Preparing for a new family member and what to expect;
Bringing your new pet home
Bringing a new pet into your home is a very fun and exciting time. It can also be a little frustrating as you adjust to your new family member if you aren’t prepared. Hopefully, the following will help you navigate the transition. We encourage you to ask lots of questions and prepare for your new little bully before you come to pick them up. We recommend that you purchase an appropriately sized kennel for your pup, doggy gates (as needed), puppy pads, and lots of chew toys. Your new pup is teething and will need to chew on something. If there are no toys around, it will be your coffee table, shoes, or dining room chairs (We know from experience). Knowing this will happen can help you prepare your home. Limiting your pups access to rooms with carpet and expensive items is recommended until potty training and teething are complete.
Feeding your puppy
The food you choose for your growing puppy is importance for a healthy and optimal life.
By the time your new puppy comes to you, they will have been weaned to soft puppy food. Remember that your puppy needs a high-calorie/high protein diet at this point in their lives. We use Steve’s real food. Steve’s is available and many local stores including Whole Foods, Amazon, or locally at Julz Animal Houz in Smokey Point or Burlington. It is a raw food that comes frozen or freeze dried. Just mix it with hot water, let it stand, and serve. Although this is not as simple as scooping kibble in a bowl, it really does not take that much more time and because it comes frozen or freeze dried there is no mess. We have tried several foods and have settled on Steve’s as the best choice. Most kibble foods contain high allergy ingredients that your dog’s digestive system is not designed to process. Remember canines in nature don’t eat grains. They primarily would eat only proteins (meat). We saw an incredible improvement in the overall health of our dogs when we switched. Shiny coats and strong nails became the norm. If raw food is not something you are able to do then we recommend N&D prime canine food. It is non GMO and contains less allergy causing ingredients. Incidentally, if you currently have a dog that has allergies, it is a good bet that it is the food that you are feeding them that is causing the issue.
When you pick up your bully, you will be sent home with plenty of food. If you choose to switch your pup’s food, we recommend that you do it gradually or you will upset your pup’s stomach. Start with a ¼ to ¾ transition and slowly work to the new food.
If you feel your pup needs more calories or liquid, you can also supplement their diet with goats’ milk as needed.
We encourage you to control your feeding times and keep a routine. Four times a day is recommended with your new pups. This routine helps your pup process their food, adds stability to their transition, and makes potty times more predictable. As a side note, when you give your new pup their food, it will further concrete you as their new pack leader. It will also aid in your bonding with them. We do not encourage leaving food down if it is not eaten. Pick up and serve at a later time. Food left down can encourage your pup to misbehave especially if there are other pets in the home.
Potty Training
Patience is extremely important while potty training.
We have found the most effective way to potty train your puppy is to use the crate training method. Essentially, you are placing your pup in their crate while they sleep. However, please keep in mind that as a rule of thumb your pup can only hold their bladder for an hour per month of age. So, a three-month-old puppy can only hold their urine for up to 3hrs. This means that you will either have to take your new puppy out every two to three hours over the course of a night or leave puppy pads out for them to use just outside their crate (leaving the door open). We do our best to paper train our pups prior to their new placement. We encourage positive reinforcement as an additional means of potty training. Simple praise when they go outside or run to the door works wonders. We do not approve of discipline when a pup has an accident as they are still learning and it will have an adverse effect on their learning. It will also make them fear and not trust you as their new pack leader. As a rule, ignore the bad and praise the positive. Your pup will need to potty following waking up and within 20 minutes of eating. So, plan around those timeframes, and potty training will progress fairly quickly.
In regards to the kennel you purchase, it must be just deep enough for your pup to lay down comfortably but not any larger or they will potty in it. You can also get a kennel that can be enlarged with a divider to grow with your new dog. Remember their kennel is their safe space and the last thing they want to do is potty inside. In speaking about your new pup’s kennel, we would encourage you never to use it as a place of discipline. Rather it should be where they go to sleep and feel safe. We do not encourage ever reaching into the kennel to grab your pup out. They will come out eventually when no longer startled or can be coaxed out with a favorite treat. Make it a positive place never a negative one. When you first train your pup, encourage them to enter with treats and praise. They will grow to love their new space and will go there to sleep or retreat when they need a break.
Puppy behavior
The puppy looks up to you as their pack leader.
Please keep in mind that a puppy is not a child. Although they are often compared, your pup’s behavior often means something different. They are leaving a litter of brothers and sisters where they knew their pack position and will be trying to adjust to their new pack (You and your family). Keep in mind your pup is going to be looking at you as a leader. If you allow your pup to sleep with you or you or your children get down to their level and allow them to dominate you during play, they will be confused by this behavior. They will then often attempt to gain in their pack position. This can lead to what you perceive as bad behavior. Obviously, cuddling up with your new love is one of the best parts of having a new pup but it should be done on your terms. When it comes to playing with your new pup, we do not encourage ever playing tug of war or other activities that encourage aggression. Additionally, dogs are not humans and they don’t typically enjoy face-to-face contact. To a dog this means something different, it oftentimes means you are challenging them in dog language. This human/animal misunderstanding can lead to being scratched or bit. If you have children in the house remind them to always stay above a dog and never put their face to the pup’s face. Oftentimes, new owners will not realize that they are actually praising bad behavior because certain behaviors are cute while the dog is still a pup. However, it quickly becomes troublesome as your dog ages. (Examples; nibbling fingers, jumping up, barking or whining to get attention, pawing to be petted, and many more)
For dogs, knowing their pack position gives them stability and comfort. Establishing that position and realizing that they perceive human behavior differently than we intend, can help with having a loving relationship with your new pup. If you are new to dog ownership, we would encourage you to read up on dog behavior or take an obedience class with your new dog. It will help you better understand animal behavior and better bond with your new pet.