Preparing for Your New Puppy
-Schedule an appointment with your vet
I ask that you have your puppy seen by your veterinarian within 5 days of bringing them home. This will keep them on track for their vaccination and deworming schedule. I’ll provide their current records for you to take to their 1st appointment.
-Pet Insurance
Please consider purchasing Pet Insurance for your puppy or have a plan in place if the unexpected were to happen. I offer a 1-year congenital health guarantee and will refund the price of your puppy if a congenital health condition arises within the 1st year, however, you will be responsible for fees beyond that amount. Having Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind in knowing that your pet is covered if the unexpected were to occur.
-Puppy Food
At 8 weeks old, your puppy will be eating Royal Canin Puppy Starter food. I recommend feeding the puppy starter food for 3-5 days after bringing your puppy home. I will be sending a gallon sized bag of it home with you so there is no need for you to purchase any starter food. Offer them 3/4 cup, 3 times a day. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t eat much at first as it’s very common for them to not have much of an appetite due to the transition. To encourage them, you can add warm water to their food and let it soak a bit.
After 3-5 days, your puppy will be ready to transition to Royal Canin Medium Puppy Food. I will be sending a pint-sized bag of it home with you as well. Be sure to do a gradual transition any time you switch your puppy’s food.
Days 1-2, feed 75% old food, 25% new food.
Days 3-4, feed 50% old food, 50% new food.
Days 5-6, 25% old food, 75% new food.
Day 7, 100% new food.
Your puppy can eat the Medium Puppy Food until they are 15 months old before transitioning to Royal Canin Adult Dog Food. Please follow the chart on the back of the dog food bag for instructions on how often and how much to feed your puppy.
There are many wonderful brands of dog food available for your puppy. If you choose to feed something other than Royal Canin, remember to do a gradual transition when switching it up. Changing their food, without a gradual transition period, can cause unwanted stomach and bowel issues for your puppy.
Make sure your puppy has clean water available to drink all throughout the day.
-Supplements
As a dog breeder, the health of your puppy is my top priority. That is why I recommend NuVet Plus Immune System Builder to all my customers. Simply put, it is one of the best nutritional supplements available today.
Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are using NuVet Plus to provide optimal health and a strong immune system. A strong immune system will protect them from environmental and food toxins such as back yard pesticides, hormones, toxic formaldehyde in furniture and carpeting. NuVet Plus also supports proper development as well as a beautiful skin and coat.
This is not just a vitamin. It’s an immune system builder with a precise balance of vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, amino acids and high-potency antioxidants. That’s why it works so well through all three stages of a dog’s life.
- For puppies – Fills the immunity gap all puppies experience. Shortly after birth maternal antibody effectiveness is greatly reduced. By 8 weeks your puppy’s immune system is at a vulnerable point. Once in their new home, the immune system is weakened by the stress of adoption and exposure to novel bacteria and viruses in their environment. This is also when the vaccine series is started. Vaccines are most effective if the immune system can respond properly. Starting NuVet Plus now is important to helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult.
- For dogs in their prime – Provides the necessary antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to sustain peak performance during the prime of their lives.
- For older dogs – Helps provide the nutritional needs to live long, happy, and productive lives in their senior years.
I highly recommend NuVet Plus to keep your puppy on the path to perfect health! It’s not available in stores and is only available to the general public with an order code from an authorized pet professional.
For your convenience, you may order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 and using Order Code: 691376 or ordering online at www.nuvet.com/691376 . You can also save an additional 15% and assure you never run out of NuVet by choosing the “AutoShip” option at check out. Please order prior to picking up your pup!
-Training
Consistency is key when it comes to training your puppy. They will be eager to please you so use lots of positive reinforcement. Set clear boundaries and limits and again, be consistent.
For potty training, I would recommend taking them outside every 45 minutes to an hour for the first couple of weeks. No need to wake them if they’re sleeping but when they wake up, carry them out and have them go. It helps to take them to the same spot every time. Be sure to affirm them with a positive response and/or a piece of a NuVet wafer when they complete the task!
Bell training your puppy from the start is also helpful. Simply hang a bell next to the door and have them touch it with their paw each time you take them outside to potty. You might have to help them at first, but they catch on quickly.
Crate training is highly encouraged! Visit the link below for a short, helpful video on how to crate train your puppy:
There are many more helpful training videos on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
-Sleep
Puppies need a lot of sleep for healthy development, usually 18-20 hours daily for puppies 8-12 weeks old, gradually decreasing to 10-16 hours by 6 months. They require naptimes in their schedules just like babies and toddlers. If they are overly tired they may start misbehaving and showing unwanted behavior. Schedule times in their crate for rest and downtime.
-Exercise
Bernedoodles require a moderate amount of exercise. There are many different forms to offer them including, but not limited to, the following:
-Short walks
-Playing fetch
-Chasing balls (or energetic family members😊)
-Tug of War with a rope or favorite toy
-Grooming
At 4 months old, your puppy will be ready for their 1st visit to their groomer. It is recommended that they be groomed every 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to give your pup a quick brush every day and a more thorough brushing at least 2-3 times a week.
-Supplies
–Royal Canin Medium Puppy food
–Crate (As an adult, you can expect your puppy to stand between 20-22” at the shoulder. I would recommend a medium sized crate that has a divider in it so you can adjust it as your puppy grows.)
–Bed
–Puppy shampoo and conditioner (never use shampoo that isn’t specifically formulated for dogs)
–Collar & Leash (at 8 weeks old your puppy will need a collar that’s approximately 10” inches around. I would recommend getting an adjustable collar since they grow so fast in the first year.)
–Puppy treats (NuVet Plus Wafers work great too!)
–Squeaky toys, Crinkle toys, Interactive toys, Toy ball (Just a few to get you started!)
–Paper towel (to help clean up those messes while potty training)
-And lots of PATIENCE😊(not available on Amazon)
I wish you all the best as you begin this journey with your new puppy! These are just a few of the essentials that I would recommend getting for your puppy. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. And just for the record, I LOVE updated puppy pictures! You can post them directly on our Facebook page or Instagram (be sure to use #backroadsminibernedoodles) email, text, or private message them to me.
Thank you for choosing Back Roads as your breeder!
Lisa Yoder
Back Roads Mini Bernedoodles
Back Roads Mini Bernedoodles 