Some recommendations for giving your Puppy a great start in life.
Research your breed. Breeds have certain characteristics and knowing these will help you choose appropriate toys and treats for your pup. A
good breed book is always an asset.
Have a strategic housebreaking plan for your puppy and be consistent. It will make a great deal of difference in the future if you do
it correctly in the beginning. Decide whether you are going to use a crate or a cage to train your pup to "go" outside, or housebreaking pads to
teach pup to go in a certain area inside. Consult a puppy care book for particulars.
Plan now to train your puppy in obedience. Your relationship with your pup will be much better if you allow time in your life for training
classes. When he is old enough enroll him in a "puppy" class.
What kind of food was your pup fed before you got him? Purchase some of the same food the breeder was feeding even if you are going to switch
his diet. Many Veterinarians recommend dry food, and that it is fed in its dry form. When you begin to switch your puppies food, be sure to do it
gradually so as not to upset puppy's tender stomach.
Feeding puppies 8 to 12 weeks old need four meals a day. Feed puppies three to six
months old three meals a day. Feed puppies six months to one year two meals a day. When your dog reaches his first birthday, one meal a day is
usually enough.
Start a complete preventive health care plan for your pup. This includes regular vaccinations, annual veterinary visits as well as flea
and tick prevention. A regular heartworm preventive will protect your pet against heartworm. Your Veterinarian may prescribe a
heartworm medication such as Heartgard Plus, which treats roundworm and hookworm infections as well.
Start getting your puppy acquainted with dental care right away. Use a Dental Cleaning Pad wrapped around your index finger to gently
scrub your pup's teeth. Then advance to special canine toothbrushes and toothpaste. Veterinarians have everything you need to start right.
This will help you begin a regular dental plan that you can use throughout life and will save you money in dental bills later.
Puppies have very sharp toenails. They can be trimmed with your regular fingernail clippers or with nail trimmers made for dogs
and cats. If you take too much off the nail, you will get into the quick; bleeding and pain will occur. If this happens, neither
you nor your dog will want to do this again. Therefore, a few points are helpful:
1. If your dog has clear or white nails,
you can see the pink of the quick through the nail. Avoid the pink area, and you should be out of the quick.
2. If your dog has
black nails, you will not be able to see the quick so only cut 1/32" (1 mm) of the nail at a time until the dog begins to get sensitive.
The sensitivity will usually occur before you are into the blood vessel. With black nails, it is likely that you will get too close on at
least one nail.
3. If your dog has some clear and some black nails, use the average clear nail as a guide for cutting the black ones.
4. When cutting nails, use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers tend to crush the nail and cause pain even if you are not in the
quick.
5. You should always have styptic powder available. This is sold in pet stores under several trade names, but
it will be labeled for use in trimming nails.
Start a regular ear-cleaning program. Don't wait until your puppy's ears are so dirty that infections can take hold. Ask your
Veterinarian to recommend products that can make the job easier.
Don't forget to use a dash of patience and a large dose of kindness when you deal with your pup. This is probably the single most important
thing you can do to begin a great relationship with your future adult dog.
