Rangel Family Goldens

Preparing for Your Puppy

Rangel Family Goldens – Welcome to the Family

Bringing home a Rangel Family Goldens puppy is an exciting and joyful experience. To help you feel fully prepared, we’ve created this simple guide with the supplies, setup tips, and safety steps that will make your puppy’s transition smooth and stress‑free.

Our goal is to support you every step of the way so you can focus on bonding with your new family member.

🛒 Essential Supplies to Have Ready

These items will help your puppy settle in comfortably and safely.

Food & Feeding

• Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Large Breed Dog Formula
  (We send enough home to get you started.)

• Optional tummy‑friendly add‑ins:
  Organic pumpkin purée, plain kefir, cottage cheese, or whole‑milk yogurt
  (1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight)

• Stainless steel or ceramic non‑slip bowls

• Dog food storage container
  (Keep food in the original bag inside the container.)

Crate, Playpen & Containment

• 48” crate (plastic or metal) — sized for adulthood

• Soft bedding or crate mat

• 40–48” metal playpen (We highly recommend FXW)

• Baby gates for room management

• Washable pee pads (safer than disposable)

Walking & Training

• Harness (gentler on the trachea than a collar)

• 4–6 ft leash

• Poop bags

Grooming & Hygiene

• Brush and comb suitable for Golden coats

• Nail clippers or Dremel PawControl 7760‑PET

• Ear cleaner

• Puppy‑safe shampoo (Dechra or Nature’s Specialties recommended)

• Stain/odor remover for accidents

Toys & Enrichment

• High‑quality chew toys (Nylabone, KONG, West Paw)

• Soft toys without small parts

• Teething‑safe options

Parasite Prevention

• We use Flea Free Food Supplement daily

• Puppies receive Diatomaceous Earth starting at 1 week old

• Pyrantel every 2 weeks until 12 weeks
  (Seeing dead worms after treatment is normal — it means the dewormer is working.)

🏡 Puppy‑Proofing Your Home

Puppies explore with their mouths, so a safe environment is essential.

General Safety

• Keep breakable items out of reach

• Store household cleaners and chemicals safely

• Keep clothing, socks, and shoes put away

• Secure trash cans

• Block access to stairs if needed

Electrical Safety

• Hide or cover electrical cords

• Use outlet covers

• Keep chargers and loose wires off the floor

Making Your Cords Inaccessible

Electrical cords are one of the most common household hazards. Protect your puppy by:

• Hiding cords behind furniture, under rugs, or inside cord channels

• Using cord covers to create a chew‑resistant barrier

• Using cord wraps or sleeves to bundle and secure loose cords

• Using cord locks or cable locks to prevent cords from being pulled out

• Using cable management boxes to hide power strips and excess cord length

These simple tools dramatically reduce chewing risks and keep your puppy safe.

Plants & Outdoor Safety

Avoid toxic plants such as:
Poinsettias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Oleander, English ivy, Japanese yew

If you have a pool or hot tub, ensure fencing and covers are secure.

🧸 Creating a Comfortable Puppy Space

Your puppy will feel safest with a designated area that includes:

• Crate with soft bedding

• Playpen for supervised play

• Chew toys

• Water bowl (when not potty training)

• Their familiar blanket from us

This setup helps with:

• Potty training

• Reducing accidents

• Preventing chewing on unsafe items

• Building confidence and routine

🐾 Introducing Your Puppy to Resident Pets

A slow, structured introduction helps everyone feel safe and confident.

Step‑by‑Step Introduction

1. Start with separation.
   Keep resident pets and your new puppy in separate areas for the first few days.

2. Scent and sight introductions.
   Use a baby gate, crate, or playpen to allow pets to see and smell each other safely.

3. Repeat short, positive sessions over the next few days.

4. Supervised face‑to‑face meeting once both pets seem relaxed.

5. Go back a step if needed if either pet shows stress.

Important Safety Note

Do not allow your puppy to play rough with adult dogs. Puppies are still growing, and excessive roughhousing can injure developing bones and joints.

🍽️ Feeding Your Puppy

Keeping your puppy on the same food during the first few weeks helps prevent stress‑related tummy upset. Puppies experience many changes when joining a new family — new environment, new people, new water, new routines — so keeping food consistent helps stabilize digestion.

Feeding Guidelines

• Stick with the food we recommend for at least the first few months (ideally the first year).

• Always add water to dry kibble as instructed in your go‑home letter.

• Follow the serving size on the bag as a starting point.

• Increase by 1/8 cup per meal every 4–5 days as your puppy grows or if they appear hungry.

• Introduce new foods slowly to avoid vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or constipation.

Understanding Intestinal Bacteria

Healthy gut bacteria help your puppy digest food. A sudden diet change disrupts this balance and can lead to stomach upset. This is why slow transitions are essential.

Food Sensitivities

Some puppies may develop allergies over time.

• Chicken is a common trigger.
  If you suspect a sensitivity, remove all chicken‑based foods for a few months before switching to a new protein such as lamb or fish.

💛 A Smooth Transition Starts With Preparation

Preparing your home ahead of time helps your puppy settle in quickly and reduces stress for everyone. If you have questions about supplies, setup, or anything else, we’re always here to help.

Welcome to the Rangel Family Goldens family — we’re honored to be part of your puppy’s journey.

💛 Helping Your Puppy Adjust to Their New Home

A smooth transition begins with understanding that your puppy is experiencing many new sights, sounds, and routines. Some puppies settle in quickly, while others need a little extra time — both are completely normal.

🥣 A Gradual Food Transition

Puppies have sensitive stomachs, and sudden food changes can cause digestive upset. A slow transition helps keep their tummy comfortable.

How to transition foods gently:

• Start with 75% current food + 25% new food for a few days

• Then 50/50 for a few more days

• Move to 100% new food once your puppy is comfortable

If your puppy seems unsure about eating during the first day, give them time to settle in and make sure they stay hydrated.

💤 Rest & Routine

Your puppy will need plenty of rest during their first days home. Puppies sleep frequently throughout the day, waking only to eat, play briefly, and go potty. Treat your puppy like a newborn — gentle handling, predictable routines, and quiet rest time help them feel safe.

🍽️ Avoiding Human Foods

Young puppies are not ready to digest most human foods. Stick to puppy food, water, and any approved toppers you’ve chosen.
Be aware of common household foods that are unsafe for dogs, including grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, and xylitol‑containing products.

🏥 Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit

Your puppy should be seen by your veterinarian within the first few days of coming home. Bring their vaccination record so your vet can review their history and discuss the schedule they recommend for your area and lifestyle.

Every veterinarian has slightly different protocols, so follow the plan you feel comfortable with for your puppy.

🌳 Keeping Your Puppy Safe in Public

Until your puppy has completed their full vaccination series, avoid high‑traffic dog areas such as:

• Dog parks

• Pet store floors

• Public dog‑heavy spaces

Think of your puppy like a newborn — their immune system is still developing. Safe, controlled environments are best during these early months.

Sharing photos with friends and family is a wonderful way to show off your new puppy while keeping them protected.