Basic Puppy Tips and Starter List

Feeding and Potty Training Puppy Tips

First thing in the morning we recommend getting your puppy up around 6-8 am for a potty break. Then, another potty break within 30-45 minutes after the puppy’s breakfast. Your puppy will then be ready for playtime followed by nap time. This schedule will be frequent throughout the day. As soon as you see your puppy wakes up from their nap take the puppy outside immediately for a potty break.

If you crate them for any reason during the day a potty break should be the first thing they do when the puppy is let out of the crate. The same schedule is to be followed in the evening with dinner between 4-7 pm. Followed by a potty break 30-45 minutes after. Bedtime between 9-11 with a potty break right before bed. Depending on the age of your puppy at adoption, your puppy might need a potty time during the night, usually between 2-3 am. If you are crating your puppy at night the puppy will usually cry to you to be let out.

If you follow these general rules, you will find that potty training will come much easier!

11 Must Have Items for Puppy

• Food and water dish. (We recommend Purina Pro Plan Performance Chicken & Rice 30/20)
• Crate for sleeping (we recommended adult size and use a divider when your puppy is small.)
• Soft bed for the crate to sleep.
• Puppy toys, rope chew toys, and squeaky toys are usually their favorite, and toys for the teething period.
• Soft brush and comb.
• Puppy shampoo (we suggest oatmeal base for puppies.)
• Small collar and leash.
• Puppy pads.
• Cleaning spray for urine and accidents.
• Bitter apply spray for detouring your puppy from chewing on furniture or other items​.
• Travel crate.

Optional Puppy Supplies [depending on preference and home situation]

• Puppy gate to gate off certain areas.
• Puppy playpen.
• Puppy toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Angel wipes for tear stains.
• Puppy treats (only to be given after 12 weeks of age.)
• Puppy jacket or sweater depending on your weather (suggested if temps are below freezing.)
• Toenail clippers if you are planning on doing that yourself.
• Snuggle puppy with a heartbeat for puppies that are received before 10 weeks of age.
• Puppy blanket.
• Puppy stroller.
• Portable puppy fence for outside if you do not have a fence around your yard area.
• Flea and tick shampoo for summer months.

Tips on Keeping You Puppy Healthy

Annual Vet Visits

A yearly wellness exam gives an open door to your veterinarian to perform an assortment of wellbeing screens that can prompt early location of infections and detect in advance indications of serious disease.

Coupled with yearly dental arrangements may likewise be prescribed to eliminate plaque and tartar development. Veterinarians will help set an ideal diet plan and screen the weight and medical issues of your pet helping to prevent overeating and catching illnesses before they spiral out of control.

Preventative Medications

Taking preventative medication remains closely connected with annual veterinarian exams. Safeguard prescriptions can keep your pet liberated from undesirable medical problems, like heartworm, flea-related diseases, and tick-borne illnesses.

Likewise, consistently cleaning your pet’s teeth and giving him dental bites assist with forestalling periodontal infection, which can prompt more serious medical issues.

Pet Insurance

Like different kinds of insurance, pet insurance works by moving the monetary gamble of paying for your pet’s clinical costs in return for paying an installment. Pet insurance allows you to avoid the gamble of unforeseen and unexpected clinical costs that could be pricey.

Furthermore, when you purchase your Golden Retriever or Goldendoodle puppy from Golden Crest Retrievers & Doodles you will receive 30 days of coverage from Trupanion. This is at no cost to you and can prove to be very valuable for unanticipated medical expenses.

Grooming

Having a regular grooming schedule is important. This includes keeping your pet’s nails managed, brushing two or three times each week, and giving him frequent showers.

Likewise, grooming is an effective method for watching out for changes in your pet’s coat and skin, such as dandruff, bare spots, or dry skin. What’s more, it’s an optimal opportunity to check for irregularities and bumps that might be a cause to worry.

Socialization

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, “Early socialization [in dogs] and appropriate exposure to various people and situations at a young age decreases the odds of antisocial or fearfully aggressive behaviors as an adult.”

Starting at a few weeks of age to 18 weeks is the best time in the puppy’s life to improve their socialization skills. So be certain your puppy is introduced to several different individuals, cats, and other dogs in their early months as well as all through their life. 

Puppy Proof Home

Prepare your home for your Golden Retriever or Goldendoodle puppy by putting toxic substances out of reach. Be aware of items in your home that may be available to your new puppy and take the necessary measures to puppy-proof your home.

Also, remember to remove hanging cords or wires that your puppy can chew to avoid electric shock. Put up poisonous chemicals that could be ingested.

Remember, to your puppy everything is a toy even items that could be life-threatening to your new Goldendoodle or Golden Retriever puppy

Spay/Neuter Your Dog

There are many health and behavioral advantages to spaying/neutering your dog. The advantages include decreased risk of cancer, decreased chance of aggressive behavior, and possibly increases the dog’s lifespan.

Male dogs’ instinct to stray from your home will be decreased. Spaying your female will decrease her risk for urinary infections.

Sensitive to Extreme Weather

It is vital you are sensitive to extreme weather your puppy may encounter. Provide your puppy with a shady place to play with plenty of water. Do not leave your puppy in a hot vehicle. By taking this precautionary measure you can avoid the chance of your puppy getting heat stroke or overheating therefore keeping your puppy much happier.

When the weather turns cold be cautious of the amount of time your puppy is outdoors. Provide coats/sweaters for the dogs if necessary.

Nutritious Dog Food

Taking care to insure you’re feeding your Goldendoodle or Golden Retriever puppy a healthy nutritious dog food is a very important step in keeping your puppy healthy.

We at Golden Crest Retrievers & Doodles recommend Purina Pro Plan Performance all life stages dog food. We have seen firsthand what a wonderful improvement it has had on our own dog’s health and recommend it to all our puppy customers.

Making sure you are feeding your puppy the proper amount of food is also importing in keeping a healthy weigh. Which in return can prevent your dog from becoming overweight and prevent obesity-related illnesses and extend your dog’s lifespan.

Exercise: Physical & Mental

Taking your puppy for a hike, run, or walk, playing games is wonderful ways to be active your puppy. Staying physically fit is a great way to stay healthy.

Keeping your Golden Retriever or Goldendoodle mentally fit is also important. Providing toys that provide your puppy mental stimulation. Introduce new places with new smells while you are taking your daily walk. Hide treats from your puppy and see if they can sniff them out resulting playtime together and mental stimulation.