Adding a puppy to your family is without a doubt one of the most exciting experiences in life. Establishing good and healthy habits in the first few weeks will lay a good foundation for many dog-years of happiness for you and your puppy. Here are a few of the basics to help you care for your new addition.
- Find a Good Vet
If you don’t already have a vet, ask your friends to recommend one that they trust. For the health guarantee that comes with your puppy to be valid, you (the buyer) must take the puppy received to your veterinarian within 10 (ten) days of receiving your puppy for a health exam, at your expense. A copy of this veterinarian visit must be sent back to us (the breeder) in order for this contract/guarantee to be valid. Although our puppies will be up to date on their exams when they come home, we do ask that your puppy be seen. Ask your vet to set up a vaccination plan, discuss safe options for controlling common parasites, both internal and external, and learn to watch for signs of any illness. - Shop for Quality Food
Your puppy is growing, therefore he needs food especially formulated for puppies, as opposed to adult dogs. English Cremes can be switched over to adult dog food between 9 and 12 months of age. Your puppy should have fresh water available at all times.
Feeding suggestions:
Age 6 to 12 weeks – 4 meals a day
Age 3-6 months – 3 meals a day
Age 6-12 months – 2 meals a day - Housetraining
Patience, planning and lots of praise are needed to train a puppy to eliminate outdoors. Knowing when to take him/her out is helpful. Here are some ideas:
1. When you wake up
2. Right before bedtime
3. Right after he eats or drinks a lot of water
4. When he wakes up from a nap
5. During and after physical activity - Watch for Early Signs of Illness
For the first few months puppies are more susceptible to sudden bouts of illnesses that can turn serious if not caught in the early stages. These are a few things to watch for:- Lack of appetite
- Poor weight gain
- Vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing or coughing
- Pale gums
- Swollen, red eyes, or eye discharge
- Nasal discharge
- Inability to pass urine or stool
Call your vet if you notice any of these things.
- Teach Obedience
Teaching your puppy to obey commands not only will keep him safe and under control, but will also build a stronger bond between you. Classes are a great way for you both to learn together. They usually start accepting puppies between 4 and 6 months of age. If you can’t do that, we recommend watching episodes of the “Dog Whisperer.” He has much wisdom to share. One tip is to keep it positive. Positive reinforcement, such as small treats, has been proven to be vastly more effective than punishment. - Socialization
Proper socialization helps to avoid behavioral issues down the road. At approximately 2 – 4 months of age, most puppies begin to accept other animals, people, places, and experiences. Just don’t try too many new things at once.
We hope you will enjoy many happy, healthy years with the puppy you have chosen from Bella Chien Goldens. We take pride in sharing these incredible animals with the world!