We will schedule a puppy pick up day on the closest Saturday to when the puppies are 8 weeks and 4 days old. This date is decided when the puppies are approx 1 week old.
TIME: 10-1pm - While we have a schedule planned, this is a come and go event - we realize people may need to travel quite a distance, do what suits you best.
10 am:
Pack your "Puppy Go Home Bag" station
If you have not signed an electronic signature: Sign the contract provided (contract can be reviewed at anytime on the linktree).
Payment IN CASH must be made in full for puppy to leave the property.
Weigh your puppy
11am:
Dog trainer will give a lesson on puppy basics
He has a lesson prepared, this is not individual lessons with your puppy. This is a great time to be with your puppy, bonding with your puppy in an environment that your puppy feels safe and secure before you leave, while you gain extra tips and confidence.
12pm (or after lesson)
MINGLE and Q&A with Dog Trainer and Laurel
If you choose to stay after the lesson, we hope this is a time of bonding with your puppy and meeting your puppies siblings and their families.
Should you need a different day than the scheduled puppy pick up day because of conflicts or because you are getting your puppy after this event has already happened, we will work together to pick a day that suits you. We recommend picking up puppy before noon, so they have the majority of the day before you, which helps them settle into their new home before they need to sleep alone for the for first time in a new place.
Puppies may throw up on their way home. We send you home with a few pee pads so it can be used as a throw-away barrier on your lap or in your crate. You may want to think through if you want to bring extra papertowels, wet wipes etc to clean up should they throw up.
Puppy will travel better in your lap. However, if you're picking up puppy by yourself or you have a long drive ahead, a small crate is fine as well. You will want a doggy bed inside so the footing is not slippery. You can place the pee pad overtop the doggy bed.
Potty stops may be necessary if traveling a long distance. Puppies can typically hold it for 2 hours. DO NOT stop at gas stations or rest stops or other heavily dog-trafficked areas to let them go potty. Stop along -side the road or other grassy areas. Dogs can carry all sorts of diseases and we don't want your puppy to catch something on the way home.
Collar and leash is recommended if you are traveling far, so potty stops are easy.
Each puppy is different, so it's hard to give a hard and fast rule. A size that starts at 12" and goes bigger will most likely suit you well. We recommend you take puppy to a pet store on your way home for best fit. We recommend that you CARRY your puppy in the store, and not let him/her down to roam. This is a highly trafficked by other dogs that may carry diseases. We can't wait to see pictures of your pup sporting their new collar!
Vet recommends 3x a day. This helps maintain blood sugar levels. You can discuss your food plan with your vet. Once they get older you may choose to cut down to 2x a day or free feed (letting the food out all the time so they can graze). Do what works for you and your family. You'll figure out your dogs poop schedule and be able to time feeding to best suit your life.
For the last 2 weeks they have been getting use to crate training. We have had them crated for 2 hrs, followed by potty break and 1 hr of play. Repeated for 3 cycles. The afternoon they have been in their pen to play, with potty breaks every 2 hrs. Remember - anytime you take them out of the crate, take them out to potty before playing.
Sure is! Especially if it's been awhile since you've had a dog or you're a brand new dog family. It's so nerve wracking and exciting waiting for a puppy! Don't worry, you'll do great!! It's not hard and you'll learn along the way. You don't have to do everything perfectly (I'm not sure there is a "perfectly"). They need love, food and consistency. The rest will come in time.
They are well on their way! When their feet hit the grass, they know it's time to go potty. But you do need to be on top of them because they can only hold it for so long.
There is an app that can help you remember and find your puppy's pattern. It's called: Doggy Time: Puppy Training & Potty Assistant.
When in the house, don't leave them unattended. They aren't to be trusted yet! You can use the umbilical cord technique - which is hooking a shorter leash to your hip and have puppy with you at all times when he/she is out of the crate. If that's not your style, then I'd recommend crating until you can give them short potty/play breaks throughout your day.
It's like having a newborn.... maybe a little easier than that. Regardless, plan on having less sleep for awhile. They go home with at least 1 night by themselves so we can practice here. I will tell you what they did for me, so that you have an idea as what to expect. Bed time routine can help. Play, potty, and crate. Going to bed late (around 11) can help you get a better night sleep. Expect to be woken up around 2 or 3am. Then again around 6am. We suggest you keep the crate close enough you can hear them, but not in your room (if that's possible). We suggest this so that you get a better night sleep and you are woken up by every movement.
I have heard fabulous reviews about the plush animals with heartbeats and warmth. I search "heartbeat toy" into amazon to look for ones on sale. They can sell from anywhere from $20 to $70. Always inspect the toy after use to make sure they aren't ripping holes into it. You don't want your puppy to eat the noise maker or stuffing.
Counterproductive - when puppy starts whining you go and visit him. It's heartbreaking, but he/she will be ok!
Productive - something to consider is helping puppy transition is by putting the crate by your bed so he can see you. You can transition the crate to a different part of the house when he is older.
There are a lot of different and varying pieces of advice out there. Do some google searches and youtube searches and see which method suits your family best.
Nothing. Just keep it somewhere safe. You can edit it anytime you move, but otherwise you don't need to do anything. Your vet can check yearly to make sure it's still working.
If you would like peace of mind that we handed over to you a healthy pup, then we suggest you schedule your first vet appointment the day after you bring him/her home. That way, our 72 hr health guarantee stands. If you're not worried about it, then there is no need to rush to the vet. Once you're ready to have him/her vaccinated (Rabies is the only this tat is legally required in PA), then you can make an appointment with your vet or if you have a concern that pops up.
Not yet, but eventually. It's not a "need," but it is more comfortable for the dogs to eat with raised bowls. Some dogs bloat if not raised. We have never had that issue. If you keep your dog bowls on the ground, it's just something to watch out for.