Bringing home a new puppy?
Congratulations!!
Here is a list of helpful tips, tricks, and shopping lists that we have put together for you and your new little family member. We know that the first time can be a little crazy finding what works and what doesn't, so we went ahead and made a list to save you time and money. We use our affiliate links so when you buy our favorite things we get paid to buy them for our pups as well.
What to expect!
Bringing your new puppy home is a very exciting and rewarding experience! We work very hard to create a foundation for these puppies to ease the transition to their new home. Even with all the preparation and foundation we create with these puppies, it can be pretty scary to have your whole world change overnight. Be patient with your puppy and take it slow the first couple of days introducing them to new things one at a time, making each new experience a very positive rewarding experience. Above all else, have fun with them, and focus on bonding.
Potty!
We work very hard to potty train these puppies before they go home. Although our puppies come potty trained and doggy door trained it is up to you to continue that training. They'll need you to show them where the potty is at your house. When your puppy first gets home, they will be a little confused about where to go to the bathroom because of the new place. Your puppy's internal clock will also be messed up and their tummy a little upset. To avoid accidents take them out every hour the first day and try to spend as much time just bonding with them as they settle in and destress. Dinner is at 5 pm your time then take away all food and water till morning except chews and small treats, to help the puppy pass everything in their body before bedtime. (around 9:30 pm) You should only have to wake up once in the night the second night home and not at all the next week. They should start sleeping through the night the second week home as their internal clocks and new habits start to be established. We recommend training them to use a bell or some way to tell you when they need to go out if you don't have a doggy door.
Socialization & Training
Socialization and Training are very important for this breed. We recommend you work closely with a dog trainer and go to a group dog training class, they are very fun and will help you socialize your dog the right way. Please be selective on where you go and make sure your puppy is up to date with vaccinations first. Please keep up with crate training, make it fun and a happy place to be. One of our favorite ways to do that is by giving them their kongs, Buffalo Horns, and other treats in there to enjoy. In my home, their crates are their safe places like their dens. They go there to get away from everyone else to nap or to take a break. Crate training is fabulous for the safety of your puppy and your things. It helps with potty training immensely as well. Our favorite trainer to watch on YouTube for crate training is Susan Garret! Make sure to have plenty of "cookies" around (Training treats!). I have searched high and low for the best ones because I love training and treating my dogs. I found the perfect ones, they are teeny tiny and smell so strong so my pups will do anything for them. I also like that they don't make my hands gross like other treats out there do. You'll find these treats and all my other favorite dog items on my shopping list for your puppy.
Grooming
Aussies are known for their beautiful low-maintenance coat. This breed does shed seasonally due to their double coats and lose fur throughout the week like we lose hair; however, with some simple tips, it can be easily managed. We recommend bathing your Aussie once every other week and getting in touch with a groomer near you to help blow all that undercoat out twice a year during their seasonal shedding. During their seasonal shedding bathe them once a week. When you bathe them you should clean their ears with the earwell solution and ear wipes we recommend, brush their teeth, and dremel their nails. If you do these things regularly it will become a habit for your puppy and easier as they get older. Once you're done bathing them, blow dry them completely dry, which will help blow all that undercoat out, and brush brush brush with a metal comb and when they are older with a sticker brush to prevent matting. If you are feeling ambitious you can use thinning shears to trim around the Aussie's ears, paw pads, and genitals. There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to do this safely and it keeps them looking sharp, however, it is not necessary.