Puppy Pick Up Day!

What is the Moses Lake Meet Up? 
Well each litter I offer meeting people in Moses Lake at Shari's Restaurant to make it easier on clients and pups in reducing the pick up drive time. 

Airport Pick Up!
Yes, I will happily meet you in the baggage claim area at Spokane Airport if you're flying in to pick your pup up for in-flight take home.

What if you live close? 
Always happy to meet in Pullman/CDA/Spokane area. I'm always happy to make it easier on clients.

Do you ever offer to deliver in the Seattle area?
I do! If there's enough people willing to pay my gas and time, I will happily do a full deliver to that side.

Do you ship cargo?
I do... but it's not my first choice.

I usually do a post each time I have a litter so I can be sure everyone sees it. But, it's going to be the same stuff each time so I figured you all could just read in advance, so you know right away what you should bring with you and what you'll be taking with you from us!

What will my pup know by now? Milestones:

Across the board, they are no longer nursing. If they were, they wouldn't be going home with ya!  Momma isn't feeding them and the only time that the mommas go into visit their pups is when they're hoping to eat the puppy food there. They're solidly eating kibbled foods and chewing on bully sticks or cow ears.  All are using their litter box with almost 100% accuracy (there's a few oopses here and there). All are reaching their milestones and are bold, well-behaved pups.

They will handle baths, they are pretty good with nails being trimmed (they're puppies, so 'good' is relative lol). They need the points taken off the nails often. A few days can make sharp little points again. Keep this up or they will 'forget' they're supposed to be good and will go back to fighting you. Puppies are like that. Remember, these are babies, not well-trained dogs. They understand 'no', and most are getting 'sit' and 'stay' and the basics of 'come'. They are able to be harnessed/collared and leashed without too much fuss and have successfully been led on the leash for a minimum of 25 feet without pulling back or complaining. IF you don't continue this - the puppy WILL revert.  If your puppy fights you on any of these things right off, give the puppy a bit of time to understand that these commands and actions are the same, even with you doing it and not me. 

They are understanding the concept of not biting as well, so bite inhibition is understood! Again, or else they wouldn't be leaving me. They accept new things without fear and are all in all very happy pups! You will need to allow your pup to acclimate to your household and your family to really see the courageous personalities. It doesn't take long, so don't over-coddle your new puppy. You set the boundaries from the start.

Puppies will be up to date on both worming and vaccinations. This doesn't mean that worming and vaccinations stop. You need to get with your vet to remain on a schedule for the rest of the puppy shot series (up to 16 weeks!) and then yearly thereafter. You should be worming at least every other month (preferably monthly.

​They are eating Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy right now, both dry and wet versions. You can also feed Pro-Plan Savor Shreds as they really like that too. You'll be getting a baggie of transition food. This is for you to transition you over to your new food if you're not using this brand. If you are using this brand - free food! Yay!

My water has different bacteria in it than yours, and you'll want to transition it slowly to yours. Start with a gallon of purified water. Starting 50% purified, 50% yours and work down from that until your pup is on 100% your water. The gallon should last you a week + this way and this will help your pup from having loose stools once s/he's home with you.

Remember... your pup will be stressed out. When a puppy is stressed (humans too, btw!) they get lower immunity levels and might even run a small fever for a couple of days. This is natural and using my water and keeping things calm and quiet for the first few days helps a lot with puppies. They need that smaller world for a bit until they can get their balance again. This doesn't mean you shouldn't play with your pup, but trips to visit others, pet stores, etc are a big no-no. Let your baby acclimate!  Don't fall for the Petco nonsense of "bring your new puppy in for a free grooming!". That just screams "Let me give your puppy Parvo!". Just ...don't.

Also in your puppy pack, you'll receive puppy pads. These pads are for the trip home. Please, please, please, pleeaaase do not stop at rest stops and let your pup touch the grass. Put them on the puppy pad in your car, or if you must... put them on the pad on the ground. But, keep them on the pad! Further, keep your hands from touching your pup if you hit a rest stop on the way home. Touch nothing. Not kiddin' ya. This is the #1 cause of diseases with new puppies in the first few days. Parvo can show symptoms on average of 5-10 days but it's not at all uncommon to show symptoms at 3 days!  Don't take chances. 

Same with visiting places. I know you want to show that baby off... but safe is better than sorry. It won't be long before your pup is up to snuff and has been fully vaccinated. Be patient and your pup will be with you for a long, long time. Plenty of time to show it off to others.

Another item in your pack will be a small blanket. This item doesn't smell like momma. They couldn't care less about momma. It smells like their siblings. They DO care about their sibs!  Leave this in with your pup for a few days without washing it. It's stinky... you want it stinky. It will ease their separation issues, especially at night.  

Your pup will also have a toy and possibly more things that I'll stick in. None of these things were purchased in an actual store. I buy strictly off Amazon, and these items come sealed in packaging. I will usually then wash them beforehand anyway and let the pups themselves stinky them up. This way they can smell something familiar when leaving with you.

Lastly... your pup will have its information packet. It will include your registration papers, a pedigree of your pup, your worming/vaccination booklet, your Microchip information and a 30 day certificate from AKC for insurance and a vet visit. You'll also receive a Do More With Your Dog booklet for trick training and if you sign up for the kindergarten class at Maslow's University and get your first MU title, I'll pay for it.

What do I bring with me?

1. If cold: Blanket or towel! You don't want a shivering pup! They're used to 70 degrees in the winter.

2. Water bowl. I'll provide you with treats and food for the trip home, and even the water to use - but you need a bowl so your puppy can drink. Keep your baby hydrated! Stress can kill a pup, so hydration is top priority. Don't worry about food. If your pup doesn't want to eat during the drive, that's okay. But, even if you have to dip your fingers in the water - get some fluids into your baby.

3. Carrier (optional but smart). Unless you want to keep a puppy in your lap the entire time, you need a place for your puppy to rest. Puppies like having a 'den' they can feel safe in. Plus, it's a good thing to get a carrier for transportation to and from the vet office or anywhere else. It gives them a place to potty or vomit (if car sick) that isn't on you or your car's interior.

4. Harness/Collar & Leash.  You really don't want to have your pup escape you when you're allowing it out to potty on the way home. A harness or collar will give you something to hang onto. I prefer you do your pit stops on potty pads and not the grass at rest stops. Remember - PARVO!!! I call rest stops (and dog parks) Parvo Parks. Your puppy is not fully protected yet and with the extra stress of leaving home, you're going to have a reduced immunity for a while.

5. Baggies. You want somewhere to put the soiled puppy pads, right?

6. Payment. Don't forget this. If you do, I'll be going home with your puppy.  I like ya. I do! If I didn't, you wouldn't be getting my pup. However... bring your final payment. Remember: No personal checks. No money orders except for Walmart. Cashier's checks from your bank are fine,  and of course cash works too.

What happens when I get home?

When you get home, let the puppy rest. That baby isn't used to your smells, sounds, sights... it's a brave, bold Corgi pup. I know, I raised it to be that way. But, it's a baby. It's going to need to find its legs for a bit. Like an over-tired toddler, that pup will be running on adrenaline and won't be able to police itself. So help your baby succeed. Let it rest and recover itself.

​Keep an eye on it. Don't worry too much if the pup isn't eating or drinking at first. Just put kibble and water out for the pup close by. Make sure it knows where it is and let it de-stress.  If it hasn't eaten within 8 hours of being home, try wet food. If it still hasn't eaten, let me know immediately. I have tricks to entice baby dogs to eat. Drinking though... keep that pup hydrated.  Most likely it'll eat and drink just fine. It IS a Corgi.