Preparing for your Puppy

All our puppies are introduced to CRATE TRAINING! We highly recommend crate training your new puppy. This is an excellent tool for both house training & safety. All our doodle puppies can use a small size crate (24 in) but puppies under 5lbs at 8 weeks would benefit from starting with an even small size. Crates should be metal and not fabric or plastic. Any questions about crates please ask Kelly.

The ideal setup to start with when your puppy arrives home is a playpen. Space should be 4'x4'-4'x6' and 24"-36" tall. Inside, place the crate to one side with the door open, and a litterbox on the opposite side. Food & Water dishes can also be placed inside for meals & don't forget the toys! Any questions about this setup please ask Kelly.

From the time they can walk, our puppies are started using a LITTERBOX. This routine lasts from 4-6 weeks old, then they switch to crate training during the weaning process. This not only serves as a way to maintain a clean & sanitary environment for our puppies while they're with us, but also a tool to help them transition to your home and avoid accidents as baby 8 week olds. We recommend continuing to provide your puppy with their familiar bathroom setup for the first 1-2 weeks at home, especially micro & toy size puppies. This is completely optional and should be paired with indoor/outdoor potty training and the crate routine as well. Artificial turf/pee pads are good substitutes for a litterbox, especially for puppies over 10 weeks old. Any questions about what's best for your puppy, please ask Kelly. 

We recommend starting your puppy with a size small adjustable nylon collar. 1/4" wide for puppies under 3lbs at 8 weeks, and 1/2" wide for all larger puppies. Puppy should only wear it while supervised until they're older. NO TAGS until they are older. While your puppy should not go for real walks until they're fully vaccinated, its good to introduce them to leash walking around your home and yard. Use a 4-6' leash (No retractable types). Small doodles can be walked on a harness for safety, but a collar is the best training tool. We encourage the use of martingale collars for older puppies/adults and discourage using harnesses for doodles who mature over 20lbs, as they can create bad habits like pulling.

~ Food and water bowls. Ceramic or metal non-tip/skid, no plastic.

~ Puzzles & Chews to stay busy. Elk antlers and Bully Sticks are favorites.

~ A bed to use outside the crate. In the living room, home office, etc.

~ Training treats! We love Stella & Chewy dehydrated raw meal toppers.

~ Any other items you like! Shopping for a new puppy is so fun!

Your Sunny Ridge Puppy goes home with a 1lb bag of the food he/she has been eating. Puppies over 20lbs (anticipated adult weight) eat Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 All Life Stage (Chicken). Puppies under 20lbs (anticipated adult weight) eat Purina Pro Plan Focus Small Breed Puppy (Chicken). Please have a full bag of food ready at home for your puppy. Our provided bags are excellent for travel and usually lasts 1-4 days depending on the size of your puppy. It's important to wait at least 2 weeks before changing your puppy's diet. If you switch to a new brand of food, its best to stay with a chicken formula for first transition. Any first treats should also be chicken. We then recommend a rotation between multiple proteins/formulas throughout the year for maximum nutrition.

We send each puppy home with 3 of our favorite toys! One to squeak, one to tug, one to chase! Toys will vary from litter to litter and are size & age appropriate for your puppy. 

A blanket is a wonderful security item for your puppy to have during transition from our home to yours. Each puppy will have a soft cozy blanket that smells like their Momma. We recommend using it in your puppy's crate instead of a bed. Its washable and puppy can move it aside if they get too warm. NO heavy stuffed beds in crates!

Each puppy will receive a Slicker Brush. This is the appropriate tool for doodle hair and should be used frequently to maintain a tangle free coat. As adults, this brush should be paired with a metal comb for best results. Brush thoroughly before and after every bath!

We provide your puppy's medical history which includes the 8 week health certificate from our vet, info on vaccines given & when next vaccines are due, Microchip information, Trupanion Puppy Insurance "Go Home Day Offer", & copy of the Purchase Agreement/2 year Health Warranty.

We recommend continuing to feed the same food your puppy is sent home on for at least the first 2 weeks unless otherwise instructed by us, but ideally until 4-6 months old. When changing food, stay on a chicken formula for first transition and rotate a variety of the brands protein formula options. Once your puppy is spayed/neutered, their metabolism will slow and they will be more prone to weight gain so adjust their intake as needed to maintain a healthy trim physique. Remember that feeding recommendations on food bag labels are only guidelines and every dog and their caloric needs are unique.

*Please refer to DogFoodAdvisor.com for information on different dogs food options.

Your puppy with have Neopar and their 1st set of puppy vaccines (DAPP & Bordetella) when you take him/her home. 2-3 additional boosters are required to complete the puppy vaccine series, and these must be scheduled 3 weeks apart. Please schedule your puppy's  vet appointment for 3 weeks after pickup. Puppies who remain in our care past 8 weeks are always kept UTD on their vaccines until sold. All records are provided.

Your puppy will be Microchipped at pickup. This is placed under the skin near the neck/shoulders and will be there for life. The purpose of the Microchip is to reunite you with your dog should he/she be lost or stolen. In order to be effective, the Microchip needs to be registered to your information! PLEASE DO NOT DELAY! Use the brochure provided to complete the registration process and remember to update that information if you move or change phone numbers. 

Doodles require routine lifelong coat maintenance! Between 8 weeks and 4 months old, plan to bathe your puppy as needed but no more than once every 2 weeks if possible. A slicker brush is provided in your puppy's Take Home Bag. We recommend also investing in a quality metal comb and velocity blowdryer. Thoroughly brush/comb your puppies coat DAILY but especially before and after they get wet to prevent matting, If your puppies coat is a little tangled, getting it wet will lock in those knots and crate water mats that cannot be brushed out or are very painful to brush out. Blow dry after each bath for a fluffier coat.

At around 4 months old, your puppy will need a "Bath & Tidy". At this appointment, the groomer should be instructed to clear the hair from your puppy's eyes and do a sanitary trim. They should also clean ears, trim nails, trim feet, and thoroughly bathe, blow dry, and brush the coat with minimal or no trimming of the body. This is a practice groom for your puppy and should be a positive experience with a patient groomer.

At 6 months old, your puppy is ready for a real haircut. Be sure the coat is in good condition and bring inspiration photos of the haircut/style you'd like your groomer to accomplish. Remember that grooming can be stressful so proper handling, socializing, and crate training are crucial to prepare them for their lifelong salon visits. DO NOT wait a year to introduce your puppy to grooming! Even if you don't want the hair cut, professional bathing and blow drying is necessary for proper coat upkeep. Allowing the coat to get matted can be painful for your dog and will result in it all being shaved off to the bare skin.

Training begins on day 1! Doodles are intelligent and capable dogs, and require a proactive approach to training and behavior guidance as they mature. We highly recommend hiring a professional to assist in your home, or a Board & Train style program. Effective communication is the foundation of a successful relationship with your puppy. Enrollment age, program style, and length of time should coincide with your puppy's maturity level and capability for the specific training you want accomplished.