Bringing your puppy home

Helpful Hints

  As per AKC website

Go Shopping

It’s important to have all the necessities like a crate and chew toys before you bring your puppy home.

 The following things can start your shopping list:

• Dog crate. This is an invaluable tool for keeping your puppy safe when you can’t supervise him and for simplifying your house-training routine. Be sure to pick the correct size. If the crate is too large, your puppy can use one end as a toilet which will set your potty training back.
• Collar and leash. Depending on your dog’s breed, you might want a harness as well. Don’t forget to put an ID tag on your puppy’s collar.
• Puppy food and bowls.
• Exercise pen or baby gates.
• Chew toys. All dogs love to chew. Teething puppies most of all. Pick chew toys that aren’t too small for your puppy to prevent a choking hazard.
• Grooming tools. It’s never too early to start getting your puppy used to nail trims and brushing.
• Treats. Simple training can start from your puppy’s first day at home, so be ready with plenty of tasty rewards.

Pushing Paper

As fun as it is to play with your new puppy, there are still some administrative tasks to take care of.

Keep this paperwork in mind:

• Decide what you want your puppy's AKC registered name to be.
• Make sure that we at Spartan Rottweilers have your full name, address, email and phone number as well as the name of a co-owner if you have one .
• This information is used for your paid  registrations.
• Find a veterinarian and other pet professionals like a groomer or pet sitter. Don’t be afraid to visit them first and ask for references. Also, learn the location of your nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

Making Introductions

Your puppy will need time to adjust to his new environment.

 Plus, it’s likely he’ll miss his doggy family until he gets used to his human one.

Be patient and be careful not to overwhelm him. Consider the following:

• Show your puppy around. Let him know where to find his crate, food, and water bowl, and where he should be going to the bathroom. Let him explore with supervision, but don’t give him the run of the house on day one. He can earn freedom as he learns the rules.
• Supervise introductions to other pets. Don’t let your puppy annoy your older dog and be sure cats have an escape route. In the beginning, keep interactions short and sweet.
• Introduce your puppy to new people with care. Too many cuddles all at once can be stressful. Everybody will want to meet your puppy, and it’s important for him to meet as many new people as possible. But make sure each experience is pleasant and rewarding.
• Socialize your puppy. Socializing means introducing your puppy to as many new people, dogs, places, situations and so on as possible. (However, please restrict going where unvaccinated dogs may have been until your puppy has at least 3 sets of shots.)
• While in isolation, get creative. Introduce your puppy to new sounds, surfaces, and toys. Be sure to do this at your puppy’s pace. Don’t force him. Encourage him and stay positive.

Teaching and Training

Every interaction between you and your puppy has the potential to build your bond and teach something new,

 and there’s no reason you can’t get started right away.

Here are some training considerations to keep in mind:

• Potty train from day one. Your dog needs to know exactly where you expect him to do his business. Prevent accidents so he also learns where not to go. If a mistake happens, clean it up with an enzymatic urine cleaner.
• Set the house rules. For example, decide if your puppy can go on the furniture and who is in charge of mealtimes and walks. To prevent confusing your puppy, make sure your entire family is on board and consistent.
• Teach your new puppy basic behaviors like watch me, sit, or down. With positive reinforcement-based training, you can encourage good manners in even very young puppies. If you’re struggling with your new puppy, consider getting help from the Good Dog Helpline.
• Look for a puppy class — some are now being offered virtually. Puppy kindergarten helps with both socialization and training. Search for a training club in your area.
• Enroll in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. Your puppy is eligible for the S.T.A.R. Puppy test after completing a basic training class with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. The program is designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start and enrollment includes benefits like the AKC Puppy Handbook and a monthly email newsletter full of training tips.
• Set goals for down the road. Training basic manners can lead to all kinds of fun dog activities. An important goal for every dog is the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. It’s a great foundation for dog sports and the gold standard of behavior for dogs in our society.