Frequent Going Home Day Questions
Whether this is your first puppy or your fifth, there are always questions that come up when you are bringing your puppy home. Here are the answers to some frequent questions we have heard:
Where should we put the crate (or even have one)?
Whether you chose to always have a kennel for your puppy for quiet times, while you are gone, or at night, there are definitely some good reasons to consider a crate at least for the period of time you are potty training. A roaming puppy is impossible to catch every time they need to relieve themselves, and by missing that moment you can prolong the time it takes for them to learn to use the outside for their potty area. Some people enjoy having their puppy close by in a bedroom (usually the parent's room) but we would find this disruptive for sleeping! If you're up for hearing their movements and possibly playing during the night, go for it...but your pup will likely be just fine farther away in another room. We have raised them to sleep in a quiet living room near the door to go outside. This is an ideal place for the kennel while potty training and potentially for a long time if you choose to continue to kennel at night. Our adult Goldens prefer not to be in a kennel at night but rather roaming our house. When pee pads are dry overnight and potty training has largely been achieved, you may want to try letting your furry friend choose their favorite sleeping spot for the night. At 7 weeks old, our puppies consistently sleep from 10-11pm until 5-5:30am. They may quietly play or drink water from their kennel bowl during the night, but you probably don't need to worry about getting up at night unless you hear some unusual whining or barking...they may have eaten something that doesn't agree with their stomach!
What should I put inside the crate?
It's a good idea to place a pee pad inside the crate until you find it dry for several weeks. At that point, you probably don't need pee pads anymore! As for bedding, some puppies prefer the cold, hard floor and others want something snuggly and soft. Observe where you see your puppy sleeping in the crate (pushing the bed aside or finding the cool edges, or cuddling up on the bed). You may want to remove any bedding if your puppy would rather be cool. Their preferences may change with the seasons as well...so that warm bed won't go to waste! Your puppy may also want a small bowl of water in the kennel. Choose a bowl with a heavy bottom or you may find it accidentally spilled because they've rolled over onto it! Lastly, place one or two favorite toys in the kennel to keep them busy chewing or playing.
How do I continue to potty train my puppy?
Your puppy has been started on basic potty training during their time with us. It's both simple and unpredictable, but golden retrievers are very smart and easy to train compared to most other dogs. Basic rules of thumb at 8 weeks old: They need to potty right away when they wake up, and again approximately every 25-30 minutes until they fall asleep again. The amount of time they can hold their potties gradually increases with age. If you see your puppy walk away from your play area with their nose to the ground, making a bee-line for a good place to potty, run to scoop them up and take them outside. Use a consistent word like "go potty" or "do your business" or something you don't usually say around the house. Going potty outside doesn't need a reward, and accidents in the house don't need a scolding. It's just a season of learning and growing. Don't be discouraged by accidents in the house even once you *think* they have it down. You'll get to a place where you can leave your puppy roaming free inside your home for 7-8 hours during the day and all night long with no problems at all.
How/what should I feed my new puppy?
Your puppies have been weaned from mama's milk and can also eat their dry food without water. It's amazing to watch how quickly they change and develop from tiny, helpless babies to "big puppies." We have been free-feeding them which means food is set out during awake times and they can eat whenever hungry, but it's not too hard to change to feeding times if you choose that route (we have set feeding times with our adult dogs). If you choose to feed on a schedule, plan to set out a bowl of food 3-4 times per day at first, and eventually you'll just feed them twice a day - breakfast and dinner. Check the recommended feeding amounts on your puppy's bag of food, but don't be worried if your puppy doesn't follow these amounts exactly. If your puppy eats up the bowl of food you offer, you may want to offer a little more food until they seem satisfied. If they leave food in the bowl, you may want to decrease the amount of food you offer each meal. They are constantly growing and changing, so be prepared to go with the flow and check with your vet if you have any concerns about their weight - too slim or too chubby!
Can I walk my puppy on a leash immediately?
Leash training can begin anytime, but how quickly they learn depends on each puppy. Your puppy will get plenty of exercise just by playing and running around at home and in your yard. As your puppy gets older, English Golden Retrievers will usually go-go-go as much as you want, and also be content to have a fairly lazy day at home. Taking your dog on a walk once a day is a good habit. There are lots of ways to leash train and many resources you can find online. Here is one of our recommended links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCLpUg_r_CM
Do I need to wait to take my puppy out and about until they are fully vaccinated?
Your puppy has been started on vaccines but is not fully vaccinated yet. This does NOT mean you need to keep your dog or your family from fun experiences and opportunities to gain positive experiences and socialization! Until your pup is fully vaccinated, you should avoid unfamiliar dogs while on walks and dog parks where many dogs run free and can have contact with your puppy. However, if your relative or neighbor has a dog who is fully vaccinated and healthy, it's a great idea to socialize your puppy with other dogs! Actually, research has shown that introducing something new each day through the first 12 weeks of life has lifetime benefits for your puppy. Take your puppy with you everywhere you possibly can! Play with water, give them problem solving games, begin training for sit/down/etc., play with other healthy dogs, visit friend's houses, playgrounds, and any other fun experiences you can think of!
