BRING YOUR PUPPY TO YOUR VETERINARIAN WITHIN TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS FOR IT'S INITIAL WELL-PUPPY CHECKUP.
Initial vaccinations will not guarantee that your puppy will be immune, but the entire series of vaccinations must be completed in order to protect your puppy from disease. During this time, it is best to keep your puppy away from unknown animals, groomers, stores, parks and kennels.
Since your puppy is accustomed to being near it's littermates, it is important to keep your puppy warm after brining it home. Consider placing warm bedding and stuffy toys in the kennel so the puppy will not get cold and can snuggle for comfort.
Keep poisonous substances out of your dogs reach, including insecticides, household detergents, and household plants. Some indoor plants such as English Ivy, Offenbach's, Philodendron, and Palladiums are poisonous; so don't let your puppy chew or play with their leaves. A veterinarian can give you a list of hazardous plants and other toxins.
Provide a quiet place to feed and house your puppy. It is important to find an area that the puppy will feel secure, free from traffic and drafts. Do not change the puppy's food without consulting your breeder or veterinarian; and refrain from feeding table scraps as this can cause intestinal problems.
Initially your puppy needs plenty of rest, so handling and playtime should be kept to a minimum. If you have children, be sure to instruct them of the proper way in which to pick up and hold the puppy; a puppy should never be picked up by it's front legs or neck. Do not let puppy jump on or off the furniture. Until a puppy can jump ON the furniture they cannot get off. If they are too small as an adult to jump onto the furniture, they should never be left unattended. They could get a foot stuck between the cushions and pull a ligament or slip a patella. Be consistent and patient with your puppy; he/she will reward you with unconditional love and companionship.
SUPPLIES FOR BRINGING HOME PUPPY
There are several things that you should have on hand for your new puppy. It is best to be prepared. Below is a list of items to have on hand, and some things to do that may help you get ready for your new addition
Breed Books
SAFE AREA. Either a baby/puppy playpen, crate or baby gate to partition off a small area. It should be large enough to hold a little bed, small dish for food and water, with enough room left over to relieve themselves if necessary. Puppies can get into lots of trouble if they are left unsupervised, so it is necessary to put them in a playpen or other small confined area to keep them safe. This is just a temporary place until the puppy is older, less mischievious and hopefully housebroken!
PUPPY PROOF YOUR HOUSE. Just as you would for a child or baby! You need to move all houseplants, electrical cords, household cleaning supplies, or anything else dangerous near floor level that a small puppy could possible chew on or be harmed by.
FOOD. Your puppy is currently eating Life's Abundance. Your puppy is "free fed" which means that they have food available at all times. I do measure their food out - 1/2 cup for breakfast, for lunch I remeasure another 1/2 cup taking what food is left over from breakfast and do the same for dinner. I do not add any food after dinner but allow the food left in bowl to remain overnight especially for the Maltese. We always send a sample bag of food with instruction sheet home with our puppies when they leave. It is best to keep your puppy on the same diet that it is used to so that it will not be subjected to too many changes at once. Changing to a different food can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Any switch in diet should be done gradually by mixing the old food with the new food.
NUTRI-CAL. This high calorie dietary supplement in a tube (looks like a tube of toothpaste) is a must have if you are bringing home a tiny size dog. It will help keep a tiny dog or puppy from going into hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It is also a great source of extra vitamins for any size puppy. It will insure that your puppy is getting some good nutrition while it adjusts to it's new home. With a dime size portion on your finger, gently open puppy's mouth and scrape your finger on top teeth so that Nutri-cal goes on the roof of puppy's mouth. A small amount should be given 2 or 3 times a day for the first week or two, until your tiny puppy is settled in and eating well.
The following are informational links that will help you with your new puppy
