Caring for your dog

Puppy Care Info – Getting Ready for Your New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but the first few days and weeks are important for building lifelong habits, health, and confidence. The time you invest now helps create a calm, well-adjusted adult dog.

A thoughtful, holistic approach can support long-term wellness through quality nutrition, routine, exercise, training, and preventative care.

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Feeding Routine

Fresh Water

Provide constant access to clean, fresh water throughout the day.

Diet

Feed a high-quality, wheat-free, corn-free, filler-free food with meat-based ingredients.

Order TLC Pet Food (Auto-Ship) – Order Link (https://tlcpetfood.com/nutrition/lakewoodranchdoodles/105387/)   Order puppy food. Switch to adult at one year of age.  
When puppy is trained to potty outside you can free feed. (Grazing is best) 

Order Name tag- call 877-328-8400 (mention “Lakewood Dog” for $5 off & free name tag). 

 

First Week at Home

Some puppies may experience loose stools from stress or a new environment.

Helpful supports may include:

Canned pumpkin puree with DE
A probiotic
Keeping meals simple and consistent
Plenty of hydration

Feeding Schedule for Young Puppies

Feed 4 times daily:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Evening snack (around 7 PM)

After house training improves, many owners transition to a schedule that best suits their household.

Reminder:  
when at Home

-Bone in crate from Day 1 – frozen, uncooked only
-Dewormer – 1 syringe daily × 5 days (start day after go-home)
-Probiotic + Fibre – ½ Tbsp twice daily (until container empty)
-Feeding – small frequent meals to predict toileting → free feed after toilet training is completed; switch to TLC -All Life Stages at 12 mo
-Vet Visits – book next set of shots 3–4 wks after first set (avoid public places until 2nd set complete)

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Probiotics & Gut Health

Digestive health plays a major role in overall wellness.

Many owners choose to use probiotics regularly to support:

digestion
stool quality
immune function
stress transitions

Immunity! 

NU VET immunity builder!!!!
Order NuVet Plus Immune system builder - a must to keep your puppy safe 
- puppies have very little immune system at this age – it can help protection them against infections and parasites.  
👉call Canadian warehouse 800-474-7044 (Order Code: 454716) 
(Do not order online!  **** It will be shipped from the US warehouse at great shipping cost) 

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Free health insurance

on day of pick up- call to set Up Free Trupanion Pet Insurance 30 days – call 855-266-2156 
(Code: BR1LR92220) day before or day of pick-up (not on a weekend) 

Toys & Chewing

Choose safe, durable toys such as:

KONG toys
Frozen uncooked Animal bone
supervised soft toys

Always inspect toys for choking hazards.

Chewing is natural and healthy. It helps with:

teething relief
boredom prevention
stress reduction
mental stimulation

Use only safe chews suited to your puppy’s age and size.

Animal BONES!!!!!!        

We carry some in the boutique- 
For when you get back home- locate Raw beef Marrow/Rib Bones/knuckle bones – uncooked, keep frozen.  Available from butcher or as soup bones in grocery store. Helps clean teeth, teach self entertainment, helps with stress, the bone collagen  protein is a  structural components that help support the integrity of the digestive tract lining, reduce inflammation, and may help "seal" a damaged gut barrier.

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Potty Training

Young puppies need bathroom breaks every 2–4 hours.

Best times include:

Immediately after waking
After meals
After naps
After play
Before bed
Before and after crate time

Consistency creates success.

Many families like doggy doorbells to teach communication.  Pick a spot in the yelped to make a doggie toilet box with sanitizable gravel. 

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Establishing a Routine

Puppies thrive on structure.

Create regular times for:

meals
potty breaks
naps
play
walks
crate rest
bedtime

Routine builds confidence and speeds training.

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Behaviour & Training

Use positive reinforcement.

Reward:

calmness
toileting outside
sitting politely
responding to name
gentle manners

Start simple cue words such as:

Good
No
Come
Sit

Use your puppy’s name often.

If challenges arise, consult a qualified positive trainer.

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Identification

Every puppy should wear:

collar (proper fit: two fingers underneath)
Harness for walks 
ID tag (TLC pet food offers for free) 

This greatly improves the chance of safe return if lost.

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Crate Training

The crate should be your puppy’s safe den — never punishment.  Use a frozen animal bone ONLY in the crate.  No food or water or bed.  

Use only enough room to:

stand
turn around
lie down

General crate guideline:

2 months = 2 hours
4 months = 4 hours
6 months = 6 hours
8+ months = up to 8 hours max

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Safety Outdoors

Keep puppies leashed or in a secure fenced area.

Until vaccination series is complete, avoid:

dog parks
public pet areas
high-traffic dog spaces

Use a harness for young puppies.

in our boutique- we will fit the required Harness & Seatbelt Leash for Travel
🚗 Crates not allowed for travel
🛍️ Harnesses & seatbelt leash ***Available in our boutique – we’ll fit your puppy harness on pick-up day

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Exercise Guidelines

Exercise should be gentle and age-appropriate.

Walking Guide

2 months – 10 min / 0.5 mile
3 months – 15 min / 0.75 mile
4 months – 20 min / 1 mile
5 months – 25 min / 1.25 miles
6 months – 30 min / 1.5 miles

Playtime also counts.

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Veterinary Care

Schedule a wellness visit shortly after bringing puppy home.

Discuss:

vaccines
spay/neuter timing (after 1 year old) 
long-term wellness plan

Use a veterinarian you trust and feel comfortable with. (Beware of pushing too many products and tests. )

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Grooming & Swimming

Brush regularly to prevent mats.

General grooming schedule:

nails monthly
brushing weekly
professional grooming every 2–3 months (coat dependent)

Introduce water gradually and safely.

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Flea & Tick Prevention

Use safe prevention strategies such as DE or flea and tick powder on the body. 
Natural pest repellent spray - our Lakewood ranch holistic brand is available in our boutique 

Things to Arrange Before Pickup

(Many items are available on gotcha day our our Lakewood ranch pet boutique)

✔ Crate
✔ Food bowls
✔ Collar & leash 
✔ harness & seatbelt leash
✔ ID tag
✔ order Puppy food
✔ Toys & chews
✔ Vet appointment
✔ Trainer / puppy class
✔ Cleaning supplies/ enzyme for remover 
✔ Bed 
✔ Baby gates
✔ Insurance (optional)

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Final Advice

Your puppy doesn’t need perfection — just consistency, patience, and love.

The habits you build now create the dog you enjoy for years to come.