New Puppy Owner Go Home Guide
Virus Prevention | Crate Training | Potty Training | Leash Training | Basic Command Training
Welcome to The JKKJ Farms Family
be aware viruses are
everywhere
Puppies Are Not Immune
Remember Parvo lives everywhere and on unexpected objects and it only takes one lick and we all know Aussies are lickers so stay vigilant.
•Limit ground time in high traffic areas where lots of people and other animals are (dog parks, parks, vet office, apartment complexes, gas stations, hotels, dog approved stores, etc) until fully vaccinated around 16wks old.
•Carry your puppy in and out of the vet’s office (Preferably in a soft shell over the shoulder transport crate). Make sure Vet staff wears gloves and take something for your pup to sit on (towel, pad etc) carrying your pup in a crate is best practice.
•Don’t allow them to come in contact with areas that may be contaminated by other animals until they are fully vaccinated. Your home and their fenced yard should be safe if you know your homes history. Please let your breeder know if your residence has a history of PARVO so added prevention can be established.
•No in person dog training classes, AKC/ASDR shows, or boarding until after 16wks old and fully vaccinated. Please take advantage of our Baxter & Bella online training if at all possible until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
Crate Training
“I am not crying. I am singing you the song of my ancestors at 2:00am.”
We highly recommend making a small area for your puppy and advance that area once pup has mastered potty training and can be trusted to not destroy things as they are going through the puppy stages. Please see our video on our Facebook OWNER site.
CRATE TRAINING
•Med-large Hard shell crates work best. If you are using a wire crate please put a cover over it and make sure it’s NOT near walls and or furniture and it is best placed on a tile or concrete floor.
ALL dogs need to be crate trained. It reduces stress during traveling, vet stays, illness, etc. PLEASE do your dog a favor and complete their crate training!! REMEMBER a puppy is like a human toddler!! Training and consistency is KEY!! We recommend at minimum 3 months once in your care.
•We generally crate around 10-11pm here at the farm and we let them out around 7-7:30am and take out in between if they wake up crying. Expect your pup to cry 10-20mins some will even cry 30-45mins when crated in a strange place until they get used to the change. PLEASE NOTE: Your puppy will not be a crate expert at 8-12wks old and crate training can take 3-6months once home to master, but consistency is key!!
CRATE IDEAS: Wear an old t-shirt and snuggle your puppy throughout the day and allow them to sleep with the t-shirt in their crate. Try placing crate in your room where they can see you and or in the farthest room in the house depending on their level of crying or not. Expect them to fuss for a wk or so… Also, Put a toy, their blanket, and a bone in the crate with them. NO heavy padded bedding as they get hot easily and will tear it up. During the day feed them in their crate and allow an open crate method so they know that’s their new safe zone.
Potty Training
“I pee on the floor because I love you so much, my excitement simply cannot be contained by my bladder.”
We highly recommend making a small area for your puppy and advance that area once pup has mastered potty training and can be trusted to not destroy things as they are going through the puppy stages. Please see our video on our Facebook OWNER site.
POTTY TRAINING
We start our puppies on a pine pellet litter box as soon as their eyes open between 2-3wks old. Then at 6-7wks we start on the doggie door.
PLEASE NOTE: Your puppy will not be a potty expert at 8-12wks old and potty training can take 6months or longer to master, but consistency is key!! My rule is outside when they wake up and tell them “outside” each time. Followed by praising them when they potty.
Outside after eating.
Outside after drinking.
Outside after playing.
Outside after cuddle time.
Outside just because 😆
Generally our pups will go to the door and cry when they need to potty and will circle and sniff which is a dead give away potty time is fixing to happen if there is no doggie door available. If they are playing they may not make it to the door so be vigilant for the above cues. Potty bells and or a doggie door can be very useful in potty training as well.
Leash Training
“Leash training is 10% walking and 90% acting like a human anchor while looking like an absolute lunatic.”
LEASH TRAINING
At JKKJ Farms, we begin introducing puppies to the leash before they go home. At 8–12 weeks old, the goal is not a perfect heel. The goal is to teach your puppy that a collar or harness, gentle leash pressure, following their person, and checking in are all normal parts of everyday life.
Keep leash sessions short and positive. Reward your puppy for:
- following you
- moving toward gentle leash pressure
- checking in with you
- walking beside you for a few steps
- staying calm while the leash is attached
Avoid dragging or pulling your puppy into position. We want leash work to build confidence, communication, and trust.
As your puppy matures, begin working toward loose-leash walking, stopping with you, changing direction, and calmly moving past distractions.
***Please DO NOT leave collar, leash, or harness on your puppy without supervision due to risk of strangulation***
Basic Command Training
“I know what ‘Sit’ means… I just prefer to negotiate the price in treats first.”
BASIC COMMAND TRAINING
Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds need mental engagement just as much as physical exercise. A puppy that learns how to think, settle, communicate, and work with their person is much easier to live with than one that is simply exercised until tired. They are highly intelligent and eager to learn, just remember they are puppies and their ability to focus and regulate themselves develops gradually.
Short sessions win. At 8–12 weeks old, two or three minutes of successful training several times throughout the day can be far more effective than one long session.
Remember: Every moment is a training opportunity for both you and your puppy so make it fun. Also, use dogfood and toys rather than treats. You should use half their daily kibble for daily training. Save the treats for multi-command completion.
