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PUPPY ADVISE, VACCINATIONS, AND INFORMATION

Vaccinations

Puppies receive their first antibodies through their mother's milk. Most pups receive their first vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age. A second & third set of shots should be given at 9-11 weeks and 12-16 weeks. After that, you'll need to take your dog to the Veterinarian's office at least once a year for booster inoculations and an annual health exam. This trip is necessary even if your dog seems perfectly healthy. Without regular checkups and shots, your dog can become deathly ill and may die. ***PLEASE NOTE*** Do not take your puppy to public places like: puppy classes, dog parks, and rest areas until they have had all their sets of puppy vaccinations. It is better to be safe than sorry. You would not want to expose your dog to a contagious disease that could be fatal, and parvio can be spread by nose to nose contact, along with coming into contact with feces that is infected. 

Neutering

Neutering your dog is strongly recommended if you do not have an agreement to breed your dog. Most breeders will insist on this. Neutering your pet can help prevent disease in later life. The decision not to breed your pet ensures that he or she won't add to the population of America's homeless dogs. Each year, the majority of these unwanted pets must be humanely killed in animal shelters. If you breed, YOU are responsible for each puppy brought into this world. Also, breeders spend many years investigating dogs and their lines. Breeding is nothing to be taken lightly. Consult your vet for the best age at which to neuter your puppy.

Obedience Training

Most dogs are joyous, effusive animals and often blessed with lots of energy. For your sake, for the peace of the neighborhood and for the pups own safety, train your pup to respond to the basic commands. There are many obedience classes to which you can take your puppy for training. Talk with your Vet who may have a list of locations. Petsmart does offer obedience training. Call them for information and times.

Separation Anxiety

  • To help your pet become accustomed to daily separation, here are some guidelines:
  • Place your puppy in the area he is expected to stay when you are not home. Put on a radio and give him his toys to play with.
  • Leave the house in a calm, upbeat and positive manner. Don't act unhappy or upset at the fact that you must part from your pet.
  • Practice departing. Pick up your keys, put on your coat & say good-bye to the puppy then return in two or more minutes. Gradually increase the length of your absences until you can stay away for an hour or more without causing your pet to whine or chew on things. Repetitions of this sequence will help the pup get used to seeing you leave and understand that you'll be back.

The New Puppy

The act of buying a dog is often an impulsive move. Hopefully, this is a well thought out decison for you and your family instead of a impulsive buy. When you bring home a pet, you commit yourself to providing affection, play, training, grooming and exercise, in addition to food, shelter and medical care throughout his life. Be sure to think about these responsibilities before making your purchase.

Once you've brought your puppy home, you can't expect him to behave like a perfect house guest until you've invested the time and attention it takes to train him well.

Even through you're excited about your puppy, don't invite the neighborhood over to meet your new dog on his first days home. Spend some time getting to know him and letting him get to know you. Remember, he has just been moved to a new environment. Let your puppy get used to your family and his new environment in a calm, leisurely way. Take time to play, but give him a chance to sleep whenever he seems tired. TEACH THE CHILDREN TO TREAT HIM GENTLY AND TO LET HIM BE WHILE HE'S RESTING OR EATING.

Before your puppy arrives at your home, place his food and water dishes in the area in which you intend to keep him. Have his bed ready which may be an old, soft blanket placed in a quiet corner that's free from drafts. It's a good idea to set up the bed in the room or area where you intend to confine your puppy while away. The ideal would be to place him in a crate. (This is his own special place. As he grows older, he will go there on his own when he wants to rest.) Leave a radio playing to keep him company.

Your puppy will probably cry during his first few nights at home. Although the cries may be heartbreaking, you should leave him alone. After two or three nights, he'll grow accustomed to his new surrounding. Take the puppy to the vet within the first 48 hours that you have him. Even though his health is probably good, this will assure you of his health and it is only fair to the breeder that if anything is wrong, the pup can be returned immediately.

During the first few weeks, a young puppy needs twice the adult requirements of most nutrients. Remember to keep fresh, clean drinking water available at all times. Consult with your breeder on the type of food the puppy is used to eating. The food should be one that is high in protein. The puppy should be fed three times a day. Scheduling his meals make housebreaking easier.

. FLEAS:

2012 was a horrible year for fleas and ticks. They are always unwanted. However, I recommend preventative medicine. My dogs go on walks, go to the lake, and are very active and social, and they can encounter fleas anywhere, even at the Veterinarian office. So...the best medicine is to keep one step ahead of them. I use Sentinel for my dogs it takes care of heartworm and fleas. See their website:

http://www.sentinelpet.com/index.html

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