Check List: The Arrival Of Your New LARGE BREED Puppy
Food—Purina Pro Plan large breed puppy (MAY BE PURCHASED AT MOST PET STORES)
Water---start puppy on distilled water (for min. of first 2 weeks and then gradually switch to your tap water)
Crate—your puppy will arrive in a plastic carrier (if shipped) suitable for a time and best to use for night
time crate training (when the puppy can no longer stand and sit comfortably, you will need to get the next
size larger crate)
Puppy Proof House, Yard And Fence --- basic rule is what ever would not be safe for an infant would not
be safe for your puppy. Puppies are very small and get out of very small holes in a fenced yard. Best to
never let the puppy out unsupervised!
Toys and Chews — not all are safe — if the puppy starts to chew the toy up into little pieces, throw it out.
Rawhide chews are NOT good since many dogs have choked or had intestinal problems with them.
They are not digestible. Cow hoofs are good (Natural, not smoked or flavored). Call us for more info. or
ask your Vet. Rope toys and fleece pull toys work well.
Existing Pets -- Introduce new puppy to existing pets gradually and supervised. Best to let new puppy
settle in the first day before introducing to other pets.
Leash and Collars—best puppy training collar is a wide(1 ½”-2”) martingale type. It works like a choke
collar but much more gentle for the puppy. Walking collars and ID collars are NOT the same. An ID collar
is adjusted so it will easily slide over the puppy’s head if caught up or entangled. The collar is just used
for identification. Do not attach a leash to a loose collar. Collars can easily slip over a puppy’s head
unless very tight, which is Too Tight. Your walking collar should fit loosely, yet gently tighten if the pup tries
to back out. When leash training, put the leash on the puppy and let him drag it around while you are
watching so that he does not get tangled. Hold the leash and let the puppy pull. Gently call his name and
say “come”, and pull him close—give a treat and say GOOD PUPPY! Never tie your puppy out on his
walking leash. If you can not find one we usually have some available-let us know.
House Breaking—DO NOT give the puppy full run of the house. Always confine him to the room where
you can watch him. See House Breaking page for more info. The best training aid for puppies is the use
of treats. Give a treat immediately after the puppy does what you have asked. Puppies only want to
please.
Health Care---see Medical History Page for what your puppy has had up to date. This will arrive with your
puppy.
Public Visits and Socialization-- -Puppies need lots of socialization. If your puppy is under 4 months old,
the best socialization is with family and friends, where you know he will not be exposed to sick dogs.
When taking your young puppy to the vet—carry them or put them in a kennel to be carried. Vets office
has many sick animals in the waiting room, before the owners know what they had—so always be
carefull! DO NOT take the puppy to any public areas to walk, until he is 4 months old and complete on all
vaccinations. He is not fully protected until then and can still get sick. This means DO NOT put him on
the ground when you pick him up at the airport. Wait until you get him home. Also he will be less
frightened then. Socialize your puppy whenever possible, with as many friends as possible, but only after
vaccinations are complete. Car trips and dog friendly stores are fine if the puppy can be carried.
Remember -- we are only an E-mail or phone call away, if you should ever have any questions or training
problems. We have asked God’s guidance in selecting the best homes for each one of our puppies. We
pray that you too, will experience the Joy and Love that we have, through one of God’s finest Earthly gifts,
The Family Dog.
Texas True Blues
Jimmie & Denise Barnard
www.texastrueblues.net / barnardgalleries@juno.com / (903) 734-3914