crazywomenkennels

I want everyone to understand what having a new puppy is like so you dont go into this relationship (and yes,  owning a puppy is a "relationship" ) with your eyes closed dreaming of Lassie bounding through the fields of flowers with you by her side. (well, technically  by "his" side...as the t.v.  Lassie was actually a male,  of which you probably already know)!  

The  "Best Friend That You Have Ever Had" CAN happen and should,  but it  first takes your  work, time and commitment .

I DO NOT want one of my puppies (or any puppy) going to a home where the new owners are not aware of the work and money involved. If this discourages some adopties, so be it...I would rather you wait until you are ready!

I DO NOT  want one of my puppies to end up being pushed out of the family and  living outside, becoming the dog that no one wants instead of being allowed to grow into his/her potential and becoming  the dog that everyone loves! 

So if I sound old and crabby after you read  this, ...well, I am old and often crabby. But the puppies are my first priority and I am not going to tiptoe around their needs! 

             Puppies POOP!!

 Yup, it happens. You WILL BE CLEANING puppy poop until you housebreak your new puppy. You need to stock up on paper towels, newspapers, spray cleaner, carpet cleaner, trash sacks for disposal of  the messes, and plenty of patience.  

The easiest way to housebreak a puppy is by using a plastic crate. (NOT a wire crate!, the plastic crates actually work better with a puppy...and  just forget about those foldable cloth crates for now )  With a puppy purchased from crazywomenkennels you will receive housebreaking/ crate breaking instructions. It is my firm belief that EVERY puppy should be crate broken. Pick up a good "housebreaking your puppy" book , study it and stick with it, then life will be easier both for you and your puppy. 

         **MORE MESSES***

Puppies  get carsick! This is something most puppies outgrow, but in the beginning it isnt any fun for you or for them. Traveling with your dog in a crate is the safest and easiest mode .

        PUPPIES HAVE WORMS!!

 Yup again! We worm our adult dogs and our puppies are on a worming schedule. You must be prepared to worm your puppy every 2 weeks for the first part of his/ her young life as puppies reinfest themselves. You can do this yourself with liquid wormer purchased at your local pet store, or your vet is fully equipted to handle this for you. 

 PUPPIES CAN GET FLEAS, AND EVEN TICKS!  

Welcome to life in Oregon. Unfortunately fleas abound here.  For puppies we  use flea shampoo and diatomaceous earth.  Diatomaceous earth (purchased as a food product at the health food store, not the type from the feed store or garden center, please ..you need to use  food grade only! ) is used as a sprinkle both on their food and  on their bodies after a bath. I also LOVE the lighted flea traps "Victor" brand, they are  inexpensive and work very well.  (Home Depo carries them) Older puppies and adult dogs can receive drops or injections  or  "chewies" that you can purchase through your vet. 

Heartworm can be a problem in some areas, your vet can guide you though preventive  monthly measures.

If your puppy plays outside, he/she may pick up ticks in the grass and bushes. Again, there are measures your vet can provide that work. Be sure to inspect your puppy closely for ticks after a romp in the woods!! 

***YOUR PUPPY WILL NEED MORE  VACCINATIONS***

Your puppy will need to be kept current on his/her vaccinations. This can be though your vet or a walk-in shot clinic. Your puppy receives his/her first sets of shots  while living here at Crazywomenkennels, but the shots dont do any good if you do not follow though with them in the series! Your puppy will need "booster" shots following your vets instructions for timing of them.  Parvo and other diseases can kill a puppy that does not have his/her shots completed. Rabies shots are  due at 4-6 months of age, depending on where you live . Annual shots when your dog is an adult are a must. Check with your vet on their   vaccine/ worming/flea schedule and follow though with their recommendations. 

***YOUR PUPPY WILL CRY, BARK AND HOWL*** Wouldnt you, if you thought that you were lost in the wilderness? Your puppy has been with his mommy and/or siblings until now ,  he/she has no idea what is  going on in his/her life and is stressed and calling for companionship. PLEASE read puppy training books so that you understand this part of their life and you can learn to manage it properly. NO, managing it properly is NOT giving in and bringing the puppy to bed with you...that creates a very dependant anxious dog that is no ones future friend! 

*** PUPPIES COST MONEY** And not just the initial purchase price. There is feeding, upkeep, supplies,  licensing fees, medical care...the list can sometimes seem endless.  Dont forget if you go on a vacation , your puppy will need to be cared for by competent friends or left at a boarding kennel. Be sure to plan ahead for these and other unexpected  expenses. 

    Reasons NOT to adopt a puppy

***You work full time, or are going to school,  are very busy  or otherwise are not at home. ***Puppies take time , a large amount of time in the beginning! They cant be expected to raise themselves while you are gone during the day.(NO, working  at a job site "close by  so that you can pop over sometimes during the day, or having a neighbor check the puppy at noon" wont cut it either!! If an infant or toddler child cant be expected to stay home and care for themselves, why would you think that a puppy can?   The puppy will be lonely, what baby wouldnt be if left by his self?    Training wont happen by magic. Without you there at home with the puppy,   the puppy  will get bored,very lonely,   will destroy things, and be  very very messy. And learn to howl and bark.    If you still  feel as if you need a dog although you work full time and are gone all day, find a dog rescue and  adopt an old adult dog that has been neglected and is used to solitude and being ignored. Not that this is the best life  for even  the adult dog, but  maybe an empty home is  probably better then living on the street or in a pound.   Just wait to get a puppy when you have the time to be with the puppy!! 

***You are expecting a new baby or plan on having a baby in the near future. *** Again, puppies take time. And they poop...do you want your baby to crawl through puppy poop? Probably not!  And when you are overtired from caring for your human baby, the puppy will be pushed aside and that is understandable but not excusable. Wait to adopt a puppy later, please . 

***Your toddler just LOVES dogs** Please, go to the toy store and buy them a stuffed toy that they can pull on, drag around, poke  its eyes  and suck on its ears. When your child is older and can understand that a puppy is a living creature, then it's time to consider dog ownership. If a puppy is dropped, prodded at, fallen on, sat on,  chased...the puppy will become fearful and either learn to hide or  begin to bite for self preservation. 

***You cant tolerate messes*** Puppies are messy creatures! They will create chaos, at least for the first year of their life. They are like young children. Loveable, but you have to keep an eye on them all the time! 

***Your family isnt fully on board with this idea. ***You will need everyones help and support with a new puppy, a puppy needs to be  a member of the entire  family, not just an unwelcome  bother to some of the family! He/she wants to belong and be loved by the entire "pack".  Puppies need this type of security, the same as a child does.  

   ***You have small children*** Understand that your puppy will poop, and there are times that  kids will step in it...Yuck! The puppy will chew on your childrens toys, probably the favorite one  left laying around. When your child runs screaming happily through the house, the puppy will chase and probably nip your child , he just wants to join in the fun! Kids and puppies are great, and YES, they can grow up together, but  first please be aware  that this arrangement adds to your workload! 

***You want a cute puppy to carry around in your purse cause you saw someone doing that and wanted that life for yourself*** NOPE NOPE and NOPE

PLEASE do not buy a puppy on an impulse, a puppy is a commitment for the life time of that puppy! Think about it and then go buy yourself a new pair of shoes instead. 

***Your girlfriend (or boyfriend) has always wanted a puppy and you want to surprise them! ***  JUST DONT DO IT!! There is just so much wrong with this idea! 

PLEASE CONSIDER THE PURCHASE BEFORE YOU RESERVE A PUPPY, EVERY PUPPY DESERVES THE PERFECT HOME!!