Bringing Puppy Home

The following answers a lot of questions we usually get regarding the pick up or shipping of pups, as well as feeding, etc….Puppies will be ready to go to their new homes on Wednesday, February 25th or any day after. This entire message contains a lot of important information for your new puppy.

PICK UP

Our address is 149 Bloodhound Trail, Sisterdale, TX 78006, for those wanting to plug us into their GPS. Please note that our address for GPS and online maps is in Boerne, but we are actually in Sisterdale (we share the same zip code).

Those coming to pick up your pup, please let me know when you are planning on heading our way (day and time) at least by the last week before they are ready to go. I just need to be sure I make plans to be here at that time. I will have the Sales Contract and Health Guarantee for you to sign like the sample one on our website, if you would like to go ahead and read it prior to coming out. **Also, please send me a text when you are about an hour away, so I can be sure to have everything ready – (210) 380-2276. Sometimes folks are running early or late and this is very helpful. When you send me the text, I will reply with our gate code and directions from the gate. You will need to push the code in when leaving as well.

If you are coming from far away, I suggest bringing a bowl for water and maybe one for food. We will be providing a sample bag of food for you. I would also bring a collar and a leash and perhaps a blanket or towel. Most pups weigh between 12 and 20 pounds and are in a collar size of 6” to 12″ by time they are ready to go. They may cry some in a crate, but will probably sleep after a while. They do really well if holding them also – my favorite way to transport them.. 🙂

SHIPPING

If you are having your pup transported, I will be getting with you individually regarding the transport date. Due to the temperature restrictions (hot or cold), our flight options are more limited than they used to be. Depending on the time of year, we may have to go with ground transport, but I have a couple reliable ground transport companies I trust, as well as a flight nanny service. However, you are welcome to set up your own method if you prefer. I will only send my pups with USDA certified transporters though. Family or friends picking up for you is fine as well.

Those that are having your puppy transported, I will be sending you the final Sales Contract/Health Guarantee in the puppy’s care packet. You will need to fill it out and scan and email or mail back to me after we go over a few things by phone – only takes about 10 minutes. We can do this before or after you receive the pup. It is VERY important I receive this back so I can get your pup registered into your name.

PAYMENT

Final payment on the pup should made with cash, credit card, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle or PayPal at the time of pick up or at least a day prior to shipping. Shipping costs will be added to your final amount if having your pup shipped. This will cover the cost of the airfare, crate and health certificate needed to fly. Ground transport fees varies by distance and transporter, so will have to give individual quotes if going by ground.

FEEDING

We have been feeding the puppies 4 Health Puppy Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food. I get my puppy food from Tractor Supply. I suggest continuing to feed your puppy this same food and then if wanting to switch to a brand of your choice, slowly switching by mixing the current with the new. While some do fine on chicken, it has been my experience that if anything is going to cause issues with Berners or Bloodhounds, it’s chicken. It either causes allergies (skin issues) or stomach issues. So I try to stay away from it as much as possible. So I recommend salmon, lamb or beef puppy – preferably large breed since they will really start growing around 10 weeks. I am currently free feeding (or free choice) the pups so that I am sure each is getting enough. I also free feed our adults, which is believed to help against bloat & gastric torsion, as well as feeding elevated (raised bowls). However, it may be helpful to
switch to two or three times a day to help with potty training. Puppies will be eating dry kibble only by time they go home.

We have been giving pups NuVet Plus immune support . This is an amazing supplement and I highly recommend continuing them on it if possible. I’ve attached the NuVet letter I send with the Puppy Packets so you can view ordering info. I will have some samples to send with pups as well. Since we are so close now, if you need to purchase a bottle, I do have extras I can sell at the same cost. I am giving the pups the wafers. Some will eat them with no problem and others don’t care to yet, but they break up easy and can be added to food.

VET APPT

You should also schedule an appointment with your vet within the first week after getting your puppy. This way your vet can get you set up with a vaccination schedule and can also give your puppy a good exam and get familiar with your new baby. It is very important that you understand it is necessary for your pup to receive the 2nd, 3rd and 4th boosters to fully protect him or her against Parvo. The pups will receive their first puppy shot on 1/19/26, so they will be due for the next shot between 3/4/26 – 3/11/26. It would be a good idea to go ahead and get your appt set up now. If any puppies are still here at 9 weeks when the next one is due, I will keep them current on vaccinations.

It is NOT a good idea to take your pup out and around other dogs or doggie parks until 72 hours after the 4th puppy shot. This is very important for your pup – Parvo is a puppy killer and is in the ground – can be anywhere by bottoms of shoes, tires, etc…

I recommend waiting to spay/neuter your new baby between 18-24 months. This will help their bones reach maturity before taking away those much needed hormones. It also allows their growth plates to finish growing. I also recommend talking to your vet about performing the gastropexy surgery to help prevent gastric torsion. This procedure will tack the stomach to the side wall of the tummy area. When done at the same time it will not only save money, but will also keep him or her from having to go under
anesthesia a second time.

ADDITIONAL INFO / TIPS

Please note that sometimes pups will not eat for a day or two or get upset tummies (loose stools) after going home. Keep in mind that their whole world as they knew it just changed. While they may be happy and very much enjoying their new home, it can upset eating or tummies. I recommend getting some canned 100% pure pumpkin and canned Purina One Puppy Lamb & Rice wet food. If not wanting to eat, try taking a little dry food (1/4 cup), 2 tablespoons of the soft canned food and add some warm water to help mix. If upset tummy or just to prevent an upset tummy, add 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin to the mixture. The only thing with chicken (think it’s just flavoring) that I give pups/dogs is Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze Dried Dog Food Toppers as training treats. Great for gut health and keeping pups/dogs regular. They absolutely love those (all my dogs do)!!

I also highly recommend the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary FortiFlora. It is an excellent probiotic supplement that can be sprinkled on top of their food daily to help with giving your pup (or adult dog) a healthy gut – it also helps in the event they do get diarrhea from being nervous or excited or change in diet. I like to give this to my pups daily regardless, if tummies are upset or not. A healthy gut can help eliminate a lot of issues dogs can encounter – environmental allergies, ear infections, skin or coat issues, etc…

Also, I am asked a lot what shampoo we recommend. I absolutely love the Groomer’s Edge Euca-Leuca-Lime Shampoo. You will not need a gallon… it dilutes or just use a little bit and get lots of lather. Its gentle, smells great and even calming… I also like or PetAg Fresh ’n Clean Scented Shampoo, Classic Fresh Scent. It really has a very nice smell that lasts quite a while. I recommend Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Ear Therapy for cleaning those long, heat, and moisture holding ears. I get mine from Amazon. They also have wipes for cleaning the debris or buildup out, which I use after I put the ear cleaner in, massage into ear and allow dog to shake its head. But between cleanings, I really like the Summer’s Eve Ultimate Odor Protection Wipes. They are gentle, yet the borax helps keep any odors from the ear knocked out. They are relatively cheap on Amazon and each wipe is individually wrapped, so you don’t have to worry about others in the package drying out. One wipe is big enough to tear in half to use a half for each ear.

Thank you,
Nancy Boerner
Boerner’s Bloodhounds & Bernese Mountain Dogs🐾
(210) 380-2276 cell
info@boernersbloodhounds.com
www.boernersbloodhounds.com
Facebook – @boernersbloodhounds

Bringing Puppy Home