New Puppy Helpful Hints

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Crate training is a great way for your puppy to adjust to his/her new environment. Dogs are, by nature, den animals and find comfort in small, enclosed spaces. A crate can provide your puppy with a refuge, a hangout, and a bedroom. It is important the crate isn't a punishment because it will be a secure sanctuary for your pup. 

Following a potty schedule is a key success factor in training! Click below for great advise and a tested and proven schedule. 

Do not put the food in a bowl and assume your puppy is eating.  Pay careful attention to how much he is actually eating each day because this is critical to their health.  If you are concerned with minimal eating habits use Enercal and/or blend a small portion of warm water with his normal ration, creating thick smoothie consistency for enticement!

The small breed puppies do not have a large fat reserve, so it is essential that these puppies eat three meals a day.  Missing a single meal can cause these puppies to have dangerously low glucose levels (hypoglycemia).  Once a puppy’s glucose levels are low, he might become too confused to eat and could refuse food. 

Your new Pooton puppy should be eating three times a day (see Potty Schedule).  1/2 cup of dry food total (approximate).   We feed our puppies “Native Performance Dog Food Level 3 Small Breed Puppy Food“ but also recommend “ Life Protection Formula Puppy Blue Buffalo Chicken and Brown Rice for small breed."  Blue Buffalo is easier to find in stores.  Native 3 is sold on Amazon.  Both of these foods are a premium quality puppy food that are nutritionally dense.  Your puppy will be sent home with a small bag of our Native 3 puppy food along with a feeding guide and instructions on how to gradually switch puppy over to Blue Buffalo if you prefer!  

Whichever food you choose to feed your puppy,  always read the label! 

Look for these ingredients: Whole meats, Whole grains (Oat and Rice), Natural preservatives or non at all, Animal based Proteins, Good Fats (Omega 3&6), Fruits, and Vegetables.  The best dog foods contain high quality ingredients that are appropriate for your dog's digestive system.

Once your puppy reaches around six months old, switch to two feedings a day and maintain this through through maturity.  Your puppy can be switched to an adult formula food between 9-12 mo. of age.  If you choose to switch to a different brand of dog food, the change must be a gradual one. Change the food over a 4 day time period, giving 100% of the original food the first day,  75% original food and 25% new food the second day, 50% of each the third day, and 25% of the original and 75%  new the fourth day. This gradual change will reduce the amount of stress to the puppy. 

As your puppy grows follow the directions on the bag for the age and weight of your puppy.

Start bringing your Pooton puppy with you on rides as soon as possible. If your puppy only rides in the car going to something they associate as "bad" (Ex. vet), then they will not want to ride in the car. Provide a favorite toy or blanket to provide comfort. Give your puppy some time to explore and get comfortable before taking off. We don't recommend having your pup on your lap while in motion with the treat of an accident and air bags deploying. Don't forget to pack enough food and water as you are out and about! Never leave your dog alone in the car. Within minutes, the temperatures can reach dangerous or fatal for pets. With planning, training, and patience you and your Pooton pup can enjoy road trips cross-country or across town.

You should begin a good schedule of teeth cleaning as soon as you bring your puppy home. When you and your puppy are calm, use a toothbrush or finger brush (no toothpaste) and gently rub teethe. Making sure to get top, bottom, front, and back teeth. This can be done a few times per week. After 2 weeks, begin using a small amount of tooth paste. Always praise your puppy during this process. Once, everyone is comfortable, you can change your schedule to brushing every 2 to 4 weeks. Bones and hard rubber toys can also help maintain oral health. See our shopping guide for oral health toy suggestions.  

All contact between a new Cotonpoo puppy and resident pet should be 100% supervised for the first two weeks minimum. Be especially careful if your other pets are much larger than your new puppy. We suggest separating your pets with child safety gates or pet exercise pens until they are acclimated.

Until your Teddy Bear Puppy has completed its immunization shots, remember to keep your Cotonpoo  puppy away from areas where non-resident pets may frequent. (public parks, rest stops)   

When your puppy comes home, it is NOT fully immune to the many viruses until all booster shots have been given.  We encourage you to speak with your licensed Veterinarian about completing these vaccinations when you receive your puppy.  Your Cotonpoo / Pooton puppy will be up to date with our de-worming and vaccination program when he/she goes home!

A new Pooton puppy will need to have nap times throughout the day to rest.  It is also important that he has a warm place to sleep. Be aware that play times are kept short, whether the play is with people or other pets. Puppies can play themselves into exhaustion or not take the time to eat or drink.

Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of his reach. 

Restrict access to food, plants and chemicals that are dangerous to dogs:  

-Foods: chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, chives, moldy foods, alcoholic beverages, nuts, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, corn on the cob, Xylitol, milk. 

-Plants: Azalea, Amaryllis, Daffodil, Bird of Paradise, Eucalyptus, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Iris, Calla Lilly, Morning Glory, Rhododendron, Rose, Jade, Tomato plants, Tulips, Poison Ivy/Oak

-Chemicals: Antifreeze, Ibuprofen, rat bait.