Bringing your new Mini Goldendoodle or Labradoodle home for the first time is very exciting, but some thought and preparation should go into ensuring that the new environment is safe for your puppy. Here are some recommendations to help keep your puppy and belongings safe in the puppy’s new home.
We recommend that you do not stop at rest areas or other public places on your way home, go where other animals have been, or allow your puppy to be around dogs you may not know that have not been vaccinated until your puppy has had all of its puppy shots. Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) is a highly contagious virus that can affect any dog, but puppies under four months old and unvaccinated dogs are at the highest risk. Signs to be aware of are: lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, high or low body temperature, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. If your puppy shows any of these signs, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
It is important to puppy-proof your house and yard to ensure there is nothing your puppy can chew on, ingest, or get into that can cause them harm. Many common household items can be toxic, cause choking or intestinal blockage issues, cause localized mouth/gum harm, or pose a risk of electrical shock. Some examples of items puppies can choke on or eat and cause internal blockage include toys, socks, masks, washcloths, disposable puppy pads, and children’s underwear. Dispose of any still water in your yard as this may be stagnant, carry Giardia, or have other contaminants that may negatively affect your puppy. Some food and plants that are highly toxic include Xylitol (used in sugar-free gum and candy), chocolate, wild mushrooms, grapes, raisins, tobacco, sago palm, tomato plants, aloe vera, and some flowers.
This is not a comprehensive list of all items that could be a danger to your new puppy. We are just providing examples of some of the more common possible dangers. Use your best judgement when looking around your house and yard to determine what possible dangers may exist in your puppy’s new home.
It is natural for young puppies and even older dogs to chew on things. Puppies may do this to relieve some pain from new teeth. Older dogs do this to clean their teeth and keep their jaws strong. Gentle instruction from owners and suitable replacement items can reduce pain from teething and keep puppies satisfied without nibbling on owners or their shoes, furniture, cords, etc. Pay special attention to all electrical cords and anything that dangles like shoe laces or window shade cords. Puppy teething typically subsides by around six months. We recommend looking into dog toys that are specifically designed to ease some of the pain of teething. Some are even designed to be chilled to provide a more soothing experience. Each puppy may have its own preferences, and you may need to try out a few types of chew toys before you identify what your new companion enjoys the most. Do not give your puppy leftover bones from human meals as they can splinter and harm your puppy.