Your New Puppy

What will my puppy need?

• Vet appointment within 72 hours
  
• Crate (wire) and placed where the puppy can be involved in what is going on. (Jill recommends using a wire crate when puppy can't be supervised.  This is  primarily to to keep puppy safe and also to help with toilet training.  Even as our dogs mature, they like to continue to have their "den" available when they want it - with the door left wide open - of course!!)
• Bath mats to fit crate (or pet blankets)
• Food dish, water dish (Jill recommends using stainless steel, straight sided dishes with no slip bottoms)
• Food
• Leash
• ID Tag
• Puppy proofed home
• Allocated "potty spot" in yard (If using.  Make sure the puppy has enough room to pace back and forth and find a spot.  Too small an area and he may not "find" a place to go!!)
  
• Safe place to play inside and outside
• Kong treat toy (Jill recommends Xtreme - black only)
• Chews - raw hides, small size
  
• Soft toys and balls for supervised play (Jill recommends that these be removed when the puppy is alone to avoid choking hazards)

• Grooming brush  (Jill uses Les Pooches brushes)
• Nail clippers
• Shampoo and conditioner (Jill recommends that you always brush before washing)
  
• Ear Wipes (Jill uses allergy friendly baby wipes and gently dries with disposable kitchen towel or washable soft cotton baby burp cloths)
  
• Shower head extension (if you don't have one these can be purchased from a hardware store and and installed easily with some very basic skills)
• Or a find a local groomer.  (Jill recommends taking in a picture of a well-groomed Labradoodle for the groomer to see how you would like the face to look - so they don't "poodle your doodle")
  

Potty Training Schedule:
When you take the puppy to their potty spot you may consider using a command and tell them to "go potty" then wait for 5-15minutes.  If nothing is produced take them back in to their crate wait another 15minutes and try again.  Remember consistency is key here...don't forget!!  If your puppy takes a nap in their crate as soon as they wake they should be taken to the potty spot.

• Immediately when the puppy wakes
• After breakfast
• Mid-morning
• Before noon meal
• After noon meal
• Before dinner
• After dinner
• 1 to 2 hours later (depending on how active the puppy has been)
• Last thing before bed
  

Beginner Training:

• We recommend enrolling in puppy kindergarten (proper socialization is v. important)
• You will need treats for this class.  The puppies usually love this class and make some great puppy friends (and owners) along the way.
  
• Followed by beginner obedience (preferably clicker training)
  
• Clicker
• Treats (mix it up each week.  My dogs love fresh cheese, chicken, liver etc)
• Treat bag
• Leash (6 ft)
• Down/stay mat
• Favorite toy