At the time of taking your new puppy home a complete "New Puppy Manual for the Alaskan Klee Kai" is included in a Puppy Care Package.

PUPPY PROOFING the HOME!

1). Restrict your puppy to a small enclosed area to start with when you first take him /her home.
2). Kiddy gates are worth their weight in gold to prevent your puppy escaping
3). Keep all chemicals away from your puppy.
4). Keep electrical cords out of reach.
5). Keep items of value or importance out of reach.
6). Keep inappropriate food (chocolate, spicy foods, etc) away from your puppy’s exercise area.
7). Remember inquisitive minds can find all kinds of things you “placed out of reach”,  you didn’t they could reach, or you didn’t think they would be interested in !
8). Remove any small items from where your puppy will be playing; like all “children” they love to put all kinds of things in their mouths.
9). Provide your puppy with a number of chew toys;  at this stage of their development because of teething etc, chewing is the activity of choice.
10). Where toys are concerned, choose them carefully.  Avoid hard button eyes. For some reason most puppies / dogs remove the eyes immediately they are given toys with eyes !
11). Your puppy will only have had his /her 8 week shots when you bring him / her home, so s/he is NOT fully protected from desease.  Stay in areas where you know s/he will be safe from unknown dangers.  (No off leash areas, no puppy day cares, no communal domestic or wildlife areas inc. training halls).  If you wish to start training early, which I fully endorse, (prior to the 12 week shots etc. kennel cough (Bordatella), and rabies at 16 weeks), find a trainer who will come to YOUR home to teach you both.

Finally, remember your puppy IS a dog.  If you respect him / her for what s/he is, treat him / her accordingly, then s/he will do the same in return.

Do NOT become over protective, use common sense, and above all - ENJOY YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER.

PUPPY REQUIREMENTS

The following suggestions are in no particular order, so please read them ALL

Time is ticking away, it flies by and before you know it you are out of the most receptive time for your puppy to be socialized and learn (8 to 20 weeks).

1). Socialization – Leads to either a dream dog with a good temperament or a nightmare dog with a poor temperament. This is probably the most important area to address with the AKK. They require as much handling, safe exposure to people and dogs (and any other living creature) as possible from the earliest age to prevent them from becoming shy, and anti-social with other dogs.  Let people they meet hold them and feed them to make the experience a GOOD one
2).Try to meet a minimum of 100 people in the first 4 months of your puppy’s life.  These MUST be different people. For most of you with puppies around 12 weeks of age this translates into 3 or 4 new people each day.   Initially it is preferable to invite people into the security of your home , , , ask people to interact with your puppy while out for a walk , , , go to the pet store,  invite people into your home , , , etc. etc. People should be of all shapes, sizes, and colours.  Members of the family, friends, and strangers.  If you don’t have children or babies in the house, borrow some!  If nothing else it will do wonders for YOUR social life , , , above all don’t keep your puppy a secret !
3). When meeting all these people teach your puppy that people are good things to be around , , , let them become treat dispensers and praise every time your puppy responds appropriately.  
4). Teach your puppy to enjoy being hugged, handled, restrained, examined, and picked off the floor.  At an early age you cannot do too much of this.
5). Massage their bodies , , , get to know their bodies, in order to identify early any lumps or bumps that might form.
6). Teach your puppy to enjoy being touched and handled in the sensitive areas: i.e. Around the collar, ears, paws, rear legs, neck, nails, muzzle, rear end, and tail.
7). Teach your puppy to enjoy regularly having his teeth cleaned (Canine tooth paste)
8). Teach your puppy to give up (trade) valued objects on cue.  This is especially important around food, the food bowl, bones and chews, garbage, paper tissues and towels, balls and other toys, and clothing and shoes.
9). Acknowledge / teach your puppy to give you his attention
10). Hand feed your puppy , , , have guests offer 2 or 3 treats by hand.
11). Develop a routine, and stick to it.  Dogs love routines and will have identified yours within hours of coming into your home.  This routine should include times for elimination, play, time out, exercise, feeding, and of course training.
12). Exercise good hygiene at all times particularly with young pups; i.e. wash you hands before and after handling your puppy etc.
13). Teach your puppy to approach you , , , DO NOT approach your puppy.  
14). NEVER allow your puppy to jump, paw, or exercise any other undesirable behaviour.
15). Mouthing can be tolerated to a degree, because you want to teach your puppy a “soft” mouth.
16). Teach your puppy that YOU are the LEADER at ALL TIMES.
17). Teach a solid “come”.
18). Teach “No Go” areas in your home
19). Teach loose leash walking
20). Teach children to respect your puppy (dog)
21). Teach your puppy to sit to say hello
22). Avoid roughhousing with your puppy , , , in a young impressionable puppy this can lead to boisterous / aggressive behaviour later.
23). REMEMBER:  Be aware that even small mistakes can affect your puppy at this age.
24). Use aversive carefully and in appropriate places and at appropriate times.
25). Always tickle / stroke your puppy’s / dogs head to the side of his / her head, or under the chin , , , NOT ON THE TOP.  

ENROLL IN TRAINING CLASSES NOT ONLY FOR YOUR PUPPY, BUT FOR YOU TOO.  I ENDORSE POSITIVE RE-INFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES USING A CLICKER AS A MARKER OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR, and FIND SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU WILL LEARN

CANINE COMMUNICATION and CALMING SIGNALS

PUPPY / DOG SAFETY

Licensing / Tattooing / Micro - Chipping

1).  Most jurisdictions require that a dog over the age of 6 months be licensed and in some cases tattooed or micro-chipped.
2). Micro-chipping should ideally be done as early as possible (around 5 to 6 months), or at the same time as your puppy is anesthetized for neutering or spaying.
3). Most jurisdictions offer a discount for spayed and neutered animals.

Puppy / Dog Safety

1).  Do not leave your puppy outside unattended.
2).  Do not leave your puppy tied or chained up.
3).  Do not leave your puppy / dog on a running line.
4).  Do not leave your puppy / dog to run at large.
5).  Always walk your puppy / dog ON LEASH in ALL areas other than designated off leash areas.
6).  Before you take your puppy / dog to an off leash area be sure his recall is strong and fluent.
7).  Before you take your puppy / dog to an off leash area be sure s/he is well behaved, and attentive to your directions.
8). Take your puppy / dog to be comfortable in a crate.
9). When traveling in the car either crate your puppy / dog, or buy a correctly sized car harness, and use it ALWAYS for your puppy’s / dog’s safety and yours.
10). Attend professional training classes to teach your puppy / dog to be a well behaved member of our human society. Preferably, find a teacher who practices positive re-inforcement “clicker” techniques, along with canine communications, and calming signals.

Finally, remember your puppy is a dog.  If you respect him / her for what s/he is, treat him / her accordingly, then s/he will do the same in return.

Do NOT become over protective, use common sense, and above all - ENJOY YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER