Puppy 101: And What I Have Learned As a Puppy Parent
Hi All,
Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. We have been extremely busy over here the past few weeks/months getting settled into a new routine.
In April of this year..we decided to bring home the newest member of our family.... Miss Hazel (Hazelnut for long) The Cockapoo! You can feel free to follow her along on instagram if you'd like : @hazelnut.the.cockapoo
She has been such a blessing and taught us so many things within these short couple of months. I thought I would form a post to talk about all the the things I have learned so far in this puppy journey, and a few Puppy 101 tips and tricks to help any other fur parents out there get through the first few months as well!
First I am going to start with a New Puppy Checklist.
The Basics:
1. Collar - there are so many different cute brands, stores and shops to get the perfect collar for your pet. We knew she'd be growing fast..so we just got a nice leather one from Target, and also a colored snap on collar for easy on and off moments. Ours is linked here and also a few more... this one and this one
2. Harness - Again, same as above. We knew she'd outgrow whatever type of harness we got for her so quickly..that we went to PetSmart and got a standard mini harness to train her for walking, instead of by collar where it pulls on her little neck. Ours is linked here:
3. Leash - We have one retractable and also one non-retractable. We seem to use the retractable (tape/cord combo version) leash more often because it gives different lengths, and locking ability.
4. ID Tag - We got a standard one from PetSmart
5. Crate - We got an adjustable metal kennel from PetSmart. This gives us the flexibility to fold it up and bring it with us for travel, and also has a divider from puppy to adult age, that you can adjust to give them more or less room. I have been told that when they are a puppy it is a smart choice to section it in half..so that they learn to kennel train and hold their bladder. If you give them too much space / too big of kennel, then they are able to potty in half..and sleep in the other half! So save yourself the trouble right away by giving them just enough space to be comfortable and turn around if they have to! :) Ours is linked here:
6. Food and Water Dishes - We got some cute hammered copper ones from Target. ours linked here
Nutrition:
1. Puppy Specific Food : We were recommended by the breeder and also our vet had told us that Eukanuba puppy brand was one of the better ones..but again, this is total preference and find what works best for you and your puppy. This type comes in two flavors..Chicken and Lamb. Linked here
2. Small Training Treats: We got the blue buffalo bites. Linked here. Hazel loved these, and they are also made with natural ingredients, and come in multiple flavors.
3. We have not given Hazel any human food, and really try to refrain from any other treats besides the blue buffalo bites, and Greenies which aide in dental health. Other than that..we have tried a few other diet approved choices to switch it up. My fear was giving her too many different treats and options would cause an upset stomach.
Training:
Luckily Hazel catches on very quickly..and is extremely bright. A few things we did to help in training are the following!
1. Bell Train: With the bell, we were EXTREMELY regimen about going out almost every half hour with her, touching her paw or nose to the bell, and then immediately followed by going outside to potty. We used a lot of words like : "potty", "poop", "outside", "bell"...while getting familiar with this training. After about 2 weeks..she recognized that if she rang the bell on her own, we would let her out. It was AMAZING to watch her learn so quickly to ring the bell on her own. I would recommend this to anyone. As they get older you can take the bell away, or still use it for the fact that they may choose to still ring the bell versus sitting by the door quietly without you knowing, or barking/whining. She does not do any barking or whining to go outside = thankfully!! We got 2 different kinds of bells to potty train. A. Small wall bell from Amazon linked here B. and also a bell to take to other homes for travel purposes linked here (also from Amazon)
2. We refrained from using Puppy Pads, despite some people's recommendation...as I did not feel like training this way, and causing a set back to the bell training.
3. Stain & Odor remover. As we all know, potty training is TOUGH work. So we got a really nice stain and odor remover that smells great, and also helps so that they do not mark the same area twice. Ours we got from Petsmart, and linked the brand we liked here (Skouts Honor - in the spray bottle).
4. Again, training bites/treats to help in learning commands, potty training, etc. As for training of commands. I would do this regularly and call them her "lessons". I would give a command and motion what I would like her to do...honestly about 30 times in a row. I would give half a treat each time, for the first few..followed by bites of her kibbel (instead of giving a million treats), then the last few commands, I would break small treats in half again to reinforce those commands with good behavior. So for example: I would say sit, and then push her butt to the ground, and say the command again, and then praise!, etc. etc.
5. Crate/Kennel Training: We have had her sleeping and staying in her kennel during the day while we go to work, since the day we brought her home. This helps in helping her learn to hold her bladder, and not tear apart the house while we're gone.
The first two nights, I'll admit -- we slept next to the kennel, to get her acquainted with it, and so we could also get some shut-eye if she decided to cry and howel those first few nights. She did not, upon our surprise because she could see us right next to her!! Anytime she would whimper, I would place my hand next to the kennel, and say "its ok...shhh.." and she would stop. By the 3rd night, she did not make a peep.. Although, we kept the kennel in our room with us for the first 2 weeks, before moving it downstairs for bed time.
She loves her kennel, and we really made it a sense of (safe place) instead of a disciplinary place. It is ok to give 'puppy timeouts' according to the vet -- as I am no expert! ..when they are being naughty, just quietly place them in the kennel for them to calm themselves down. But do not slap/spank/ yell and then shove in the kennel..as this will do the opposite effect, and associate the safe place for training, as a bad place. You dont want that... All we say is "kennel up" and she knows right away to go into the kennel, and then we reinforce with 'good girl' and a treat. We put a blanket or towel over her kennel so she feels enclosed, and confined (much like an instinctual den). ALSO!! another tip we learned, after hearing horror stories, is to make sure you remove your puppy's collar before placing them in the kennel. Especially the type of metal kennel we have, there are some metal hooks that the collar could get stuck on.
6. Teething!!! This one was huge for us. Her teeth have all pretty much fallen out by now..but she went through a good 2 month period when she just wanted to gnaw on everything in site as her baby teeth were starting to make way for the adult teeth to pop through. A couple things we did were A) Wet & Freeze small wash cloths and towels for her to chew on. This lasted a little while..and then she wanted to just play with it and ditch it. B) Teething bones. She still loves these ones today..they are the Nylabone for puppies. Linked here . You have to be extremely careful when it comes to choosing teething toys, as you need to monitor chewing time, or make sure that it is one that is made specifically for teething. Steer clear of ones that they can break off small pieces and swallow, and absolutely NO RAWHIDES. They make treats that say no rawhide, but are the same consistency..stay away from those as well, as it makes it extremely easy for puppy to choke! C) Digestible teething rings. To be honest, I got mine at stores like Marshalls & Home Goods for cheap. But other places have them like Amazon, etc. I have linked the ones we like here
Grooming:
1. Ear Cleaning: I clean Hazels ears with an antifungal solution once a week. I get a paper towel, wet it with the solution, and then swab out each ear canal. We have done this since she was very little, so has no issues getting her ears touched or handled. the one we have smells so fresh and clean! and so easy to use. I have linked it here!! Also - the bottle says to flush the ear...which i did not do, because I did not want to freak her out by flooding her ear canal.
2. Brushing of the Teeth: I got a cheap tooth brush set and finger scrubber from our local Meijer. The toothpaste flavor I picked was peanut butter. I do this every other week if I can. I substitute the Greenies as well for dental health.
3. Brushing: I got two types of brushes for her soft coat. She does not shed, however her hair is very silky and grows very quickly..so to try and keep from her getting knots, I try to brush her almost everyday, if not every other day. We have the following, both from PetSmart : A) dual brush and B) wire brush, that you can push a button in the back, and it pushes the hair off of the brush for you. This one is good to get dense knots. This one is similar.
4. Shampoo: We just got a friendly puppy shampoo, that smells like lavender.
5. TO THE GROOMERS. We found a local / reputable groomer in town that can take care of the following areas: Hair cut/trims, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, ear cleaning, under area trim, and anal gland expression. We took her for a puppy "trim" basically to cleanup her face, paws, and under area. They also cleaned her ears and got her bathed and used to the buzzer and other equipment like the DEADLY BLOW DRYER!!! :) She hates when we blow dry her too... so.. I'd rather a professional do it.
Extras & Misc:
1. Waste pick up baggies & leash baggie holder. THIS WORKS SOOO WELL for on the go pickup. We have scented bags, and they are biodegradable.. similar ones linked here (baggie holder) and (waste bags - scented like mango or honeysuckle).
2. Dish Mat: We got two different kinds. I got a cloth one in a cute pattern, shaped like a bone to go under her water and food dish. I have yet to use this one, because as a small puppy, she makes a lot of mess while she's drinking her water. so we got a rubber one from Target. This saves our wood floors! Linked here.
3. Kennel pad: We made her kennel like a little fluffy cloud, for her to feel safe and comfortable in. We got her a sherpa mat, to rest on top of a crate mattress. There are many different kinds. But I got her a mattress pad similar to this off amazon. We also put a towel or blanket over her kennel so she feels more contained and safe during the night and when we are at work during the day. I also have a fleece dog blanket in there for her to snuggle on. I did not introduce this until a few weeks ago, because before that I feared she would shred and choke on it as a puppy... (now looking back, im sure she would have been ok).
4. LOTS AND LOTS OF different stuffed animals & toys!!!
5. Dog Bed - i got mine from Marshall's.
6. **This one is sooo convenient for us. Pop Up Doggie Food/Water Dishes!! These are soo handy when we are going on trips, and taking hikes and walking and we do not feel like bringing her metal bowls. We got ours off amazon as well. Similar ones linked here. They are light weight, and you can hook them to your leash or backpack. There are also ones with built in water dispensers like this. There are a few different brands for this. But basically it can also hook on to your leash or backpack while walking...and is a two in one water bottle/water dish for walking and on the go! very neat idea and handy!
There are so many things to consider when you get a puppy. One of the very first things I did was research Veterinary Clinics in the area, and places for grooming, since I knew that the breed we wanted was going to need regular groomings!
Having Hazel has made me realize a few very important things about life:
1. Get up Early and start your day! - she gets up with us on routine and out the door we go to potty and then come back in for breakfast. This gives us a reason to be up and mobile early in the mornings!
2. Get outside and be active, whether its hiking/walking/etc.
3. Every day is different, and its ok to have inconsistent days... Keep working through the training process, and do not give up.
4. To put others first. She is definitely one of our top priorities in managing our time away from home..and making sure we are there to take care of her needs before our own.
5. TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. She has really been such a blessing. She is the first happy face you see in the morning, when you get home for work, and when you go to bed. She is always so lovey and cuddly..and can brighten anyday. I swear, between puppies and babies.... it is a love like any other. (and my husband of course!! ;))
6. To make new friends! She is great at enjoying everyones company, and loving everyone. She greets and accepts new people with pleasure. I admire that about dogs! They are such friendly people pleasers. We have met so many new people and puppy owners in our neighborhood, that we may not have connected with otherwise! Bonding over our pets has been a lot of fun.
There are so many things that having a dog does that truly helps fulfill your life and create a sense of family and well-being!! I do not know what we would do without our spunky little pup!
For anyone considering getting a pet, I hope these tips and tricks to new puppy 101 may help you...and feel free to reach out with any questions! Because it really is quite a new experience, if you are a brand new pet owner. It is like bringing a new furry baby home!
Here are some pictures to make your day a little brighter!!
Family Photoshoot done by : Jenna Parr Photography
Thanks for following along on our new journey!!
xoxo
Love,
EmmaLuna
She has been such a blessing and taught us so many things within these short couple of months. I thought I would form a post to talk about all the the things I have learned so far in this puppy journey, and a few Puppy 101 tips and tricks to help any other fur parents out there get through the first few months as well!
First I am going to start with a New Puppy Checklist.
The Basics:
1. Collar - there are so many different cute brands, stores and shops to get the perfect collar for your pet. We knew she'd be growing fast..so we just got a nice leather one from Target, and also a colored snap on collar for easy on and off moments. Ours is linked here and also a few more... this one and this one
2. Harness - Again, same as above. We knew she'd outgrow whatever type of harness we got for her so quickly..that we went to PetSmart and got a standard mini harness to train her for walking, instead of by collar where it pulls on her little neck. Ours is linked here:
3. Leash - We have one retractable and also one non-retractable. We seem to use the retractable (tape/cord combo version) leash more often because it gives different lengths, and locking ability.
4. ID Tag - We got a standard one from PetSmart
5. Crate - We got an adjustable metal kennel from PetSmart. This gives us the flexibility to fold it up and bring it with us for travel, and also has a divider from puppy to adult age, that you can adjust to give them more or less room. I have been told that when they are a puppy it is a smart choice to section it in half..so that they learn to kennel train and hold their bladder. If you give them too much space / too big of kennel, then they are able to potty in half..and sleep in the other half! So save yourself the trouble right away by giving them just enough space to be comfortable and turn around if they have to! :) Ours is linked here:
6. Food and Water Dishes - We got some cute hammered copper ones from Target. ours linked here
Nutrition:
1. Puppy Specific Food : We were recommended by the breeder and also our vet had told us that Eukanuba puppy brand was one of the better ones..but again, this is total preference and find what works best for you and your puppy. This type comes in two flavors..Chicken and Lamb. Linked here
2. Small Training Treats: We got the blue buffalo bites. Linked here. Hazel loved these, and they are also made with natural ingredients, and come in multiple flavors.
3. We have not given Hazel any human food, and really try to refrain from any other treats besides the blue buffalo bites, and Greenies which aide in dental health. Other than that..we have tried a few other diet approved choices to switch it up. My fear was giving her too many different treats and options would cause an upset stomach.
Training:
Luckily Hazel catches on very quickly..and is extremely bright. A few things we did to help in training are the following!
1. Bell Train: With the bell, we were EXTREMELY regimen about going out almost every half hour with her, touching her paw or nose to the bell, and then immediately followed by going outside to potty. We used a lot of words like : "potty", "poop", "outside", "bell"...while getting familiar with this training. After about 2 weeks..she recognized that if she rang the bell on her own, we would let her out. It was AMAZING to watch her learn so quickly to ring the bell on her own. I would recommend this to anyone. As they get older you can take the bell away, or still use it for the fact that they may choose to still ring the bell versus sitting by the door quietly without you knowing, or barking/whining. She does not do any barking or whining to go outside = thankfully!! We got 2 different kinds of bells to potty train. A. Small wall bell from Amazon linked here B. and also a bell to take to other homes for travel purposes linked here (also from Amazon)
2. We refrained from using Puppy Pads, despite some people's recommendation...as I did not feel like training this way, and causing a set back to the bell training.
3. Stain & Odor remover. As we all know, potty training is TOUGH work. So we got a really nice stain and odor remover that smells great, and also helps so that they do not mark the same area twice. Ours we got from Petsmart, and linked the brand we liked here (Skouts Honor - in the spray bottle).
4. Again, training bites/treats to help in learning commands, potty training, etc. As for training of commands. I would do this regularly and call them her "lessons". I would give a command and motion what I would like her to do...honestly about 30 times in a row. I would give half a treat each time, for the first few..followed by bites of her kibbel (instead of giving a million treats), then the last few commands, I would break small treats in half again to reinforce those commands with good behavior. So for example: I would say sit, and then push her butt to the ground, and say the command again, and then praise!, etc. etc.
5. Crate/Kennel Training: We have had her sleeping and staying in her kennel during the day while we go to work, since the day we brought her home. This helps in helping her learn to hold her bladder, and not tear apart the house while we're gone.
The first two nights, I'll admit -- we slept next to the kennel, to get her acquainted with it, and so we could also get some shut-eye if she decided to cry and howel those first few nights. She did not, upon our surprise because she could see us right next to her!! Anytime she would whimper, I would place my hand next to the kennel, and say "its ok...shhh.." and she would stop. By the 3rd night, she did not make a peep.. Although, we kept the kennel in our room with us for the first 2 weeks, before moving it downstairs for bed time.
She loves her kennel, and we really made it a sense of (safe place) instead of a disciplinary place. It is ok to give 'puppy timeouts' according to the vet -- as I am no expert! ..when they are being naughty, just quietly place them in the kennel for them to calm themselves down. But do not slap/spank/ yell and then shove in the kennel..as this will do the opposite effect, and associate the safe place for training, as a bad place. You dont want that... All we say is "kennel up" and she knows right away to go into the kennel, and then we reinforce with 'good girl' and a treat. We put a blanket or towel over her kennel so she feels enclosed, and confined (much like an instinctual den). ALSO!! another tip we learned, after hearing horror stories, is to make sure you remove your puppy's collar before placing them in the kennel. Especially the type of metal kennel we have, there are some metal hooks that the collar could get stuck on.
6. Teething!!! This one was huge for us. Her teeth have all pretty much fallen out by now..but she went through a good 2 month period when she just wanted to gnaw on everything in site as her baby teeth were starting to make way for the adult teeth to pop through. A couple things we did were A) Wet & Freeze small wash cloths and towels for her to chew on. This lasted a little while..and then she wanted to just play with it and ditch it. B) Teething bones. She still loves these ones today..they are the Nylabone for puppies. Linked here . You have to be extremely careful when it comes to choosing teething toys, as you need to monitor chewing time, or make sure that it is one that is made specifically for teething. Steer clear of ones that they can break off small pieces and swallow, and absolutely NO RAWHIDES. They make treats that say no rawhide, but are the same consistency..stay away from those as well, as it makes it extremely easy for puppy to choke! C) Digestible teething rings. To be honest, I got mine at stores like Marshalls & Home Goods for cheap. But other places have them like Amazon, etc. I have linked the ones we like here
Grooming:
1. Ear Cleaning: I clean Hazels ears with an antifungal solution once a week. I get a paper towel, wet it with the solution, and then swab out each ear canal. We have done this since she was very little, so has no issues getting her ears touched or handled. the one we have smells so fresh and clean! and so easy to use. I have linked it here!! Also - the bottle says to flush the ear...which i did not do, because I did not want to freak her out by flooding her ear canal.
2. Brushing of the Teeth: I got a cheap tooth brush set and finger scrubber from our local Meijer. The toothpaste flavor I picked was peanut butter. I do this every other week if I can. I substitute the Greenies as well for dental health.
3. Brushing: I got two types of brushes for her soft coat. She does not shed, however her hair is very silky and grows very quickly..so to try and keep from her getting knots, I try to brush her almost everyday, if not every other day. We have the following, both from PetSmart : A) dual brush and B) wire brush, that you can push a button in the back, and it pushes the hair off of the brush for you. This one is good to get dense knots. This one is similar.
4. Shampoo: We just got a friendly puppy shampoo, that smells like lavender.
5. TO THE GROOMERS. We found a local / reputable groomer in town that can take care of the following areas: Hair cut/trims, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, ear cleaning, under area trim, and anal gland expression. We took her for a puppy "trim" basically to cleanup her face, paws, and under area. They also cleaned her ears and got her bathed and used to the buzzer and other equipment like the DEADLY BLOW DRYER!!! :) She hates when we blow dry her too... so.. I'd rather a professional do it.
Extras & Misc:
1. Waste pick up baggies & leash baggie holder. THIS WORKS SOOO WELL for on the go pickup. We have scented bags, and they are biodegradable.. similar ones linked here (baggie holder) and (waste bags - scented like mango or honeysuckle).
2. Dish Mat: We got two different kinds. I got a cloth one in a cute pattern, shaped like a bone to go under her water and food dish. I have yet to use this one, because as a small puppy, she makes a lot of mess while she's drinking her water. so we got a rubber one from Target. This saves our wood floors! Linked here.
3. Kennel pad: We made her kennel like a little fluffy cloud, for her to feel safe and comfortable in. We got her a sherpa mat, to rest on top of a crate mattress. There are many different kinds. But I got her a mattress pad similar to this off amazon. We also put a towel or blanket over her kennel so she feels more contained and safe during the night and when we are at work during the day. I also have a fleece dog blanket in there for her to snuggle on. I did not introduce this until a few weeks ago, because before that I feared she would shred and choke on it as a puppy... (now looking back, im sure she would have been ok).
4. LOTS AND LOTS OF different stuffed animals & toys!!!
5. Dog Bed - i got mine from Marshall's.
6. **This one is sooo convenient for us. Pop Up Doggie Food/Water Dishes!! These are soo handy when we are going on trips, and taking hikes and walking and we do not feel like bringing her metal bowls. We got ours off amazon as well. Similar ones linked here. They are light weight, and you can hook them to your leash or backpack. There are also ones with built in water dispensers like this. There are a few different brands for this. But basically it can also hook on to your leash or backpack while walking...and is a two in one water bottle/water dish for walking and on the go! very neat idea and handy!
There are so many things to consider when you get a puppy. One of the very first things I did was research Veterinary Clinics in the area, and places for grooming, since I knew that the breed we wanted was going to need regular groomings!
Having Hazel has made me realize a few very important things about life:
1. Get up Early and start your day! - she gets up with us on routine and out the door we go to potty and then come back in for breakfast. This gives us a reason to be up and mobile early in the mornings!
2. Get outside and be active, whether its hiking/walking/etc.
3. Every day is different, and its ok to have inconsistent days... Keep working through the training process, and do not give up.
4. To put others first. She is definitely one of our top priorities in managing our time away from home..and making sure we are there to take care of her needs before our own.
5. TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. She has really been such a blessing. She is the first happy face you see in the morning, when you get home for work, and when you go to bed. She is always so lovey and cuddly..and can brighten anyday. I swear, between puppies and babies.... it is a love like any other. (and my husband of course!! ;))
6. To make new friends! She is great at enjoying everyones company, and loving everyone. She greets and accepts new people with pleasure. I admire that about dogs! They are such friendly people pleasers. We have met so many new people and puppy owners in our neighborhood, that we may not have connected with otherwise! Bonding over our pets has been a lot of fun.
There are so many things that having a dog does that truly helps fulfill your life and create a sense of family and well-being!! I do not know what we would do without our spunky little pup!
For anyone considering getting a pet, I hope these tips and tricks to new puppy 101 may help you...and feel free to reach out with any questions! Because it really is quite a new experience, if you are a brand new pet owner. It is like bringing a new furry baby home!
Here are some pictures to make your day a little brighter!!
Family Photoshoot done by : Jenna Parr Photography
Thanks for following along on our new journey!!
xoxo
Love,
EmmaLuna
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