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What do I need to know about caring for my new puppy?


For the most part, puppies are pretty simple; they eat, drink, sleep, go potty, and want all the attention you have time to give them. You'll need some basic items such as food & water bowls, a collar, toys, leash, food, and a crate and/or bed.

A feeding routine is up to you; most people find it easier to feed their dogs on a schedule (especially as a puppy). Puppies should probably be fed 2-3 times per day at first and can generally be allowed to eat as much as they want. Puppy food is the best because of the higher fat content. Once your dog begins to get older, you can keep them on a feeding routine or leave food out all the time. Some dogs will overeat, so they need a routine, but this breed, with regular exercise, doesn't typically get overweight too easily.

One of the hardest things for people is the potty training. The biggest things to remember is that the puppy needs to be taken outside immediately after being let out of its crate, the puppy needs to go outside every 20-30 minutes when it is not in it's crate, and needs to be monitored at all times. It is also helpful to only allow the puppy access to a small area in the house and slowly expanding that area as the puppy becomes housebroken. Remember that the best method is prevention.

Prevention applies to puppy-proofing as well, same as you would for a toddler; keep unsafe materials and chemicals locked up, food out of reach, items off the ground that you don't want chewed on, etc. Have chew toys nearby so when the puppy starts to chew on something they're not supposed to you can replace it with the chew toy; teach them what they're allowed to chew on.

Socialization is also important, with kids, adults, other dogs, and other pets as well. When done from a young age it goes a long way toward making them confident and friendly everywhere they go.

Also, with doodles, because they don't shed, it's important to keep them groomed; their hair will continue to grow, get caught in debris from outside, make it hard for them to see, etc.

Finally, keep in mind that there are a TON of resources out there; everything from websites, to books, to puppy training programs. A little bit of online research can find just about anything you're looking for.
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