Lochaber Pups
Puppy Care Information
FOOD
Start out feeding the same food that the puppy has been eating. We will give you a small bag of Nutro Puppy Food. If you plan on using a different kind of food, you should mix the two foods to gradually get your puppy use to the new food before switching over completely.
BOWLS
Your puppy will need two bowls, one for food and one for water. Easy to clean ones are the best, such as stainless steel. There are special bowls made just for Basset Hounds that are shaped to keep their ears out of the water!
COLLAR AND LEASH
For your own and puppy's safety and happiness, it is never to early to start getting the puppy use to wearing a collar and learning to walk on a leash. Most puppies will scratch at the new collar but do not worry, they will become use to it soon. The puppy may also fight the leash but with a little practice, they will get use to walking with you. Training early will save trouble later on.
IDENTIFICATION
Be sure to have an identification tag made as soon as you have named your puppy. Be sure to include the puppy's name, your address and phone number. This should be worn by the puppy at all times. Another good idea is to get your puppy microchipped for protection throughout the nation. Especially if you plan to travel with your puppy.
DOG CRATE OR CARRIER
Buy a crate that will be large enough to house your puppy when he/she is full grown. The crate is a safe place for you to keep your puppy and will also be a place of sanctuary for them. Be sure to line the crate with a soft bedding. Keep toys in the crate too. Start training the puppy to use the crate right away by having the puppy sleep in the crate at night. Having the puppy sleep in the crate at night will help with housebreaking. During the day, you can keep the door open so the puppy can go in and out at will. Use the crate while traveling in the car for safety and security for your puppy.
BRUSH, COMB, SHAMPOO, NAIL CLIPPERS & TOOTHBRUSH
Teach your puppy about grooming early on so they get use to it and are not afraid or anxious about it. Use a tearless baby shampoo or a special puppy shampoo that you can get at your local pet store. Basset Hounds will need their ears cleaned periodically. To do this use alcohol and cotton swabs. Ask a professional how to trim you puppy's nails. Be sure to have styptic powder on-hand incase you "quick" them (cut the nail too close to the blood supply to the nail). Styptic powder will stop the bleeding. Be patient with the puppy and go easy. Eventually grooming will be a pleasant experience for both you and pup.
TOYS
Be sure to have enough toys on hand so that your puppy knows exactly what he/she can chew on. Keep the toys in a small basket that the puppy can reach into easily. Make sure the toys are size appropriate for your puppy. Include rawhide bones to help puppies keep their teeth clean and to help with teething.
When your puppy arrives home...
Introduce your puppy to everyone in the household. Make sure everyone knows that it will take time for each of you to get use to one another. Let the puppy sleep in the same place each night and keep feeding dishes and toys in the same place so he/she will know where they are.
Introduce your puppy to children gradually and make sure interactions are supervised. Do this until you are sure that both the children and puppy know each other well and are comfortable around each other. Be sure to instruct your children that the puppy is not a toy but a living animal that must be treated with respect and care.
Also, introduce your puppy to other pets in much the same way as you do children. Do it gradually and keep close supervision until everyone is comfortable with one another.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or a professional if you have any questions regarding the care of your puppy! Better to be safe. We are always glad to help.