Information

Training and planning

Consider purchasing an in-home training program. We highly recommend Baxter and Bella lifetime membership. We use Baxter and Bella while your puppy is growing and learning here at our home, and they will be familiar with these techniques.

We offer a discount code for the program's lifetime membership. Use code LITTEDOODLES at checkout for 25% off. There are tips and tricks for planning for a new puppy as well as helpful ideas for puppy proofing, supplies needed, puppy play area set-ups, and great tips for bringing baby home, nipping, and potty training. Membership also allows access to online courses, real-time online training, blogs, weekly emails, and much more!

While your puppy is with us

Please know we are spending our time caring for and training your new puppy. We spend up to 20 minutes a day with each puppy individually and even more with them as a group. I take tons of weekly pictures of each puppy, especially after they start moving around, just to get one good picture to post.

We do weekly bathing, blow drying, brushing, nail clipping, and teeth brushing to ensure your puppy is well adjusted to these important things, not to mention the poop! We love our new families and try to be as available to you as possible, but some days I just don't have time to chat. Please understand and know that if you have a question that has not been answered here, I will get back to you. Text is the easiest for me!

Four weeks before pickup

Four weeks before your puppy comes home is a great time to start preparing for their arrival.

• Do some research on what things in your home are toxic to puppies! Many plants and essential oils can be toxic, and any gum or food products that contain xylitol can lead to sudden death.
• Buy the recommended puppy food.
• Toys: We love KONG teething puppy toys. My all-time favorite toy is an empty soft water bottle (lid removed) stuffed in an old sock and tied at the top. Puppies love the crinkle sound and they can play with it for days before the bottle is flat. Just throw it away and add a new bottle if the sock is still intact. Do not buy any toy with braided ropes! We know many puppies who've had surgery to remove rope shreds from their tummies.
• Shampoo: Make sure the shampoo you choose is OK for puppies! You can bathe your puppy as needed. Just make sure they are warm and dry after.
• Kennel (wire 32 inch with a center divider), puppy play yard, food and water bowls. We like ceramic, which helps with beard staining.
• Collar and harness: We recommend you purchase an inexpensive collar as your puppy will grow very quickly the first few months and you will go through a few! We recommend an Easy Walk halter for walks.

Two weeks before pickup

Two weeks before your puppy comes home is the perfect time to find a vet and schedule your puppy's first visit. The new puppy visit must be done within 3 business days of picking up your puppy.

Potty training

Consistency is the key to successful potty training! Depending on the season, your puppy has been using potty trays and/or a doggie door for potty and won't be eliminating in their sleep space. To continue this, we recommend placing your puppy play area or kennel close to the door your puppy will use for outside.

Your puppy should be taken out to potty every 30-45 minutes the first few days at home. You can increase the time between as he becomes familiar with where and when he should potty. New puppies cannot hold their bladder for more than a couple hours during the day. If you take away water and food in the early evening you should be able to get a few hours of sleep during those first few nights as well.

Crate introduction

We don't send home crate-trained puppies. We introduce the crate over the last few weeks to hopefully alleviate a puppy panicking when the crate door is shut. After adjusting to his new home, he can spend some time happily in the crate chewing on a bone or napping.

I've learned from experts that opening the crate door while the puppy is quiet is one of the most valuable lessons you and your puppy can learn. Just remember: if the puppy is screaming and you let them out, they will learn that is the key to getting out. Here, we shut the door and stay by the crate, comforting the puppy, and the second he quiets I open the door and let him out. Do this a few times a day and you will be amazed!

Health and safety

We have done everything we can to ensure your puppy is calm, happy, and well mannered. It is important that you continue to work with your puppy to maintain that demeanor. All puppies will bite and chew when teething, would rather pee on the floor than stop playing, and do all the other things puppies do that you do not want them to! Being prepared, calm, and in control will ensure your puppy feels safe and secure. Having a schedule not only helps you but can ensure your puppy can be successful.

It is important to ensure your puppy is not spending time where other unvaccinated animals are or could be. Puppies are highly susceptible to several diseases. We recommend not putting your puppy down in public places, dog parks, stores, or even your vet office, or any common areas where other non-family dogs may have been, as your puppy is not fully protected until a couple of weeks after his 3rd puppy shot has been given.