Preparing For Your New Puppy

Getting Your Puppy Home

An appropriately sized collar and leash is a must. Bring a limited amount of water to offer your puppy. You’ll also need potty/pee pads.

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Your puppy has only had one round of vaccinations and isn’t completely covered for viruses. Never stop and get your puppy out at a rest stop. It’s the best place in the world to pick up Parvo! Be very selective about where you stop, if you feel you must stop to get the puppy out. We know that Parvo lives in the ground forever, so if an affected dog has ever pottied where your puppy is standing or walking, you run the risk that your puppy will contract the virus. It’s highly contagious and very deadly, so please protect your puppy. Many viruses are transmitted via microdroplets in the air that can travel 20 feet or more, or via poop. Never let your puppy go nose to nose with an unknown dog and avoid allowing him/her near poop left on the ground. 

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Recommended Supplies

Below is a list of suggested items you’ll want to consider having on hand, as you walk throughyour door with your puppy. 

• Wire crate with adjustable panel

• Crate cover

• Exercise pen

• Crate bed to be used after the first few months 

• Bed for outside of the crate 

• Elevated water and food bowls

• Collar, choke style for walking, and 6 ft. leash

  • We recommend a training collar for walking and a snap off collar with tags for everyday wear. Snap off collars should be loose enough for you to fit two fingers under it. Because they’re designed to snap off if your puppy gets it caught somehow, they are not safe for walking your puppy.

• Waste bag tote and bags

• Dental care kit

• Dremel for grinding nails

• Stain and Odor eliminator spray

• Age and size appropriate toys

• Food:  At 8 weeks old our puppies have been eating two cups of soaked kibble (Fromm Adult for Large Breed) twice a day.  

• Training treats

  • Read each bag of treats to ensure they’re made here in the USA, and that all ingredients are from the USA. Do not buy things that say their ingredients are “Globally sourced” because that means it comes from China or a country with no laws governing their proteins. 

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Veterinary Well-Visit

You’ll need to find a vet you like, one who is familiar with Great Danes, and schedule an appointment for a well-visit within 5 days of picking your puppy up from us, per our contract. Please tell your vet that your breeder is very much a part of this puppy’s entire life and will be consulted in the event of anything genetic. You’ll need to give him/her permission to talk to us, per HIPPA laws. It is not our intention to micromanage your puppy’s care, but every good breeder wants to be kept abreast of the health of a puppy they brought to this earth, so please be respectful of this request.

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We will send information from our vet home with you, when you pick up your puppy. Please take this information to your vet, so they will know what your puppy has had so far, i.e. worming, vaccines, food, microchip, etc. This should be documented on your puppy’s vet chart. We like to take our puppies to our vet between 7 and 8 weeks old for this well-check. 

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Your puppy will need 3 sets of vaccines. The 2nd and 3rd round will be your responsibility. 
1st     7-8 weeks - Completed

2nd   11-12 weeks 

3rd    15-16 weeks 

 

Please follow your vet’s advice regarding other shots, such as; bordatello, rabies, lymes, lepto, etc.

 

Introducing Your New Family Member To Your Existing Family Pet 

If you have an existing family pet, you’ll want to introduce them carefully and correctly. Consult a professional trainer for tips.  In addition, there are many great articles to be found on this subject, so please, do your due diligence and take your time to ensure a cohesive family life. It’s not fair to any pet, not to do your best. 

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Crating Your New Puppy 

Please continue crating your puppy for his/her safety, as well as your own peace of mind, however, the crate should never be used as a punishment. Your puppy’s crate should be his very own safe space.  

 

Potty Training

Your puppy will need to go out frequently, and immediately after eating.  Plan to stay outside with him/her until he/she poops.  Walking along side of you will prevent your puppy from getting distracted.

 

Summary

Linda and I are here for you, so please feel free to reach out to us by phone, e-mails, or texts. We want to stay in touch with you throughout this puppy’s life, so please give us periodic updates. Frequent updates are wonderful! We love pictures and may ask you, from time to time, if we may add one you send us to our website, Facebook page and/or Instagram. We like to show off your puppy to others. 

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Thank you for trusting us. We trust you to give this puppy the best life possible...