The Non-Tangibles

The Plan

Rationale from a List Contributor: “I really think the PLAN must be taken into account or the new puppy may be overwhelming. If this will be the first puppy for the family a discussion about what is required to raise a puppy is imperative.”

  • A plan for sleeping: where and in what (crate, x-pen, etc.).

  • A plan for potty breaks, play time, meal time and rest time.

  • A plan for who is in charge of what and when.

  • A plan to avoid unattended time.

  • A plan for substitution when puppy is biting.

  • A plan for how the puppy will ride safely in a vehicle.

  • A plan to continue socializing, which will need extra attention in this time of COVID-19.

Love, Patience, Time, Consistency, Willingness – and more Patience

Rationale: Puppies are babies – not adult dogs.

  • Love for your imperfectly perfect puppy.

  • Patience for potty mishaps – you are only human, after all (in other words, potty mishaps are the fault of the inattentive human – not the puppy).

  • Time to manage all things puppy. LOTS of time.

  • Consistent feeding schedule (four times a day until four months, and then three times a day)

  • Consistent messages about where/when to potty.

  • Consistent use of leash when outside of a fenced area.

  • Consistent rewards for desired behaviors.

  • Willingness to take puppy outside at VERY frequent intervals with profuse praise for elimination.

  • Willingness to always supervise the puppy with older dogs and children.

  • Willingness to groom your own dog (or, if necessary, willingness to watch if someone else is grooming the dog).

  • Willingness to prevent dangerous, harebrained puppy antics – like jumping off furniture, leaping in/out of a vehicle, falling down stairs (stairs must be taught – when puppy is older), and/or rough play with older dogs.

  • Willingness to ignore behavior that is annoying but not unsafe, replacing with desired behavior (i.e., ignore jumping up, reinforce sit instead).

  • Willingness to lift and/or use a ramp for vehicles – for a long time and some people say forever.

  • Willingness to be an assertive advocate for your puppy. Always and with everyone.

  • Patience for your imperfect human self – raising a puppy well is Hard Work.

Relationships

  • A solid and trusting relationship with a smart veterinarian with a plan for after-hour emergencies is a must!

  • Keep your Breeder’s phone number handy.


The Tangible Things

Suggestions for Wellness or Lack Thereof

Shared by a List Contributor: “A friend of mine, who is a vet, gave me some sage advice many decades ago. He said “You have your list of symptoms: anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your dog has one symptom, watch it carefully. If it hasn’t cleared up in a couple days, take it to the vet. If your dog has two symptoms: lethargy and anorexia, or vomiting with diarrhea, see a vet right away.”

  • Health insurance: I use Nationwide.

  • Fortiflora or other good probiotic: Get from Amazon or your vet – first defense for diarrhea.

  • Vet wrap: All kinds of uses.

  • Hydrogen peroxide: Under direction of your vet (and/or with experience), it can be used to induce vomiting.

  • Pepcid AC and/or Gas-X: Unlikely to be needed for a puppy but might be useful for the human – puppies are a lot of stress and work!

  • First aid cream.

  • Thuja Tincture (30cc) for vaccines: Some believe in this, others do not – your call as it won’t hurt.

  • Dog Thermometer: Ear or rectal (Normal canine body temperature is from 101 to 102.5).

  • Benadryl: Liquid or clear gel caps for allergic reactions.

  • Pedialyte: Mix unflavored with broth or yogurt for bouts of diarrhea and/or vomiting.

 Looking Good

  • Towels – lots.

  • Dilute shampoo for humans – yes, for the puppy! Tearless is a bonus.

  • Brush: Chris Christensen T-Brush, 16mm works well.

  • Comb: metal works fine.

  • FURminator Grooming Rake: for use when the dog is shedding (you can also use the metal comb).

  • Nails: A Dremel works great — or you can use clippers but be careful and have styptic powder on hand in case you get the quick – it is bloody!

  • Thinning shears and scissors: For feet and ears – watch a video first! Purchase online or at a Beauty Supply place.

  • Grooming Table if you want to be fancy – I like these: http://www.tableworks.com/Grooming-Tables.html.

  • Dryer: It takes a lot to dry a Berner. I like Double K, variable speed.

  • Ear wipes.

  • Toothbrush and tooth paste: Yes, we should brush their teeth and there is flavored dog toothpaste. Who knew?!

Keeping the Puppy Busy

No rawhide or rope toys – they are dangerous. Also, be careful about fabric toys that can be chewed into pieces and swallowed.

  • Bully sticks or similar things: I like https://naturegnaws.com/

  • Real bones – make sure they are at least 3 – 4 inches long and raw (not cooked).

  • Chew toys that can be frozen for teething.

  • Kongs.

  • Nylabones – not the edible ones as the puppies will be big enough to break off chunks and swallow.

  • Buster cube and similar “figure it out” kinds of toys/things.

Thanks to Lori for this idea — use a C-clamp to keep the dog from swallowing small pieces of the bully stick. There are also commercial bully stick holders available.

Thanks to Lori for this idea — use a C-clamp to keep the dog from swallowing small pieces of the bully stick. There are also commercial bully stick holders available.

Location, Location, Location

  • x-pen – 30 inches is perfect. Check out Amazon for MidWest Homes for Pets Folding Metal Exercise Pen. Puppies do better sleeping in an x-pen!

  • Crate(s): One for the bedroom (when puppy is older — start with an x-pen), one for the car…

  • Baby Gates – this helps limit access, which is important when managing a puppy; x-pens can serve this function as well.

  • Crate for car or a safe seatbelt (see https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/test-results/harnesses/cps-approved-harnesses/). 

Clean-up on Aisle Nine

  • Potty pads: Costco has some but I am using these even though these are spendy because they work SO well: Ultrasorbs AP Drypads, Super Absorbent Disposable Underpad, 30 x 36 inches (I buy on Amazon, of course).

  • Distilled white vinegar – works great on about everything.

  • Paper towels. Lots.

  • Baby Wipes – Costco/Kirkland is the place to get these (and the white vinegar).

  • Nature’s Miracle – for getting rid of smell as need (white vinegar can work also)

  • Carpet cleaner.

  • Hydrogen peroxide (works great for cleaning up carpets – but color test first)

Hints for the Puppy’s Personal Chef

  • Make sure to wash the dog’s bowls daily – and avoid plastic.

  • Kibble: Origen Large-breed Puppy – soak kibble until the puppies are 3 – 4 months to reduce choking hazard.

  • Homemade: Use the BalanceIt site for recipes.

  • Raw: Get a quality prepared raw food locally or try out Darwin’s Natural (they ship)

  • TINY Treats for all-day training – use soft things like string cheese, cheerios, baby puffs, and/or small pieces of chicken; if the treat is hard, use very small pieces to avoid choking – yes, we know someone whose little puppy died after choking on a piece of kibble. Homemade treats are easy peasy! As the puppy gets older, you can use kibble as treats.

 Staying Attached 

  • Collar (prefer martingale) and/or harness (chest strap between the front legs – not across the chest).

  • ID on collar or harness.

  • Leash (don’t use a flexi or other retractable leash with a puppy — it works against training leash manners).

  • Poop bags (bonus for biodegradable).

What did we miss?