newPuppyCare

New Puppy Care

http://www.k9obedience.co.uk

Basic needs: All puppies will need both food and water bowls, and a place to sleep. Many people use a crate as the pup’s bed, and as a safe haven. There are many beds available to buy, as well as bowls, toys and training tools. Your puppy will also need a good quality collar and lead. A crate is considered to be essential as it provides a safe haven for the dog and becomes his special place in the home, whilst also confirming from the early days that just sometimes, the dog’s presence in the room is restricted. A handy message if you have a Wolfhound or St Bernard!

Health: Register your puppy with a vet as soon as possible. As well as giving him his inoculations and earlyneeds

worming treatments, the vet will also give the puppy a general health check. Many vets can also give advice on feeding and exercise, and will answer any questions you may have. Some of the diseases that your puppy will be vaccinated against are:

Canine Distemper
Infectious Hepatitis
Leptospirosis
Parvovirus
Parainfluenza
Kennel Cough

With the pet travel scheme, dogs are now inoculated against Rabies which will qualify them for a pet passport, allowing them to travel without being quarantined. Dogs will need a course of inoculations, followed by yearly boosters. The primary course is given from eight weeks of age, with the second being administered 4-6 weeks later.

Feeding: The breeder or rescue centre should have informed you as to the puppy’s feeding regime, and probably sent you home with his food. It is best to stick to the same diet at first, as puppies do not like change in their feeding patterns. Depending on the breed and size of the dog, the puppy should be fed between four and six times daily. This avoids the puppy becoming overfull and regurgitating his meal. If food is still in the puppy’s bowl after 15 minutes, then remove it. If he were still hungry he would have licked his bowl clean. Never try and force a dog to eat. Start as you mean to go on and do not feed him from your dinner table. Also you should avoid preparing the puppy’s food in the same place as where you prepare your own food (if possible). This is so that you start as you mean to go on, and you don’t associate that place with food in the puppy’s mind. Instead, you can use a utility room, garage, shed or garden to prepare the dog food, and in this way (if disciplined) you will avoid problems of the dog drooling at dinner time in months and years to come!

Dogs do seem to have a natural tendency to beg for food from the table, but giving in to this will create behavioural problems. Avoid giving him human food that contains condiments and spices. Also beware of bones in general, especially ones from birds or fish. These bones can splinter and perforate the gut. Having said that, a good strong roast beef or lamb bone can be a superb way to occupy a dog of any age, as well as promoting healthy teeth and gums.

Lastly, you should always have clean water available to a puppy at all times.

reprinted with kind permission from Martin Popham
Dog Trainer & Obedience Specialist
www.K9Obedience.co.uk - Free Dog Training Information & Discussion Forum