Puppies

Posted in: Puppies
Puppies
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Feb 24, 2009 - 9:08:07 PM

Choosing a Puppy

Choosing the right canine for your household is very important.  Will the dog get along with kids?  Will the dog get along with other animals in the household?  Does the dog have a good disposition?  These are some of the questions you might ask when deciding what kind of dog you want. 

Are you looking for a purebred or mixed breed or just a plan old mutt?  Mixed breeds can be more affordable, whereas purebred can be quite expensive.  Don't dismiss the mutt option either from the local pound.  Mutts can be just as lovable, energetic, and loyal as the other breeds.

Size matters.  Think about how big or small the dog is that you want.  Do you have room for the pup to run and play or will it be cooped up because you don't go outside a lot.  If so, do you have a room where the pup can run free?

Personality for a puppy develops around seven weeks of age.  Spend a little time picking and choosing your dog, and you both will reap the rewards.  Make sure you can hold the puppy and cuddle him.  Drop a book during a quiet moment and see if the pup runs and hides.  Get on your hands and knees and play with the puppy to see if he responds in kind or is aggressive toward you.

There are several places to start your search.  Asking friends or your vet are good places to start.  Also, you can contact your local shelter or ASPCA for their selection of animals.  There is also a website that can help in your search – www.petfinder.com.

Basic Puppy Care – First Weeks

After you select the puppy of your dreams, you get to take him home without a manual to tell you how to succeed at raising him.  The first night is always hard because the puppy will start to miss his Mom and other siblings.  He may cry or whine through out the night.  One can hardly blame him for his actions.

The pup will need a soft, dry, and safe place to sleep.  Perhaps throw in a cloth or toy that has his litter mates or Mom's scent on it.  If you run to him when he cries, you will be reinforcing the habit.  Placing a sheet over the box or crate will get the pup used to going to sleep at that time.

Puppies are mischievous by nature, and like their feline companions, get into everything.  Be sure hazardous items like marbles, wires, rocks, and any type of harmful plants are far out of the puppy's way. 

Scolding your pup should be just like telling a child NO.  However, when you tell him NO, you should show him the correct behavior.  For example, if he is chewing up the newspaper, take it away and replace it wit one of his toys.  Praise him for chewing his toy.  Reprimands should be sharp and short.  Hitting or spanking may create more problems down the road.  The pup can become fearful, shy, or aggressive.  Always reward for proper behaviors.  Treats make a great reinforcer.  So is a simple scratch between the ears and a hug.

Feed him a dry food especially made for puppies.  Watch out for very high protein and extra vitamins as they may be harmful to your growing puppy.  Feed him two or three times a day.  Usually after fifteen minutes, the pup will have eaten all they want, so you can remove the dish.  As thy grow, after ten to twelve weeks of age, feed them one in the morning and once at night.

All of these should help your new pup get through those first horrible weeks away from his family.  The bond forming between you will last a lifetime.

Body Condition and Temperature

You must keep a watchful eye on your puppy making sure he doesn't eat too much food or too little.  Simply going by the recommended amount on the label may not be enough for a growing puppy.  He may need a little extra sometimes.  But with an increase in food, you must increase exercise or you will have an overweight puppy. 

The extra weight can put your pup at risk for heart problems, respiratory, and muscular problems.  Avoid obesity by preventing it in the first place.

If the pup is underfed, increase his ration for two weeks.  If he is growing back to where he should be, keep with the plan until he reaches an ideal weight.
If the pup is overfed, reduce the amount of food you give until he is down to an acceptable weight.  Also increase his exercise routine.

Overweight and underweight puppies have lower immune systems.  They can catch something from the dog next door or the one down the street.  Keep a watchful eye on your puppy when he is trying to maintain a stable weight. 

At least two to three times a week, be sure to check your pup's temperature to make sure there is no fever brewing.  A normal temperature for dogs is between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees.  If you are uncertain, please get the vet to show you how to do it.  You will need to lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly or mineral oil and slide it halfway into the rectum.  Leave for three minutes.  Remove and read the mercury level.  If the pup is running a fever, you should see your vet immediately.  DO NOT ever use an oral thermometer for a rectal temperature.  The readings could be off and make you think the dog is sick when he is really not.

Exercising Your Puppy

Puppies can be quite active and they need exercise to keep them in good shape.  Usually a brisk thirty to sixty minute walk can be quite invigorating for them.  If you are unable to do this every day, ensure your yard has more than adequate space for the pup to run around in and play.  You can even take the dog to the high school's track and walk it there.  Some people even train their dog to walk on the treadmill with them.  This will afford both of you some great time together and good exercise too.

Evaluate your dog's needs and formulate an exercise plan that will work for both of you.  A young puppy might like to go for a run whereas an older dog may just enjoy a nice leisurely walk.  Start out with puppies for about 15 minutes.  Build up to an hour as they get bigger and can handle it.

If you like to walk at night, use some reflective clothing so that cars will see you on the side of the road.  You can also wear light colored clothing as well.

The best time to exercise your puppy is right before or right after they have eaten.  Also provide him with very small amounts of water, a full stomach may cause upset.

Upon arriving back home, check the animal's paws to make sure there is nothing stuck in it.  Items such as glass, burrs, ice, and rocks can be removed immediately. 

Teaching your dog how to play “Fetch” can also be great exercise.  Start by rolling a toy a short distance away from the puppy and letting him go get it.  As he gets older, increase the distance you throw the toy for him.  Always give praise when he does go get the toy and bring it back to you.

Crate Training for the Puppy

Puppies generally need enclosed small places to feel secure.  Crating works because the pup feels safe in his own private place.  Some think that crating is like placing the pup in jail.  In this instance, you should never use the crate to administer punishment.

Make sure the size of the crate is comparable to the dog.  It is fine to get a larger crate if the dog will grow into it.  Use a partition board to keep the crate smaller until th pup grows.  Make sure the animal has enough room to lie down, turn around, and stand up comfortably.

Introduce him to the crate first.  Let him explore around it.  He may go in or just sniff around it at first.  He will slowly become at ease with the structure.  Begin by placing the pup in the crate for 20 minutes at a time.  If he starts to whine, you should ignore it.  Placing a cover over top of the cage also helps.  It makes the crate seem more confined.  You can also put a toy or blanket inside with him.

After twenty minutes, take him out of the crate and then straight outside to potty.  Praise him if he does.  Take him back inside afterward, and play with him for about half an hour.  Then place him back in the crate again.  If he doesn't go in, throw a treat inside.  Praise when he enters and close the door.  Try another twenty minutes.  Puppies can be confined for one hour for each month old they are plus one hour.  If your puppy is four months old, he should be ale to build up to five hours.

Never leave puppies in the crate for longer than eight hours.  They need to be let out at regular intervals to exercise and potty.  Following a schedule is the best way for a new puppy.  He will come to learn wha is expected and comply with minimal fuss.