This page will answer most of your questions about caring for your new English Setter puppy. Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions—we are always happy to help!
Below is a list of recommended items that will make puppy ownership much easier, especially for first-time puppy owners.
Crate -
Choose a crate that is large enough for your puppy to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down in. However, it should not be so large that your puppy can use one end as a potty area.
In our puppy pen, we place a large grass mat in one corner to serve as the designated “potty” area. When your puppy leaves our home, he or she already understands that the pen is for sleeping and resting, while the corner with the grass pad is for going potty. This helps create a strong foundation for successful potty training at home.
Grass Pad(s) -
Our puppies are trained to potty on reusable grass pads. We use this method because it is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and closely mimics the texture of outdoor grass.
If your puppy goes home during the winter months, they will need to be slowly transitioned to outdoor potty training. This can be done by gradually moving the grass pad closer to the door your puppy will use to go outside, eventually placing it outdoors.
Grass pads come with washable pee pads that can be changed frequently, saving money compared to disposable potty pads.
If your puppy goes home during the spring through fall months, they will already have been exposed to the outdoors, introduced to outside potty training, and rewarded for going potty outside.
Feeding Bowls -
When your puppy first comes home, you may notice that he or she “gobbles” food very quickly. This is common in puppies who have been eating in a group setting, where they felt competition from littermates.
To help with this transition, consider using a slow-feed bowl. These bowls are designed with ridges or patterns that make your puppy work a little harder to access the food, naturally slowing down their eating pace. This can help prevent:
- Choking
- Gagging
- Vomiting
- Bloating
As your puppy becomes more comfortable and realizes there is no competition, their eating speed will usually improve.
For long-term use, we recommend stainless steel food and water bowls. Stainless steel bowls are:
- Durable
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Resistant to bacteria buildup
- Less likely to cause irritation compared to plastic
Avoid plastic bowls when possible, as they can scratch easily and harbor bacteria over time.
Puppy Food -
Our puppies are currently fed Next Level Hi-Pro Puppy.
It is very important that you continue feeding a puppy or all-life-stages formula until your dog is at least 1 year old. Puppies require higher levels of protein, calories, and essential nutrients to properly support their growth and development. You can buy this food at the link below:
Chew Toys & Bones -
It is very important to have an abundance of pet-friendly chew toys available for your puppy. Puppies teethe heavily for at least the first 6 months, and chewing is a natural and necessary behavior during this stage.
Chewing helps:
- Relieve teething discomfort
- Prevent boredom
- Reduce destructive behavior
- Promote dental health
Bully sticks and natural marrow bones are great options for relieving boredom and satisfying their need to chew. Always choose bones that are all-natural and easily digestible.
⚠️ Please avoid bleached rawhide products. Rawhide is not easily digestible and can pose choking or blockage risks. We strongly advise against using it.
Puppies can learn at a very young age what is appropriate to chew on. If a puppy picks up something they should not have, calmly say “drop it” and immediately replace the item with an appropriate toy. With consistency, they quickly learn the “drop it” command and understand which items are theirs.
Early on, it’s important to keep age-appropriate toys available in multiple areas of your home to set them up for success.
Collar -
Our puppies are introduced to collars at an early age using breakaway collars, so they are typically comfortable wearing one before going to their new homes.
While not mandatory, introducing a collar early helps your puppy adjust more easily.
⚠️ Always remove your puppy’s collar before crating or kenneling overnight to prevent the risk of strangulation or entanglement.
Leash -
We recommend using a 6-foot leash. This length provides enough room for movement while still giving you proper control, especially during recall training.
Begin leash training as soon as possible. Early, positive experiences on a leash will build confidence and good walking habits.
Brush & Nail Clippers -
Our puppies are exposed to nail trimming early — we begin at 3 weeks of age and trim weekly.
Regular nail care is very important. Early desensitization to having their paws handled makes nail trimming much easier as they grow.
It’s also never too early to introduce brushing. Grooming desensitizes your puppy to touch, strengthens your bond, helps maintain a healthy coat, and allows you to check for skin issues. Making grooming a calm, positive experience from the start will set your puppy up for a lifetime of easier care.
First Days & Nights at Home
Your new puppy will likely be so busy exploring their new home that they won’t even miss their littermates — until bedtime. That’s when the whining may begin.
As you will quickly learn, English Setters are very persistent. That determination makes them excellent hunting companions — but it also means they may cry or whine for quite some time at night in the beginning.
The best approach is consistency. Stick to a regular schedule for:
- Feeding
- Playtime
- Potty breaks
- Bedtime
Puppies thrive on routine, and they will quickly learn what to expect. Placing a few safe toys in the crate at bedtime can also help distract and comfort them.
Diarrhea & Stress -
It is very common for puppies to experience diarrhea shortly after arriving at their new home. This does not automatically mean they are sick.
Consider everything they have just experienced:
- A long car ride (possibly even air travel)
- New smells, sounds, and people
- A completely unfamiliar environment
- Separation from their mother and littermates
Stress alone can upset a puppy’s digestive system.
If your puppy develops diarrhea:
- Make sure they are drinking enough water to stay hydrated
- Confine them to one easy-to-clean area of the house
- Introduce new spaces gradually
When to Call the Vet -
If diarrhea continues for several days, please schedule a veterinary visit to rule out illness.
One potential concern in young puppies is Coccidiosis, caused by coccidia. Coccidia organisms are common in the environment and often harmless in adult dogs, but young puppies are more susceptible until their immune systems mature (around 4 months of age).
Stress can sometimes allow coccidia to become active.
For this reason, we recommend that puppies avoid:
- Dog parks
- Pet stores that allow dogs
- High-traffic dog areas
until they have completed their full vaccination schedule. Exposure to unknown dogs can increase the risk of illnesses such as Canine parvovirus and other contagious diseases.
As a preventative measure, our puppies receive three doses of Toltrazuril and Safeguard prior to going home to help protect against coccidia and other common parasites.
Feeding Your New Puppy
Your new puppy has been on a consistent feeding schedule since being weaned. You are welcome to continue this schedule or gradually adjust it to better fit your family’s routine.
Current Feeding Schedule -
- Breakfast: Between 7:00–8:00 AM
- Dinner: Between 4:00–5:00 PM
We feed the puppies together as a group. Each puppy receives approximately ½ to ¾ cup of puppy food, mixed with warm water. We allow the food to sit for a minute or two so it softens, making it easier to chew and digest.
For breakfast, we add Native Pet Probiotics to support healthy digestion and stool consistency. We use three shallow feeding dishes for the group, and each dish receives a half scoop of probiotics.
Our puppies have access to fresh water at all times.
Current Food -
We feed Next Level Hi-Pro Puppy. Please follow the feeding guidelines on your puppy food bag to determine proper amounts based on your puppy’s weight and growth.
Changing Foods -
If you choose to transition to a different food, we strongly recommend doing so gradually over 7 days to avoid digestive upset.
Keep the total amount of food the same while slowly adjusting the ratio:
- Days 1–2: 75% old food / 25% new food
- Days 3–4: 50% old food / 50% new food
- Days 5–6: 25% old food / 75% new food
- Day 7: 100% new food
A slow transition helps prevent stomach upset and keeps your puppy comfortable during the change.
Deworming, Vaccinations & Preventative Care
We take your puppy’s health very seriously and begin preventative care early.
Deworming Schedule -
We begin deworming at 2 weeks of age and repeat every 2 weeks. By the time your puppy goes home, they will have received four rounds of deworming:
- 2 & 4 weeks: Pyrantel Pamoate
- 6 & 8 weeks: Safe-Guard (Fenbendazole)
- 7 weeks: Toltrazuril (to protect against coccidia, a common protozoan parasite)
This proactive schedule helps ensure your puppy gets the healthiest start possible.
Veterinary Care & Vaccinations -
All puppies receive a full veterinary health check and are given their first set of vaccinations between 6–7 weeks of age.
We highly recommend scheduling a veterinary appointment shortly after bringing your puppy home. Your vet will continue your puppy’s vaccination schedule and help establish an ongoing health plan.
Ongoing Preventative Care -
After going home, your puppy will need:
- Continued deworming as recommended by your veterinarian
- Flea and tick preventative once old enough
- Heartworm preventative once old enough
Starting preventatives at the appropriate age will help protect your puppy from common parasites and serious health risks.