Preparing for Your New Puppy
Basic Health Info.
All our puppies are guaranteed against all major genetic diseases for up to one year of age, up to, but not exceeding the price of the puppy. All puppies will be on a extensive deworming schedule of 2,4,6 and 8 weeks old. They will have a fecal exam done before going home, and will not be sent home without a clear fecal exam.
Puppies will also have age appropriate vaccines given before going to their new homes.
We also micro chip each of our puppies as a safety precaution.
Please remember that your puppy is still a baby. It would not be wise to walk him in high traffic animal areas, like dog parks, pet stores, or even into the vets office when he is not fully vaccinated. Normal vaccination schedules conclude around 16 weeks old. Before this, your puppy could still be susceptible to many viruses and diseases. While it is tempting to walk your fluffy baby thru the pet store and show him off, please consider how many other dogs have been in there, and what sicknesses your puppy could be licking off the floor. I do not let any of my puppies feet touch the floor in a vets office. The risk is not worth it.
Please also remember that your puppy is not a human baby. While extreme temperatures of either hot or cold should be avoided, remember that God provided your little guy with a very fluffy coat, and he is much happier at cooler temperatures than you are. In fact, if you don't take him out to play in the snow, he's probably going to be very disappointed! And on hot summer days, make sure he always has access to shade and lots of cool water.
A common myth exists that double coated dogs should be shaved for summer: FALSE. Aussies should never be shaved. The same design that insulates them from the cold in winter, also protects them from the heat in summer. Their longer guard hairs form a “reflective” layer that helps bounce the heat away from their bodies. Plus, shaving can damage their coats so they never grow back to the beautiful coats they are meant to have.
PottyTraining
Our puppies are litter box trained when they come home to you. This means that inside their nursery, they have a large sawdust box where they (mostly) choose to do their business. Puppies by nature do not want to soil their 'den' where they sleep, so as soon as they can toddle, they start taking a few steps from their nest to potty. We provide an area with shavings near their beds, and as they get bigger and can walk further, we move the litter box farther from their nest area.
They are by no means “potty trained” by 8 weeks old, but if you implement crate training, you will speed potty training up significantly. Crate your puppy if he is not being supervised, and take him out frequently for potty time. You should take your puppy outside IMMEDIATELY after taking him from his crate ( its best to carry him, he can squat in a flash), directly after meals and napping. And because puppies see soft absorbent floors as a great place to potty, its best to not allow puppies in carpeted rooms or on rugs, until his outside potty habits are solid. Its much easier to prevent bad habits from forming than to break them. If you take your puppy out to potty and he doesn't go, get comfortable. You must wait him out at this point. There is a lot to sniff and see and he has temporarily forgotten about his need to pee. This is where a bad habit can quickly form. Many people think the puppy doesn't have to go, so they take him inside, and he is no longer distracted by sights and smells, he remembers his full bladder, and pees. Then that comfortable, safe area is his potty zone. This becomes a problem very quickly. Always go outside prepared to wait an hour, if you must.
Never yell at your puppy or punish him for peeing or pooping in the house. This will assuredly make things worse.
No, dogs don't “get mad' and pee or poop to punish you. Carefully consider what might have happened that led him to potty in the house, and make moves to prevent it next time. Remember, if you are a dog owner, you are a dog trainer, and the trainer is 99.9 times out of 100 responsible for the miscommunication.
Going Home.
Our puppies are allowed to leave for their new homes at or after 8 weeks old.
We reserve the right to hold any puppy back if we feel he is not thriving. Our puppies health and safety is our #1 concern.
The week before going home our puppies will receive a full health exam, and health certificate from our veterinarian.
The week before pick up I will be in touch with you, to schedule the visit and go over any last minute details with you. A folder with all your puppies medical info and paperwork, including deworming schedule and vaccines given will be provided for you at time of pick up. This will be helpful information to show your vet at the time of your puppies first checkup ( within 72 hours of pick up, as stated in our contract).
You will also receive a bag full of puppy things; a blanket that smells like home, toys, a bag of his food, and a packet of shavings that will help him with potty training. We feed our puppies Purina Pro Plan. If you desire to change the food brand, the food bag sent with him will be enough to transition him to the new food.