There are countless books available on puppy care of which most of it is common sense. These are some general points to assist in raising a puppy. Our new puppy owners are provided with a breed specific guide
Preparing the Home - Once you have chosen your puppy, it is important for you to make plans for his transition to your home which will reduce stress in the puppy. Puppy proof the house to prevent any unwanted chewing, especially electric cables! A puppy crate can help during periods when the puppy cannot be supervised.
Ensure you have all the necessary equipment such as a feeding bowl, a water bowl, newspaper, a couple of safe toys, suitable grooming equipment for the coat type, a lead, collar and name tag, and a supply of food.
When you collect the puppy, it is best for two people to make the journey so that someone can hold the puppy in the car. It may be a good idea to take some newspaper in case he is travel sick.
Your puppy will already be registered with the Kennel Club but this must be altered to show that you are the new owner. This can now be done online and the breeder will be able to advise.
Settling your new puppy into your home - Keep the first day low key . Start with gentle, consistent training and set ground rules that should be followed by all of the family. Introduce him to his sleeping area or indoor kennel in an area away from the noisy centre of your home, where any children in the house can’t disturb him when he needs a sleep. For the first few nights he may object to being left alone and whine and cry. Try to ignore it if you can and it should eventually stop. Alternatively, consider putting the indoor kennel in the bedroom. With time you can gradually move it to where you want him to sleep as an adult. It is also important for them to learn to spend short periods alone, so that separation problems do not develop as he gets older. Gradually start socialisation straight away and get him used to his new surroundings and the rest of the family. Your puppy may be off his food to start with or have diarrhoea. This can happen due to the change of environment. If it persists contact your vet. Register him with a Vet and make an appointment for a general health check-up and to talk about vaccinations, worming and flea treatment. Start a routine of grooming and handling as soon as possible. Your puppy will shed his baby teeth from the age of 3 to 6 months, to be replaced by adult teeth by the age of 7 months. Please remember that this will make his mouth sore and he will need to chew to ease the pain during this time. If your puppy shows any sign of illness, have him checked by the Vet. At this vulnerable age it is much better to be safe than sorry.
Feeding and Exercise - Feed your puppy the recommended quantity at least four times a day and stick with the food he is used to avoid stomach upsets. Stick with a diet that the puppy is used to. Make sure there is always fresh water available.
Your puppy will receive all the exercise he needs in the house and garden during the first few weeks. Over-exercise at an early age, particularly in some larger breeds, can lead to problems with bone development, if extra care is not taken. Very young puppies shouldn’t have too much exercise. By the time they have finished their vaccinations they should be ready for very short walks. Until your puppy is fully grown slowly build up the amount of exercise that you give.
Avoid letting your puppy climb the stairs or furniture and any other strenuous activity that may cause injury. Exercise periods should be limited to 5-10 minutes three times a day to start with.
Training tips - Obtain a book which can assist you with basic training techniques. Practice at home first before trying commands in public. Training should start as soon as possible, building up gradually. Remember to keep the periods short to maintain interest. Treats can be used as a reward with plenty of praise. Stick to one new command per training session at first to avoid confusing your puppy. Keep commands clear and simple and ensure all the family use the same words. Above all be patient and stop the training period if the puppy becomes disinterested. Gradually build up distractions into his training which will help when he goes out in public. Consider taking him to a local puppy training class. Get him used to a collar as soon as possible. Put it on a few times a day until he ignores it. Once he has mastered that attach the lead and encourage him to walk around the house. Progress to the garden and by the time he is full inoculated he will be ready for walks. Getting him used to car travel from an early age is essential.
Puppy Care
ay the command you intend to use and ignore him otherwise he will think it is play time. There will be the odd accident but teaching him to use paper in the house will make the process longer. Be prepared to get up during the night as a puppy will want to go to the loo every couple of hours. Puppy Healthcare – Get your puppy checked by your vet within 48 hours of taking him home. If for any reason the vet is unhappy with the health of your puppy the breeder should be contacted immediately, reputable breeders would rather know of any problems and help deal with them accordingly. If there is a particular health problem with your puppy that you and your vet feel should be dealt with by the breeder, again reputable breeders will take the puppy back and give a full refund, or alternatively replace your puppy with another that you are happy with. Should your new puppy show any signs of illness, ensure you seek early veterinary advice. It is important for you to accustom your puppy to being examined regularly. Check his entire body including his ears, mouth, eyes, and paws. This will allow you to check your pet's general health and also make it easier should you need to administer any veterinary treatment that may be necessary in the future.
