For the Love of Mini Australian Shepherds
If you purchase a puppy from us, you have read and understand the contract terms and conditions, whether you sign or not
Aspenrain Fields Contract Application
All About Dogs
Excellent for training, puppy and dogs. Great information.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Club of America
General Canine Health
Many thanks to Karla Dimmick of Shade Tree Aussies for allowing us
to use this
Aussie Breed Colors
Interesting information on the breeding propensities for coloring
Aussie Puppy Care
General information on bringing home your puppy.
Puppy CareCongratulations on your new Aussie puppy! You've made a wonderful choice in picking your "Man's best friend". If you followed the simple steps that I outlined in "What To Look For In a Good Australian Shepherd Breeder", then you now have a healthy and well bred puppy coming home to join your family for many happy years. Here are a few tips to help you with new puppy care.
Your new Aussie puppy is ready and eager to both learn about their new world, and please you in the process. Here are a few helpful things about new puppy care that will help both of you get off to a great start.
Remember, your new puppy has no understanding of the world you live in, your family, your customs or language. Imagine if you had to go and fit into a new family with the above obstacles. Never fear, for I will tell you a secret about Aussies. The secret is, that they love to please you!
So, with that in mind, when caring for puppies always praise your little friend when they do what it is that you are trying to show them. Praising them with your tone of voice, a vigorious petting or small treat, lets your new Aussie puppy know what is expected of him. And, once they understand, it takes little effort for them to integrate seemlessly into your family's life. Heck, they're more than happy to make you happy!
You and your puppy have just arrived home. Let the puppy "go potty" in the yard, using a leash. Allow them plenty of time to sniff, and explore their new world. They''ll probably mark several spots. This will let them feel like the area is theirs and will seem more familiar to them next time out.
I recommend that you use a leash for the first few weeks, even in a fenced area. This helps your puppy know that you are the pack leader, and are in control. If they spend too long exploring one spot, or their mind wanders and their attention is temporarily lost, the leash will help you to quickly re-establish the leader/follower mentality with the puppy. This is very important for your long term relationship with your dog.
They must know that you are the pack leader and hence ultimate authority. This will put the puppy at ease (assuming it's not an Alpha Type) and help them understand their position in the pack (your family). Praise them with an enthusiastic sounding tone in your voice and pet them vigoriously after they've done their business. This teaches them your approval of their behavior. An important part of your new puppy care is establishing this positive relationship.
Don't forget... Always use a leash if you are not in a safe area. Like us, puppies at first have very short attention spans.
Have a secure area that's slightly out of the way. A laundry room, the kitchen, or the garage where your puppy will spend its first few weeks with you in your home. Make sure you have a crate for the puppy. This is where the puppy will sleep. At first just have bedding and a toy or two (not one that can be chewed up easily), in the crate. The puppy will sleep well in its crate once you have established the fact that this is where the puppy sleeps at night. This is not inhumane, in fact they like having their own little den (just like their wolf ancestors).
They find comfort and will usually not potty where they sleep. This is a great housebreaking tool. It also protects your house (furniture/shoes/legs of chairs/counters) and protects the new puppy from chewing or eating something it should not, and that might make them sick. You wouldn't let a toddler run loose at night unrestrained. The same is true for your little friend.
Until they've had all their puppy shots, these little guys are very vulnerable to several contagious dog illnesses. They're also prone to parasites that can cause loose stools or diarrhea, and there are other things such as allergies, colitis or food-absorption issues that can also be to blame. Our pups are raised primarily in the home and have limited outside exposure . Please be very cautious as to where they go outside, whats on the ground and what they may chew on or put in their mouth. All may bring on some form of diarrhea.
Stress: A puppy's digestive system can be fairly delicate and is easily affected by stressful situations. Things such as leaving their mom and siblings, a visit to the veterinarian, getting used to a new home environment, excess excitement or exercise and so on, can trigger a bout of loose stools.
Stress can also allow a parasitic infection called Coccidiosis to take hold. These parasites exist in most pups/dogs, but are kept in check by the immune system. When a young puppy is stressed, his immune function is repressed and coccidia can flourish. If your puppy's diarrhea gets worse quickly, is watery or is tinged with blood/mucus then coccidia or a viral/bacterial disease might be the problem.
Eating Something He Shouldn't: Little puppies are endlessly curious, and often seem to believe that EVERYTHING is edible, until proven otherwise! If your pup has been snacking on left-overs from the garbage can, the flowers or dirt in your front yard, the cat's food, newspaper, crayons, or some other 'inedible' stuff, then he's most likely going to have at the very least some loose stools, possibly some diarrhea and/or even vomiting.
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white gumsNutriCal is a great supplement should you notice low energy.
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