Puppy Needs

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VET CHECK: Vaccinations are only a small part of the service that a vet provides. A thorough physical exam by your vet is the foundation of a good start to proper health care for your pup. Your vet checks for proper developing mouth, eyes, ear infections, mites, and other problems not visibly obvious.

FLEA CONTROL: Advantage and Frontline are the only topical controls that remain topical. Products sold at pet supply and grocery stores contain concentrated doses of insecticides. These look-a-likes not only kill fleas but also affect the nervous system of your pet, children and yourself. Toxic reactions to these products can be serious. There are several internal flea control products available if you prefer because of children touching until the topical is dried. Talk with your vet about these if you prefer internal instead of topical flea control.

IF YOUR NEW PUPPY VOMITS: Intestinal worms are a common cause of vomiting. Another cause of vomiting in pups is gorging on food, especially if mealtime is followed by vigorous play. Vomiting by a puppy that has diarrhea, decreased or lack of appetite, lethargy (lifelessness), weight loss or acts sick in any way may have a more serious cause, such as parvo virus infection or intestinal obstruction. Because some disorders can be life-threatening, you should seek veterinary care.

HOUSETRAINING: Until he's about 3 months old, your puppy has to relieve himself quite often. Timing is everything. Your puppy needs to go after eating, playing or after a walk, about every two hours during the day. Remember keeping to a regular schedule of meals and walks will make it easier. Don't end the walk abruptly as soon as he relieves himself, end the trip outside in fun. He will figure out that holding it will result in more fun time. Always let him know when he's been good. Good boy said cheerfully. Watch him close and if he acts like he's going to "go," say no and quickly take him outside. Never give delayed punishment. If you punish him later, he will act guilty hanging his head and look sad but this does not mean he understands; he just understands you are unhappy with him. NEVER RUB HIS NOSE IN IT!! This can make him sick. Provide him with his own special place. Confine him anytime you are not watching him. A puppy is less likely to relieve himself in a confined space and more likely to hold it until his walk.

CRATE TRAINING: Although many owners are reluctant to train their pup to use a crate, doing so can ease the housebreaking period, help puppies to travel safe, and give them a comfortable place to retreat for peace and quite. Most pups think of their crate as a den, especially with a towel or pillowy liner. Since dogs don't spoil their den, it is quite appropriate. Make sure the crate is well ventilated and room to comfortably stand up and turn around but don't go too big. Never leave your puppy in a crate too long. Although they may make it through the night, never leave a pup crated for more than a few hours and leave fresh water. Accidents happen; be sure to clean the crate thoroughly. Despite the negative associations owners often have with crates, when properly taught, most dogs really learn to like their crates. Never use a crate as punishment but for sleep and relaxation.

PUPPY PROOF YOUR HOUSE: Your puppy is naturally inquisitive about his new environment. He can't wait to investigate, and maybe chew or taste, everything within his reach. A few hazards you should inspect for are: electrical cords-tuck them where he can't get to them, medicines-make sure they are stored high about his reach, and poisons (household chemicals)-check to see no cleaners, polishes, insecticides, rodent poisons, or other chemicals have been left at puppy level or in easy to open cabinets.

GROOMING: If a gentle shampoo is used, a dog can be bathed weekly without drying out the coat. Brush dog thoroughly before bathing to remove dead hair and mats that tangle when wet. Cotton balls placed in ears keep water from getting in. Use fairly warm water. Nail trimming may be a little tough at first but can be accomplished without trauma. Puppies nails grow quickly. Regular trims make the pup accustomed. Clip the tip only, avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or you may cause bleeding. Check and clean pads of their feet, especially in winter. End the experiences with a treat.

MY OWN PERSONAL TIPS:

1. YOGURT~~Stress of any kind; new home, change of water, change of food, etc., can make a pups bowels loose. One teaspoon daily will help put natural bacteria into the intestines. Give 3 -4 days.

2. IF THEY CAN'T JUMP ON IT, NEVER LET THEM JUMP OFF IT!! A dachshunds back is the most vulnerable point of the dog. If they can't jump on the couch, never let them jump off of it. So if you are watching T.v. and have to do something, place the pup off the couch in his bed to sleep or on the floor. Good rule of thumb.

3. CONTROL FOOD~~If you control the input, you control the output. Never leave food down for a puppy. If you think about it, they can eat when you eat. Within approximately 10 minutes they will need to go outside so this is a good time for that walk.

4. PLENTY OF CHEW TOYS~~ If you have them plenty of appropriate chew toys, hopefully they will not chew on thing they shouldn't, like your new leather shoes.

5. BRUSH THEIR TEETH~~ I saw the other day that brushing a dog teeth can add two years to their life. Chew things like the dent-a-bones or greenies are good, dental wipes or wash are better, brushing is best. They have special toothpaste in beef flavor. Starting early will get the pup used to having their teeth brushed.

6. FEET ARE TOUCHY~~ A dachshunds feet are sensitive. If you fettle, (rub, play, mess with) their feet while laying or sleeping beside you, you will get them used to having their feet touched and making nail trimming easier.

PLANTS POISONOUS TO DOGS

The great variety of potentially poisonous plants and shrubs makes identification difficult or impossible-unless the owner has direct knowledge that his dog has eaten a certain plan or produce. Most cases suspected of being malicious poisoning actually are not.

Toxic plants may contain a wide variety of poisons. Most cause vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps. Some cause tremors, heart and respiratory and/or kidney problems, which are difficult for owner to interpret:

Amaryllis

Asparagus fern

Azalea

Bird of Paradise

Creeping Charlie

Crown of Thorns

Elephant Ears

Glocal Ivy

Heart Ivy

Ivy

Jerusalem Cherry

Needlepoint Ivy

Pot Mum

Ripple Ivy

Spider Mum

Sprangeri Fern

Umbrella Plant

Produce vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea:

Horse Chestnut

Buckeye

Rain Tree

Monkey Pod

American Yew

English Yew

Western Yew

English Holly

Privet

Mock Orange

Bird of Paradise

Black Locust

Apricot, Almond

Peach, Cherry

Wild Cherry

Japanese Plum

Balsam Pear

Plants with varied toxic effects:

Rhubarb

Spinach

Tomato Vine

Loco Weed

Lupine

Dologeton

Buttercup

Nightshade

Poison Hemlock

Jimson Weed

Pig Weed

Water Hemlock

Mushrooms

Moonseed

May Apple

Dutchman's Breeches

Mescal Bean

Angel's Trumpet

Jasmine

Matrimony Vine

SOCIALIZING PUPPY: From the time your puppy is 7 weeks until he is about 9 months old, he/she is in a crucial stage of development, mentally as well as physically. This mental development is what shapes his behavior and personality from then on. You don't want a puppy that when grown will not be able to handle new people, surroundings and other animals. When he has finished his puppy shots for his protection, let him visit places with other people and pets to "socialize" him. There are pet stores that let you shop with your new family member, parks, tracks, and even events for puppies. Check out the puppy classes. Get him out in the big, wide world to enjoy it and you can show off your new baby.

CHOCOLATE: Chocolate contains theobromine, a first cousin to caffeine. Unsweetened or baking chocolate has 10 times as much as sweetened does. This chemical causes the amount of calcium to increase to the cells, causes an increase in heart rate, and causes the adrenal to release hormones. In high enough quantities, it can stop the heart. Chocolate remains in a dogs blood stream much longer in a dog than in people. Chocolate can also, even in small amounts, be cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

FEEDING PUPPY FROM THE TABLE: A steady diet of table scraps can create a serious nutritional imbalance. The premium puppy food you feed is undone by supplementing it with "junk food." The canine stomach was not built for people food. Spices that we take for granted in our favorite dishes can cause gastrointestinal upset in puppies. A puppy regularly fed table food is more likely to become overweight. So when tempted to feed from the table, DON'T. If you just can't resist when the pup is older, feed a carrot or green bean. They get enough carbohydrate in their dog food.

0-3 months~~4 feedings per day

3-6 months~~3 feedings per day

6 months up~~2 feedings per day

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Give you new puppy a place to call their own; a safe haven to add familiarity and structure to their world. Set up a small area or room with separate sections for feeding, sleeping, and eliminating. Establish a routine that works with your schedule. If your puppy is going to be alone for periods of time, it is best to get her use to that in the beginning. And establish who is boss now. If you let them get away with being naughty now it will become a habit. BUT remember discipline gentle and reward good behavior.

Teething: During the difficult teething phase (3-6 months) your puppy need your patience more than ever. Like human infants, they have a natural need to chew ~ unlike a human baby, your puppies teeth are sharp! To minimize damage to shoes and other things rotate giving the puppy a nice selection of chew toys. If you catch them chewing something other than their chewies, clap you hands and say "no". Then immediately replace with one of their chew toys. Remember praise is the key--not fear.

Traveling with Pup: It's lots of fun taking a pup along on a trip but you they have certain needs too. Be certain you puppy is in good health. Even if his vaccinations are current, it is wise to arrange a travel physical with your vet. A week or so before a car trip, take a few short rides with your puppy to acquaint them with travel if they are not used to traveling. If motion sickness is an issue, consult your vet. Plan to keep control of your pup at all times. Make sure if they are not in a crate that they are strapped in. Be sure a collar and tag are on them and you have a leash for bathroom breaks when you take one. Never leave your pup unattended in a closed car. A little water offered if the trip is a long one but food is not always required. In fact, it could make them nauseous. Check with your hotel to make sure they welcome pets. Offer food and water sparingly when you arrive.

MEETING THE CHILDREN: You should have no trouble at all encouraging your children to play with you new pup. Still, you will want to supervise their first interactions with your kids and set playtime limits---about 15-20 minutes two or three times a day. Ground rules are no rough teasing or playing. Tell your kids that tail-pulling and teasing can lead to bad habits like jumping up. Tell the kids never to shout at the pup, even if he does something wrong. Explain the pup can be startled by loud noises.

INTRODUCING OTHER PETS: Do it gradually. Keep them separated for the first few days. Keep them safely in their crate or behind an expandable doorway gate while you supervise their first meetings. After several days of sniffing each other, let your resident pet enter the family room while your new dog is out of his cage. Do not let them try to eat from the same bowl. Even after several day/weeks it is a good idea to have separate feeding dishes.

I.D. YOUR PET: It is crucial for you pet to have identification so they can be returned if they get lost. Collar Tag~ The most common and visible for is a tag simply attached to the pups collar to display the dog's name and your phone number. But your pet must wear his collar at all times and it is possible that the collar/tag can become detached. Tattoos~ More permanent than a tag, a tattooed pet I.D. number links your dog to the AKC's Companion Animal Recovery Program. Call 1-800-252-7894 to learn more. Microchips~ Another permanent form or I.D. is a microchip. The size of a grain of rice, it's painlessly implanted under the dog's skin. No anesthesia or surgery is required. It contains an alphanumeric code that can be read by animal shelters or vet's office equipped with a hand scanner. They then notify the chip's manufacturer that the pet has been found and the manufacturer contacts the owner.

IF YOUR PET IS LOST: First don't panic. Look all over your property including new places where your dig might try to hide. Search the neighborhood. Talk to all your neighbors and leave a note with your name and phone number at houses where no one is home. Call your pet's name frequently. Help your pet find his way home. Place his bedding or some of your dirty clothes outside your house as a homing scent. Call local veterinarians, shelters and humane societies. Also check with the Department of Transportation in case your pet was injured on the road. Post flyers in the area. Include your pet's photo, a detailed description and your phone number (but not your name or address). Place a "lost dog" ad in your local newspaper's classifieds.