Selecting
your puppy :
Select your new family member with your lifestyle and living
situation in mind. Primary considerations in addition to personality
include temperament, size, and coat. Some breeds have traits
that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as
hyperexcitability or a tendency to bark. Dogs originally bred
for specific purposes tend to retain these characteristics and
may require additional training and patience. Your veterinarian
is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire
a puppy.
Before
bringing your puppy home :
Prepare your house for your puppy's arrival. A special place
should be designated for it to eat, sleep, and eliminate.
Obtain any necessary accessories (eg, collar, leash, ID tag,
crate, and dishes) before you bring your puppy home. You will
need to puppy-proof your home just as you would child-proof
your home to avoid accidents. Harmful cleansers, plants, electrical
cords, and breakable objects should be kept out of reach.
Open windows should be screened.
A
crate is a combined sleeping area, housebreaker, and preventer
of bad habits; basically, it's one of the best investments
you'll ever make for your puppy. Select a crate that is large
enough to house the dog when fully grown, and insert a divider
to make it smaller for housebreaking. The reduced area should
be small enough so that the puppy can't eliminate in one end
and sit/sleep in the other. To make the crate a friendly place,
appropriate bones (choose carefully and consult your veterinarian)
can be placed within it and the puppy can be fed inside of
it. Puppies should only be left in their crates for short
periods initially, so that they learn that they will not be
confined in them permanently.
Housebreaking
:
Begin as soon as the puppy arrives in your home. Young puppies
should be taken out immediately upon waking and just before
retiring, as well as multiple times during the day. Most puppies
cannot "hold it" for long periods so it will be
necessary to take the puppy out almost every hour at first
(especially after periods of play, naps, and mealtimes), and
then gradually increase the amount of time between visits
to the "bathroom." Take the puppy to the same area
each time and praise it immediately and enthusiastically when
it eliminates. Do not play with, or talk to, the puppy until
after it has eliminated. Remember, if the puppy doesn't eliminate
outside, its urine and feces are being saved for deposit inside
your house!
Meals
:
Feed a high quality diet designed for puppies. A wide variety
of diets and formulations are available and your veterinarian
should be your primary source of information as to the best
choice for your puppy. The amount fed will vary with the type
of food and the individual dog, but in general, should only
be as much as the puppy can consume in 5 to 10 minutes at
a given meal. Puppies are usually fed 5 times daily when between
4and 12 weeks old, 4 times daily when 12 weeks to 4 months
old, , 3 times daily when 4 months to 6 months old and may
be fed 1 or 2 times daily when older than 6 months. Fresh
and clean drinking water should always be accessible to your
pet. Cold water is more palatable than warm water. Dog's growth
rate, weight and body condition are the best guides to use
when determining the quantity to provide at each meal. If
you find that dog is gaining too much weight then decrease
the amount and if dog is going underweight then increase the
amount. A dog satisfied with amount provided for feeding will
show disinterest in the feed material present around him.
Dogs
are basically carnivorous and prefer meat and meat products.
They can however be reared on vegetarian feed as well as on
non-vegetarian feed. Normal healthy diet of dog should consist
of energy (highly digestible carbohydrates and fat), protein,
minerals, vitamins and fiber. Every dog should be evaluated
and fed as an individual. Selecting feed based on the dog's
age, life stage, living environment, and level of activity
aids in providing optimal nutrition throughout life.
Health
Exam/Vaccinations :
You will want to have your new puppy examined by a veterinarian
to ensure that it has no major health problems and is started
on a program of preventive care. Your puppy's health care
plan includes a series of vaccinations against distemper,
parvovirus and coronavirus (gastrointestinal diseases), infectious
hepatitis, and respiratory infections (adenovirus, parainfluenza,
and bordetella). Vaccination protocols are designed on the
basis of your puppy's risk of infection and may vary depending
upon your puppy's age, breed, and environmental exposures
(eg, in certain locales, vaccinations for Lyme disease and
leptospirosis may be considered standard parts of the protocol).
Vaccinations are usually given at 3 week intervals from 6
to 16 weeks of age. At 15 to 16 weeks of age, the puppy receives
its first rabies vaccination. Puppies should be checked for
intestinal parasites (usually 2 stool samples 3 weeks apart),
fleas, and heartworm disease (depending on age), and appropriate
treatment or preventatives administered.
Grooming
:
Regular brushing, bathing, and nail care are essential. Protect
your puppy's eyes and ears when bathing, and don't allow the
puppy to become chilled after bathing.
Obedience
Training and Socialization :
Obedience and training is a must for every good family dog,
regardless of size or breed! Puppies may start classes when
they are as young as 8 weeks old. |
