What to Expect When Your Puppy Comes Home

What can you do before, during, after kenneling your puppy and they cry?

• Spend time with your puppy

You are now their sole source of comfort, food, water, shelter, safety, and love. They do not "self-smooth" and actually, infants do not self-soothe either.

Let's take care of the hoomans first here.

I highly recommend white noise machines. Loud ones. There are a few options I can recommend.

• I started a YouTube Channel full of White Noise options. See it here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozDzWGYA9clj35V-IBhOMQ

I have a Roku stick I use for my TV but you can find this on the YouTube app on your phone, play it on your computer, or tablet and TURN IT UP! Other TV sticks are: Fire and Tivo

• If your internet stinks like mine, I highly recommend a stand alone white noise machine. We love this one.
• Every time you put your puppy into his/her kennel, give them a treat. It will make this an exciting event. That excitement will take awhile to develop and it will be short lived but, the kennel should always be used as a positive experience. Never put your pup in a "time out" in their kennels.
• Make sure they are comfortable. So I really love these blankets! I have tried oodles of blankets and these stand the test of time, wear, and are almost chew proof. Plus they are cozy and it is what your puppy was born on and slept on while here. Another option for actual bedding is the K9 Ballistics Line I know some things are more expensive but let me tell you from experience. Buying one expensive thing ends up WAY cheaper than 10 of something cheap that has been eaten or creating a $5000 vet bill.
• If you keep your house refrigerated like I do, I recommend putting in a small heating pad. Now, not all heating pads are the same! If you get a regular heating pad, it will go off at some point and not be puppy-proof. Here are the heating pads that have not died out on me and have gone through several litters without being chewed or burning out:
• Heating Pad
• Hard bottom heating pad with removable sherpa cover (remove cover and place under a blanket)

Please make sure that your puppy has choices on where to go in their kennel. So a warm side and a cool side. You do not want to overheat them! It would be best if you got the Great Dane kennel right from the start so you have have two areas for your puppy. One with the heater under the blanket and the other without it.

• Chewies and toys. Just like babies, your puppy will wake up at night. Usually they need to potty and play. As they grow, so will their bladders and they will not need to potty at night anymore. As for play, give them toys that are kennel safe. By kennel safe I mean, they do not need to be under observation while playing. So, to be honest, any toy can become a hazard but some toys are harder to make dangerous than others. I highly recommend checking whatever toys you put in the kennel every day for broken or missing pieces or if the chew is too small. Chewies and toys I recommend that are kennel safe:
• Large Nylabone Flexichew
• Water bottle stuffed stuffies
• Yak Milk Bones (remember, when these get too small, pop them in the microwave for about 30-1 minute until they are totally puffed. Let them cool down and now you have a yummy treat)

To make these kennel things "special", trade them out every day and do not let your puppy have them unless they are in the kennel. Again, making it a fun and positive experience. I know you are probably tempted to get Kongs but don't. The suction can create horrific lip injuries. I will not put up pictures here but you can look them up. Just a fair warning, they are graphic. Now, there are some same-conept-toys that do not have the risk of suction where you can put cookies inside and the puppy can try to get them out. I have one but the holes are so wide the treats fall right now. Here are some others I found but I have never tried:

• IQ Ball
• IQ Dish