Puppy Necessities
Welcoming a new Australian Labradoodle puppy to your home is exciting – for you and your new puppy! Your Labradoodle puppy will be eager to spend time with his or her new family. This is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your puppy and begin to introduce him or her to the routines of the new home. Some puppies are a little hesitant when introduced to a new environment. This is not cause for concern. Your new pup will begin to explore and settle into the new home in the first few days.
In addition to a regular feeding schedule and fresh water, your Labradoodle puppy should have a sleeping area with comfortable bedding. A variety of chew toys will be fun and entertaining for your pup.
Your Labradoodle puppy will have had routine deworming and vaccinations appropriate for puppy’s age. Your veterinarian can advise you regarding the ongoing vaccination schedule, flea control, and heartworm prevention. Most veterinarians recommend delaying taking puppy out to parks and other public places until specific vaccinations have been given – ask for your vet’s recommendations.
Providing the following puppy supplies will ensure that your family is well prepared to welcome your new Australian Labradoodle puppy to the family.
Bringing Puppy Home
We recommend that you have the following supplies when puppy comes home:
Sleeping crate: A wire crate with divider may be purchased in a size appropriate for puppy’s adult size. Use divider while puppy is small.
Comfortable, washable bedding for the crate
Sheet or blanket to cover crate at night, to help puppy settle down to sleep.
Variety of chew toys
Food and water dishes
Collar: size 10′-14′ adjustable for medium or standard size puppies, smaller for mini puppies
ID tag for collar
Nature’s Miracle or other odor neutralizer for accidents
Training treats: small, soft treats work best
These supplies may be useful in the first few weeks or months with your new puppy:
6′ lightweight leash
longer training leash to work on longer distance training, especially “Come”
slicker brush
nail clippers: If you plan to clip nails at home, you will also want the Kwik Stop or similar powder to stop bleeding if nail is clipped too short.
puppy shampoo
ear cleaning solution with cotton squares for cleaning
Optional supplies: These supplies may be useful for some families. For example, if puppy is to be home alone for more than an hour or two, a puppy play pen or baby gates will provide a safe enviroment for puppy while the family is away. For puppies home alone for only an hour or two at a time, a nap in the crate will work well.
Puppy play pen
Baby gates to block off area for puppy
Indoor potty or potty pads if puppy is to be alone for longer periods
KONG or similar toys: These types of toys may be filled with food or treats to keep puppy happily occupied while you are gone.
We recommend that you select your veterinarian before bringing puppy home. References from friends and family in your area are a great way to begin your search for a veterinarian, if your family does not already know which vet will be your partner in puppy’s health care. You may also want to explore the options for puppy training classes in your area.