Preparing for a New Leonberger Puppy
We love to be a lifelong resource for our Leonberger puppy buyers and have lots of personal advice on how we add a new Leonberger puppy to the family and how others have successfully done so. We're happy to help you too. If you ever have a question, just shoot us an email or give us a ring!
Adjust the First 16"
Unlike these two, Leonberger puppies are adventurous and inquisitive. Dogs explore the world with their mouths and want to know how everything smells, feels, tastes, and chews. Holes and gaps under fences should be filled, electrical cords need to be out of reach, tools and fertilizers need to be put away, antifreeze needs to locked up.
Don't Forget the Hardware
Your Leonberger puppy (and future giant dog) require some important pieces of hardware. You'll need a 6 foot leash, a soft nylon collar, water/food bowls, a slicker brush, nail trimmers, the same food your breeder has been feeding, and a crate to get started. Having everything you need before your puppy shows up is best; after all, you want to concentrate on helping your Leonberger to fit in to your new home.
Puppy Potty Business
Your Leonberger puppy (and future giant dog) require some important pieces of hardware. You'll need a 6 foot leash, a soft nylon collar, water/food bowls, a slicker brush, nail trimmers, the same food your breeder has been feeding, and a crate to get started. Having everything you need before your puppy shows up is best; after all, you want to concentrate on helping your Leonberger to fit in to your new home.
Children on Board
Make sure all household members are on-board with expectations and pet etiquette. Puppies love attention, but they need time to relax, sleep, and grow. Games that are funny with a small puppy can be frightening with a very large dog. Encourage proper adult behavior from an early age and supervise play with small children. Many Leonbergers are intuitively gentle with small children, but they can also see them as playmates.
Also, a word of caution: a puppy that has not been properly screened for resource guarding in a family with small children may see them as competition for food and toys. With proper planning, care, and supervision everyone can get along well and love one another's company.