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Caring for a New Pup

You are ready to pickup your new puppy. You are filled with dreams of days to come, sunny fall days in the field.

But first we must grow and learn together, here are a few tips that will make the learning phase a little easier I hope.
 
 

Going to the airport or to the breeder’s to get your pup, please bring a roll of paper towels, a towel, a large size garbage bag,a leash and collar and dish and water. If it has been a long trip for the pup, you may have to clean the crate on or before the trip home. Try find a place to take the pup for a few minutes exercise after the paper work at the airport is done. The items mentioned here will make any clean up easier, like the Girl Guides “be prepared.”

Your puppy is accustomed to the crate, like most breeders we crate train all our pups before leaving, and make sure they have had lots of car rides in the crate. So now that your pup has arrived safely, continue to use the crate. The crate, to the pup is a familiar safe place, it is not cruel to have your pup sleep in it’s crate, or if you have to go out and the pup must stay home. The crate is a good safe place to stay while your away for short periods.

Crates should never be used as a punishment for wrong doing. It should always be a safe pleasant experience, I will often put the pup’s food in the crate and from time to time feed the pup in the crate to re-enforce how pleasant it is.

By having the pup sleep in the crate it will assist you in housetraining, pups generally will not mess where they sleep, so as soon as the pup is awake take it outside to relieve itself, praising it when it does, it will not take your Griffon long to figure out what’s required.

Your pup will soon grow out of the shipping crate, I recommend that you get a bigger one, so they will be able to ride safely in your vehicle as adults. We have several crates, at least two are always in the Van, and one in the kitchen, this is the one piece of equipment that is invaluable.

I have sent along a small bag of food that your pup has been accustomed to eating, if you can not get this brand, it is recommended that you change slowly by mixing half and half for several days so as to not upset your pups stomach.

There is so much hype about dog food, this breed does not do well feeding too rich  a food, they tend to have upset stomachs and can lead to chronic GI problems. We feed Purina Pro Plan and have had great results.

Timing can be what ever is convenient for you, but be consistent. Feed the same time every day, put the food down and leave it for 20-30 minutes, if the dog refuses the food take it away and try again at the next feeding time. In the case of young pups offer food in the morning and evening, dogs over 1 year offer once a day. This method offers you a way to detect if the dog is sick. Most breeders do not recommend free feeding (food out all the time). Dogs fed by this method are often picky eaters, or worse over weight. Free feeding offers you no way to gauge how much they are eating.

Treats, are fun for a pup just be careful not to give too many, some dogs like raw vegetables, like carrots, apple or broccoli.

We will all have accidents, but to minimize these, be sure to put the pup outside upon waking, remember lots of praise when the pup is successful, pick the same spot in the yard for the pup to go, this can be a kennel or cement pad or gravel. The pup will learn that this is the spot. Paper training, just adds another problem, it re-enforces that it’s ok to go in the house.

Do not let the pup have free run of the house without supervision, remember you only have 2 seconds to correct the pup if there’s an accident, there is no point in correcting the pup if you can’t catch the pup in the act. A correction given too late, is pointless and will cause more problems than it will correct.
 
 

All dogs must have regular exercise, but overdoing it can cause health problems. Take your pup for regular walks or to a safe play area, increase the length and intensity of this exercise time slowly. I like the saying “All things in moderation.” Be sure to allow your pup lots of time to rest.

It’s not recommended to road work your dog until they are over a year. Puppy Kindergarten is a good place to start training your dog, and socializing it to other dogs. Remember your pup must have all of his/her vaccinations before enrolling in classes or going to park areas where there are a lot of animals.

As breeders, we try to expose the pups to all kinds of situations to prepare them for their roles in your family. And for the first little while your children and your new pup should be supervised in there activities together to ensure the child and/or the pup do not get hurt. Young children should sit and be introduced to the pup in a quiet manner. Remember to make sure that the pup is able to rest when it gets tired. Again the crate is a good place to do that. Teach your pup to sit and not jump up early this will save little people from being overwhelmed by the pups energy.
 

Pups baby teeth are very sharp, and as they start to get their second teeth the need to chew is very developed. Have approved chew things, pet food stores have lots to choose from.

Do not give the pup an old shoe, as they can’t tell the difference between the approved shoe and your brand new Nike’s. Put things away that you don’t want packed around, Griffon’s are famous for carrying things in their mouths. And they sometimes get outside, never to be recognized again.

As the pup matures and has it’s adult teeth the chewing does subside.

Enjoy your new pup and I wish you many days in the fields. Those magical days that remain in our memories forever.

“Birdfinder Feeds Proplan”