New Puppy Help List

Crates

a medium 30x21x24 crate will work for the bulldog's entire life but it is best to get a divider or smaller crate at first for potty training get a thick gage metal one or it may not last long. A good crate will work for the dog's entire life. Midwest Life Stages is a good brand, but make sure to get Life Stages because they have cheaper models. Solid crates make good permanent beds for your dog

Pee pads and pee pad holder

But only if you keep a close eye on the puppy. These guys are starting to rip this up some. Watch that they do not tear it up. Train them not to tear/chew or just take it away.

Food and water bowls

Do not get anything plastic. Crocks are best because they do not tend to tip them over. Get at least 8 inch in diameter bowls. They out grow anything smaller too fast. Metal are good for feeding as long as you are not free feeding them, a crock works better for free feeding.

Toys

No gummy or plastic products. They eat them and get pieces stuck in their stomachs. Hard rubbers like a KONG or hard nylabones are good. At this age, cloth toys are also out. They will destroy any toy with a squeaker in it. So either limit time they play with these toys or don't get them.

Bedding

I suggest not getting a really nice bed yet. Best to make sure they are crate trained first. I like towels or soft blankets in the crate at first. Avoid anything fiber filled in a bed or comforter. They tear them up and get the stuffing down their throat. If you get a bed watch how they are with it and take it out if they are tearing it. They will grow use to it when they are a little older.

Food

I will give you a small packet of the food I have them on (Eukanuba Medium breed Puppy). You can use it to switch them to another food you or your vet desires. Just keep halving the mix in their bowl until they are on the new food. (Example first 1/2 old food 1/2 new food for 3 days, next 1/3 old and 2/3 new for 3 days, then 1/2 old and 1/2 new for three days then switch to only the new food). They need to be on puppy food for 9 to 12 months. They need to go on maintenance once they are full-grown. Your vet and help you decide when to switch.

How Much To Feed

start-off by feeding the puppy at least 3 times a day. I suggest giving them as much as they will eat in 20 minutes or until they walk away from the bowl for good. When the dog is 6 months old feed twice a day. After a year, they eat only once a day if they are at an ideal weight. Your vet should let you know how to feed them at the first year checkup.

Water

always have fresh water available for them at all time. If they mess or play in it, work with them so they get use to having water in a bowl near their pen. Never limit their access to fresh water even when you are training them.

Potty training

Make their bed area a small as possible. Best to crate them but if you do you have to take them out every 2-3 hours. Never leave them for more then 4 hours as a puppy without a place to go potty (like papers or a pee pad). Most puppies go pee and potty about 10-20 minutes after they eat. Best to take them for a walk to pee/poop out side right after each feeding. Walk them on a lead to get them use to the lead this way. You see how and when they pee and poop this way as well. If their stool gets too runny, please call your vet.

Your vet

If you do not have a vet please shop around and get one you are very comfortable with. You need to get the last two sets of shots for your puppy. I will give you records to give your vet of my vet's health evaluation and the list of shots so far. Please go to your vet often. It is good for the puppy to get use to it and helps you know they are staying healthy. At a minimum go once a year for vaccines and heartworm testing.

Medications

They MUST take preventative for heartworm monthly and this is year around for our area. I also suggest keeping them on a flea and tick preventative year around but at minimum from May thru October. You get these from your vet. I have dewormed your puppy every two weeks since birth. The heartworm medication should take care of most worms your pet comes in contact with. It is important to have their stool checked at least yearly or if they get a runny stool.