Any help would be great! (kinda long...)

[rsjenni]

Hey all, we are picking up our little guy in about 9 days and couldn't be more excited! I am getting some last minute jitters about it however and just wanted to run through some things to make sure I have all of my bases covered so that we can make this transition as easy as possible.
We already got a crate, several toys, dog bed, starter feeding bowls, colar/leash (puppy size)... is there anything else that you can think of that is necessary, besides puppy food?
Thankfully, our breeder is providing us with a "puppy kit" including feeding schedules, amounts, and other info. that may be helpful. I know they are great breeders and all of the pups are going to the vet (a good vet by the way) the day before we pick him up, she also said that we can call the vet to reassure ourselves that everything is ok with the puppy, should we still take the puppy to the vet after we bring him home? We are probably going to use the same vet as them...?
Just some last minute questions. Just being 8 weeks old I feel terribly bad about leaving the new pup home for a work day. Thankfully my BF works 5 miles away and can come home during lunch and play/let him out. I am just very worried that the pup is going to go nuts here alone! Also, our breeder feeds ProPlan to her show dogs (very successful I might add in the area!), what do you think?? Can you think of anything else that I should do before we bring him home? We have locations for obedience classes...?? anything I am missing... just very nervous!!!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I think you're doing fine with your preparations. Those starter feeding/water bowls won't last long because they grow so quickly!

Do some research here at Boxerworld on foods. There are much healthier, better foods for your dog than ProPlan. The search engine can lead you to lots of valuable information on food. Try using key words such as "Journal and Food" and you'll come up with threads that show you the Whole Dog Journal's list of top 10 dog foods. Believe me, ProPlan is not on it. The first 3 of 5 ingredients should be good, human grade sources of protein. There should be fewer grains and NO preservatives, by-products and/or any known cancer causing ingredients. You can learn a lot by simply reading the ingredient label on dog foods.

Leaving the dog crated isn't a problem if someone comes home to let him out to potty and exercise (pups need a lot of exercise and attention). Twice a day would be ideal but if BF can only get home once, that's ok. Remember the general rule regarding potty. A puppy can "hold it" for about an hour for each month he is of age. Guide yourself accordingly.

Also check out or Book Forum for lots of good book titles on rearing puppies, training and the like. You'll be glad you did and are better prepared for the growing stages of life and your dog's happiness and welfare.

You can also check THIS LINK which I think will be helpful.

Best of luck and love and enjoy your new best friend !!

 

[SoleilBxrs]

you sound like youre on the right track, as Tulsa-Dan said. a puppy that young should be let out to relieve himself every 2-3hrs. as to ProPlan, many breeders/handlers do use it. (ours included, used ProPlan Performance) We've used it, and our dogs did fine on it.. good shiney coats, good bowel movements, but the only things were eye boogies, and the gas. We're on Innova now, which my dogs really enjoy, and they have fantastic coats, no eye boogies, smaller bm's and much less gas. Innova is a human grade kibble, with really great ingrediants. However, we were also happy w/ our results w/ ProPlan, and will probably use ProPlan Performance in our rotation of foods. (we rotate every 4mos). Best of luck! give the new baby a *smooch* from us here in Cali! can't wait to hear stories.. and im sure you guys will have a ton.

-Kat

 

[pinkpuppy]

You're getting great advice from everyone - so I won't repeat stuff.

Chloe is 14 wks old - and came with a puppy kit as well. Our breeders even sent 10L bottled water (she came from another province) - so we could switch her slowly.

Anyway, from our experience I would add & ask if you have a lot of blankets? Although it is not a necessity, we found that it helps. Chloe - during our work day was let out 3 times (no we're down to 2) - and each time we needed to put a clean blankie in her crate. Sometimes she had an accident on it - and other times she took a bath in her water bowl; that combined if dirty paws and a pb kong made quite a mess.
There was a yard sale in our area and a woman was selling her baby's comforters, blankets and beddings - cheap...
I do a lot of puppy laundry :D..... Also - another thing to keep in mind is not to use a lot of detergent and do not use any drier sheets. Boxers are very sensitive to smells - and might even be allergic. I use a quarter of what I would normally use for my human laundry - and it's additives free soap.

Hmm, what else - make sure no poisonous plants are within his reach. Remember to close bathroom doors (Chloe loves toilet paper)... Actually - she likes to "eat" any kind of paper - so move that up :D

With treats - we found that she didn't like everything... And we brake up her treats into small parts.

And he will sleep A LOT - so don't be alarmed...

Good luck with the baby and have lots of fun!