Care Information
Puppy food that we use:
4Health® Grain Free Formulation Puppy Formula for Dogs provides lots of energy and nutrition for active and growing puppies with a formulation that helps maintain a healthy digestive system. This formula is also a good choice for pregnant or lactating dogs, providing vital nutrition for both moms and nursing pups. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in this grain free food can help promote shiny coats and healthy skin.
NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS, FLAVORS OR PRESERVATIVES ADDED
Real chicken and vegetables provide appropriate nutrition and great taste for your pet without the need for artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.TAURINE
Taurine-fortified to help support a healthy heart.DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, is provided by salmon oil. This fatty acid is important for development of your puppy's brain and eyes. In nursing adult dogs, DHA is passed from the mother to the puppy through the mother's milk.PROBIOTICS
These ingredients help maintain the proper balance in your dog's digestive system. Each cup of food provides live, active cultures that help support healthy digestion.SKIN AND COAT
A blend of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids helps keep the skin and coat healthy and shiny.ANTIOXIDANT FORMULATION
Contains guaranteed levels of zinc, selenium and vitamin E for immune-supporting antioxidant nutrition.AAFCO STATEMENT4health® Grain Free Puppy Formula for Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).
Care Package: Each pups will go home with-
A small amount of the puppy food that we use. We get it from Tractor Supply. Please see the FAQ below if you would like to change your pups food.
1st shot and dewormer; veterinary records
AKC registration form- ONLY if getting a Golden Retriever
A toy or blanket that smells like Mommy or litter mates for comfort
1 year health guarantee against fatal congenital disease. Please see FAQ’s for further information on this.
Here are several chew toys that our pups love.
We can’t use regular tennis 🎾 balls cause one of our pups likes to eat the fuzz off of them. 🙄 We suggest that if your pup starts that you get these type balls that have no fuzz.
Thick rope toys are great too. If they start pulling strings off of them, then throw them away.
Please see the below FAQs for the treats we use.
FAQs
* If a word is underlined below, it will take you to a link to see or read to explain more.
How do I change the puppies food?
Please click on the link above, it will take you to the AKC page to give you direction on how to slowly change the food. I do suggest getting one large bag of food if you are going to change food and treats. Remember, even making treat changes can cause diarrhea.
Should I give my pup rawhides?
AKC says that it depends on the dog, but we use rawhide FREE chews.
My pup won’t stop crying at night, what should I do?
It’s late, and your new fur-baby will not stop crying. You tried a bit of food and water, took them outside and all.
I have found with my pups, especially if you hold them a lot and comfort them the first day, that putting an article of clothing that you wore all day, in the kennel with them can really calm them down. The pup is adjusting to a new environment and this can be stressful. Be patient, it’s like bringing a new born home. It takes time for you and the pup to adjust. But it doesn’t last forever.
Now remember, just as humans, ALL dogs are different! I had a friend tell me that this worked amazingly for their pup, type into Amazon if it doesn’t work:
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy - Pet Anxiety Relief and Calming Aid
What are you forgetting? Puppy checklist-
It’s a lot brings a new fur family member home. Check out this list in case you forgot something.
What do we feed our adult pups?
They get a raw diet of chicken, rice and carrots. With the occasional liver or gizzards and other veggies. This was not done until they were pretty much done growing. Your young pup will need all the calories in puppy chow that they need for their quickly growing bodies.
What do your adult dogs eat?
My adult dogs are on a raw diet.
They eat raw chicken and brown rice, with occasional things like raw liver.
When should I spay or neuter my pet?
Vets have different opinions about this. When I worked at a veterinarians office, they really didn’t want to do it before the pup was 6-months old. So please don’t do it before then; think about it, your pup is growing, and needs those hormones to grow properly. I would do it no sooner than a year old.
What is included in a puppy health guarantee?
All contracts are different as there is no law defining what a health guarantee should have, but the main contents include documentation that the dogs are free of any genetic conditions and proof that they have received all of the essential vaccinations as well as an overall health check by a vet. It also includes an agreement from the buyer to the breeder of their promise to look after the puppy.
Further information will be in the contract.
Puppy socializing checklist:
You don’t want your pup to be scared of things. So the younger you do these things the better, and doing them often.
Puppy Proofing:
Here are some things to put up and away from your new puppy! This has a few of the other lists on it, so search for this list on the website.
What supplements do we give our adult pups?
This gives them a healthy immune system, skin and coat.
Vitamin-E, just like you would take vitamin-e, they get one every day. There are some breeds of dogs that are prone to seizures. This is one of the breeds; unuttered males can have them in very very excitable situations. This really helps with that.
What treats do you use?
If you click on the above links, it will show you what we use. Remember, even changing treats can even cause diarrhea till they get used to it, so do it slowly as well.
Should I have my pup trained?
YES! It can be expensive. But, it is so worth it. You and the pup will get along and have a better relationship because of it.
What is NOT included in a puppy health guarantee?
Any thing that is NOT hereditary. To include, but not limited too, neglect, a fallen or dropped pup, the pup eating something it shouldn’t have, attacks by other animals, dehydration, the pup has not been given the vaccinations on the appropriate schedule for pups, ect. The health guarantee is void if the owner does not take their puppy to the vet within 72 hours after going home and had proof (does not include weekend). So make your appointments before you bring your pup home. Please email the proof after the appointment.
Follow a Puppy Schedule
This link can really help you and your new pup get in a great routine. Pups are creatures of habit, trust me, they know what time it is, when you feed them everyday at a certain time, and they will remind you if you forget. 😁
How much do I feed my new pup?
The pups grow sooooo fast that having food down for them constantly is not a bad thing. Unless you have other pups who will eat their food. If that is the case, then 3-4 times a day, separate them from your other pups and give them as much as they want until they are done. Then put the food away again. As they get older, and transition them to adult food, you will feed them twice a day. Ask your vet or check the back of the food bag to see how much is appropriate for your size pup.
