FAQs
We use the pronoun HE to make it easier.
(1). The food you are giving us, can I purchase that in the pet store once I run out of the supply you give me? If not – what type of food should I purchase?
We are giving you Taste of Wild, High Prairie, Small Breed Puppy. We order ours from Chewy.
We always advise our Clients to feed their pup what ever your Vet recommends. Also, if you do switch, do it gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with old. Increase the new food more each day until eventually it is all the new food. This will prevent the pup's stomach distress.
(2). How often a day should my puppy eat? How much do I serve him (i.e. 1 cup)?
We feed ours by grazing. We leave their food out all of the time. Poodles are highly intelligent. We have never had a problem with over eating by doing this. Also, this keeps their blood sugar level. This is important for your pup.
(3). Do you have a preference in treats? If so – what kind do you recommend so I can purchase?
We take some of their puppy food and put it in a baggie or a pocket. We use this as their training reward and treats. They don't know the difference. All they know is they are getting something special. This insures they are getting nutrition. We also use baby carrots to help them satisfy their need to chew. they love them and they a good for them. Once they get older you can try different types as you wish.
(4). With regards to his coat, I read that poodles need haircuts every 6 weeks or so – is that true? If not – how often?
It is totally up to you but we follow the six week rule for at least a trim. Their feet, eyes, ears and bottoms need the attention.
(5). With regards to the haircut, I also read that to maintain that “Teddy Bear” face has a lot to do with how the hair is cut – is there something specific I tell the groomer?
Yes, make sure your groomer is familiar with poodles. Then tell them you want a Puppy Cut.
(6). How often do you recommend he gets a bath / groomed? Is there a special shampoo you recommend?
We recommend any puppy shampoo. Your pup's pH is different from a human's so any shampoo made for pups will be a good place to start. We recommend bathing every two weeks. Obviously if he gets dirty earlier you can bathe earlier.
(7). After picking him up, when can we give him his first bath?
He will have a bath prior to your getting him. If he gets soiled you can bathe him sooner than 2 weeks.
(8). When should his first vet visit be? Is that something we should do right away or wait until next round of shots?
He should be seen within 3 days of getting him
.
(9). May be a somewhat dumb question but does his coat require brushing on a regular basis?
Their coats should be brushed when at least once a day. They have hair. It doesn't shed. But it does get tangled just like humans.
(10). Ear care – anything specific? Our past dogs all battles ear infections, etc. Any information on how best to care for his ears?
Make sure he gets good ear attention by his groomer. They will have to clean them with an antiseptic made for dogs and clear the ear canal of hair every visit. You can help by making sure you don't get water in his ears while bathing. If you do, use a cotton ball to absorb it. These measures should ensure healthy ears for him.
(11). Nail care – assuming they just get trimmed as needed?
The groomer will do the nails.
(12). Potty Training for outside – any hints or suggestions as it relates to poodles. I read that they are smart dogs but any hints / advice you can share?
He will be wee-pad broke when he comes home. To teach him to only go outside, move his wee pad closer to the door every day. Eventually you will bring it outside. He will know what to do. Once he consistently goes outside he Will not go elsewhere. He should be shown where the pad is every day. Put him on it when he wakes up and right after he eats or drinks. He has to get used to the system in his new home.
(13). Neutering/Spaying – any advice you can share? Is it safe to put a dog that small under anesthesia? If so – what age?
We suggest no earlier than six months and then it is up to your Vet.
(14). Barking - what should we expect? Will he bark a lot? Hopefully the answer is "no" but if it's not - any tricks / suggestions?
We don't use a word. We use the sound "Ott, Ott!" It gets their attention and there is no way they could hear it in your normal conversations. It will be a command that he will relate as "don't do that!".
(15). Socializing - I specifically remember you discussing how you socialize him before he comes home. Is there other stuff we should do? For example - should he go to a "doggie day care" to interact with other dogs? Or is it as simple as just having him live with us?
If you need him to behave with other pets you will need to take him to play with another dog occasionally. We don't recommend he be near other dogs until all of his shots are completed. He should see other people on a regular basis so he doesn't get too protective of his family. He will believe that is his job unless he is introduced to many different people. Again we recommend it not start until he has had all of his shots.
We highly recommend a Puppy Training Class to teach him to walk on a leash, sit, stay and come.
We hope this helps! Have a great day!
We use the pronoun HE to make it easier.
(1). The food you are giving us, can I purchase that in the pet store once I run out of the supply you give me? If not – what type of food should I purchase?
We are giving you Taste of Wild, High Prairie, Small Breed Puppy. We order ours from Chewy.
We always advise our Clients to feed their pup what ever your Vet recommends. Also, if you do switch, do it gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with old. Increase the new food more each day until eventually it is all the new food. This will prevent the pup's stomach distress.
(2). How often a day should my puppy eat? How much do I serve him (i.e. 1 cup)?
We feed ours by grazing. We leave their food out all of the time. Poodles are highly intelligent. We have never had a problem with over eating by doing this. Also, this keeps their blood sugar level. This is important for your pup.
(3). Do you have a preference in treats? If so – what kind do you recommend so I can purchase?
We take some of their puppy food and put it in a baggie or a pocket. We use this as their training reward and treats. They don't know the difference. All they know is they are getting something special. This insures they are getting nutrition. We also use baby carrots to help them satisfy their need to chew. they love them and they a good for them. Once they get older you can try different types as you wish.
(4). With regards to his coat, I read that poodles need haircuts every 6 weeks or so – is that true? If not – how often?
It is totally up to you but we follow the six week rule for at least a trim. Their feet, eyes, ears and bottoms need the attention.
(5). With regards to the haircut, I also read that to maintain that “Teddy Bear” face has a lot to do with how the hair is cut – is there something specific I tell the groomer?
Yes, make sure your groomer is familiar with poodles. Then tell them you want a Puppy Cut.
(6). How often do you recommend he gets a bath / groomed? Is there a special shampoo you recommend?
We recommend any puppy shampoo. Your pup's pH is different from a human's so any shampoo made for pups will be a good place to start. We recommend bathing every two weeks. Obviously if he gets dirty earlier you can bathe earlier.
(7). After picking him up, when can we give him his first bath?
He will have a bath prior to your getting him. If he gets soiled you can bathe him sooner than 2 weeks.
(8). When should his first vet visit be? Is that something we should do right away or wait until next round of shots?
He should be seen within 3 days of getting him
.
(9). May be a somewhat dumb question but does his coat require brushing on a regular basis?
Their coats should be brushed when at least once a day. They have hair. It doesn't shed. But it does get tangled just like humans.
(10). Ear care – anything specific? Our past dogs all battles ear infections, etc. Any information on how best to care for his ears?
Make sure he gets good ear attention by his groomer. They will have to clean them with an antiseptic made for dogs and clear the ear canal of hair every visit. You can help by making sure you don't get water in his ears while bathing. If you do, use a cotton ball to absorb it. These measures should ensure healthy ears for him.
(11). Nail care – assuming they just get trimmed as needed?
The groomer will do the nails.
(12). Potty Training for outside – any hints or suggestions as it relates to poodles. I read that they are smart dogs but any hints / advice you can share?
He will be wee-pad broke when he comes home. To teach him to only go outside, move his wee pad closer to the door every day. Eventually you will bring it outside. He will know what to do. Once he consistently goes outside he Will not go elsewhere. He should be shown where the pad is every day. Put him on it when he wakes up and right after he eats or drinks. He has to get used to the system in his new home.
(13). Neutering/Spaying – any advice you can share? Is it safe to put a dog that small under anesthesia? If so – what age?
We suggest no earlier than six months and then it is up to your Vet.
(14). Barking - what should we expect? Will he bark a lot? Hopefully the answer is "no" but if it's not - any tricks / suggestions?
We don't use a word. We use the sound "Ott, Ott!" It gets their attention and there is no way they could hear it in your normal conversations. It will be a command that he will relate as "don't do that!".
(15). Socializing - I specifically remember you discussing how you socialize him before he comes home. Is there other stuff we should do? For example - should he go to a "doggie day care" to interact with other dogs? Or is it as simple as just having him live with us?
If you need him to behave with other pets you will need to take him to play with another dog occasionally. We don't recommend he be near other dogs until all of his shots are completed. He should see other people on a regular basis so he doesn't get too protective of his family. He will believe that is his job unless he is introduced to many different people. Again we recommend it not start until he has had all of his shots.
We highly recommend a Puppy Training Class to teach him to walk on a leash, sit, stay and come.
We hope this helps! Have a great day!