Get Ready for Your New Wheaten Puppy’s First Days Home

Congratulations…you’ve found your new Wheaten family member!  Maybe he’s home now or you’re planning on his arrival.  Here are some thoughts and tips about what to expect.

If you are getting your puppy from a reputable breeder, like the members of SCWTCA or a local Wheaten club, you’ll be getting help from them on how to get your puppy off on the right foot.  It’s required by Section 3 of the SCWTCA Code of Ethics. No matter what you run into…health, behavior, feeding….ALWAYS CALL YOUR BREEDER FIRST!  Your breeder has more experience with Wheatens than Dr. Google or the well-meaning folks on social media.

We’re not substituting our ideas for your breeder’s experience but we want to help set expectations and give you some questions to be sure to ask your breeder when you get your puppy:

• Food – EVERYONE has opinions on the best food for your puppy. LISTEN to your breeder who knows what the puppy has been eating and what works for puppies and adults they’ve bred.  Be sure to find out:
  • Exactly what product to feed
  • How much
  • How often
• Health – Your breeder will give you your puppy’s health records…be sure to ask:
  • When the next vaccinations should be given
  • Has the puppy had any medication
• Behavior – When you see your puppy at the breeder’s location, you’re seeing a different dog than the one who will be living with you…new place, no littermates, etc. Get your breeder’s thoughts on…
  • Schedule for sleep, food, exercise
  • How he interacts with adult dogs
  • How he reacts to new people and kids
  • Any experience with thunder, fireworks or loud noise
  • Behavior at vet visits
• Grooming – Every Wheaten requires grooming by an owner, even if you plan on using a groomer. Some questions:
  • What should I do and how often
  • What do I need…combs, brushes, etc…to take care of my Wheaten
  • What can I do to get my puppy ready to go to the groomer
• Training – Your puppy probably knows some things but from here on out, training is YOUR responsibility. Ask advice on
  • Games and other first training steps
  • Learning to walk on a leash
  • Has the puppy already been in a crate and how to use one

It’s all about starting your puppy off right and having good expectations…we’re sharing a post from Killara Field Spaniels that’s got some great guidance…

As puppies head to their new homes, I wanted to touch base on a common issue that breeders come across with new owners.

Realistic Expectations
By: Karen Balinski of Killara Field Spaniels

“You go to the breeders home. The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed at a dog show. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.

Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the crate for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over to see your new puppy. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering: how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare?

So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home. First of all the puppy has been in the breeders home since birth. They had their mother and often littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.

Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Different trees, animals, smells, temperature and people. Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, decide to have a party with people you don’t know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.

This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms. From not eating, reluctancy to play and greet people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur.

So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?

• Most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
• Limit guests during the first week. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over
• Ask the guest to sit on the ground and let the puppy approach them. No squealing and grabbing the puppy
• Set up a good routine
• Restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them
• Don’t expect a 9-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you
• If your puppy is refusing to walk give them time. My first trips to town with puppies a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement as they need time to take in the different environment
• Understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic
• Train your puppy. This not only helps you to bond but the puppy to look to you for direction and input
• Lastly be patient. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight. Outings should be planned at puppy speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake, in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day.

Most outings for me take a long time, as I am often just standing still as the puppy cautiously explores the new environment. Patience is key!

Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner, need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give the puppy positive experiences. Each puppy is an individual; don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see things from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.

But remember…for anything, your FIRST CALL IS TO YOUR BREEDER!  They are a resource for life”.

Thank you to Karen Balinski of Killara Field Spaniels for this article.

Related:

AKC Meet The Breed Flyer