| Puppy Care Information |
| PROPER PUPPY AND DOG CARE Dogs were domesticated by humans tens of thousands of years ago. Through this process, they have become totally dependent on us to meet their daily needs and to protect them from harm. Because we have socialized them to live with human families, they require regular attention and love in addition to the basics of food, water, shelter, and health care. The quality of your relationship with your dog depends on you meeting all of his or her needs, such as: Food and Water. Puppies (up to one year old) should be fed three to four times throughout the day. Adult dogs (one year and up) should be fed once or twice a day. Feed only brand-name dog food formulated for your dog's age, and follow your veterinarian's advice as to the amount to feed your dog. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Do not feed: generic dog food, table scraps, cat food, real bones, table scraps, or milk (which can cause diarrhea). Housetraining. Successful housetraining begins with establishing a consistent routine. Each day at specific times (such as after mealtime, after naps, and before bedtime), take the dog outside to the area you have designated. Always praise for elimination. Remember, the younger the dog, the more frequent the need for elimination. Puppies under five months old are just developing bladder and bowel control, and may be prone to more accidents in the house. Punishing a dog for eliminating inside will not help, and may lead to other behavior problems. Praise, patience and consistency are the most effective ways to train a dog of any age. Health Care. Take your new puppy or dog to the veterinarian right away. Your vet will give your dog a complete physical as well as all of the necessary inoculations that will protect your dog from a variety of life-threatening canine diseases. Thereafter, an annual visit for a complete check-up and shots are necessary. In the event of an injury or other health problem, seek the advice and care of a veterinarian immediately. Outdoor Dangers. City ordinances and common sense dictate that your puppy or dog should always be walked on a leash and never be allowed off your property without restraint. Always pick up after your dog eliminates. Dogs allowed to roam outside are not "free"--they are in great danger from cars, other animals, poisons, excessive heat and cold, and abusive people, to name but a few. Furthermore, stray dogs may become nuisances in the neighborhood. Supervision. A puppy needs a great deal of supervision for its safety, easy of housetraining, and proper socialization. No dog, puppy or adult, should be left unsupervised in a yard or with young children. "Pet proof" your home by keeping all household cleaners, electrical cords, garbage, and breakable objects safely away from your dog. Also, many common household plants are poisonous to your dog. You may obtain a free list of these plants from The Anti-Cruelty Society. Spaying and Neutering. Dogs have no emotional or physical need to reproduce, and therefore should be spayed or neutered. These simple, routine operations can be safely performed from as early as eight weeks of age. In addition to ensuring that your dog cannot reproduce (thereby adding to the severe overpopulation problem), spaying and neutering also help prevent certain common cancers and may help to alleviate some behavior problems. Identification. All dogs should wear a collar and name tag at all times. Make sure the collar is not too loose or too tight, and remember to adjust or change the collar as the animal grows. Even though dogs who are kept indoors and walked on leashes are far less likely to get lost, they may accidentally get loose. If this happens, a name tag may help them if they are found in time by a responsible person. Another form of identification you may consider is the microchip. With this method, a tiny microchip is injected just under your dog's skin. For the life of your pet, the information on this chip can be read by animal welfare agencies using a special scanner. Chewing. For their entire lives, dogs have a need to chew. Puppies are especially prone to chewing. Discourage inappropriate chewing by training your puppy or dog to chew on acceptable objects, such as rawhide and other "fake" bones, hard dog biscuits, and hard rubber toys. Never give your dog a toy that is small enough to be swallowed. Shoes and socks are not appropriate chew toys--dogs cannot tell the difference between "old" and "new" shoes or socks. Grooming. Regular brushing will help to remove loose hair and keep your dog's coat clean and shiny between baths. Bathe your dog no more than once a month, and only use a shampoo formulated especially for dogs. Some dogs may require professional grooming. In the summer, check for fleas, ticks, and other skin problems. In the winter, make sure your dog=s feet are free from ice or salt. Trim nails as directed by your vet every few weeks to keep them from getting too long (which can cause physical problems). Check your dog's teeth and gums every couple of weeks. Clean them with cotton, gauze, or a small toothbrush soaked in baking soda and water. This will help prevent tartar build-up. Furthermore, check your dog's ears for excessive wax build-up or infection. Exercise and Play. Always walk your dog on a sturdy leash. Also, make sure to pick-up after your dog every time he or she eliminates. Dogs love and need to play, but make sure the games you choose teaching "good" lessons. For example, "fetch" builds a cooperative relationship between you and your dog, while "tug-of-war" builds an adversarial relationship. Bedding. Provide your puppy or dog with its own bed away from heavy traffic areas. All dogs, especially puppies, require sleep during the day as well as at night. Obedience Training. All dogs and owners should go through an obedience training course. Not only will you learn to understand the actions of your dog, you will also learn the proper ways to communicate with him or her. This will make your relationship with your dog more pleasurable, and your dog will better understand the rules of your home. The Anti-Cruelty Society can provide you with , as well as information about the obedience classes which are offered. Behavior Problems. If your are experiencing behavior problems with your pet, first check with a veterinarian to see if the problem is being caused by a physical or health problem. For behavior advice, you may consult the at The Anti-Cruelty Society. Most problems can be corrected over time with knowledge and patience. |
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