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A New Puppy
Stop!!! Before you make
that impulse buy of a new puppy, make sure your household is ready for a new
addition and that you pick the right breed. Consider this check-list.
 | I have time in my life
for a new puppy. |
| My house can provide a
safe home for a new puppy. |
| My family supports a new
addition to the family. If you have
considered these issues and still have questions, our doctors are available
for pet pre-adoption counseling. |
| My children are old
enough to take part in responsible pet ownership. |
| I have researched
puppies and selected a breed based on suitability for our household, not
emotion. |
| I have researched
special issues, needs, or health concerns for the breed I have selected. |
| I have financial resources allotted for
the care of a new pet. |
If you have considered
these issues, you are ready to consider a new pet.
Where to
Find a Puppy
| Consider a rescue group
or local shelter. Make sure the pet has been examined by a veterinarian or
that you can take the puppy to a veterinarian for an exam with the option of
returning the puppy if problems are found. The first 2 weeks you have a pet
adopted from a shelter are the most important, diseases that the pet may have
been exposed to when confined with a large number of other dogs will usually
show up during that 2 weeks. Vaccinations and dewormings are very important
during this time. I also suggest an isolation period form other animals in
the house for this time, or at least make sure your other pets are well
vaccinated before bringing the rescue home. |
| Breeders-Contact local
dog clubs or animal hospitals to find reputable breeders. Avoid the “puppy
factory”. Look for a breeder that raises puppies for a purpose and not just
for money. I suggest avoiding “line breeding”, the practice of breeding
family members to each other. You may get the “super puppy” this way, but you
may also increase the risk of genetic problems as well. Look for a breeder
that has screened for common problems in their breed and has “bred” to
minimize these problems. Example: OFA screening to reduce hip problems in
Labs and German Shepherds. |
| The newspaper: You can
often find a family that has bred their dog for fun. They should have done
all a breeder does as well. Again, look at the pedigree and health of the
parents.
Extreme caution should be exercised when buying or receiving a "Free Puppy" in
store parking lots or on the side of the road. They are more often than not
health risks and have very sad endings. |
Always try to see both
parents. Ask about the parents' health. Look for a clean environment. A 6 to 7
week old puppy should be bright and alert, want to play with you, and should have
been dewormed at least 2 times and started on its first vaccines.
The First
Year
Your
puppies first year will be like birth through about 3rd grade in a
child’s life. There will be many health issues, diet considerations and
socialization events that must happen.
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Physical exam and
Deworming at 3 to 4 weeks |
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6-9-12-16 weeks of age
Physical exams, vaccinations for Distemper/Parvo and other puppy diseases,
additional dewormings, and starting on heartworm and flea control. |
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12 weeks of age Rabies
vaccination |
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I suggest a good quality
name brand puppy food for the first 6 months to a year. Feed a type designed
for your chosen breed. Example-large breed formula for large breeds. Make
sure your pet has a formed stool, a shinny hair coat, is growing at a proper
rate, and likes the food. Our veterinarians can help you decide on a good
food for your puppy. Somewhere between 6 and 12 months, you will need to
switch to an adult food. The timing varies with each animal and is usually
determined by body maturity and weight. |
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Puppy classes - I suggest
socialization classes. Socialization classes usually start at around 12 weeks
of age and include basic obedience as well as social skills for your new
puppy. Your pet will learn to interact with other dogs and people. If there
are no classes in your area, try to arrange for your pet to meet friends dogs
that are well mannered and are accustomed to playing with other dogs and as
many new people as you can. Play with other dogs is best done on “neutral
territory”, a place that neither dog calls home. |
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6 months old-spay females
and neuter males. It is very important to spay females before their first
“heat”. This early spay reduces the risk of breast cancer as the dog gets
older. |
After
the first year, I suggest an annual exam and vaccinations based on your dogs
life style. We will assist you in the timing of these visits
and what needs to be considered at each visit. We have several hand-outs that
deal with specific issues that you may request at any time. You will have many
questions concerning housetraining, barking, treats, etc. Please feel free to
call us with any of these concerns or questions.
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