PUPS IN THEIR NEW HOMES
For the first 2-3 nights your pup will be very home sick. They miss their brothers and sisters company at night so you may get some whining during the night. Place your puppies crate next to where you sleep or in your room. This will help ease them and when they start to whine you can gently but firmly tell them "NO". Soon they’ll know that crying is not acceptable and will be fine through the night. Having a crate also gives them a sense of security as it is their den. In no time at all, your new puppy will be accustomed to his/her new home and will love you to pieces.
TRANSITIONING FOOD
New food must be introduced slowly. For the first few days start out with ¾ old food and ¼ new food mixed, then slowly use more new food and less of the old food until they are completely on the new chosen food. This must be done slowly so your puppy does not get the runs. If this happens, your puppy is most likely not handling the new food well or the new food was introduced to early.
We find that a lamb and rice formula works well for our Schnauzers as it is easier to digest. Also look for a super premium dog food with no artificial colours or flavours. We have our adult dogs on ACTRIUM. We also like IAMS. (both available at Walmart)
CRATE TRAINING
Crate training is very important for potty training. We feel it is the best way to teach a puppy. An 8 week old puppy is still very young and has no idea where he/she can go to the bathroom. Potty training can take 3-4 weeks and in some pups it is much easier. They key is to have puppy in crate for 2-3 hours at a time. Puppy comes out and goes directly outside to go bathroom. Don’t bring him/her back in until he pees or poops and then give much praise. Puppy comes back in and plays in the house, now all this playing will get their bladders going so they will need to go outside again before going back into their crate. Again if you see puppy doing it’s business on the floor, immediately bring pup outside to do their business and then back in the crate they go for another few hours. This must be a regular routine so that puppy knows what is expected of them. Some pups will pick this up with no problems and others may take longer. They are all different. Crates are also good to leave puppy in when you are gone for longer periods of time. Until the dog is older, they shouldn’t have run of your house as they like to get into things and CHEW and may find a corner to go bathroom in. You will learn to know your dogs signals and behaviour. Another idea is to have your puppy gated in certain areas of the house, like for example in the kitchen. I hope these tips are helpful. Enjoy your new puppy and all the fun he/she will bring to you and remember: A dog is for life. If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to phone or email. We would love a picture, now and then, of them growing up! Thank-you again
