Puppy Care Info

Blazing Star Doodles

Puppy Care Info

1) Bowls, set of two (water and food)
2) Food as per breeder recommendation
3) NuVet Vitamin supplement
4) Collar (8-12" for 8 to 12 week old pup)
5) Leash (trainers recommend 4 or 6 foot length)
6) Toys (great items listed further below)
7) Paper Towels
8) Crate (medium/intermediate to start - large/xlarge for adult)
9) Books (recommendations below)
10) Bitter Apple spray
11) Puppy shampoo
12) Slicker/pin brush
13) Nail clipper
14) Nature's Miracle (or other urine neutralizer)

Manitoba residents can find an excellent pet supply store at the new Winnipeg Humane Society location. They have an excellent assortment of collars, leashes and supplies.
The money you spend will be going towards their funding!

Food and Vitamin Recommendation

We are currently feeding Nutri Source Chicken and Rice Puppy food for Small/Medium breeds to the puppies before they go to their new homes. We can sell the Nutri Source brands for about $10 less than retailers (per 33 to 40 lb bag) for those picking up their puppies if they choose to use this food, as long as we are notified early enough to have the extra on hand.

Feeding for standard size Doodle puppies at 8 weeks of age is usually 1/2 to 3/4 cup per feeding. Smaller sized pups will likely eat on the lower side of that portion, larger pups on the higher side of that portion. Mini/mediums would get near the same feeding amounts, likely slightly less. A general rule is whatever the puppy can eat in 10 minutes, keeping in mind that some puppies are "chow hounds" and will eat fast and overeat if a larger portion is given for 10 minutes. Some Doodle puppies inherit the Poodle trait of being grazers were they eat when and how much they want, those puppies can have food left out at all times and don't overeat. Each owner will have to learn what their puppy's eating habits are and work it out accordingly. As a reminder, feeding amounts are to be increased as your puppy grows.

Pups should be fed three times daily until 4 months of age, then divide the daily portion into two feedings, breakfast and supper. We start to slowly switch our own pups to adult food at 4 months of age, with a complete switch by 5 months. This helps to slow the growth rate and weight gain which could cause joint problems later. Some vets recommend puppy food until
1 year, in our vast experience this is not necessary nor needed healthwise for the pup.

All our puppies receive a vitamin supplement called NuVet Plus which all our dogs get. They received it through their mother during gestation and during nursing. The puppy should receive 1/2 a tablet a day until about 4 months of age, then 1 tablet a day thereafter. The vitamins give a softer more shiny coat, help in promoting bone and joint development as well. You can visit the website of the vitamin supplier at NuVet, use order code 00405 when ordering, the code is mandatory to place an order. We've found it to be an inexpensive way to promote our dogs' health, especially the mothers and growing puppies. Canadians can't order from the website, but can order by phone at 1-800-474-7044 with the same order code.
Be sure to order them in advance so you have them before your puppy comes home.

In the beginning stages it's important to minimalize the changes in diet for the puppy to avoid stomach/digestive upset. We suggest giving bottled water for the first few weeks if you have treated tap water rather than well water (which is what they are used to), then slowly make the switch. If you can't find the food that we recommend please find a chicken and rice puppy food to lessen the change in the pup's diet. Treats aren't that important to a puppy at first, try using pieces of kibble for reward treating until the start of official training or classes, again this will help limit the dietary changes. Avoid foods/treats containing corn, we have found that to trigger itching and ear infections.

You can find store locations in your area for the food by clicking the link below:
Nutri Source Pet Foods

Vaccination Information

Your puppy is not fully vaccinated at the time that he/she goes home, unless you are getting an older puppy. All puppies require 3 booster shots when living in Canada and 4 booster shots when living in the USA. The typical schedule for booster vaccinations: 7 weeks of age, 10 weeks of age, 13 weeks of age (Canada) and 16 weeks of age (USA). The rabies vaccination can be given anytime between 13 and 16 weeks of age in both countries.

Your puppy should NOT be taken into public areas until vaccinations are completed. You should AVOID taking them to pet stores, dog parks and rest areas as those places are the most common areas where parvovirus can be picked up. A short walk in your neighborhood is allowable a week after the 10 week booster is administered. We also strongly suggest that you carry and hold your puppy when going to the vet until vaccinations are completed as you just never know whether any ill dogs or puppies have been to the clinic that day or recently.

Parvovirus is a virus that is spread through an infected dog's feces, it can be carried on shoes, car tires and is also known to be spread around by birds on their feet. You can pick it up just about anywhere. It is an awful virus that can be deadly if not caught soon enough to treat appropriately. You should take all precautions to ensure the safety and health of your puppy until he/she is completely vaccinated and immune to this virus. Parvo is common in Canada and the Northern USA from spring to fall, warmer provinces and states are prone to it year round.

We will not be responsible for any puppies contracting parvovirus after leaving our care.

Starter Supplies

Here is a list of items that you should have on hand prior to your puppy's arrival home, as well as feeding instructions, grooming tips and book recommendations to help you prepare in advance.

Toys and Chews

Puppies love and need toys to thrive and keep them occupied. There are so many types and varieties to choose from. We suggest avoiding plastic squeaky chew toys because they can chew through them and eat the hard plastic pieces they rip off which could cause internal damage. Research also shows that plastic dog toys contain high levels of lead which can lead to neurological disorders and episodes similar to seizures after 1 month of continuous exposure. We are recommend NOT buying any type of rope toy, they can also be ingested causing major intestinal damage as they aren't passed through their digestive system easily. Make your pup's health and safety your #1 priority!

Our suggestion is to stick to stuffed toys, Kong brands and the other toys listed below.

Here are a few types of toys that are puppies are already accustomed to playing with, they are durable and easy to clean - Hurley Hucks, The Rock, The Ball, The Twig, The Orbee medium, Woof and Fetch ball, Diamond Plate Orbee, Medium Heave Hose, Sqwuggies, Holee Rollers and Frequent Flyers.

Grooming Tips and Tools

Your pup's grooming needs will depend on his/her coat type. A curly coat will need daily to bi-weekly brushings to keep it mat free, especially during the transition to adult coat. A wavy coat will require weekly brushings with more frequency during the coat transition. A fleece coat and flat/hair coat requires the least grooming, but a good weekly or bi-weekly brushing should be done to keep the coat mat free and looking its best.

One thing to remember is that you shouldn't towel dry a long haired dog, no matter the coat type. Towel drying increases the mat frequency and can trun a mat free coat into a matted coat very quickly, so if your Doodles love to swim be sure to let it air dry and avoid towel drying, this rule also applies after baths.

Bathing should only be done every 6 to 10 weeks unless your Doodle gets very dirty or stinky in the meantime. Over bathing will lead to dry skin and itching, not to mention matting of the coat. We prefer to use an oatmeal based shampoo, don't overuse the shampoo either, it's best to dilute then have a build-up in the coat and be sure to rinse thoroughly. To keep the coat soft and easy to brush, use a good quality conditioner after shampooing.

There are many different types of brushes and combs on the market. My personal favorites are a slicker brush, stainless steel comb and dematting rake. Other tools that have been suggested to me by some of our Doodle owners are: pin brushes, dematting tools, Bamboo rotating combs and Les Pooches brushes. Good grooming/brushing sprays are The Stuff, Cowboy Magic and Infusium 23. These will help you work through mats if brushing alone isn't getting them out. If matting becomes out of hand then a trip to the groomer will be necessary. Be sure to instruct them specifically on the look you want or your Doodle will likely come home looking like a Poodle.

A Doodle's ears are an important part of the grooming process. Ears should be checked weekly to make sure they are clean and free of hair. If your Doodle has hairy ear canals you will need to pull that hair out regularly. Ear powder can be found in any pet section or pet store. Apply a little powder to the hair in the ear canal and pull it out. The powder acts as grip as well as an antiseptic. A weekly or bi-monthly rinse of your Doodle's ears with a half water, half white vinegar solution will help prevent ear infections which are common in floppy earred dogs. Always be sure to dry your dog's ears after swimming or bathing. NEVER insert anything into the ear canal, only surface cleaning and washing. The ear solution can be sprayed into the canal, but let the dog shake it out on it's own, just dry the edge area.

Always be sure to keep your dog's nails trimmed. My preferred tool is the scissor type clipper with depth guard. Don't cut too far or you'll cut into the quick and cause the nail to bleed. If that does happen apply corn starch or baby powder to the tip of the nail to help the blood clot faster.

Trimming the eye area should be done routinely to help keep your dog's vision clear. Sanitary trims by the bum and genitals is good to keep that area clean as well.

Another recommendation would be for a Snuggle Puppy, these are stuffed dogs with a heartbeat and warming pack that comforts a new puppy because it simulates being with another puppy.

Chew toys can be a great asset for those teething phases! Kong brands are wonderful because they can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter to keep a puppy/dog busy. Treat balls work well also as they have to figure out how to get the treats to fall out. One of the favorite things around here are smoked or roasted bones, available at most pet stores or the local butcher shop.