Caring For Your New German Shepherd Puppy

Owning a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also carries with it some responsibility. We hope these notes we have put together will give you some help. If you have any questions concerning any subject relating to your puppy, please do not hesitate to telephone us. It is most important that you completely read the information that is provided to you. The puppy you now own is the result of carefully nurturing the mother and her puppies, raising them on a healthy diet and socialising them in a happy environment until the day arrives when they go to their new homes. We do hope you will continue this work for a happy and healthy puppy.

Before you take your Puppy Home:

TRAVEL SICKNESS:

Most puppies do get travel sickness when they go for their first car ride home. Rescue Remedy which is available from most chemist's is a great product. It is a natural product made for humans and also works a treat for dogs. If you could please purchase a bottle and bring with you, I will show you how to administer this to your puppy for future trips.

You must first puppy proof your yard. Patch up any holes and make sure your fencing is high enough

for your puppy not to get out. Your puppy may also dig if he/she gets bored. Have plenty of water available,

usually 4-5 containers or buckets should be fine. Sea Shell swimming pools that are sold at either Bunnings,

KMart or Big W are a great source of entertainment. Also some floaty toys to put inside as puppies just love water. Plenty of Shade/Shelter. All puppies should have at least 12 toys to start with and they will need to be refreshed with new ones each month until they are out of their chewing stage.

Plants: Please check that your garden is dog friendly. I have placed some plants that are dangerous to dogs on our website but please there are 100's that can cause everything from skin allergies to death so please go to

Google and check out your plants and weeds to make sure everything is safe.

Taking Your New German Shepherd Puppy Home

On arrival at your home:

* Take your new puppy into your garden or the exercise area you intend using and encourage him/her to sniff the ground

* He/she should be ready to go to the toilet and when your pup does make a big show, congratulating your pup so your pup understands that is where he/she does his business. Your pup has now learnt where the toilet is.

* Watch out for signs of him wanting to go in the future; actions like pacing or standing at the door to the garden, sniffing the ground.

The First night;

* Decide on which room your dog will be sleeping in, usually a place as quite as possible and make he sure he has a nice, warm comfortable bed.

* Your pup has been use to sleeping among other puppies so make lumps under the blanket and scatter some stuffed toys around his bed to make him feel more secure and less lonely. A soft radio in the background may also help. Newspaper should also be placed by the puppy’s bed area to help with overnight accidents until your puppy becomes house trained.

* Settle your pup down just before you go to bed yourself, any activity outside the room once the pup is settled may cause him to try and get your attention.

* Don't make a major fuss perhaps a treat, tuck him/her in bed and leave the room if the pup cannot sleep next to you.

* If at all possible let your puppy sleep on a warm blanket on the floor next to your bed until he/she settles in. Remembering your puppy is still just a baby and will be looking to you to make him feel secure. They like to feel part of the family as well so please don't be afraid to spoil them. They will give you so much more in return as they get older.

* Your new puppy may cry at night. Please be patient. He is frightened especially when he cannot see you. Please put yourself in their shoes. They leave their siblings, their environment and their routine they have been use to since the day they were born and you have taken them to their new home, new people and new surroundings all in one day. Then they are expected to sleep on their own. Please be patient and remember your puppy is only 8 weeks old. They can be unsure of the new food you are providing so please try and follow the food guide. For their first night home some BBQ chicken is highly recommended (not the bones just skin and flesh). There is very few dogs that will turn down BBQ chicken and it will just help him settle in. Please check with us concerning which dry food he/she is on. It is preferable you still to the same one. At present we are using Advance Puppy Rehydratable, Blackhawk puppy and Ivory Coat which is available from pet Shops or online.