30/12/2022
You’re bringing your puppy home, how exciting!!!! Here’s some reminders to keep your pup safe.
If you wish to change your dog’s food, please do so slowly as their little digestive systems are delicate.
Safe place. While your puppy was with her Mama, they had a safe place in their den and now they are going to a new (unknown) environment. Help them to adapt as easily as possible by creating a safe place for them. I am a HUGE advocate for crate training and I regularly witness pups running back to their den when my older dogs are too noisy or if we have visitor and they’re not sure yet. A safe place for your pup to be able to wait ‘til they figure out things is a must.
Toys. Your new pup does not know the difference between a toy and a shoe so help them understand the difference. For the first few weeks try and not leave too many things around and put their toys away when it’s not playtime. This way they will learn to ‘ask’ for their toys and not assume every item on the floor is for them to play with.
Socializing. Your puppy has been well socialized with its siblings, Mom, Dad and Uncle muppy. They understand playing and can all play with a ‘soft bite’. If your puppy bites playfully and it is not ‘soft’, make a loud yelp to let your puppy know it hurt you. It will immediately pull pause and look at you, your pup only wants to play and not to harm you so help them learn the difference. If you laugh at a puppy biting your toes, or pulling the strings on your shirt, it will think it’s a game and continue. Remember what’s cute as a puppy will not be cute on a grown dog.
Eating. When you eat, your puppy will not run over to the table and beg because it has no idea what human food is or tastes like. Do yourself and your pup a favor and DO NOT introduce your dog to human food. It does not have the right nutrients for your dog, and it is not good for their digestive systems.
Feeding times. Your pup is used to eating 3 times a day. Around the hours of 7am, 2pm and 6pm. By 6 months old your puppy should be reduced to twice a day. It is best to put your dog’s food down and lift it back up after 20-30 minutes. This way, they should mostly be hungry when their meal is delivered. This system will also allow you to introduce any medication or special diets to your dog a lot easier than if you free feed. I have always free fed my older dogs and now one needs a special diet, it’s difficult to stop him going to the other dog’s bowls and I am returning to a timed feeding. So, learn from other’s mistakes and feed at a certain time and if they haven’t eaten, lift the bowl up. They’ll eat at their next mealtime for sure.
Is my puppy sick? Your home is a new environment for your pup, and it may be wary or even a little frightened. If your puppy is shaking, grab a blanket, place pup on your chest and snuggle them reassuringly. Within minutes most pups will settle against your chest. Is your puppy eating, drinking and playing? Most dogs who continue to eat, drink and play are relatively healthy but if pups off their food or dehydrated that can be signs for concern. Check their poops. What goes in, must come out. Watery, loose stools are not a regular occurrence for puppies and any change in stools should be noted immediately. Signs of blood in stools are cause for concern and should be discussed with your Vet immediately. Healthy Stools are brown, play doh texture, free from debris and do not have a coating (mucus, blood etc.). Like humans, dogs can have upset stomachs most often due to eating things they shouldn’t. Offer some rice with chicken broth to an unwell dog. As this will often help settle their stomach.
Vaccines – Your pup has already had their 6-week vaccine and you will soon be taking them for their 10 weeks follow up. Until then, avoid your puppy being outside or overexposing them to strangers. Their immunities are still fragile, and you will have many months and years ahead to introduce them to so many things when they are protected and it’s safe to do so.
Car rides. Most dogs suffer from motion sickness and are afraid of the ‘vibrations’ in the car. In my experience the best way to help your pup is get them used to it sooner rather than later. Any quick car rides you go on to grab a coffee or drop something at a friend’s, bring your puppy and get them used to it. If they vomit avoid food for 3-4 hours before the car ride. Nowadays its almost inevitable that your dog will travel in a vehicle so help them by getting them accustomed to it as soon as possible. A car seat or crate is the safest method to travel with your pup.
P*e pad training. It is in your dog’s instinct to keep their den clean. As soon as they arrive in your home show them where their den is and where to go p*e. By the back door is the best place to later transition them to going straight outside. In this new environment they will be both nervous and curious. Watch for circling and sniffing. Lift the pup to the p*e pad area and offer praise. If the pup has an accident, use the p*e pad (white side) to mop up the p*e and lay it back down. The smell should encourage the pup to use the p*e pad next time. Do Not punish your puppy for accidents or you will simply teach your dog to hide their mistakes behind sofas etc.
Treats. When you play with your puppy. Watch its tail wag. It’s happy when you’re happy. Yes, treats are great for training your puppy and reinforcing good behavior, but your praise and excitement can work just as well. If you are going to treat your puppy, please use treats with healthy ingredients for your dog. Why not make your own?
Grooming. Your puppy has had their nails cut already at least 4 times. If you wish to cut your puppy’s nails yourself, I recommend you do them weekly, so your puppy stays used to you touching their paws. Longer coat puppies need brushing regularly and although smooth coats do not require much grooming, our dachshund still likes to be brushed and massaged as though he has long hair! Videos and tips for grooming will regularly be updated on our page so please feel free to check them out.
Mary’s Morkies. I decided to breed my Morkie, Lola because she has such a beautiful temperament. I am disappointed that it is difficult to find Morkies from reputable breeders because as a crossbreed most breeders avoid them, and they end up being a puppy mill breed. I am not going to get into the lengthy reasons why Puppy Mills are to be avoided at all costs, but it was a deciding factor in my consideration to breed.
Puppy insurance. For me to insure my male, Vuitton at 11 years if age, it could cost me $100’s a month, while your pup’s insurance will only be about $35 a month right now. Insure your dog now while they’re young and affordable, knowing you’ll have peace of mind if they need to visit the vet.
Veterinarian care. Hopefully you have already registered with a vet in preparation for your new puppy coming home. Our Vet is Dr A. at College Park Animal Hospital. He has been Lola and our vet for over 6 years and I highly recommend him if you are in the Sarnia Area. He has both parents’ full medical histories also as our own dogs are registered there.
Support. Bringing a puppy home can be overwhelming. For some it can be akin to bringing home a newborn baby. Use all the support tools around you. There are behavior / training classes. You may have friends with dogs who can help socialize your puppy and teach them the right way. The internet is a never-ending book resource to educate ourselves about our new furry friend. Every time you wonder or question something, ask Google. Learn as much as possible about your pup and you’ll be a confident owner with a happy dog. Also, feel free to message me, whilst I don’t have all the answers, I may have advice where to find it or to just offer support.
Lastly, thank you. Thank you for putting your faith and trust into me raising your puppy. I have loved every minute of the last 8 weeks and when I observe how well the whole litter has done, I know the sleepless nights on the couch were all worth it.
