Introducing the Puppy to Its New Owner – Delivery

A new puppy (preferably from us) is a source of joy and warmth everywhere. The companionship of a puppy has positive psychological and health benefits for people. Even older dogs and cats seem to perk up when a puppy is introduced into the house. Perhaps the best thing about puppies is that they give their love, affection, and devotion unconditionally.

Puppy Supplies

Here’s what you need to get your new puppy off to a good start:

• Medical Records: All prior medical records of the animal, if available.
• Identification: We recommend both a microchip ID and a tag.
• Nutritious Food: We recommend high-quality puppy food such as Royal Canin. Puppy food is given until the animal is about 12 months old. Between 12 and 18 months, the food should be replaced with adult dog food.
• Food and Water Bowls: Easy to disinfect.
• Shipping Crate: For transport and/or as a bed. (Ask us for the one we offer at a discounted price.)
• Harness, Leash, and Chew Toys: These are essential to help your puppy adapt.

Physical Issues

These issues are often triggered by inevitable stress and resemble the problems you might face when moving to a new area. Like you, the puppy might not sleep or eat regularly as it would in a more familiar environment. Some puppies easily transition to their new home, while others may struggle more. If stress-related problems are ignored, secondary problems can become serious and even life-threatening. Call us for advice ANYTIME if the puppy seems lethargic or loses its appetite. One of the most important goals is to get the puppy to EAT.

Diet Changes

A dog’s diet should always be changed gradually, whenever possible. A sudden change in diet can cause digestive issues. Dogs in general, and puppies in particular, may refuse to eat new food, or they might develop diarrhea leading to dehydration and other complications. Dietary changes should be made gradually over a period of three to five days to prevent digestive problems.

Drinking

To encourage the puppy to drink and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, you can place a bit of honey in its mouth or on a plate (note: too much honey will reduce its appetite). If the puppy doesn’t eat after trying these methods, you can try gently warming the food. Many foods have an outer layer of “flavor” that enhances their appeal when warmed. Most foods can be reheated in the oven or microwave, or by adding warm water or broth and soaking the food for a few seconds. Notify the hospital if your puppy hasn’t eaten within 12 hours of arriving at your new home.

Rest

Rest is very important for the puppy. Puppies usually sleep all day, only waking briefly to play, eat, and eliminate waste. Do not expect the puppy to run and play all day. Treat your puppy as you would a newborn coming home from the hospital, and you won’t go wrong.

The Breeder

There is nothing like good mentorship from an experienced and qualified breeder. You may have just met your new puppy, but the breeder has been with this baby since day one. The breeder is aware of all the situations the puppy has been through during its development. Additionally, your breeder has experience with at least one of the puppy’s parents. No one is more qualified to tell you what’s normal for your puppy than the breeder. Your breeder should be your first call for help and advice. Please exercise caution when seeking medical advice from online puppy groups or other non-medical professionals.

Diet

Your breeder should provide feeding instructions, including feeding times, the amount, and the puppy’s diet. It is NOT wise to make sudden changes to the diet. For the first two weeks, nothing changes. The puppy is already stressed by being separated from its siblings, the potential travel to its new home, all the excitement of a new environment, and new people. The puppy’s stress can often cause diarrhea. Don’t make the problem worse by changing the diet too soon. A little canned pumpkin added to the puppy’s food will help with stress diarrhea. After a few weeks, once the puppy has settled in, if you want to change the diet, do it gradually. Add part of the new food to the old. Slowly increase the new food until the transition is complete.

Socialization

You have a beautiful baby, and you want to share it with the world… but wait! Your puppy’s immune system is still developing! For now, you need to protect this baby. It’s not quite time to go to puppy parks, pet stores, meetups, or take your puppy to visit your friends and family’s pets. As hard as it may be, you’ll also need to prevent people with pets from visiting. You must wait at least one month after your puppy’s last vaccination before risking exposure. Use this time to bond with your puppy, teach it to listen, and learn a few basic manners. Then, when it’s safe, your puppy will be welcome everywhere. Once your puppy is ready for the world, puppy classes are excellent ways for the puppy to interact with other dogs in a safe and controlled environment. Consider joining a breed club in your area. You will meet other puppy owners and have opportunities to participate in events and activities with people who love puppies as much as you do!

Veterinary Care

You’ll want to find a qualified veterinarian BEFORE bringing your new puppy home. Good breeders will require you to have a “health check-up” with your vet shortly after the puppy arrives at your home. If you don’t know a Teacup Puppy vet in your area, ask your breeder. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a national organization. While there are many other excellent puppy veterinarians, the AKC has a list of puppy specialists on their website. As with all professions, there are some vets who are just looking to make extra money (scams) and overcharge puppy owners for unnecessary exams and costs. Ask lots of questions. It’s best to have a vet experienced in puppy care, especially for future surgeries like spaying or neutering. When you visit the vet for the first time, bring the puppy’s vaccination record, any deworming information, and a stool sample (a Ziploc bag will work just fine). Do NOT place your intimidating puppy on the floor at the vet’s office, and do not allow other animals or people in the office to approach and/or touch the puppy. Many are there because they are sick and haven’t yet been diagnosed by a vet.