Choose
a dry food intended specifically for puppies. Always go for brand
name puppy food because it is impossible to distinguish good dog
food from poor dog food simply by looking at the ingredient list
on the label. Many things that owners look for, such as high protein
levels and extra vitamins, are more likely to be harmful than helpful.
For example, overfeeding and over supplementation are factors contributing
to hip dysplasia. If you have a large-breed puppy, purchase "large
breed" puppy food. The actual formula is different, not just
the the kibble size, and is better for very rapidly growing puppies.
Much has been learned about puppy nutrition and we know that, just
as with people, healthy foods promote longer, healthier lives. We
suggest feeding one of our Breeder's Choice premium dry puppy foods,
2-3 times per day. Feeding a dry food helps control tartar and plaque
build-up. It will also help to speed up the teething process due
to loosening up the teeth to come in. If your puppy has sensitivity
to a harder food you can moisten the food with warm water. We also
offer puppy food in can formulas too!
Treats that are reasonably balanced, such as Milk Bone Biscuits
are OK, but since they are not really all that great nutritionally,
don't let them become an important part of the diet. Canned puppy
food is perfectly all right, but feeding dry food because it is
cheaper, easier to use, and better for the teeth.
Between
six and sixteen weeks of age, puppies lose the disease protection
they received from their mothers and become able to form their own
immunity to disease. New vaccines for distemper and parvovirus are
much more effective than what we had even two or three years ago,
and eliminate much of this problem. Also, since the new vaccines
work better we don't have to give as many, which save money.
Until your puppy is four or five months old, try
to prevent contact with stray dogs or sick dogs. Avoid boarding
your puppy or taking her places like highway rest stops where lots
of other dogs go to the bathroom.
Following
are some of the infectious diseases that may affect your Puppy
Canine Distemper:
• This is a widespread viral disease which carries a high
death or mortality rate. The virus is spread through droplet infection
from the eyes and nose and from fecal and urine spread. Signs include
high fever, nasal and ocular discharge, coughing, pneumonia, diarrhea,
vomiting, and neurological symptoms. The disease is easily spread
and exposure is considered inevitable during the dog’s lifetime.
Canine Parvovirus:
• This is a widespread virus that is spread through the feces
in the environment. Puppies with this infection have gastrointestinal
symptoms including vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, and
severe diarrhea with or without blood. Most puppies are hospitalized
for treatment and the disease carries a moderate mortality rate.
This virus can infect the heart muscle.
Canine Hepatitis:
• A viral infection caused by an adenovirus present worldwide.
This disease infects the liver, eye, nervous tissue, lungs, and
kidney. It is commonly spread through the urine and saliva of dogs.
Signs include increased thirst, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, fever,
corneal opacity (blue eye), and bleeding tendencies. Most symptoms
are those associated with hepatitis. This disease carries a moderate
mortality risk.
Canine Leptospirosis:
• A bacterial infection which is spread through the urine
of rodents and other infected wildlife, urine of infected dogs,
or contaminated water. It is commonly found in rat urine. The disease
infects the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract causing high fever,
kidney damage, jaundice, hemorrhage, pain, and bloody diarrhea.
This disease can be transmitted from dog to human. There are multiple
strains or serovars of Leptospirosis and not all strains are in
certain vaccines. Only your veterinarian can determine if your puppy
needs to be vaccinated and which strain of vaccine should be used.
Canine Bordetella or Canine Cough:
• This respiratory disease is really a combination of Bordetella
(a bacteria) and Parainfluenza (a virus) which are usually combined
in a vaccine. This is a very common infection that causes mild to
severe respiratory symptoms in the puppy. These different organisms
work together in the respiratory tract to cause sneezing, gagging,
and coughing. The cough can be moderate to severe and is described
as a dry “honking” cough, especially of the throat area
is touched. The disease can progress into bronchopneumonia. It is
very commonly spread through contaminated droplets from the mouth
or lungs or by direct contact. The disease is very easily spread
in grooming shops, kennels, parks, dog shows, or any place where
puppies or dogs are grouped together. The vaccine can be given by
injection and/or nasal drops.
Canine Coronavirus:
• A virus causing mild gastroenteritis with symptoms of diarrhea
and vomiting. The puppy may also be lethargic and depressed. The
spread is through contaminated feces. This disease is much less
severe than Parvovirus and is not found in all areas of the country.
Rabies:
• A fatal viral disease that infects all warm-blooded animals.
The virus is spread through saliva from an infected animal which
is usually spread through a bite wound or scratch. The nervous system
is infected producing behavioral changes, changes in co-ordination,
viciousness in dogs, paralysis of the muscles of the jaw, and seizures.
Rabies is fatal in all animals and humans. Rabies vaccine is mandated
by law and the duration of vaccine is regulated by each state.
Some
of the worms that may infest your Puppy
Roundworms & Hookworms:
These are otherwise known as Nematodes which are a group of worms
which can vary considerably in their life cycleThese are seen in
the gasto-elementary system of your Puppies. Round worms are serious
issue in case of Puppies because heavy load of worms can lead to
death. Puppies show signs of worm infestation in many ways. From
a few weeks of age, coughing, pneumonia and failing to gain weight
occur. This can develop into a pot belly and diarrhoea with increasing
weakness, vomiting, emaciation and death. Puppies and sometimes
older dogs may well vomit up large quantities of worms which owners
occasionally mistake for elastic bands as they are often coiled.
The worms themselves are usually a buff colour.Regular deworming
is necessary to avoid infestation in puppies
Tapeworm:
If you see little short white worms (1/2 inch long or less), these
are probably tapeworm segments. When the segments dry they look
like grains of brown rice and may stick to your dog's hair. If you
see anything like this, take your puppy to a vet and he will dispense
medicine to use at home. Prescription tapeworm drugs are extremely
effective, very safe, and cause no discomfort whatever. Non prescription
tapeworm medications don't work very well and often cause intestinal
cramps and diarrhea.
Heartworms:
Heartworm disease can kill, so it is vital to protect your puppy
from day one. Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes which transfer
the parasite from infected dogs to new host puppies and dogs. Adult
heartworm can grow up to 30 cm long. They live in the blood vessels
of the heart and lungs, restricting blood flow, which can lead to
heart failure.The first signs of heartworm infection are usually
a cough, lack of energy, weight loss, loss of coat condition and
a reduction in your dog’s ability to exercise. Your veterinarian
can test to see if your dog is infected. Treatment is available.
However, prevention is the key.
Consult
with your local veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccination
schedule for your dog. Recommendations vary depending on the age,
breed, and health status of the dog, the potential of the dog to
be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the dog
is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the dog lives
or may visit.
Puppies
have a strong natural instinct to avoid soiling their own area.
If you are consistent and patient, this natural urge for cleanliness
makes house training fairly easy. You can begin training any time
after five weeks of age. A little extra effort and patience in puppyhood
will make the difference later on between a happy, cooperative pet
and one that causes problems for you.
When your puppy asks for attention, you probably respond by petting,
which is only natural. Begin using these requests to show that you
are the teacher and your puppy is the learner. It may sound silly
but it's important to establish this relationship early in puppyhood.
At first, feed at least three times a day. All dogs do not have
the same digestive rates-you may need to feed your puppy as often
as five times a day in order to avoid overloading his system and
causing loose, difficult-to-control bowel movements. When you find
the right schedule, the result is a dog that eats and then has a
bowel movement within a few minutes.
Feed indoors. Remember, dogs do not like to eliminate where they
eat. If your dog is urinating or defecating in a certain area, try
feeding him right at that spot (after clean up, of course.)
Right after your dog finishes eating, chase him out good naturedly
to his toilet area, ahead of you if possible. Then let him sniff
around for a good spot. Do not confuse things by urging him to go.
After he goes to the bathroom, crouch down and point at the urine
or fecal matter and say "good dog". Look right at the
stuff, not at the dog. If your dog sniffs it, praise and pet him
enthusiastically.Take your puppy outside after waking up, even from
a nap,after extreme excitement, after drinking water,after prolonged
chewing on a toy, etc. If he starts sniffing around the house for
a good spot.In
about four days your pup should automatically head for his proper
place after meals or whenever the urge strikes. If it takes longer,
be patient. After this stage of house training, your puppy knows
where to go, but not when to go. Do not try to teach self control
(the "when" part) until you can be sure he will always
head for the door when it's time to go.
To teach self control, you must keep feeding times consistent. Don't
feed at 7:30 a.m. on week days and then sleep in on Sunday--you'll
ruin the whole program. Dogs can control their urine for as long
as thirteen hours when they need to. To teach self control, you
should try to let your dog outdoors only at times when you are ordinarily
home to do so. Whenever you see signs that your pup wants to go
to the bathroom during the forbidden hours, try to distract him
by tossing a ball, playing with a toy or doing any activity that
will take his mind off the urge.
If possible, have your puppy sleep in a room with people. Because
he will be inclined to tune into your sleeping times, there will
be fewer accidents and less night time disturbance. Given a little
blanket as a bed, most puppies soon learn to sleep through the entire
night.
The
reason dogs are such good pets and fit so well into human society
is that they are social animals by nature. Their greatest psychological
need is to be part of a group. Whether it's a family of just you
and puppy, or a boisterous household full of children and pets,
in order to be happy your new puppy must feel secure about her place
in the group.
If you watch puppies at play, you will see a lot of growling and
tussling. There is more to this play fighting than meets the eye.
Those little guys are already deciding who is going to be "top
dog". Whether you realize it or not, something very much like
this play fighting is happening at home between your puppy and the
rest of the family.
To be confident and secure what puppies need most is a master they
can depend on. For your dog to have a happy life and be a pleasure
to own, at least one person in the family must become such a master.
Dogs have no mental concept of "friends and equals". Somebody
has to be boss. Assertive puppies will grow up trying to be boss,
which won't make either one of you happy. A submissive puppy may
spend its entire life fretting and worrying, never sure what is
expected. Everything usually works out just fine automatically--puppies
find their place in the family without much trouble and everyone
is happy with the arrangement. If, on the other hand, you have a
strongly assertive or unusually submissive pet there are some things
you should keep in mind.
Don't
give your puppy anything small enough to swallow that can't be digested,
or things that can be chewed into large indigestible chunks and
swallowed.Chicken
bones, rib bones, and pork bones are the most likely to cause trouble.
Old gooey rawhide chews or bones from the butcher that have been
around for a few days get rotten and stinky and cause diarrhea.
If you give things like this (not really a good idea), use good
sense. Bones should be too large to swallow and solid enough that
they won't be broken up into smaller chunks. Hooves, pig's ears,
and miscellaneous semi-digestible treats probably aren't a good
idea either, but if you use them be sure they are too large to be
swallowed whole, or small enough to go all the way through. Instead,
we suggest using flavored Nylabone or Nylafloss chew toys. If your
puppy first learns to prefer bones and rawhide, he probably won't
think chew toys are all that great, so use them from the beginning.
Nylafloss looks like a big thick chunk of nylon rope. Puppies like
it because they can really sink their teeth into the rope, and it
helps keep the teeth clean.
