Bringing home your puppy
Congratulations on getting a new puppy! Now what? How do we feed it? How do we potty train? How do we take care of its coat? What about nails? Eyes? Crate training? Riding in the car? Meeting new people? So many other things! There are many other questions that will come up that I won’t answer here but I hope this will give you a solid foundation on which to launch from.
Puppies will leave here with a folder full of paperwork. It will contain AKC papers (Havanese only), microchip info, vet examination, shot record, parents pedigrees and lots of info we feel is important. We will sign the puppy contract, I will have two copies ready for us when you arrive.
You will also get a goodie bag with food, toy and other misc items to help you get them home.
If you are using different food than what we they have been eating you can start after the first day mixing in your choice food and use this over 10 days to transition to the new food.
The basic rules for getting a puppy to sleep thru the night starting first night are to feed them their last meal at least 3 hours before your selected bedtime, no water one hour before, and no naps/sleep 3 hours before. Then a good walk to potty outside (in your back yard, not where neighbor dogs etc might have been) right before bed, and your tired empty bladder puppy should be able to sleep in his/her crate for a full 7 or more hour night the first night. Most families have been successful if they follow these rules. First person to wake up in the morning will need to take him/her to potty right away upon waking puppy up.
Don't forget to set up your vet appt for what they call a new puppy exam within three business days of picking the puppy up to be covered under the full guarantee.
For payment, we prefer actual cash, but will accept Zelle or Cashiers check. If you prefer to pay with a cashiers check, make it payable to Derra Gibler or Hoodview Havanese.
House breaking/potty training.
I have found this video extremely helpful and if you follow these steps I’m sure you will be successful.
Crate training.
Many people thing crating a dog means keeping it in a cage. This is not true! Properly crate training means keeping your dogs in their crates when they are sleeping or when you cannot supervise them. Their crate is not to be used as punishment, they are not to be kept in their kennel for periods longer than age appropriate. When done correctly (which isn’t hard) their kennel will be a safe cozy place that they will love to be!
Grooming
Grooming with a havanese is more involved than just taking it to the groomers every month. Havanese have super fine hair that will tangle and mat if they don’t get frequent attention. It doesn’t take long about 5 minutes maybe, but if done regularly (like daily) you can easily keep their coat in excellent condition. I brush their hair with a slicker brush daily and for the puppies who have moist eyes I clean their eyes with a cotton pad moistened with contact lens solution daily as well. Nails need to be trimmed about weekly when they are little and about monthly after about 6 months old. The hair in their ears will need to be plucked to allow for good air circulation. I bathe my dogs every week. I clean their ears with ear cleaning solution after every bath. I also blow dry their hair so they keep clean for a little longer.
I trim the hair from the pads of their feet and between their toes to help them keep cool in the summer and keep them in a puppy cut or some variation thereof. This reduces the total grooming time and they are still snuggly and soft!
I trim the hair from the pads of their feet and between their toes to help them keep cool in the summer and keep them in a puppy cut or some variation thereof. This reduces the total grooming time and they are still snuggly and soft!
What supplies will I need?
Every puppy owner has their own way of doing things and you will find a method that fits your style. This is a list of tools and supplies that I find invaluable when I have a new puppy.
Food bowl
Water bowl
Metal comb
Slicker brush with coated tips.
collar
leash
harness
poop bags
crate
crate pad
towels
puppy shampoo
puppy conditioner (Espree silky show coat)
exercize pen
training treats
chew toys
bully sticks
puppy food (ask me what kind of food your puppy is currently on).
nail trimmer
blow dryer
bell or dog door (for house breaking)
Food bowl
Water bowl
Metal comb
Slicker brush with coated tips.
collar
leash
harness
poop bags
crate
crate pad
towels
puppy shampoo
puppy conditioner (Espree silky show coat)
exercize pen
training treats
chew toys
bully sticks
puppy food (ask me what kind of food your puppy is currently on).
nail trimmer
blow dryer
bell or dog door (for house breaking)