Taking Your New Cockapoo Puppy Home

You've taken the plunge, decided to get the puppy. What should you expect and what do you need to have to be ready for your new family member?

Expect that both you and the new puppy will be a little nervous and uncertain for the first couple of days. It will be an adjustment and learning experience for both of you. He may seem a little shy and even not eager to play for a day or two. This is normal and natural it is a big change in his life and it will take him some time to adjust to his new home and the new people in it.

If you have children remind them that puppies play hard and then they crash. They need a lot of rest and sleep and may even tend to sleep more during this transition. Play with him but remember not to over stimulate him or introduce him to too many new things or people during this adjustment period. You want your puppy to be well socialized but try to make all of his experiences during this transition time especially good ones.

You'll want to have ceramic or stainless bowls for water and food. We prefer a harness over a collar. Contact me a week before you are picking up your puppy and I'll give you his girth measurement. A small crate for crate training. They should have just enough room to lay down, stretch out, stand up and turn around. If the crate is too big they will make a separate sleeping room and bathroom, not a good idea to give them that option. They do make larger crates that have a divider. A crate, or, in other words, short-term close confinement, can be used to help dogs teach themselves two very important skills. The first is eliminating only when and where it is appropriate. The second skill is keeping out of trouble - behaving appropriately in the house. Without these two skills, a dog doesn't have much of a chance in this world.

A crate is inappropriate for long-term confinement. While some puppies are able to make it through an eight-hour stretch in a crate at night, you should be sleeping nearby and available to take your pup out if he tells you he needs to go.

During the day, a puppy should not be asked to stay in a crate longer than two to four hours at a time; an adult dog no more than six to eight hours. Longer than that and you risk forcing Buddy to eliminate in his crate, which is a very bad thing, since it breaks down his instinctive inhibitions against soiling his den.

We use and recommend Fluffy Puppy shampoo made by Bio-Groom.

We send you home with enough food for at least a week. We are feeding our pups Fromm Puppy Choits.. It is a holistic dog food without preservatives. Their web site has a store locator. www.frommfamily.com There are other great foods but you have to get them at pet stores. A comparable food would be Wellness. Avoid the brands from grocery stores and the big box stores. Once a dog food goes commercial they have too little control over their raw ingredients. Too many dog foods labeled complete and natural are neither. Your dog may live on them but he won't be at his best. If your dog is developing skin or coat problems and checks out ok at the vet the next thing to consider is his diet. Some dogs just do better on certain foods. If your dog is having sudden digestive problems always consider the food first. If you are feeding a high quality food that is low in carbs your dog will eat less, poop less, this is good. Cockapoos don't eat a whole lot, feed them the best. I don't care how long you've been feeding a certain brand of dog food if your dog isn't doing well CHANGE!

We have started your pup on NuVet vitamins. By the time they leave here they will be getting one half of a wafer, a quarter twice a day, each day. They are easy to break into small pieces and the pups accept them as a treat. I have always had mixed feelings about vitamins and the benefits they provide but recent problems with pet foods have changed my mind. They are pricey but much cheaper than vet bills. I am attaching a brochure that they have supplied me with. I question some of the claims made in it but they insist that they are based on actual results. I’ve talked to other breeders who have used them for quite some time and been thrilled with the results they have seen. Quite a number of breeders have started requiring that they be used or their guarantees will be voided. I haven’t gotten to that point but I would like to see you use them for at least the first two years. You can order them at www.nuvet.com/62103. You can receive a discount by putting them on auto reorder. I guess what I’m trying to say is that “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure”. One of the big things I like about this particular vitamin is that it is made in a human grade lab and with all natural ingredients.

You'll want to have treats on hand to start rewarding your new friend. Treats should be small and something that puppy can consume rapidly. They should be given immediately or puppy won't know why he's getting it. They should be something that can be consumed rapidly because if he has to work on it too long he won't remember why he's been rewarded. You could try cheerios, they are easy to carry in your pocket. Cut up cooked chicken pieces are the ultimate reward. Many great all natural treats can be found at pet stores, remember small, can be consumed rapidly, low in calories.

Great book to read before puppy comes home, How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With.

Anything made by Nylabone is good and safe for chewing. A small kong and biscuits to fill it, great for keeping him busy chewing on something other than your toes.

Puppy proof your home. Just like baby proofing only they usually can't open any cabinets. Be especially careful about the puppy having access to any electrical cords. They will learn how to go up the stairs weeks before they can safely come down, get some baby gates.

Ok, you're ready, now relax and get ready for a lifetime of joy and companionship, with unquestioning love thrown in for good measure!