Young puppies, however, can be reared successfully with extra attention. If the puppy is too young to lap, pet nursing bottles are available at most pet shops and some supermarkets.

Before taking your puppy home, brief your family on how to handle the newcomer. The puppy is not a toy and can be hurt if not handled correctly. Support the puppy well when carrying it, with one arm supporting its bottom and stomach.

Diet
 

2 month old puppies -	5 meals a day   Suggested feeding times: 7 11 3 7 11
3 month old puppies -	4 meals a day   Suggested feeding times: 7 12 5 10
4 month old puppies -	3 meals a day   Suggested feeding times: 8 2 7
6 month old puppies -	2 meals a day   Suggested feeding times: Morning & evening
1 year old -	1 meal a day

Puppies can be fed milk (recommended "Carnation" Evaporated Milk - two parts of milk to one part of water)in between meat or solid meals. "Nestum" can also be given as a meal. If your puppy develops diarrhoea discontinue feeding it milk and try yoghurt instead as it is good for settling your pet's stomach.
When your puppy reaches six month's of age, one milk feed can be given in the morning mixed with dried food and a meat/solid meal can be given in the evening.
Dry dog food (available at pet shops and supermarkets)can be mixed with water/gravy or alternatively mixed with canned food.
If feeding rice to your puppy, it is better to use unpolished/red rice as it has more nutrients and is not starchy as white rice.
If feeding meat, it is best to mix it with rice or dried food as meat on its own is not considered a balanced diet. Fish or sardine can also be given mixed with rice.
Remember your puppy should not be fed fish, chicken or pork bones.

Medical Care
Please make sure your puppy receives its annual vaccination. This will guard against the following diseases:-

• canine para influenza
• leptospirosis
• canine distemper
• parvo-virus
• canine hepatitis
• canine adeno virus type II

House Training
Puppies are creatures of habit and respond well if trained at a young age. When your puppy is first taken home you must decide where its bed is going to be. Make sure the bed is away from drafts. It is not wise to let your puppy have the run of the house until it is house-trained.
Always place newspapers on the floor (not too close to the sleeping quarters)so that the puppy can learn to go to the toilet on the newspaper. After meals take the puppy outside for a walk. When the puppy goes to the toilet outside praise it "good dog" and pat your pet so that it knows it has done the right thing. If you are unable to take the puppy outside frequently, place the puppy on the newspaper after it has eaten. If it does the right thing on the newspaper, again praise your pet. Should the puppy not use the newspaper and make a mess on the floor, just gather the puppy by the scruff of the neck (when the animal is in the act not after)and shake it gently, saying "shame". Then carry the puppy back to the newspaper.
It is not advisable to hit a puppy with objects such as rolled up newspaper as it may result in the puppy becoming shy of people patting it in future.
Always remember to praise your puppy when it does the correct thing and to punish it when it is doing wrong. Never punish a puppy after you discover a mess as the animal will not know why it is being punished.
An adult dog's behavior is very much a result of its training. Early training will ensure a disciplined animal later on and not an uncontrollable one.

Bathing
If your pet is dirty, then you know it is time to bathe it. There is no need to bathe your puppy everyday. Bathing should not be more frequent than once a week (unless more frequent bathing is recommended by your veterinarian for a particular medical reason). There are many shampoos available from pet shops and supermarkets.
If your puppy has ticks there are tick powders and rinses available from pet shops. Consult your veterinarian is a tick problem persists.
Above all, remember that if your puppy or dog gets sick, never never ever delay treatment, or your pet might suffer.