Things to Consider as You Prepare to Bring Your Puppy Home and a List of Things we Use


Insurance:  You can go home with 1 month of insurance coverage with Trupanion at no cost.  This offer will need to be activated prior to your pick up or before you leave with your puppy.  You will need to have the puppy insured (no cost to you) for the first 30 days in order to validate your health warranty with Aleka Shih Tzu. After that, we highly recommend that you have the insurance but of course it is your choice.  AKC will send you a separate offer for free puppy health insurance when you receive your registration.  If you promptly complete the registration you will have two full months consecutively of insurance at no cost.  We will send you a special code for your puppy's litter for activation.


Training:  We are teamed up with Baxter and Bella Online Puppy School.  They offer a wealth of information through their online training program, podcasts and LIVE help one-on one with a trainer.  You will receive a discount if you join using code: ALEKA.  They have a one time purchase that NEVER expires (lasts for your lifetime) and includes UNLIMITED access to all they have to offer.   Your puppy has already received the framework for training with us. The Baxter & Bella program will pick up the training starting on your first day home with new puppy. Please continue the training process so you and your family will get the most from your new companion.












Food and Nutrition: Our puppies eat Bil Jac Puppy Select or, Bil Jac small breed puppy food.  They tolerate the kibble size very well.  We recommend that you order in advance to have on hand Tomlyn High Calorie Nutritional Gel for puppies (Nutri-cal).  Shih Tzu puppies are small and one missed meal can have a big impact on their well-being as they are known at times to experience low blood sugar.  Having the gel on hand will give you a little peace of mind.


Nuvet Vitamins is the supplement we use. Order yours now so you can continue when pup comes home. Use the link provided with this code to save: 538788



Bedding:  It is important that you decide where your puppy will rest and sleep before you take the puppy home.  He/she will need to be introduced to this part of your home before anything else.  Whether you chose to crate train or to keep the puppy in a pen, you should decide where it will be located, how you will offer water and feed, and what the puppy will sleep on ahead of time.  They are accustomed to having a play yard with a soft bed covered with a crib sheet (for easy cleaning), toys for play, Lixit water bottles attached to the wall of play yard, a food bowl and and potty tray.  They are adaptable and will learn to work with what you have set for them, but help yourself with an easy transition by planning this before you pick up the puppy.


Picking up your puppy: What should I expect the day I pick up my puppy?  We will confirm your arrival time the morning of pick up.  If you are flying in please keep us updated.  

Airport- If we are meeting you at the airport our meeting will take place in baggage claim.  We will find a place to sit down and introduce you to your puppy.  The puppy is not fully inoculated at the time of delivery so it is imperative that you use extreme caution to not expose the puppy to anything.  (If you need an explanation on this, please let us know.)  You will get a "Take Home Bag" which will have a few gifts and your paperwork.  We will go over the paperwork with you and answer any questions you may have.  We will talk about AKC registration, the vaccination records, registering the microchip, your puppy insurance, and the pups current feeding/watering.  Your full payment will be paid 1 week before this date, so no need to exchange any money.  Please allow 30 - 60 minutes for this process.  It is important for you to have all of the information before leaving.

Home Pickup: If for any reason we should suspect there is an outbreak of any transmittable disease, we reserve the right to chose a mutually agreed upon public meeting place.  We care for puppies and dogs in our home and it is our NUMBER 1 priority to keep them safe. If we are able to welcome you to our home we will agree upon a time and ask that you keep us updated on your arrival that morning.  We will allow a maximum of (2) two people to come inside our home.  If you are coming with children or other pets, we will be happy to meet you curbside.  We love kiddos and other doggies, but have learned from past experiences that it all the information that needs to be discussed does not happen when we've had more important priorities requiring our attention.  For the protection and integrity of our process, only 2 visitors are allowed at pick up.  When entering we have all guests wear shoe covers and sanitize their hands.  Please do not visit any pet stores on pick up day prior to arrival.  We have a dedicated room in our home to meet puppy parents and we ask all guests to stay in this area.  You will get a "Take Home Bag" which will have a few gifts and your paperwork.  We will go over the paperwork with you and answer any questions you have.  We will talk about the AKC registration, the vaccination records, registering your microchip,  your puppy insurance, and the pups current feeding/watering.  Your full payment will be paid 1 week before this date, so no need to exchange any money.  Please allow 30 - 60 minutes for this process.  It is important for you to have all the information before leaving.

Through the years we are frequently asked about what we use and recommend.  Below is a list of all the things (click images).

 Travel carrier                                                     Click pictures for links

Carrier can be used on aircraft as it is designed to fit uner the seat in front of you.  Also works great in your car as a car seat; anchors to the seal belt.

Crate Midwest Homes iCrate 

Crate is perfect for the size your puppy will need to start.  It comes with a divider wall to half the size for training.

Tomlyn Nutri-callHigh Calorie Nutrional Gel for Puppies

Give your new puppy Nutri-cal to avoid blood sugar drops.  Puppies may not eat well during their transition to your home and this will help until he/she adjusts.

IRIS USA 24" Exercise 4-Panel Pet Play Pen

This is an inexpensive option, but not the best for  adult dogs.  It is a great way to get started with potty training in your home.  Your new puppy will be familiar with this pen and should know to use the potty tray when in this play area.

North States Mypet Petyard Passage 

This a great option for pups and adults.  You can order in different quantities of panels and adjust.  The play yard is adjustable to size and shape.  It comes with a doggie door that comes in handy when dog is an adult.  Can be used indoors or outdoors.

Richell Paw Trax Mesh Training Tray or any tray with a snapping top

Your new puppy from Aleka is already using this potty tray.  Place this in the area you will want him to potty during your house training.  Order the carbon potty pads that fit well and block odor.  It is good to let the pad stay unchanged for a day or two so puppy will find the scent and know where to go.

Glad Carbon Potty Pads 

Bil Jac Small Breed Puppy or Bil Jac Puppy Select

This variety of the Purina Pro Plan food is what your puppy is eating.  If you decide to change food be sure to wean him over slowly to avoid any GI issues

Purina FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs 

Recommended by our vet. Sprinkle packet over food.  Promotes normal intestinal micro-flora.  Will also reduce flatulence and diarrhea

Midwest Pad for 22" Crate 

We don't always put a nice fluffy bed in the crate while training.  Each puppy and individual circumstance should be considered.  Remember if your puppy urinates, even just a few drops, when he smells the scent later it gives him the signal that this is the place to go.  Set your pup up for success and remove anything with urine immediately.   This crate pad should only be used once the puppy is crate trained.  During the training process use whelping/potty pads that can be removed and washed frequently.

Washable Potty Pads 

AKC Club Mats 

AKC offers this thin comfortable crate mat that we use outside of the crate for puppies.  It is small enough 24" that they can cuddle up for a nap.  It is also very easy to throw in the laundry when needed.  We always cover them with a baby cradle sheet and change daily.

Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Detangler 

Earth Bath Tearless Puppy Shampoo 

Chose whichever fragrance you want in this tearless puppy shampoo.  They also have conditioner and a spritz.

Lixit Top Fill No Drip Water Bottle  or Nacoco Pet Standing Water Bottle

If your puppy or dog is in a crate for more than an hour, play yard or pen, this is a MUST have item.  There will be less mess to clean up and the pup will have plenty of clean water when he/she needs it.  Your Aleka puppy uses these water bottles from start of the weaning process. It also keeps little one from falling head first into a bowl of water.

Check out the full line of Chris Christensen grooming products including brushes if you want to do home grooming.  The Ice on Ice is great to use between grooming visits and helps to get out top knot tangles too!

Click the picture
Use code ALEKA to save 25%

Bassinet Sheet, Fitted

Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora probiotics

Variety of toys

Get a variety of toys that will include chewing, chasing, pulling, snuggling, and puzzles.

Puzzles

Hide Treats

Some of these may be in your puppy's take home gift bag!  These are the favorites.

TIHOOD Three Sided Pet Toothbrush Dog Brush Addition Bad Breath Tartar Teeth Care Dog Cat Cleaning Mouth (Blue,Orange,purplr and White)

Toothbrush & Toothpaste