they were weaned. It is also helpful to have probiotics on hand for loose stool later or potentially stressful days like vet visits, boarding, etc.
For those who are choosing to continue to feed PawTree food and supplements, please order Gastro Pro Plus WITH your food order to receive the discount as mentioned in my contract.
There is a 30 count bottle and a 60 count bottle to choose from. If you have ordered but have not yet received it, I can supply you with some until it arrives.
pawtree.com/PreciousGemHealth/product/Gastro-Pro-Plus-GM2021?&itemCode=Gastro-Pro-Plus-30-ct-2399
Because the transition from my home to yours can be stressful for a puppy, I highly recommend feeding your puppy a quality probiotic for at least a few weeks if possible. I have been giving the pups probiotics since they were weaned. It is also helpful to have probiotics on hand for loose stool later or potentially stressful days like vet visits, boarding, etc.
For those who are choosing to continue to feed PawTree food and supplements, please order Gastro Pro Plus WITH your food order to receive the discount as mentioned in my contract.
There is a 30 count bottle and a 60 count bottle to choose from. If you have ordered but have not yet received it, I can supply you with some until it arrives.
pawtree.com/PreciousGemHealth/product/Gastro-Pro-Plus-GM2021?&itemCode=Gastro-Pro-Plus-30-ct-2399
NUVET VITAMINS:
I send home 1 bottle of NuVet multivitamins with each puppy. I like NuVet vitamins for various reasons. They have proven that this supplement has increased antibody response from vaccinations for puppies as opposed to puppies that have not taken NuVet. I start giving it after they are weaned. Another reason I like NuVet is because it boosts the puppies immune system, is good for overall health, and certain ingredients such as Selenium can be beneficial for a puppy's growth. For show puppies I prefer to give them NuVet for the first year of life. NuVet CAN be given lifelong but it is most important, in my opinion, during the first year.
The instructions for NuVet are as follows:
Dogs under 5lbs = 1/2 wafer daily.
Dogs over 5lbs = 1 wafer daily.
The bottle that I supply you with lasts for about 3 months.
To order more, please visit:
www.nuvetlabs.com/order_new2/nuvet-plus-wafers.asp
You must provide the following code: 48558
I send home 1 bottle of NuVet multivitamins with each puppy. I like NuVet vitamins for various reasons. They have proven that this supplement has increased antibody response from vaccinations for puppies as opposed to puppies that have not taken NuVet. I start giving it after they are weaned. Another reason I like NuVet is because it boosts the puppies immune system, is good for overall health, and certain ingredients such as Selenium can be beneficial for a puppy's growth. For show puppies I prefer to give them NuVet for the first year of life. NuVet CAN be given lifelong but it is most important, in my opinion, during the first year.
The instructions for NuVet are as follows:
Dogs under 5lbs = 1/2 wafer daily.
Dogs over 5lbs = 1 wafer daily.
The bottle that I supply you with lasts for about 3 months.
To order more, please visit:
www.nuvetlabs.com/order_new2/nuvet-plus-wafers.asp
You must provide the following code: 48558
TRAVELING:
Many PreciousGem families travel from within Utah and various states (CA, ID, WY, CO, NV, AZ, etc) and have a longer journey back home. I try to help best I can in this situation. In your puppy go-home tote I will send you with a couple types of chews such as a Kong (with peanut butter) to help keep your puppy busy for a period of time. You can also use food to drop in here and there to reward puppy for being quiet.
How do my pups travel with me in the car? My puppies are most familiar with traveling in a small crate (usually a 24" or 30" crate works best in the car) with a crate bed so they don't slide around and is comfortable to sleep on. They usually do best in a spot where they can see their people and know they aren't alone.
There may be some periods of crying as they are unfamiliar with where they are or who they are with. Often times they will settle down eventually. If they are crying a lot AND pacing back and forth in the crate, it is possible that they need to potty.
Pottying a young puppy on a long drive can be a bit challenging. My biggest concern is letting them potty at a truck stop or gas station where a lot of other people stop with pets. Situations like these pose a higher risk for Parvo. It is highly recommended that if you need to stop to let your puppy out for a potty break, please travel off an exit to a very remote spot where you would expect very FEW people to stop.
Another option is to place a potty pad on the ground outside if you can keep the puppy ON the potty pad. They may or may not use it in that moment.
Another option is to just drive through and understand that puppy is going to have accidents in the crate and you can wash things later. This is not a bad option by any means.
An option that has worked well for some families and puppies is to use a 30" crate in the car with a bed on one side and a litter box on the other side.
Depending on the time of the year, my puppies are either potty box trained with cat paper pellet litter or grass turf on top of a potty pad. If it is what they are most familiar with it can be helpful to you for traveling in the car or potty training in the house.
If I have used cat paper pellets with this litter, this is the specific brand I use:
https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter/exquisicat-naturals-multicat-paper-pellet-cat-litter--scented-low-dust-low-tracking-natural-46645.html
If I have used grass turf for this litter, there are a few options from Amazon for smaller grass pieces. This is an example of a tray with grass. Or you can buy a larger piece for dogs and cut into smaller sizes that will fit in the crate for traveling.
Amazon Grass Turf Pads
It's ultimately up to you to decide how you would like to handle the potty situation.... as long as it is done SAFELY. 😊
How do my pups travel with me in the car? My puppies are most familiar with traveling in a small crate (usually a 24" or 30" crate works best in the car) with a crate bed so they don't slide around and is comfortable to sleep on. They usually do best in a spot where they can see their people and know they aren't alone.
There may be some periods of crying as they are unfamiliar with where they are or who they are with. Often times they will settle down eventually. If they are crying a lot AND pacing back and forth in the crate, it is possible that they need to potty.
Pottying a young puppy on a long drive can be a bit challenging. My biggest concern is letting them potty at a truck stop or gas station where a lot of other people stop with pets. Situations like these pose a higher risk for Parvo. It is highly recommended that if you need to stop to let your puppy out for a potty break, please travel off an exit to a very remote spot where you would expect very FEW people to stop.
Another option is to place a potty pad on the ground outside if you can keep the puppy ON the potty pad. They may or may not use it in that moment.
Another option is to just drive through and understand that puppy is going to have accidents in the crate and you can wash things later. This is not a bad option by any means.
An option that has worked well for some families and puppies is to use a 30" crate in the car with a bed on one side and a litter box on the other side.
Depending on the time of the year, my puppies are either potty box trained with cat paper pellet litter or grass turf on top of a potty pad. If it is what they are most familiar with it can be helpful to you for traveling in the car or potty training in the house.
If I have used cat paper pellets with this litter, this is the specific brand I use:
https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter/exquisicat-naturals-multicat-paper-pellet-cat-litter--scented-low-dust-low-tracking-natural-46645.html
If I have used grass turf for this litter, there are a few options from Amazon for smaller grass pieces. This is an example of a tray with grass. Or you can buy a larger piece for dogs and cut into smaller sizes that will fit in the crate for traveling.
Amazon Grass Turf Pads
It's ultimately up to you to decide how you would like to handle the potty situation.... as long as it is done SAFELY. 😊
QUESTIONS:
Time permitting, pick-up day is a great time to ask me questions you have especially if it is something that is best explained or shown in person.
Thank you for choosing PreciousGem Miniature American Shepherds for your new furry family member and I hope you love them as much as I have!
-Arieanna
-Arieanna