Training mentors:
https://youtube.com/@zakgeorge
https://youtube.com/@TheOntarioDogTrainer
What to expect when your furbaby comes home
Vaccinations/First exam
Your new addition will have received their 1st dhpp vaccination at 7 weeks old. I ask that each family schedule a visit with their veterinarian within 4 days of their puppy being home. The next dhpp vaccines can be administered every 3-4 weeks after their first dhpp at 7 weeks. Your vet will have these appointments scheduled at your first exam. I will provide a folder with your furbabies weekly weights to date, proof of their first first vaccination, and their worming regimen. Take this folder with you to their first appointment.
In addition to the dhpp vaccination series, your furbaby should receive their first rabies around 16 weeks old. Your vet may suggest other vaccinations based on your location/lifestyle.
It is understandably tempting to take your new furbaby out to explore, play with new furriends, and show them off in social settings. However, while the first vaccination is a start to building their immunity, new puppies can still be susceptible to picking up various deadly illnesses until they have completed their entire series of DHPP vaccinations (around 13-16 weeks old), It is best to keep them in a safe area where they aren't around potentially sick/unvaccinated animals, or people who have been around animals that could have a virus. Please speak with your vet if you are thinking about taking your furbaby to a public place before their vaccinations are completed.
Eating/Drinking/Potty training
For potty training purposes your furbaby will need to be put on a breakfast/lunch/dinner schedule that lines up with your schedule. The amount of food they can eat each day will be listed on their food bag in connection to their current weight/age. Do not be alarmed if your puppy doesn't eat all of the food you put out each meal. Puppies will eat until they are content. Your puppy will need water throughout the day as well. Puppies have small bladders, expect your puppy to potty within 10-20 minutes of a drink. Repetition is key with potty training. Take them to their designated potty spot every hour during the day, and a time or two during the night. Bell training can be a great way for your furbaby to communicate when they need to visit their potty area. To bell train hang a bell on long lanyard from the door handle, and ring it every time you take your puppy outside. Eventually your puppy will begin to ring it on their own. When you notice that they are staying dry between their outside potty adventures, you can take them out less frequently. When your furbaby is successful at pottying in their spot, praise them with the same praise every time, you may also give them a small treat. Consistency and repetition is key when training your furbaby.
Boundaries
When a furbaby comes home it is almost impossible not to give them an abundant amount of attention, treats, and freedom. This can help the furbaby to feel loved and safe, but over time it will have negative effects on you, and them. It is important to build a strong connection, but this needs to be done in a healthy way that will help this connection bloom and last. If your furbaby does not have rules, or boundaries, they will not look to you as their owners, but as equals. Dogs are not fulfilled without an authority figure- it is in their nature to follow an alpha. That being said, rules and routines need to be enforced right away. It is in your furbabies best interest that you continue to help them mature out of their puppy behaviors into well mannered members of the family. Do not allow your furbaby to have free roam of your home until they are completely house trained. You may decide to set up their playpen on a safe surface with pee pads, or baby gate them into a safe area to relax and play. As they exhibit improvements with house training you may decide to accompany them in other rooms.
Biting/chewing
Puppies are prone to biting and chewing. Keep clothes, shoes, rugs, rope/fabric toys etc.. away from your puppies hangout area. Biting is how puppies play with their siblings, and gnawing can relieve their sore gums as their puppy teeth fall out and adult teeth grow in. Although It can be cute, eventually this habit needs to be kicked. If your puppy is biting you, or trying to eat something they shouldn't, remove it immediately, use a 'no bite' command, and give them a chew toy in its place.. String, and fabric can easily get lodged in the stomach or intestines- if the material is not surgically removed it can be life threatening. Take time to make sure your puppy's hangout area is safe
Jumping
Another typical puppy behavior is jumping. This is a sign your puppy is excited to see you, or other humans. This may not bother you when they are at their smallest weight, but it likely will become an issue when they reach their mature weight, are scratching your legs, or jumping on your guests. To prevent this from becoming a habit, turn away from your puppy as soon as he/she jumps on you, and ignore them. That will definitely not be the reaction they wanted. (The next step will require your puppy to know how to sit on command, just like any other training command 'sitting' can be taught using the same command and praise consistently. *You may also use small treats for training purposes.) After your jumping puppy has all legs on the ground, turn back to them and use your 'sit' command. If they respond properly, praise them like crazy. If they jump again, repeat the training exercise. Do not praise them, or give them a treat during training if they are not successful. This will only confuse your puppy.
Sleeping/night potty trips
The first few nights may be difficult for your puppy as they are used to sleeping with their siblings. This may result in whimpering when they are put to bed. Some families opt to sleep next to their puppy. This can help the puppy feel at ease, and comfortable in their room. However, if you do not plan to have your puppy's sleeping crate/playpen next to you every night, do not do this more than a few nights in a row, or your puppy will expect it to continue. Eventually your furbaby will view their crate/playpen as their den. They will know that it is time to relax and go to sleep when they are there. Whether they are sleeping in a crate or pen, initially your puppy will need to visit their potty spot a couple times throughout the night to prevent an accident. Having your puppy in a crate vs. a playpen during their first week may prevent them from pottying in between their potty trips due to the minimal walking room. If you choose to have your furbaby in their playpen they may require an extra potty trip during the night.
Grooming
While many doodle owners opt to have their doodle groomed short, you can keep your furbaby as long and shaggy as you’d like! Just ask your groomer to ONLY trim around the immediate eye area, and in the winter, in between their toes where snowballs can form. Be sure to have a photo of the look you are going for when you go into the groomer or you may end up with a furbaby you don’t recognize by the end of the visit.
Your furbaby has experienced bathing, blow drying, brushing and nail clipping from 3 weeks old. To prevent any future grooming anxiety try to be consistent with weekly brushing, and monthly baths. Do not take your furbaby to a professional groomer until they are over 16 weeks old. Grooming studios are not safe for unvaccinated puppies.. If you decide to grow your furbabies coat long, their entire body will need to be brushed through at least once a week to avoid the formation of mats. If you choose to have your furbaby groomed short, they should still be brushed regularly. Whether it is in your home, or at the groomers, your furbaby should receive a bath/blowdry and a nail trim every month. When bathing take extra care to ensure that you are not getting water into your furbabies ears. You can clean their ears with a damp paper towel, and dry them with a towel. If you are using a professional grade blow dryer avoid accidentally blowing into your furbabies ears as this can cause internal damage. Do not cut your furbabies nails at home without watching a professional- you may cut down into the quick and cause bleeding. It is ideal to brush your furbabies teeth at least 3 times per week to avoid dental issues. Dental diseases in dogs can turn deadly, so it is best to make it a habit while your furbaby is young, even while they are losing their puppy teeth.
There are many unimaginable blessings that come with owning a bernedoodle, and being prepared will only make these blessings better! Please know that it is okay and normal for there to be a learning curve, and questions. With patience, consistency, and love during your first weeks together, you and your furbaby will develop a profound bond that will last a lifetime! I strive to keep a connection and stay in touch with every single one of my families, offering lifetime support in regards to any questions you may have in the future. Please keep in touch with us, sending pictures and pupdates. We look forward to watching your puppy grow! :)
https://youtube.com/@zakgeorge
https://youtube.com/@TheOntarioDogTrainer
What to expect when your furbaby comes home
Vaccinations/First exam
Your new addition will have received their 1st dhpp vaccination at 7 weeks old. I ask that each family schedule a visit with their veterinarian within 4 days of their puppy being home. The next dhpp vaccines can be administered every 3-4 weeks after their first dhpp at 7 weeks. Your vet will have these appointments scheduled at your first exam. I will provide a folder with your furbabies weekly weights to date, proof of their first first vaccination, and their worming regimen. Take this folder with you to their first appointment.
In addition to the dhpp vaccination series, your furbaby should receive their first rabies around 16 weeks old. Your vet may suggest other vaccinations based on your location/lifestyle.
It is understandably tempting to take your new furbaby out to explore, play with new furriends, and show them off in social settings. However, while the first vaccination is a start to building their immunity, new puppies can still be susceptible to picking up various deadly illnesses until they have completed their entire series of DHPP vaccinations (around 13-16 weeks old), It is best to keep them in a safe area where they aren't around potentially sick/unvaccinated animals, or people who have been around animals that could have a virus. Please speak with your vet if you are thinking about taking your furbaby to a public place before their vaccinations are completed.
Eating/Drinking/Potty training
For potty training purposes your furbaby will need to be put on a breakfast/lunch/dinner schedule that lines up with your schedule. The amount of food they can eat each day will be listed on their food bag in connection to their current weight/age. Do not be alarmed if your puppy doesn't eat all of the food you put out each meal. Puppies will eat until they are content. Your puppy will need water throughout the day as well. Puppies have small bladders, expect your puppy to potty within 10-20 minutes of a drink. Repetition is key with potty training. Take them to their designated potty spot every hour during the day, and a time or two during the night. Bell training can be a great way for your furbaby to communicate when they need to visit their potty area. To bell train hang a bell on long lanyard from the door handle, and ring it every time you take your puppy outside. Eventually your puppy will begin to ring it on their own. When you notice that they are staying dry between their outside potty adventures, you can take them out less frequently. When your furbaby is successful at pottying in their spot, praise them with the same praise every time, you may also give them a small treat. Consistency and repetition is key when training your furbaby.
Boundaries
When a furbaby comes home it is almost impossible not to give them an abundant amount of attention, treats, and freedom. This can help the furbaby to feel loved and safe, but over time it will have negative effects on you, and them. It is important to build a strong connection, but this needs to be done in a healthy way that will help this connection bloom and last. If your furbaby does not have rules, or boundaries, they will not look to you as their owners, but as equals. Dogs are not fulfilled without an authority figure- it is in their nature to follow an alpha. That being said, rules and routines need to be enforced right away. It is in your furbabies best interest that you continue to help them mature out of their puppy behaviors into well mannered members of the family. Do not allow your furbaby to have free roam of your home until they are completely house trained. You may decide to set up their playpen on a safe surface with pee pads, or baby gate them into a safe area to relax and play. As they exhibit improvements with house training you may decide to accompany them in other rooms.
Biting/chewing
Puppies are prone to biting and chewing. Keep clothes, shoes, rugs, rope/fabric toys etc.. away from your puppies hangout area. Biting is how puppies play with their siblings, and gnawing can relieve their sore gums as their puppy teeth fall out and adult teeth grow in. Although It can be cute, eventually this habit needs to be kicked. If your puppy is biting you, or trying to eat something they shouldn't, remove it immediately, use a 'no bite' command, and give them a chew toy in its place.. String, and fabric can easily get lodged in the stomach or intestines- if the material is not surgically removed it can be life threatening. Take time to make sure your puppy's hangout area is safe
Jumping
Another typical puppy behavior is jumping. This is a sign your puppy is excited to see you, or other humans. This may not bother you when they are at their smallest weight, but it likely will become an issue when they reach their mature weight, are scratching your legs, or jumping on your guests. To prevent this from becoming a habit, turn away from your puppy as soon as he/she jumps on you, and ignore them. That will definitely not be the reaction they wanted. (The next step will require your puppy to know how to sit on command, just like any other training command 'sitting' can be taught using the same command and praise consistently. *You may also use small treats for training purposes.) After your jumping puppy has all legs on the ground, turn back to them and use your 'sit' command. If they respond properly, praise them like crazy. If they jump again, repeat the training exercise. Do not praise them, or give them a treat during training if they are not successful. This will only confuse your puppy.
Sleeping/night potty trips
The first few nights may be difficult for your puppy as they are used to sleeping with their siblings. This may result in whimpering when they are put to bed. Some families opt to sleep next to their puppy. This can help the puppy feel at ease, and comfortable in their room. However, if you do not plan to have your puppy's sleeping crate/playpen next to you every night, do not do this more than a few nights in a row, or your puppy will expect it to continue. Eventually your furbaby will view their crate/playpen as their den. They will know that it is time to relax and go to sleep when they are there. Whether they are sleeping in a crate or pen, initially your puppy will need to visit their potty spot a couple times throughout the night to prevent an accident. Having your puppy in a crate vs. a playpen during their first week may prevent them from pottying in between their potty trips due to the minimal walking room. If you choose to have your furbaby in their playpen they may require an extra potty trip during the night.
Grooming
While many doodle owners opt to have their doodle groomed short, you can keep your furbaby as long and shaggy as you’d like! Just ask your groomer to ONLY trim around the immediate eye area, and in the winter, in between their toes where snowballs can form. Be sure to have a photo of the look you are going for when you go into the groomer or you may end up with a furbaby you don’t recognize by the end of the visit.
Your furbaby has experienced bathing, blow drying, brushing and nail clipping from 3 weeks old. To prevent any future grooming anxiety try to be consistent with weekly brushing, and monthly baths. Do not take your furbaby to a professional groomer until they are over 16 weeks old. Grooming studios are not safe for unvaccinated puppies.. If you decide to grow your furbabies coat long, their entire body will need to be brushed through at least once a week to avoid the formation of mats. If you choose to have your furbaby groomed short, they should still be brushed regularly. Whether it is in your home, or at the groomers, your furbaby should receive a bath/blowdry and a nail trim every month. When bathing take extra care to ensure that you are not getting water into your furbabies ears. You can clean their ears with a damp paper towel, and dry them with a towel. If you are using a professional grade blow dryer avoid accidentally blowing into your furbabies ears as this can cause internal damage. Do not cut your furbabies nails at home without watching a professional- you may cut down into the quick and cause bleeding. It is ideal to brush your furbabies teeth at least 3 times per week to avoid dental issues. Dental diseases in dogs can turn deadly, so it is best to make it a habit while your furbaby is young, even while they are losing their puppy teeth.
There are many unimaginable blessings that come with owning a bernedoodle, and being prepared will only make these blessings better! Please know that it is okay and normal for there to be a learning curve, and questions. With patience, consistency, and love during your first weeks together, you and your furbaby will develop a profound bond that will last a lifetime! I strive to keep a connection and stay in touch with every single one of my families, offering lifetime support in regards to any questions you may have in the future. Please keep in touch with us, sending pictures and pupdates. We look forward to watching your puppy grow! :)