PUPPY HELPFUL TIPS
BECOMING A FIRST TIME PARENT:
Generally, puppies can hold it for one hour per every month of age (so a three month old puppy can wait three hours to pee). Here are common time limits for puppies of different ages:
8-10 weeks: 2 hour or less. Puppies this young simply can’t hold their urine for more than an hour, sometimes a little more. But puppies should be made to be crossing their legs together holding it LOL. Crate training at this age, is a little young to start but since he will be home with you definitely start, but you can’t leave a young puppy in a crate for long periods; he’ll wet his bed and if he poops he may roll around in it. LOL He is a puppy and they play and they don’t understand this is bad. So be prepared for a lot of bath time with your puppy.
10-12 weeks: Bladder capacity is increasing a bit, although 2 hours is still the longest that most puppies can hold it at this stage. So make sure he isn’t left in there longer then this. You should be training him to week pad go and I suggest getting him all dressed in a winter coat and harness and leash and walk him to wee pad and use word like “go potty” and you can use “go potty” for poops too if you want. Just be consistent with training word. REMEMBER CONSISTENTCY IS KEY WITH EVERYTHING HERE!
3-6 months: Three month old puppies can wait for up three hours four month old puppies for four hours, and so on. (in most cases),
After 6 months: An older puppy, like most adult dogs, has the ability (this isn’t a guarantee) to hold it for up to six hours.
THE RULE OF THUMB: one hour per month rule. Example: 3 months 3 hours to stay
in crate. BUT this is a general rule of thumb and based on individual puppy.
THE TAKE
In the first six months of life, puppies need a lot of attention, you can’t take your eyes off a puppy AT ALL - I would say ALL the time but most definitely it’s about 4 months and younger – NEVER have eyes off him. After about 4 months use your judgement. Example: the 4 month old puppy I walk I will walk into kitchen grab her treat quickly and walk back into the room I left the puppy loose out of the pen/crate. This is good to test out as you have to see at what level can you start to trust your puppy to be left alone.
You go to the bathroom – you put your puppy in the pen or crate. Period. It’s for their safety alone that this is done. It is also to save your apt. from their teething chewing.
They require a lot of care, and exercise. Especially this breed. Brushing/grooming and exercise are key. Grooming is basic common sense, but exercise is going to be a requirement with this breed so that your home isn’t his demolition play pen.
Puppies will miss you when you’re gone and are prone to destructive behaviors or excess barking if they get lonely. Crate training helps, as does creating a “puppy zone,” and providing your puppy with lots of exercise, chew toys, and socialization.
WHAT TO BUY:
CRATES:/TOP PICK:
I like this one the most-this connects directly to crate and will be your best friend. I know this is an expensive purchase but it’s really the only crate I ever recommend:
https://modernpuppies.com/i-large.aspx(large crate) (I included large here but you might be able to get a medium).
https://modernpuppies.com/ptpabeds.aspx?page=2– (beds)
https://modernpuppies.com/ (instructional video)
https://modernpuppies.com/medium-ptpabowl.aspx(water bowl holder - this will be an important purchase– this holds the water bowl up and fastens to crate/holding still so puppy can’t move it, top it over and or hurt themselves with. Well worth the price.)
https://modernpuppies.com/ptpasizes.aspx(to officially look by size of puppy/dog what size crate to buy)
PENS:
https://modernpuppies.com/ptpaplaypen-large.aspx(this attaches to)
2ND PICK – Amazon but certainly you can buy anywhere
(just pick what size works best – this is open concept. I don’t dislike these types of crates but they are really best for adult dogs who aren’t puppies and all that puppies do.
PENS:
You should check on how big your puppy will be weight and height etc before purchasing the right pen. Maybe a medium or large but do your homework to check with breeder what they advise as they have or should have an idea how big your puppy will be:
2nd Pick SEPARATE PENS:
Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens | 8-Panels Each w/ 5 Height Options Ideal for Any Dog Breed 42 in - $59.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H8YTJI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B000H8YTJI
1st option for PUPPY GATE:
https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-39-Inch-6-Inch-Extension-Pressure/dp/B001OC5UMQ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=puppy+gates&qid=1551499283&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-4- I don’t know what your apt. looks like but you will need these puppy gates to (for example) stop your puppy from crossing over into another room. And or keeping them in a room.
2nd option for PUPPY GATE (not a big fan of these types of gate – they are not always the easiest to fasten to a wall but they are an option if you don’t want something so semi-permanent like 1st option:
GATE FOR STAIRS:
You will need to measure but a gate is very important if you have stairs:
If you have stairs in your apt:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797L11MD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?th=1
PUPPY PUZZLE TOYS:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=puzzle+toys&i=pets&ref=nb_sb_noss_1(These are important for the mental stimulation of your puppy. Buy several. Puzzle and dogs get bored easily.).
PUPPY TEETHING TOYS:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=puppy+teething+toys&i=pets&crid=J2TP0NBIE8JJ&sprefix=PUPPY+TEETHING%2Cpets%2C139&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_14(Buy several types of puppy teething toys.). You can put them in the freezer and the cold helps.
PUPPY TOYS:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=puppy+toys&i=pets&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 (puppies and dogs need many many many toys.)
PUPPY TRAINING TREATS:
https://www.amazon.com/Wellness-Puppy-Natural-Training-Treats/dp/B073WDKSCM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2G5X49OQVDZCQ&keywords=puppy+training+soft+treats&qid=1551504700&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=puppy+training+soft+%2Cpets%2C150&sr=1-3 (these are great soft training treats)
KONGS FOR PUPPY:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kongs+for+puppies&crid=4HJ7AI3HBHHI&sprefix=kongs+for+%2Caps%2C150&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_10 (You should buy several and use either food you ground up and add water to and make paste and or peanut butter and freeze.). these are good to use when you leave and give your puppy before you leave – give him while he is in crate.
Other items needed:
-Blankets to cover crate when you are away and puppy is in crate.
-A small blanket to put in bed area
-Bitter Apple Spray
Hope this helps….all the best!
PUPPY PROOFING YOUR APARTMENT:
YA! The day has finally arrived ( Or I should say….about to): Your new bundle of fur baby is coming home! After a long search, you found the right puppy for you — and now the preparation begins.
As a responsible pet parent, you will need to provide a safe environment for this little puppy. Preparing your home is similar to doing so for a curious toddler — you want to eliminate any and all dangers. Your pup will want to investigate every electrical cord, every closet, and she won’t distinguish between your favorite pair of shoes and her chew toy. It’s up to you to make sure your puppy (and your stuff!) will be safe from those puppy temptations.
In the Kitchen...
The kitchen contains all sorts of interesting drawers, cabinets, and cords, not to mention smells and tastes. If he can get into a cabinet or drawer, your puppy will explore everything inside. Childproof latches, which can be found at your local hardware store, prevent curious pups from investigating, while keeping potentially dangerous foods and cleaning supplies out of reach.
Power cords look like fun chew toys to a teething puppy. Tucking them out of reach, blocking them, or enclosing them in a chew-proof PVC tube will divert your dog’s attention.
In the Bathroom...
The bathroom can be a dangerous place for a puppy, too. Razors, pills, cotton swabs, and soap left within your puppies’ reach can be easily ingested — which can mean an emergency visit to your veterinarian. Family or friends who come for visits need to be conscientious about cleaning up after themselves in the bathroom. Put shampoos, soap, tissues, and accessories out of reach or inside a cabinet or drawer.
Especially while your pup is young, keep the toilet lid down at all times, or keep the bathroom door closed. A curious puppy could jump into the bowl and drown. I don’t have the % of this actually happening but it does. They can’t climb out of the bowl and get tired….In addition, use a trash can with a locking lid or stash it under the sink. Also install childproof latches on the drawers and cabinets, and be sure to tuck dangling cords away, out of your pup’s reach.
In the Bedroom...
Dogs are scent-oriented, so they gravitate toward anything that smells like you. Shoes, slippers, and clothing will quickly become toys if you don’t safeguard such items behind a closed closet door. Keep clothing picked up, store shoes out of reach, and put laundry in a tall, closed hamper. Store jewelry, hair ties, coins, and other small ingestible items in containers or drawers, and secure any exposed cords or wires. Many dogs like to den under the bed or wedge themselves behind furniture, so put up temporary blockades to prevent your puppy from hiding where she shouldn’t.
In the Living Areas...
Whether a living room or family room, these cozy gathering places often have pillows, shoes, magazines, iPods — all kinds of things that could tempt a curious and teething puppy.
Stay vigilant about straightening up and putting away clutter, especially in those areas where you and you spend the most time. Put loose items away, stow pillows and blankets in decorative bins, and keep cords and wires out of puppy’s reach.
In the Office...
Your puppy may be drawn by all sorts of temptations in your office: papers, magazines, cords, wires, paperclips, rubber bands, and staples. These items may be fun to play with, but they can be fatal if chewed or swallowed. As with the rest of the house, pick up strewn office supplies, secure or enclose cords and wires, and keep decorative items well out of your pup’s reach.
Plants attract dogs, too, so place them on a shelf or counter if possible. If not, consider putting them in a spare room and keeping the door closed until your furry baby has graduated from her curious puppy stage.
Invest in Baby Gates…
Baby gates can be a dog parents saving grace. Invest in one or two to use when you don’t want your puppy in a particular room that doesn’t have a door. These are ideal when you don’t want your pup in the kitchen while you cook, but you still want to watch over her.
