GETTING A NEW PUPPY
WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING TO HELP THE TRANSITION GO WELL?
PUPPY TRAINING
Basic training like sit and stay are easy from day 1.
Puppies are eager to please.
Remember a couple of minutes training a few times a day is key.
This is also a time for your puppy to get used to their collar, harness, lead, and slip lead.
CRATE TRAINING
Many people make the mistake of putting the puppy in the crate on the first night and locking the door and thinking they will just ignore.Crate training should be a safe pleasant place for the puppy to go.So, start straight away by feeding and giving treats in the crate with the door open.
Have a comfy bed as well in there.
After a couple of days then push the door shut but leave unlocked. Praise praise praise.
Then you can start locking the door for 5 minutes and so on.
If you want the puppy to sleep in the crate first night, then be prepared and put a sleeping bag on the floor next to it and sleep with your hand inside the crate. It works.
If crate training is something you are doing for future medical problems, then keep doing it daily.
I crate trained my puppies, but they slept in my bed from day 1.
When it was needed medically then there was no real issue.
POTTY TRAINING
I personally do not agree with pee pads inside for puppies as I feel it encourages them to pee inside.
So set up a routine of taking your puppy outside every 2 hours during the day as well as when they wake, when they stop play, when they finish eating AND when they go off sniffing the home.
When outside take them to one location where you want them to pee. Ask them to pee using one word. This is pee time not play time.
Praise, Praise, Praise when they potty.
Ignore, Ignore, Ignore when they make a mistake.
FEEDING
Most breeders will give a couple of weeks food when you pick up the puppy.
So, start by using that and transition to what you prefer to feed.
I feed raw so I give raw food from day 1.
For a young pup be prepared to feed 4 times a day until 6 months of age.
Don’t forget to have fresh water on standby as well as a nice meaty broth.
If feeding biscuits/kibble, then go for a good brand that has a protein as the first ingredient. (A meat meal is not what I mean).
There are some good ones out there. Generally, what the vet sells is not the best one but is normally the most expensive.
INSURANCE
It’s entirely up to you on having insurance or not.
My question to you is “Can you afford a $20K vet bill at six months of age without Insurance?”
If you have access to $20K to $30K then don’t insure, however what if you need that amount every year! It happens!!
Check out companies that insure the breed well. So, RAC & RACQ are not the best for Dachshund as they do not cover IVDD.
Be sure the actual policy covers everything.
Most Insurers have 2 to 3 policies in their suite of products and the Basic does not cut it. Remember as well that most Insurers offer a huge discount to get you onboard day 1.
Policies normally have a 30 day wait so get that cover ASAP and do not see the vet in those 30 days unless a real emergency.
Anything that is put in the vet notes is classed as pre-existing so will not be covered.
NIGHTIME SLEEPING
Of all the puppies I have had they have all slept through the night.
I ensure they have been outside for potty.
They have had a good play.
They are comfortable.
They are warm and can snuggle.
Be prepared for a 6am wake up call and go straight outside to the toilet area you have chosen.
FIRST FEW WEEKS
It’s important that you understand that your pup has just left their mum and siblings so now you are their whole world.
Be prepared to take time off work for a couple of weeks to transition your puppy into the routine of your home.
This is the time you will be training the pup.
Getting past the anxieties of you not being there 24/7.
Having a safe place to eat, sleep and play.
Having time with the family as well as time away from the family.
Good Luck on a Safe Puppy Transition Phase.
You can access a PDF of these tips so you can have them handy or print them.