The day is fast approaching where you will meet and pick your puppy, then a few days
later, take home your puppy!
Please plan accordingly how you would like to complete the final payment for your remaining balance (or the beginning installment for the payment plan). Cash is preferred, cashier’s check, wire transfer, and personal check will need to clear
before you depart with your puppy.
The puppy’s well check and final de-worming vet appointment will be completed before you pick up your puppy.
Note all puppies have worms, no matter how careful we are and how treated the puppies and Dam are. There is a de-worming schedule that is strictly followed at 2, and 4, and 6 weeks, then a follow up at 8 weeks + if any are seen.
Stress weakens the immune system, allowing dormant worms that the immune system suppresses, to become very active and cause gut problems. The heartworm medicine HEARTGUARD or Interceptor that you will begin with your vet when the puppy is a little older will additionally assist with the regular and prevalent worms.
*Note we do not suggest the heartworm/flea/tick combo injections or monthly medicines (ex Simpirica Trio). These are suggested to have many serious side effects including neurological, seizures, and more. We encourage you to do your own research and talk with your own trusted vet.
Your puppy has been raised in our main living room, and has played outside only in our sanitized, specially made K9 grass area. We have worked very hard to guard them from any risk of PARVO. Please remember PARVO is very prevalent here in Hawaii, read up the information and links previously shared, and how to keep your puppy safe until 2 weeks after the last PARVO vaccine in the shot series/schedule, or Nosodes maintenance schedule.
We do NOT recommend spay/neuter until over 2 years of age. Hormones affect growth and we want these puppies to grow into strong, sturdy dogs with excellent joints and connective tissues (all affected by hormones that are in those sex organs).
Remember your puppies will need time to adjust to their new home with you. They still require about 20/24 sleeping hours. Try not to over stimulate them with toys and people during the adjustment period. The 3-3-3 rule: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to get used to new routine, 3 months to fully settle, because of the way hormones normalize, but this is different for every puppy. If your puppy is still showing signs of nervousness and fear, you obviously need to adjust their socialization schedule accordingly.
Remember to leave shoes outside your home as you can easily track PARVO into your home flooring (it is a very difficult and strong virus that lives for 5 years)! Puppies will mouth and chew just about everything. Make sure you read up on “bite inhibition”, and also how to prevent resource guarding (key take away is to never take anything out of the puppy’s mouth, but to “trade” them a high value treat and they will naturally drop the object and learn that you are not a threat to taking “their” treasure, but
you bring something better to trade with). These 2 “trainings” must be continued (we have been working with all the puppies).
The trainer we highly recommend and work very closely with is Vivi from Loving Dog Training. She offers in home training and has a truly amazing 6 week program that will set you and your puppy up for a lifetime of successful training and a very good dog! https://www.lovingdogtraining.com/ Better to take the time and money to start right, so your puppy can reach their full potential, verses additional time/money down the road to “fix” things.
It’s so tempting to invite everyone you love to meet the newest one you love. But truly, the most loving thing you can do for that little one is create a quiet, predictable, safe environment and allow your new puppy to simply settle.
I say three days (rule of 3-3-3) because of the way hormones normalize, but this is different for every puppy. If your puppy is still showing signs of nervousness and fear, you obviously need to adjust their socialization schedule accordingly. Puppies can be deceiving because they are puppies. But despite the wagging tail,
entering a new home is stressful. Because their brains are so adept at locking in learning, and particularly negative learning, it is important that the overwhelming feeling they experience is SAFETY. And safety comes from a peaceful, predictable environment. (remember this is why we recommend the smaller puppy pen area. That is a yes area for your puppy). Having extra people over these first few days is one of those things that is a “no” for now, but not forever! You have plenty to do in those first few days home, the rest will come later!
You will need to make your own vet appointment to begin your puppy’s PARVO and other vaccine series/schedule, and have your puppy microchipped and register it online immediately if your vet does not automatically do this (additionally register through AKC Reunite). These coming weeks of age, the week after you bring them home, is when the maternal antibodies they received from the milk begin to wear off, allowing their bodies to better respond to the vaccines and/or Nosodes. Our vet suggests that your puppy should receive their final PARVO vaccine in the series around 17 weeks of age, then you will need to wait an additional time so they will have protection before walking around your neighborhood or other grass areas.
please avoid playing with larger dogs, and dogs parks until they are about a year +, they are fragile, and growing. One knock can hurt their growing joints and cause life long health problems. Running in sand, and up/down stairs is also best to avoid until older for joint stability). Always discuss your puppy’s care with your vet, and follow your Vet’s guidance. Please DO take your puppy to the store in a shopping cart on a towel in the basket to get used to many sights/sounds/people. Go to children’s events (but keep puppy off the grass), and to all stores/coffee shops, malls, that allow dogs, and car rides to parking lots, roll the windows down to get them used to the sights/sounds/smells (this is also a way to socialize)! The puppies NEED to get out and about to continue in a positive and safe way to socialize, and get to know sights/sounds, they are very happy just sitting at your feet at an outdoor coffee place, Nico’s Pier 38 is also another very dog friendly place.
Your puppies have 2 sets of teeth like humans do. They will lose their baby teeth. Sometimes the puppy tooth fairy may bring them a new chewing toy at this time (YAK cheese bones are FANTASTIC, but take them away when they get chewed too small as they are a choking hazard). Always set your puppy up for success, removing items that they may want to chew on (slippers) and having ready the puppy chew toys, Yak cheese sticks, or re-directing them to chew on appropriate items (lick pats are also great when they have “busy mouths”). An easy alternative is an Amazon box folded shut with a beach towel inside tied in a knot with treats inside.
up to 3-4 months old:
offer 4 meals a day (can be the canned NULO for the first few days until
they settle, then NULO dry kibble mixed with warm water/bone broth so it is mushy, canned puppy food, plain greek yogurt, pumpkin, or bone broth are great mix-ins). We always add in the liquid because puppies are always a bit dehydrated. *Remember if you have a very busy energetic puppy, feeding the puppy on a lick mat will also help get their energy out! If puppy has the stress induced loose/watery stools, plain boiled chicken, mixed with plain white rice and bone broth will help their tummy feel better and stools return to normal.
When they reach 4 to 6 months old:
lessen the meals to only 2-3 meals a day, age 6 months and above: about 2 meals a day, and be mindful of their weight, if they are not gaining or are gaining too much , either add or lessen the amount of food as needed.
Please only give puppy-formulated food until your puppy is 18 months old. Their bodies are growing and changing and need the puppy-formulated dog food. Switch to adult dog food when they are around 18 months old. We feed the brand “NULO”, “Royal Canin” and “Sunday’s for Dogs”. Please follow your vet’s advice on feeding.
Your puppy’s current vet is Animal House Ewa Beach ( 91-919 Fort Weaver Rd #114 Ewa Beach, Oahu Hawaii 96706, 808-689-1797). Feel free to continue their care there with Dr. Tracy Mullins, or find a trusted vet closer to your home for continued care.
1 – If you have not gotten back to me with your puppy’s name, try and do that ASAP so I can have the vet record completed/registered with your name and your puppy’s name.
2 – The final contract, and AKC paperwork will need to be completed before you take your puppy home. I will have paper copies at pick up, or to complete on the site.
I look forward to introducing you to your new family member soon, it has been such a blessing raising them! We always enjoy updates and photos, you can never send enough, if you take a favorite and think of us, please send!
Now the fun part! Shopping for your new best friend. We have curated our favorite items in a shopping list for you so you can be prepared with all the must haves!
