Our puppies are generally very easy to care for. Here are a few pointers that we think are important reminders of how to care for your new puppy and are prerequisite for the health guarantee to be valid.
• Your puppy needs to be examined by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days after going home. Find a vet that you feel comfortable with and keep regular appointments!
• Keep your puppy up to date on shots, worming and other preventative protocol. Follow your Vets advise.
• Feed your puppy a good, well-rounded diet. Do not underfeed or overfeed your puppy. In general, follow the recommended feeding guidelines found on the bag. A good resource for pet foods is dogfoodadvisor.com. We highly recommend at least a 3.5-star food which should be appropriate for the age of your dog.
• Avoid exposing your puppy to physically stressful situations, such as frequent stair climbing or standing on concrete for long periods of time during his formative years.
• Provide adequate shelter and make sure there is always fresh clean water available to your puppy.
NOTE** our puppies are not outdoor dogs. due to their small stature, they are easy prey for other animals. DO NOT purchase one of our pups intending to keep them outside!
• Make sure your puppy has plenty of exercise on a regular basis throughout their life. Don’t overdo it in the first few months. Puppies need lots of rest too.
You will receive a “How to Care for your Puppy Booklet” as well as a copy of “All About Goldendoodles” in your puppy Going Home Pack.
By 8 weeks, your puppy will have had the best possible start in life that we can give, and it will be up to you to continue to care for him/her throughout the next phases of their development.
Developmental Stages Explained:
Knowing the stages help you prepare for their needs.
(0-2 Week) neonatal stage:
Puppies can touch and taste from birth, but that’s about it. They will start to learn some simple social skills, coordination, and the ranking process. Mostly they eat and sleep, and they scoot around on their bellies. Their Mom is doing everything for them, staying with them constantly to see to their every need. Early Neurological Stimulation or ENS is started on day 3. This is a vital part of their early social development and leads to smarter, healthier, more socially adept puppies.
(2 -4 week) transitional period
Their eyes open at about 2 weeks, and they begin to stand and walk around. Their sense of smell and hearing develops, they wag their tails, teeth start coming in and they can even start to find their voices and begin to bark around 4 weeks. They begin to learn where to potty and to keep the place they sleep clean. A separate litter area is introduced, and they catch on pretty quickly. Puppies are a bit more independent, and Mama can leave a little at a time. Around 2-3 weeks is when the de-worming starts.
(4-12 week) socialization period
At 4 weeks, puppies start to eat solid puppy food. Food is mixed with water and blended in the blender when first introduced to make a soft mush type meal. It is soaked in water for the first few weeks to make eating easier on puppies. Fresh clean water is always available.
Puppies are aware of their surrounding by 5 weeks and really start to enjoy play time with toys that make noise and interactive toys. Introducing puppies to new sounds, smells and trusted people is important.
(3–6-Months):
Think of it this period as “elementary school age”. Puppies are influenced most by people and other dogs.
Teething and chewing issues can happen during this stage. Make sure to have some strong chew toys that they can’t chew up, and that they like. Things like bully sticks, horns, Nylabone toys are all good candidates. If they chew on things you don’t want them to, take the item away, say “NO” and replace the item with their toy. (This will have to be repeated every time for their learning process.)
(6-18 month):
Known more as the teenage years. Puppies are full of energy and can be a bit naughty at times during this stage. Your puppy can go through a period of challenging you a bit more. Consistent training and behavior will make a huge difference. Puppy classes and puppy socialization are very important.