🐾 Taylormade Mini Goldens: Complete Puppy Care Instructions

“Hi! I wanted to share a 'puppy comes home' guide so you feel confident and prepared. Every word here is built on many years of hands-on experience raising our Taylormade Mini Goldens. I've also included my favorite supplies and resources throughout. If you have questions at any point, I am here for you.”
— Michele 🐾

🐕 Collar, Leash & Harness Sizing

We send your puppy home with a harness, leash, and safety collar. Here is how to size correctly:

Puppies Charting Under 30 lbs: Extra-small 6–9 inch adjustable collar or small puppy harness.
Puppies Charting Over 30 lbs: Small 8–12 inch adjustable collar or harness.

💡 Note: Don't overspend — pups grow quickly! To protect your puppy's neck and back, use a harness in the early months and work on training if pulling becomes a habit. Mini Goldens can vary in size, so we cannot guarantee adult size.

🛒 Recommended Collar & Harness Gear:

🌙 1. First Nights Home — Adjusting & Sleep

It is completely normal for puppies to cry the first few nights. Consistency + love wins every time.

Keep Crate Close: Keep the crate close to a family member at first for comfort.
Building Foundation: We start crate training before puppies go home — you're building on a great foundation!
Nighttime Schedule: Stop feeding after 7:00 PM to reduce nighttime accidents.
Positive Association: Make the crate a happy place: meals in the crate + calm praise.
Troubleshooting Night Waking: Still waking up past the early transition? If your puppy should be sleeping through by around 12 weeks but isn't, you may be accidentally waking each other up. Try moving the crate to another room — it can make a big difference.

💩 Loose Stools During Transition:

This is common and can take a couple of weeks to settle — new environment, sensitive puppy tummies. Give 1/4 Gastro Pro Plus anytime you see loose stool to help solidify it. This can be given between meals even if your puppy already had a dose at mealtime.

🏠 2. Crate & Safety Setup

We love wire crates: easy to clean (pull-out tray), collapsible for storage and travel, and comfortable for our dogs. Crates are also a safety tool — puppies chew everything, and household items and cords can be dangerous.

Crate Sizing Guide:

Charting under 30 lbs: 24″ Crate
Charting under 40 lbs: 30″ Crate
Charting over 40 lbs: 36″ Crate

We also recommend a playpen for indoor/outdoor use — a huge help for supervised play and potty training support.

🛒 Recommended Crate Setup & Playpen Gear:

🔗 MidWest iCrate Single Door (Fold & Carry)
🔗 MidWest Quiet Time Fleece Crate Pad
🔗 Frisco 8-Panel Steel Exercise Pen
🔗 Sunshine's Puppy Enrichment Pen Starter Kit
🔗 Smart Indoor Potty Tray with Camera App (Love this for working pet parents or apartment living)

🥣 3. Feeding & Supplements

🔒 IMPORTANT CONTRACT REQUIREMENT

Your Mini Golden's food must be ordered through our website per your contract. Do not change your puppy's food without consulting us first — sudden changes can cause GI issues and may affect the health guarantee.

Feeding Schedule:

3 meals per day until around 6 months old.
Then switch to morning and night, with healthy treats in between.
Around 1 year, some dogs naturally prefer once a day — this is normal.
Puppies often eat more than adults because growth demands are high in the first year.

Portioning:

Weigh your puppy every other week during the first 6 months and adjust feeding as needed. The goal is steady growth — not too fast, not too slow.

🔗Body Condition Guide (petobesityprevention.org)

What We Use Daily:

Gastro Pro Plus: 4-in-1: prebiotic, probiotic, digestive enzymes, gut-soothing herbs.
Immunoshroom: Immune support.
PawTree 10-in-1 Multivitamins: Daily immune health with joint support. Order here.
Wild Alaskan Fish Oil: Brain health, DHA, heart, skin, and coat health.
Plaque Control: Contains Scandinavian Sea Kelp, a superfood that fights the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Food Ordering / PawTree Products:

We keep moms and pups on PawTree (excellent protein/fat ratios for small dogs and puppies). Check with us on which recipe your puppy is currently eating — we rotate proteins intentionally.
Order at taylormadehealthynut.com using EZShip (3-month schedule). We recommend the XL (3 x 10.3 lb bags = 30.9 lb) to save on shipping.
Save even more with the PawTree Daily Essentials Kit! The kit includes Plaque Control, Freeze-Dried Raw, and 10-in-1 Multivitamins, and can save you $23.09. Purchasing PawTree products in sets is a great way to save money while keeping up with your puppy’s everyday needs!
Add 3 non-kibble items (freeze-dried raw, supplements, toys, treats, or cleaning supplies) to qualify for free shipping on EZShip and earn PawClub points.
First order discount code: INTRO4U20 (20% off your first purchase).
PawTree reminders come from support@pawtree.com — add that to your contacts.
Please don't cancel EZShip without talking to us first — it's part of your contract and health guarantee.

Adding Whole Foods:

We love adding whole foods in moderation: sardines, carrots, cucumbers, sweet potato, squash, celery, apples, watermelon, blueberries, and more. Raw meaty knuckle bones from your butcher (make sure they've been frozen to kill parasites) are great for healthy teeth and chewing. PawTree's freeze-dried PawPairings are an easy add-on. Freeze-dried raw is another great way to add whole food nutrition.

🔗Why Adding Human Food to your Dog's Diet Matters

Grain-Free Note:

There has been ongoing discussion about a possible link between grain-free diets and DCM. Research continues to evolve. If you'd like to dig into the current information, see our resource link below.

150-Study Research Compilation on Grain-Free & DCM

If you ever have questions about diet choices, let's talk — we'll help you make a decision you feel good about.

Recommended Bowls:

Ceramic or stainless steel (non-porous, easy to sanitize, dishwasher-safe). A slow feeder can help — Mini Goldens tend to love their food a little too much.

🛒 Section Resources & Links:

🦷 4. Biting & Chewing

Puppies explore the world with their mouths — biting is completely normal and temporary. Consistency is everything here.

What to do:

Keep chew toys handy and redirect immediately.
If teeth touch skin: say a calm, firm "No" or "Oops", then offer a toy.
If your puppy is overstimulated, do a quick calm break — crate time with a chew.
If redirection isn't working: a firm "No!" and briefly hold the muzzle for a couple of seconds, or simply walk away from the puppy.
Vinegar Spray Bottle Trick: Mix 1 tsp of vinegar in a spray bottle — a quick spritz to the face when biting occurs works well because puppies dislike the shock and smell. They do outgrow this stage!
Make sure everyone in the family follows the same rules. Consistency matters!

🌿 5. Potty Training

Crate training is the fastest, cleanest path to a fully potty-trained puppy.

Tips for Success:

Take puppy outside immediately after waking, and 5–10 minutes after play.
Supervise closely — don't allow free roam unsupervised.
Watch for circling or sniffing: head outside right away.
Praise and treat the second they go potty outside.
Use an enzyme cleaner inside to remove scent and prevent repeat accidents — PawTree's Urine Eliminator is a great option.
If you catch an accident in progress: a quick "No!" and straight outside, then big praise if they finish outdoors.

💧 6. Excited or Submissive Piddling

Not all puppies do this, but it's common in sweet, submissive "pleaser" puppies — and it almost always improves by around one year.

What Helps:

Keep greetings calm and low-key.
Reward calm greetings.
Never punish — this is not "bad behavior," it's a puppy trait.
If it's frequent, crate your puppy briefly when new people arrive to prevent accidents.

🎓 7. Training & Daily Routine

Training is not optional — a well-trained puppy is truly a gift for life. The number one reason dogs are surrendered to shelters is poor training. Start early and keep it fun.

We recommend the Lifetime Training Membership from Baxter & Bella — use code TAYLORMADE for 25% off!

Aim for 5–10 minute training sessions right before walks or after potty breaks. Walks are training too — polite leash manners and sits at every stop add up fast.

E-Collars:

E-collars can be a useful training tool for certain situations. Ask Michele for her current product recommendations — she's happy to point you in the right direction based on your puppy's size and temperament.

Our General Puppy Schedule (Mountain Time — adjust to your home):

4–5 Weeks (Weaning): Puppies begin sleeping in a larger kennel away from mom.
Overnight: Pads or litter box in their area while learning.
6:30–7:30 AM: Morning potty + clean-up.
Breakfast: After potty and play (lower end of feeding chart). Add supplements.
Morning Nap: Nap in kennel.
11:30 AM–12:30 PM: Midday potty, play, and training (new toy + new surface exposure).
Lunch: Lunch, then nap.
4:30–5:30 PM: Afternoon potty, play, and training (often a weekly field trip with a car ride).
Dinner: Dinner, then nap or calm cuddle time.
8:30–9:30 PM: Final potty and play.

🎓 Section Resources & Program Links:

🔗 Baxter & Bella Online Training (Use code TAYLORMADE for 25% off)

✂️ 8. Grooming

Mini Goldens can have different coat types. Regular grooming keeps them comfortable, healthy, and looking their absolute best.

Brushing: Brush 2–3 times per week. A good grooming spray makes this so much easier — we love Life's Abundance Bath Fresh Mist, it leaves dogs smelling like they just had a bath.
Trimming: Trim with scissors as needed (paws, eyes, ears, sanitary area) every 4–6 weeks.
Nails: Nail checks about monthly — more often if your dog spends most time on grass.
Coat Care Note: Golden-type coats generally shouldn't be shaved — shaving can cause baldness down the road. Ask your groomer for guidance based on your dog's specific coat type.

🛒 Grooming Products & Resource Links:

🏃 9. Exercise & Safety

To reduce disease exposure, we don't recommend public walks under 4 months — parvo risk varies by area, so check with your vet too. Parvo can be severe for puppies.

🦠 PARVO PROTECTION TIP

Parvo is oil-based and can live in the ground for up to 7 years. Your puppy is a new baby with an immature immune system. Have everyone remove their shoes when coming into your home so they don't unknowingly track in disease from outside.

For Exercise:

Aim for at least a 30-minute walk daily once your puppy is old enough.
Avoid intense jumping or running during the growth phase.
No long-distance running (over a mile) or bike-running until around 2 years.
Lift your puppy in and out of cars and off couches and beds during the growth stage to protect their developing joints.

🩺 10. Spay & Neuter

Per your contract, your puppy is pet-only and should be spayed or neutered (and protected from breeding).

We generally recommend waiting until around 1 year or when fully grown — research suggests early alteration can affect growth and health in certain breeds. Removing sex hormones while a puppy still needs them for proper growth is not best practice in our opinion. Your veterinarian can help you choose timing that's right for your specific dog and your area.

📖 Research Articles for Reference:

🦠 11. Canine Coronavirus — What You Should Know

Our vet and our own research support that the strain of Coronavirus that dogs can get is not the same as the human strain. Transmission between dogs and humans is extremely rare, and some research suggests it is not possible at all. As always, if new information emerges we will share it — and please do the same if you come across something relevant.

Puppies do have their own canine Coronavirus and there is a vaccine available for it. Our vet does not vaccinate our puppies for this because it is generally not considered high risk in healthy puppies. If you have concerns or questions about this specific vaccine, please discuss with your veterinarian.

💉 12. Health & Vaccines

Your puppy will receive their first set of vaccines with us around 7–8 weeks:

Distemper
Hepatitis (CAV2)
Parvovirus
Parainfluenza

Your puppy will need a booster 3–4 weeks later. We will send home the vaccination record.

Vaccine Minimalism:

Because we've experienced a few severe vaccine reactions in our lines, we tend to be vaccine minimalists and often follow Dr. Jean Dodds' protocol when appropriate.

We do NOT give our dogs the Lepto (Leptospirosis) or Bordetella vaccines. These are non-core vaccines and we work hard to boost immunity naturally rather than over-vaccinate — over-vaccination carries real risks and can cause damage.

Rabies is typically the only vaccine mandated by law (timing depends on your state and county). If the law in your area allows, consider waiting until your puppy is 6 months old for the rabies vaccine. Please discuss all vaccines with your veterinarian and follow local requirements.

🔗 Section Resources & Protocol Links:

🌿 13. Diarrhea Support

At some point, most puppy parents deal with diarrhea — especially during puppyhood. Here is a detailed protocol so you know exactly what to do:

Step 1 — Fast for 6 Hours: Give the gut a rest with a short 6-hour fast. Always make sure your puppy still has access to water.
Step 2 — Paxaid Digestive Rescue: Keep Paxaid on hand at all times — it's a staple in our toolkit and can be a lifesaver if your puppy is ever exposed to Parvo. For diarrhea: give Paxaid every 15 minutes for the first hour, then every hour until the diarrhea stops, then 4 times daily for the next 3 to 5 days.
Step 3 — Homemade Bone Broth: After the 6-hour fast, offer homemade broth which is gentle on the stomach. Michele's recipe: mix 3 raw bone-in chicken legs with carrots and 6 cups of water in a large pot and boil for 2 hours. Mix Gastro Pro Plus with a tablespoon of the broth and feed by syringe or bowl. Gradually offer more broth each hour.
Step 4 — Gradual Food Reintroduction: As soon as stool starts to firm up, add the soft cooked carrots and boiled chicken from the broth mashed together for meals. After 24 hours, add a small amount of kibble with more Gastro Pro Plus. Mixing in 1 to 2 tsp of plain pumpkin at this stage is also very helpful.

If diarrhea continues, your puppy may need worming. You can call your vet or do a precautionary worming at home.

⚠️ Contact your vet right away if: diarrhea is persistent or severe, contains blood, your puppy is lethargic, vomiting, not drinking, or you are worried. Trust your gut — you know your puppy.

🛒 Diarrhea Support Products:

🐛 14. Parasite Prevention & Worming

Parasites are very common in puppies. We treat preventatively before your puppy goes home:

Pyrantel — before 2 and 4 weeks
Toltrazuril — 3 weeks
Fenbendazole — after 5 weeks
Secnidazole — 6 and 8 weeks
Supplement Support: Kochi Free

Your puppy should be wormed again two weeks after leaving our kennel (your vet can do this, or you can order and administer as directed). We worm puppies monthly and adult dogs every 6 months or as needed, and mom dogs after day 50 of pregnancy.