Preparing for a new puppy? Get set for the excitement and a bit of hard work that comes with owning a puppy! Our guide is here to help you through it all
Preparing for your new puppy is such an exciting time. Very few puppy owners realize just how much their life is about to change. Raising a puppy is hard work- it is both time consuming and tiring; what also comes with this sleep deprived time is a joy that cannot be measured. The effort that you put into your puppy now will bring you closer together creating a bond that only comes from spending time together and setting expectations. In the big scheme of things, puppyhood comes and goes so quickly. Before you know it, your little schnauzer pup will be a full grown adult. Putting the hard work in now will set a lifetime of standards and expectations while bringing you closer together. Below are tips and tricks to help ensure that your puppyhood is all that you hope for.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home and Garden
First and foremost, puppy needs to be safe. It’s easy to overlook that your puppy is still in the growing-up phase. Just like human babies, puppies can get up to mischief when your attention is elsewhere. They have a penchant for chewing and exploring items beyond the usual dog food menu. Unless your home is entirely puppy-proofed, be ready for cables, book covers, and even your cherished furniture to bear the brunt of their mischievous behavior. Even worse is that a puppy can swallow these items and end up with serious health issues. Simplify things for your puppy by keeping items off the floor, avoiding leaving things within their reach, and keeping a close eye on them.
Unless you are watching your puppy, we recommend a superyard. The superyard will contain your puppy keeping him safe while also giving him a sense of comfort knowing that this is his space. A puppy space is also essential to potty training. For more information check out our blog on puppy containment and potty training.
As far as keeping your house safe for your new bearded friend, knowledge is power. These are typical household items that are poisonous to your 4 legged friend:
- Xyltol
- Chocolate
- Macadamia
- Yeast Dough
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Corn
- Play Doh
- Caffeine
- Garlic
- Ibuprofen , Aleve and other household drugs
- Salt
- Avocado
- Milk
- Onions
- Nutmeg
When it comes to puppy-proofing your garden, it’s essential to consider everything from fences to the types of plants easily accessible to them. Ensure your favorite plants are fenced off, and eliminate those that could pose a risk of toxicity or irritation to your new puppy. Keep an eye out for these less dog-friendly plants: Lily, Azalea, Daffodil, Tomato, Foxglove, Yew, and Hydrangea.
The Puppy Sleep Learning Curve
Get ready for a wild ride when it comes to puppy sleep! Just a heads up, these little furballs won’t be clocking in full-night snoozes, and well, neither will you for a while. This is no fault of their own- they have tiny bladders and are still getting the hang of the whole potty training situation, so bathroom breaks will be happening—a lot. And yes, you’re the lucky one who gets to accompany them on these midnight excursions.
But now for the good news (although it might not feel that way at 4 am when you’re outside in your jammies). More bathroom breaks mean more opportunities to cheer them on for doing their business in the right spot. The more chances you get, the quicker the potty training magic happens.
To save yourself from a headache or two, do some prep work before your puppy arrives. Set up a cozy spot close to you for them to sleep; it helps them settle, forms a bond, and gives you a heads up when they’re stirring. As long as you’re prepared and don’t expect anything different, navigating those puppy-infused nights is as manageable as everyone claims. If crate training, be sure to check out our blog on getting puppy settled into a crate the first few nights.
Exciting Things to Explore and Discover
Having a puppy is like having a tiny bundle of curiosity. They’re on a mission to explore the whole wide world, and the best part? You get to be their sidekick through it all. Parks, shops, car rides, even encounters with kids – it’s a brand new and super thrilling experience for your new family member. You’ll be the one to show them the ropes, introducing them to other dogs and humans along the way. Those puppy socialization classes? Absolute blast! It’s the spot where not only the pups but also the owners often make friends for life.
One important thing to note is that until your puppy is completely vaccinated (usually around 16 weeks ) THEY ARE NOT IMMUNE from diseases. The puppy series of vaccinations is a series of 4 inoculations. Safety first! We tell our puppy families, until the veterinarian gives an ok, “the floor is lava.” Take your puppy out, but always in a sling. The floor, grass etc, harbor all sorts of germs that you want to protect your puppy from. For more extensive information on navigating through socialization while keeping your puppy healthy, visit our blog:
Back to the fun part! Many stores allow your puppy to come along for the ride! Rover has compiled a list of dog friendly stores. Keep in mind that policies change, so we suggest calling before you visit with Fido. For more information on visiting stores with your puppy, visit: dog friendly stores
Puppy Games and Training
Keep in mind that you don’t have to leave the house to have fun with your puppy. Get ready for a load of exciting games your pup is just itching to play with you. When you’re putting together your new puppy checklist, don’t forget to throw in some balls, Frisbees, or tugs – that’s your ticket to a whole bunch of year-round fun. Playing games and getting into puppy sports isn’t just about having a good time; it’s an awesome chance to strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, all while making sure they get enough exercise.
Another way to bond with your puppy while setting expectations and working their brain is through training. Puppies shouldnt go to “in person” training until they are 16 weeks old with the entire puppy vaccination series under their belt. But at the same time, weeks 8-16 are a crucial learning time in your puppies life. This period is when the brain is developing rapidly. So what’s a puppy to do? We’ve found Baxter & Bella to be an answer to this dilemma! Using their online program, you can begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home. The benefits are three-fold:
- Allows for training during that crucial time of weeks 8-16 while keeping puppy healthy
- Bonding time with your puppy will only bring your closer
- If you decide to take your puppy to “in person” training, your pup will be ahead of the game
Understanding the importance of good manners and better behaviors, and wanting you and your family to have the very best canine experience for life, we have officially teamed up with BAXTER & Bella for all of our dog training needs! In short, they have a lifetime dog training membership, with amazing resources to support you throughout your journey of becoming best friends through love and learning, and include UNLIMITED professional support! Add to this, the low cost, this training program is a “no brainer.”
In addition to the lifetime access and unlimited professional support, you can enjoy LIVE and on-demand access to more than 25 individual classes, over 35 weeks of ongoing courses, step-by-step training programs with hundreds of demonstration videos, as well as games, activities, charts, checklists, and so much more!
Check them out here: Baxter and Bella
To save 25% instantly, use discount code HB25 at checkout! This is the largest discount they offer!
Pet Insurance
Just like ensuring that your human family members are insured, we highly recommend purchasing health insurance for your puppy. Purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder who breeds for genetic diversity and completes health testing will give your puppy the highest possibility of a healthy life. Still, just like with humans, accidents happen. Having health insurance in place will help alleviate financial burden if you find yourself in this situation. Plus, you won’t have to make decisions based on cost, allowing you to give your schnauzer the best chance at a happy, healthy life.
To ensure your new schnauzer is protected against any unexpected accidents when they first go home, We’ve partnered with Trupanion to offer an exclusive benefit of 30 days of medical insurance for your puppy. The offer is an added benefit for you, with no cost during the trial, and no commitment to continue. No payment information is needed, and the offer will automatically expire after the trial unless you decide to continue. Though it is not required, I do strongly encourage staying on for longer term coverage. Activation of your offer must be done within the 24 hrs prior to picking up your puppy, and information on the offer and activation process will be provided.
For more information, visit Trupanion
NEW PUPPY CHECKLIST
Now that we’ve inundated you with tons of information, get ready for fun! Create a checklist for your puppy and hit the stores. This phase of getting ready for a puppy is an absolute blast – so much so that you might need some serious willpower to resist buying out the entire store! While the temptation is real to load up on all the cute and new stuff for your furry friend, it’s crucial to prioritize and snag the essentials first.
- Two bowls – one for food and one for water. We recommend ceramic bowls with a flat bottom to avoid tipping
- A nylon or leather lead and collar For a smoother leash training experience and to prevent your dog from pulling, consider using a gentle leader head collar. These collars make training more manageable and help prevent larger pups from dragging you off your feet!
- Grooming equipment – We recommend a slicker brush and a greyhound brush. We like to brush our puppies while relaxing during Netflix binge nights. Our puppies are calm at that time and brushing becomes a norm for them
- Some safe, fun, stimulating toys Giant Schnauzers are much more active and stronger than mini schnauzers puppies. For giants ensure that they have well made toys that will last, They often enjoy soft dog frisbees and balls. In our experience, miniature schnauzer pups enjoy crinkle toys!
- A bed With a wide array of beds to choose from, pick the one that suits your dog’s size and temperament – considering that some are more resilient than others! No matter the type you opt for, place it in a warm and quiet spot, free from any pesky draughts.
- An indoor crate Puppies, especially, find comfort in having a crate as their private sanctuary. Toss a blanket over it, add their bed, and voila – it transforms into their safe haven, a spot to retreat and recharge when they crave some peace and quiet. Additionally, crates play a significant role in expediting the house training process, as puppies are inclined to keep their special space clean. Find more insights on crate training in our blog for additional information!
- Food. Check what type of food your puppy has been eating. It is important to continue with this food and gradually change over to your food of choice. You can change their diet to a food that you prefer by mixing a small portion of the new food with the old. After a few days, if your puppies stomach seems to be adjusting without issue, slowly add more of the new food until they are weaned from their previous diet. This process can take a week or two, but taking time and slowly introducing a new diet will avoid digestion issues. We recommend using dog food advisor to compare quality dog foods. Happy Beard Schnauzers uses Diamond Puppy Food for our puppies . We have researched various options and find that we like this option best. Of course, there are many good options out there!
Now that you’re prepared, sit back, relax and enjoy this time!
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the puppy preparation checklists and the array of supplies needed before your pup comes home? Dogs do require some effort, especially in the initial weeks – but anything truly valuable usually does. They bring so much joy and unconditional love into our lives from the moment they join our homes. Puppyhood, despite the challenges, is genuinely one of the most rewarding phases you’ll share with your dog. It’s a time when you’re building a lifelong bond, and contrary to the worries, it’s as straightforward and enjoyable as everyone says.
Being aware of what lies ahead and having thorough preparation for your puppy will pave the way for both of you to thrive, making the initial weeks together a bonding journey of exploration as you build understanding and trust. Puppyhood is a fleeting moment in your schnauzers life; savor the precious the moments and enjoy the ride!