Puppy Tips

Considering adopting a puppy?? Here are some tips:

Have a fenced yard. Pups need to run.

Have a good working knowledge of “dog language” so you can understand your pups needs.

Have the time, energy, and patience it takes to raise a pup properly.

Puppies take an enormous amount of time. Take them out to eliminate every hour or two, when they wake, and after they eat. I carry the pups outside so they won’t learn it’s OK to eliminate in the house. In between that, cleaning the crate and feeding will fill your day.

They are noisy and don’t always allow you to sleep (day or night). They sleep “mostly” through the night. If you have a family member who won’t appreciate being awakened at any hour of the night, then a pup isn’t for you. An adult grey is a perfect choice.

Be SURE to take the pup to your vet for an overall health exam as soon as possible. They need vaccines and de-worming every 2-3 weeks until about 4 months old.

The adoption of your pup will be through your local group. A contract should be signed with them. Be sure you have read up on proper puppy care before doing so.

Get your house ready BEFORE the pup arrives…and make sure all family members know and understand “puppy” rules. We strongly recommend having the puppy Micro-chipped as they have no ear tatoos or permanent form of identification.

Puppies need to SLEEP. If you or your children play with a pup too much you’ll have a sick one on your hands.

Pups chew everything in sight, including you. Child proof your house including electric cords. Learn the correct way to divert a pups attention to something that is safe to chew on.

Puppies are not toys. They are babies and should be treated as such.

	Pups break easily! This pup was stepped on by an adult. Be careful so you don’t make your pups childhood a misery!
	Children should be watched at all times with the pup. It’s VERY easy for children, adults, or a large dog to step on an active little pup. Walk slowly and shuffle your feet if you have to. Don’t trip on the pup.

	Allow children SUPERVISED visits only with the pup. With young pups, it’s best to have the children sit or stand still and let the pup play around them. NEVER leave a pup unattended in the yard.
	NEVER leave a pup unattended with children or other pets. When you introduce your new pup to adult greys be sure to muzzle them. Not all of them appreciate active little jumpers. SUPERVISED visits only with other pets. An adult grey can step on the pup and hurt him too.

Crate training your pup is absolutely essential. Keep him in the crate when you can’t watch him. Be sure he’s eliminated BEFORE you let him play in the house. Crate back up when done playing. The pups have previously been crated with food, water and a radio playing softly.

		Housebreaking Use the crate. Make sure your puppy has ample play and exercise time. Pups are social and want to be with their pack. Make the crate a happy place by playing and giving him treats in the crate.
Puppy kit: trash bags, water bucket, Clorox wipes, gloves, carpet cleaner, baby wipes, and don't forget the paper towels. A 42" or 48" fold down crate with a sturdy rack is best. These are Midwest "Better Buy" fold-downs with Midwest racks. The rack hooks onto the crate so the pan can slide out for easy cleaning without moving the pups. Use a 1 quart flat sided bucket and double hook for the food bucket. Use a 30 oz. hook on coop cup for the water. Use zip ties to secure the bracket. This makes it "almost" impossible for the pups to dump the water. For pups that dig in the water dish I keep the ring for the coop cup and hook a bucket inside. Use a skinny nozzle water bucket to water the pups without opening the crate door and letting 4 crazed pups escape to run down your hall willy nilly. Add a towel or small blanket for bedding. You'll be changing this daily if not more often so make it simple.

		1) Make sure your pup isn’t wormy…a pup with worms/diarrhea can’t be expected to be housebroken.
		2) Select one toilet area outside for the pup to eliminate.
		3) Keep your pup's meals regular to predict elimination patterns. To make it easier for the pup to make it through the night, schedule the last feeding before 6:00 P.M. If you free feed (have food constantly available) consider doing this after pup is housebroken.
		4) Do not leave your pup unsupervised in the house. If you can’t watch him 100%, put him back in the crate.
		5) Keep treats by the pups toilet area. When pups relieves himself, immediately praise him and give him a treat.
		6) Take your pup to the toilet area often. Take after feeding, upon wakening, after greeting new people, after car ride, and at the beginning of play.
		7) Don’t spend too much time waiting for pup to perform. Five to ten minutes is sufficient. If he doesn’t perform, don’t let him run free. Put him in the crate and after five minutes take him out again.
		8) Teach pup to eliminate on command. When you take him out and he searches for the right spot, encourage him with “hurry up”, “potty”, or your own creative phrase.
		9) Don’t leave your pup alone outside, in the basement, or garage. Prolonged periods of isolation from the pack family can cause behavior problems. And, long stretches of unsupervised time gives your pup a chance to get into trouble and learn bad behaviors, such as barking.
		10) If you see your pup have an accident in the house, clap your hands, shout or slap the wall to distract him. Then take him outside to the toilet area and reward him for eliminating in the correct place. Never punish the pup after the fact. Just clean it up and watch pup better next time.
		11) Use products that neutralize urine odor when cleaning up accidents. Natures Miracle and Outright are a few products that work well.

Puppies are a huge responsibility. The way you train (or don’t train him), will shape his personality for his adult life. If you are willing to take on this responsibility, your days and nights will be filled with unimaginable work and endless smiles. Learning to do both at the same time is the trick <g>.

Enjoy your new pup!
Ann Peterson
Greyhound Support in Kansas City
ann@greyhoundsupport.org
moredogs2001@hotmail.com