Welcome to the Hilltop Pups Family - Bev and Arnie Eckert with daughters Abby Kline and Brittany Voegerl

Tips for travelling home with your puppy by plane or by car. Before you leave home to pick up your puppy pack two clean towels, some disposable wipes, plastic trash bags, as well as a container of yogurt,a container of water, and food/water bowls. If air shipping upon arrival, get your puppy out of the carrier, clean it if necessary and allow for exercise. If traveling by car, allow 15 - 20 minute stops ever two hours for exercise, elimination, and an offer of food and water. If your puppy eats or drinks, allow another 15-20 minutes before resuming travel. Avoid public use areas as these may carry increased risk of exposure to disease, I suggest fast food restaurants that have a grass area near parking lot so you can get a break too. The best place for your puppyto travelis beside you or in your lap. The ride home can be a strong start to successful bonding experience. There is a strong possibility that your pup may experience car sickness during early travel ventures. Don't be alarmed, but don't encourage further consumption of food or water until after your trip. If your puppy starts drooling excessively this is a sign of car sickness to follow; find a place to safely pull over and allow puppy to get his land legs back; do not offer food or water at this time.

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When you and your puppy first arrives home take puppy to the outdoor area you plan to use for at least fifteen minutes. Once inside, introduce your new puppy to family members and allow a few minutes for play and bonding. Monitoring food and water intake and a repeatable routine are extremely important for healthydevelopment. A daily Sample routine is provided under "Keeping close to thepuppy's Prior Routine".

Continue the schedule you started on the ride home by giving opportunitiesfor food, water, exercise, and elimination at least every two hours during the day. Remember your new puppy may not have ever been alone before. Each time your puppy waked from a nap take them to your chosen elimination area followed by an offering of food and water. The day after your puppy arrives home startmaking plans for your first vet visit, which should be scheduled between day 3 and 5, after their arrival. This is the time to enroll in the 30-days of free Pet Health Insurance offered through Trupanion; the paperwork for Trupanion is included in your Welcome Gift Package and open enrollment is the first 24 hours of puppy arriving home. Your puppy has been micro-chipped at Hilltop Pups and the pre-paid enrollment form and information on registering the micr-chip to you can been located in your Welcome Gift Bag as well as the chart you need to take to the Vet with the puppy for their first Vet Check-up.

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First Vet Visit

The visit to the veterinarian is extremely important for the continuation of care for your new puppy. As your puppy grows, itshealthanddevelopmentare constantly changing so periodic exams are necessary to identify and prevent problems.If you don't have a veterinarian,startby asking your family, friends andco-workers for their recommendations.Be sure to begin this process as soon as you decide to get a new puppy.You can also check local veterinary websites for hours, services and fees. Plan ahead so that your puppy visits the vet between 3 to 5 days after its arrival home.On the day of your vet visit, collect about ½ teaspoon of fresh poop and store it in a small ziplock bag. It is best not to feed your puppy for at least 1 hourbefore you leave. This helps to reduce carsicknessand nervous elimination. Take with you the Vet Chart provided to you from your breeder in your Welcome Gift Package. Don't forget to take a list of any questions you have about your new puppy. Have your pet on a leash or in a carrier for his safety during travel and in the vetwaiting room.

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Welcoming a new puppy into your home can be an exciting time. You can minimize many frustrations and problems by following the guidelines in this section.

Puppy Proofing your homeshould begin with a thorough inspection of all living areas. Sweep and vacuum all areas the puppy will have access to, including under the furniture and in-between the cushions to remove small objects that may be swallowed. Be ready to prevent access to off-limit areas by using existing doors or baby gates. Walk through all areas that your puppy will have access to and be sure there are no toxic household chemicals or plants.More detailed lists of toxic plants and chemicals are available through several reference sources on the internet. Here are a few andplease keep all people prescription medications away from puppy.

TOPICAL MEDICATIONS

  • ZINC OXIDE
  • RXPSORIASISOINTMENT
  • TEA TREE OIL

FOODS

  • XYLITOL(ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER)
  • CHOCOLATE
  • GRAPES AND RAISIN

HOUSEHOLDITEMS

  • GASOLINE, KEROSENE, LAMP FUELS, LIGHTER FLUIDS
  • BATTERIES
  • ANTIFREEZE
  • PAINT AND PAINT REMOVAL PRODUCTS
  • FERTILIZERS (esp ORGANICS)
  • INSECTICIDES
  • WEED KILLERS
  • SNAIL AND SLUG BAIT

TOXIC PLANTS

  • ARROWHEAD VINE
  • AZALEA
  • BLUE GREEN ALGAE
  • CALLA LILLY
  • DAFFODILS
  • DIFFENBACHIA
  • DOGBANE
  • DUMBCANE
  • ELEPHANT EAR
  • FOXGLOVE
  • KALANCHOE
  • LILLY OF THE VALLEY
  • MILKWEED
  • MUSHROOMS
  • OLEANDER
  • PEACE LILLY
  • PHILODENDRON
  • POTHOS
  • RHODODENDRON
  • RHUBARB
  • SAGO (CYCAD) PALMS
  • SHAMROCK PLANT
  • TULIPS
  • UMBRELLA PLANT

The medicine cabinet should contain a small bottle of Karo Syrup which can serve as a quick energy source if your puppy is not eating properly. Also small bottles of liquid G.I. protectant such as Kaopectate or PeptoBismol can be handy in times of intermittent vomiting or diarrhea, as well as liquid Benadryll andchildren's Aspirin but not acetaminophen.Disposable syringes,3cc & 10cc sizes are good for giving liquid medications. A Rectal thermometer can provide valuable information for both you and your veterinarian. Being prepared with these items in your medicine cabinet can make your puppy's arrival safer. Puppy's normal Body temperature is between 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Food Selection and the stress of the puppy transitioning to a new environment can have a negative impact on your puppy's appetite. Be ready by knowing what your puppy was eating before and having some on hand.Here at Hilltop Pups we start all our puppies eatingEukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, because the morsels are small for the tiny puppies to start eating. If your puppy is a petite size you can continuing feeding the puppy the small breed Eukanuba food, if it is a mini to standard size you can change up to the Eukanuba Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Dog Food; the two formulas are the same the only difference is the size of the morsels. Both foods are available at There are many different Puppy/Dog Foods on the market and if you decide to change the puppy or dog's food do so slowly or a period of one month by mixing the two foods together. We have tried many different foods here at Hilltop Pups and feeding Eukanuba has been our preferred brand for the best results in growth and solid stool which indicates a healthy GI Tract. Having more enticing back-up food sources on hand incase puppy seems to not be interested in food the first few days, which is normal because they are concentrating on investigating everything new in their environment. Other foods include premium plain yogurt, canned puppy food, or Caesars and Biljak are two pet foods which many puppies find very enticing.

Keeping close to thepuppy's Prior Routineis beneficial to keeping the puppy rested and relaxed. Our schedule is as follows and you can customize it to your schedule keeping in a similar routine. Puppies need lots of rest and act out if they do not get enough sleep. Puppies food dish should be located near your dining table or bar where you eat most often, as they like to feel like part of the family and want to eat when you eat.

7:30Wake, potty, eat, play, potty, nap

10:30Wake, potty, play, potty, nap

11:30Wake, potty, eat, play, potty, nap

3:30Wake, potty, play, potty, nap

5:00Wake, potty, eat, play, potty, nap

6:00Take food and water away. Play hard until bed time.

Playtime should be limited to 45 minutes then confined to a small space (crate) to ensure the puppy is getting proper rest and consistently eating every 4 hours. Do not ration puppies food,untilthey have been settled in your home for at least 7 days. Each time your puppy wakes from its nap; the very first thing it needs to do is potty and should go directly outside. Potty breaks need to be every hour while playing unless traveling or napping. Reminder: the first thing the puppy wants to do when they wake up or exit their crate is potty. By 10:00 they are ready to go outside to potty one last time, then go to bed for the night; if they haven't already fell asleep while playing or just laying by you while watching TV having quit time until you are ready to bed. Giving treats to your puppy is not necessary, other than if you are using treats as a reward for learning a new trick. Praise, petting, and Good Dog words are just as fortifying.

NuVet Vitamins - As a dog breeder, animal health is my top priority. That’s why NuVet Plus immune system builder is required to extend your pet’s Health Guarantee.Initially your puppy is receiving most of its immunity from his Mom through her milk, but once weaned the puppy needs help to build its own immunity to protect itself in its new environment. NuVet was specifically formulated with potent antioxidants to assist your pup during this trying new home transition period and for years to come. They are already enjoying it as a treat and will be looking forward to it at your home. Please order prior to receiving your puppy asI highly recommend NuVet Plus to keep your pet on the path to perfect health! It’s not available in stores, and is only available to the general public with an order code from an authorized pet professional. For your convenience, you may order directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-474-7044 and using Order Code: 91606, or ordering online at . You can also save an additional 15% and assure you never run out of NuVet by choosing the “AutoShip” option at check out.A sample bag of vitamins will be included in your Hilltop Pups Welcome Gift Package; the puppies love them. We have been breaking them in halves and fourths and giving them as treats. The puppy is big enough now to give one whole wafer a day. Each wafer is good for up to 5 lbs. of body weight. I give one wafer daily to my puppies and adults unless it is a stressful time for them such as pregnancy, raising puppies, or recovering from surgery. My dogs think they are treats and love the taste. I have them in my vitamin cabinet and my dogs are sitting by my feet in the morning when I open the cabinet to get my vitamins out.

If you will be away from your new puppy for more than four hours, consider these options: A companion for your puppy solves lots of problems. Having a play buddy and a sleep buddy just makes the day more enjoyable. If having a companion for your puppy is not practical, look into Doggy Day Care, or having a friend or petsitter come into your home for a midday visit until your puppy is house trained or about 16 weeks old. After 16 weeks old they will be able to hold their bladder to longer periods of time.Remember that if you are going to use Doggy Day Care, that will need to wait until your puppy completes its vaccinations around 13 weeks old, as Doggy Day Care workers are exposed to many dogs that may carry parasites and diseases due to the large number of dogs they come in contact with.

Sleeping at night for you and puppy; it is recommended to place the puppy in a crate propped up on chairs or bar stools by your bed so the puppy can watch you sleep. Puppy bonds to you quickly and if they cannot see you they fear you have been abandoned them and left alone. Wrapping a plastic bottle of hot water in their baby blanket from Hilltop Pups will give the puppy a familiar smell and feel of body warmth to comfort them. Puppy normally should fall asleep within five minutes; if may be normal the first week or so for the puppy to wake in the middle of the night and start whimpering, which means they need to go outside for a potty break. Take them directly outside, potty, and directly back to bed. Do not play and cuddle them, as this will create a bad nightly routine, only the necessary time to potty.

Puppy's Day Roomor a quiet secure sleeping area to nap during the day will be comforting to your puppy.Your puppy is used to a crate, so don't change that. Remember that minimizing the number and magnitude of change makes the transition much easier.Try to duplicate the sleep environment that your puppy had before. If you choose not to use a cage then consider the use of a small play pen or even a small room such as a bathroom that can make your puppy feel secure. Room temperature should not be too cool. Remember that your puppy's body temperature is warmer than yours and so even the temperature that may seem comfortable to you, can be chilling for your puppy. Do not place anything in the crate with your puppy, no bedding, not toys, etc. These only give the puppy a place to go potty and cover it up; thinking you will not find it. Puppy only needs enough room in the crate to stand up and stretch out to sleep. I prefer the black wire crates that include a divider wall so the crate can be made smaller until the puppy is fully house/crate trained. Having a large crate only gives them room to potty then sleep at the other end. The seven month old mark is a good goal to expect the puppy to have free range of the house and you can keep the crate door open at all times during the night and day. By seven months old thee puppy has learned the routine, is house trained, and knows where they are allowed to go and what they are allowed to play with.

Other pets or children in your house should have an introductory period of consistent supervision. This is especially true in the case of older pets, cats, or younger children. Extra care is needed if there are significant differences in the size of the pets or if the existing pet has ever shown aggression.The period of supervision should continue until the interaction is comfortable and predictable.

Selection of first toys should be based on common sense. Keep type and number of toys simple.Start with toys that seem indestructible. Nylabone products are a good example. Even toys designed for pets can pose problems. Be careful with thin rubber or cloth toys that contain squeakers. As the toy wears, the squeaker can become exposed and then swallowed, so remove thorn damaged toys from your puppy. Products from your home generally do not make acceptable toys. I am not comfortable with raw hide products that can be a source ofbacteria leading to gastro-enteritis, and also cause obstruction necessitating surgery.Goldendoodles are happy with a pile of toys and it is not normal for them to go about the house chewing things up. Keep a toy box with their toys in it that the pup can reach into and have enough toys to keep them from getting bored. Also, an edible chew bone such as Purina Busy Bone or Ol'RoyMunchybone is a good treat to keep them occupied.I suggest burying the bone in the bottom of the toy box daily to enhance the pup's natural hunting skills and teach them where their toy box is. Remove the busy bone after 30-45 minutes and keep the bone for the same routine the next evening; the puppies love the bones and would chew on it for three or four hours until it is gone, if you let them. The bones are highly recommended to use when the puppy is close to five months old and starts working on its adult teeth that are coming in; you may notice during this time that puppy starts chewing on things around the house that they never chewed on before.

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When we get a new puppy we expect that everything will go well, but often it does not. We picture that our new puppy will to be so happy to be with us, but overlook that this change is extremely stressful for our new friend. In a short period of time your puppy has been separated from its mother, then from its littermates, and then traveled to your home and more changes of routine. Also, your puppy's immune system is not yet fully developed therefore is unable to adequately defend itself against even small problems. Even though you have provided your puppy a great new home, remember the puppy has lost its companions, its defenses are down, and everything has changed. It should be no surprise that many puppies are unable to handle all this and experience illness. Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or respiratory infections often result from these circumstances.It is your responsibility to support your puppyby ensuring regular food and water intake, adequate rest and establishing a predictable routine. These steps are mandatoryif you want to minimize the effects of stress and change on your new puppy. A stressed GI Tract can allow parasites to multiply and take over and get to a point where they can now be detected by testing which they had earlier passed at the Breeder's house. Common parasites are intestinal worms, coccidia, and giardia. This is why you will not find any Breeders that include these parasites under paid expenses of their health warranty. Parasites that thrive on a puppy's stressed GI System are considered puppy maintenance. Your puppy has followed a strict parasite protocol regimen at Hilltop Pups to avoid all parasites and has been wormed at 2, 4, 6, and eight weeks old.