RESOURCES & PUPPY CARE 🐾🤎
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LIFE WITH YOUR B&N PUPPY
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but we know it can also come with a lot of questions. We want our B&N families to feel confident and prepared, not just on pickup day, but throughout their puppy’s life.
This page is designed to be a growing collection of B&N resources, guides, and helpful information to help you give your dachshund the happiest and healthiest life possible.
🏡 BRINGING YOUR PUPPY HOME
The first few days are all about helping your puppy settle into their new environment.
Your puppy is leaving everything they have known and entering a completely new home, so it’s normal for them to need some time to adjust. Keep those first few days calm and allow your puppy plenty of time to rest, eat, drink, potty, and become comfortable with their new surroundings.
A consistent routine can make the transition much easier.
🐾 THE FIRST FEW DAYS
Focus on:
• Establishing a consistent feeding schedule
• Establishing a potty routine
• Providing a safe, comfortable sleeping area
• Allowing plenty of quiet time and naps
• Beginning gentle crate/kennel training
• Introducing your puppy to their new family gradually
• Keeping your puppy’s environment clean and safe
Remember, your puppy is a baby. Patience and consistency are key!
🍽️ FEEDING YOUR PUPPy
When your puppy first comes home, we recommend keeping their diet as consistent as possible while they adjust to their new surroundings.
Any food changes should be made gradually rather than suddenly.
Fresh, clean water should always be available, and your puppy should receive an age-appropriate diet and feeding schedule.
If you have questions about your puppy’s individual feeding routine, we’re always happy to help.
🚽 POTTY TRAINING
Consistency is one of the most important parts of successful potty training.
Take your puppy out:
• After waking up
• After eating or drinking
• After playing
• Before bedtime
• Regularly throughout the day
Praise your puppy when they potty where they are supposed to, and remember that accidents are a normal part of puppyhood.
Consistency + patience + positive reinforcement = progress. 🤎
🏠 CRATE & KENNEL TRAINING
A crate or kennel should be a safe and comfortable space, never a punishment.
Start with short periods and gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends there. Providing a comfortable bed or blanket and a safe chew or toy can help your puppy learn to enjoy their space. Highly recommend the Multipet Lamb stuffed animal with the heartbeat!
Because our puppies are raised in a kennel environment, many of our puppies are already familiar with kennel routines when they leave B&N.
🦴 DACHSHUND-SPECIFIC CARE
Dachshunds have a unique body structure with long backs and short legs, so taking steps to protect their backs and joints is an important part of responsible ownership.
We recommend being mindful of:
• Excessive Jumping
(But remember a dachshund NEEDS to build muscle to help prevent against IVDD so please, let them be a normal dog. Jumping, stairs, running and playing all helps with that!)
• Rough play that puts unnecessary strain on the back
• Carrying your dachshund incorrectly
• Excess weight (very important you maintain a healthy weight)
When picking up your dachshund, support both the chest and rear end rather than allowing the back to hang unsupported.
Keeping your dachshund at a healthy weight and providing appropriate exercise are also important parts of lifelong care.
🧸 SOCIALIZATION
A well-socialized puppy has the opportunity to grow into a confident adult dog.
Introduce your puppy gradually and positively to appropriate:
• People
• Sounds
• Household environments
• Handling
• Grooming
• Car rides
• New experiences
Always consider your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding vaccinations and exposure to public areas.
Your puppy does not need to experience everything at once. Slow, positive experiences are better than overwhelming your puppy.
💉 VACCINATIONS & DEWORMING
Keeping your puppy current on vaccinations and routine veterinary care is extremely important.
Your puppy will leave B&N with age-appropriate care and records so you can continue their schedule with your veterinarian.
🩺 YOUR FIRST VET VISIT
Your puppy is required to be examined by a licensed veterinarian within 3 days of arrival as outlined in our Limited Health Guarantee & Sales Agreement.
Please make your puppy’s veterinary appointment before or immediately after bringing your puppy home so you don’t miss this important requirement.
Your veterinarian can help establish your puppy’s ongoing vaccination, deworming, parasite prevention, nutrition, and wellness schedule.
🏡 PUPPY-PROOFING YOUR HOME
Before your puppy arrives, take a few minutes to look around your home from a puppy’s perspective.
Secure:
• Electrical cords
• Small objects that can be swallowed
• Toxic plants and household chemicals
• Medications
• Trash cans
• Accessible food
• Areas where a puppy could become trapped
Dachshunds are curious little dogs, and their determination can sometimes get them into places you wouldn’t expect!