The First 24 Hours - What’s Next and Things to Know

First day at home with your new CERTIFIED SWEET pup!

  1. DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE INSURANCE! You will not need a credit card. Once it’s been 24 hours after pick-up, it’s ineligible! 1-855-266-2156 or trupan.in/breederofferus and enter Code: BR1SC1323

  2. REGISTER THE MICROCHIP! You do NOT want to lose this pup (at any stage of their lives) and it not be registered to you as the contact. It’s the first thing vets and shelters look for with a lost animal. The chip is located between its shoulder blades. It could be tender or sore the first few days. You may even see a scab.

  3. Schedule your first vet appointment within 3 business days so you don’t void the health warranty! Remember they only need a check-up and fecal. Give them your booklet especially if there is anything to watch. Make sure they are aware that your pup has already had a check-up, shots, microchip and preventatives. Then schedule your next appointment when they’re 12 weeks old (2nd booster shots). Last booster is 16 weeks (but follow YOUR vet’s advice!) Spay/Neuter should be done between 6-9 months, or follow your vet’s opinion if sooner. Please provide a copy to me once done.

  4. Is crying normal? Why yes!!! Your pup JUST left their littermates! They are now in new surroundings, with new humans, and no familiarity. Our puppies are very human focused (you want this especially if you have other animals!), so use it to your advantage. However, if they’re crying to get out of the kennel, to be picked up, or you left the room… DON’T cater to them. They will think the way to get your attention.

  5. Food: Your puppy is eating about 1/2 cup in the morning and evening. They eat around 6:30am and between 5 and 6pm. If they are crying at that time, it’s because they’re hungry and thirsty. Remember to pick the water up after dinner! Don’t leave water out right now - until they know how to hold their potty. If your pup doesn’t eat the first night or next morning, this is common and not to be alarmed. Remember… everything is new and they’re not fighting for food anymore. Try the PURE pumpkin with warm water mixed with their food, or try putting their food in their kennel (not during night time… just rest time). They can be overstimulated and not want to eat until they have gotten used to their new environment.

  6. To crate or not to crate: CRATE!!!!!!!!! This is for the safety of you, your pup and your home! Use the divider. It will look like a long skinny space for (about the width of your Snuggle Puppy). Your Snuggle Puppy can go in it too! No need to put anything else in it. If your pup is having lots of accidents, try a towel or washable pee pad. Don’t put a disposable pee pad because they can get bored and eat it.

    1. Review videos online or purchase a training program (25% off of Baxter & Bella below!) to learn how to properly crate train. Do it positively. With treats (love the freeze dried chicken from PawTree) and use that every time they go in. Don’t take them out when they’re crying/barking unless you know it’s to potty. (this will be a learned behavior to always whine/bark). DO take them potty every time you take them out though. Bully sticks are also great to give them inside!

  7. Introduction to house: Make sure your pup is only allowed in one room at a time. Start off in the kitchen until they are comfortable (few days). Put the crate close to a door where they potty so they aren’t running through the house when you let them out. Also don’t leave a pup unsupervised on the couch or bed as they will most likely have to potty there.

  8. NUVET Vitamins: Break the vitamins up in 4 parts or more if too big (doesn’t have to be equal). Your 8 week old pup can get 1 quarter a day. At 12 weeks they can get 1/2 a day. By the 16th week they can get the whole vitamin. These pups are not used to treats. New pups that just went home, need to be taught there are treats in a hand. Do this with their food by hand first… then introduce Nuvets as “treats” and same goes for any other treats given.

  9. Gastro Plus: If you have purchased the Gastro Plus, then AWESOME! Give your pup a 1/2 chew every day for 6 days. Then only as needed when you see soft poop or tummy is upset. You can crush it in their food if they won’t take it by hand.

  10. Potty training: Just know your pup needs to potty ALL OF THE TIME! Make sure you bring them to the same spot every time just outside the door. Use your code word “Go potty” every single time. Once they have eliminated completely, then praise with a treat (or their food)! Be sure the be prepared with a treat in your hand otherwise if you wait too long, they won’t associate it together. A new pup needs to use the potty every 30 minutes. I suggest watching and reading potty trainings!! The first few weeks, you may need to help them in the middle of the night as well.