Post by Allison Allen on Oct 17, 2003 22:46:33 GMT -5
The ten golden rules of puppy care
> Owning a puppy can be a lot of fun and highly rewarding – however, there
> are a lot of responsibilities involved. Here, we've compiled a list of
> `golden rules' to help remind you of some of the more important things
> you need to know about raising a puppy.
Rule 1
> Training starts on day one
>
> Since dogs aren't born fully trained, your puppy will be looking to you
> for guidance. Good training plays a big role in ensuring a happy and
> successful relationship between you and your dog. Through training, your
> dog will learn to understand what his human companions expect of him and
> be better equipped to fit into his environment. Likewise, the better you
> understand your dog's behavior, the more rewarding your relationship
> will be.
>
Rule 2
> A puppy needs a balanced diet
>
> What you feed your puppy really matters. In fact, he needs special
> nutrition with just the right amounts of protein, fats, minerals and
> vitamins. A puppy's diet must also be balanced so he receives the right
> amount of nutrients. Food should be concentrated to allow him to take in
> all the needed nutrients with a small amount of food. And always make
> sure your puppy gets plenty of fresh, clean water.
> Rule 3
> Keep your puppy well groomed
>
> Start grooming your puppy at an early age. The earlier your dog gets to
> know the procedure, the more readily he will get used to it.
>
> Rule 4
> Puppies need regular dental care
>
> Taking care of your puppy's teeth now will prevent a lot of problems
> later on in his life. In fact, the number one health problem for dogs,
> apart from being overweight, is periodontal disease. The accumulation of
> tartar and plaque and the resulting gingivitis can lead to more serious
> disease. So start brushing your puppy's teeth now, because most dogs
> over two years of age who haven't received regular dental care have
> these dental problems.
> Rule 5
> Exercise your puppy daily
>
> Part of the normal routine for a healthy puppy is regular exercise. The
> amount your dog needs will depend not only on his size, but also on his
> breed. Don't make the mistake of over-exercising your puppy, however. A
> growing puppy's bones aren't yet strong enough to cope with the extra
> stress this puts on him
>
> Rule 6
> Regular vet check ups
>
> Ideally, you should choose a vet even before bringing your puppy home.
> Then, once your puppy is home, you should take him in to the vet within
> the next day or so for an overall check-up. In the first few months,
> there'll be several visits to the vet for various vaccinations and
> spaying/neutering. Once your pup reaches adulthood, at least one visit a
> year is required to ensure his ongoing good health.
> Rule 7
> Give your puppy home health checks
>
> You can play a big role in keeping your puppy healthy by doing health
> check ups at home. Checking his weight, coat and skin, eyes and ears,
> teeth and gums, and doing spot checks can prevent little problems from
> turning into big ones.
> Rule 8
> Introduce your puppy to other dogs
>
> One of the best ways to teach good canine manners is to allow your puppy
> to interact with an adult dog. Most adult dogs won't be aggressive
> toward a puppy though sometimes, a big dog will find a way to put a
> puppy in its place, perhaps with a growl or a snap. Don't prevent an
> adult dog from doing this, since puppies learn to limit the strength of
> their bite and how to control themselves. If you prevent an older dog
> from controlling a puppy, then the puppy soon learns to think of himself
> as the boss and that he can do anything he wants
> Rule 9
> Reward good behavior
>
> Positive reinforcement is a powerful way to make your puppy a
> well-behaved member of your family. Reward him with a treat or praise
> when he does what you tell him. This will encourage the repetition of
> good behavior and will increase the likelihood that he will repeat the
> desired behavior in the future.
> Rule 10
> Be patient
>
> Raising a puppy requires a lot of love and even more patience. Educate
> yourself by reading as much as you can about raising a dog, talking to
> other dog owners and communicating with your vet. This will eliminate
> many "surprises" along the way, and will put you well on the path to
> building a strong, long-lasting relationship with your puppy.
> Owning a puppy can be a lot of fun and highly rewarding – however, there
> are a lot of responsibilities involved. Here, we've compiled a list of
> `golden rules' to help remind you of some of the more important things
> you need to know about raising a puppy.
Rule 1
> Training starts on day one
>
> Since dogs aren't born fully trained, your puppy will be looking to you
> for guidance. Good training plays a big role in ensuring a happy and
> successful relationship between you and your dog. Through training, your
> dog will learn to understand what his human companions expect of him and
> be better equipped to fit into his environment. Likewise, the better you
> understand your dog's behavior, the more rewarding your relationship
> will be.
>
Rule 2
> A puppy needs a balanced diet
>
> What you feed your puppy really matters. In fact, he needs special
> nutrition with just the right amounts of protein, fats, minerals and
> vitamins. A puppy's diet must also be balanced so he receives the right
> amount of nutrients. Food should be concentrated to allow him to take in
> all the needed nutrients with a small amount of food. And always make
> sure your puppy gets plenty of fresh, clean water.
> Rule 3
> Keep your puppy well groomed
>
> Start grooming your puppy at an early age. The earlier your dog gets to
> know the procedure, the more readily he will get used to it.
>
> Rule 4
> Puppies need regular dental care
>
> Taking care of your puppy's teeth now will prevent a lot of problems
> later on in his life. In fact, the number one health problem for dogs,
> apart from being overweight, is periodontal disease. The accumulation of
> tartar and plaque and the resulting gingivitis can lead to more serious
> disease. So start brushing your puppy's teeth now, because most dogs
> over two years of age who haven't received regular dental care have
> these dental problems.
> Rule 5
> Exercise your puppy daily
>
> Part of the normal routine for a healthy puppy is regular exercise. The
> amount your dog needs will depend not only on his size, but also on his
> breed. Don't make the mistake of over-exercising your puppy, however. A
> growing puppy's bones aren't yet strong enough to cope with the extra
> stress this puts on him
>
> Rule 6
> Regular vet check ups
>
> Ideally, you should choose a vet even before bringing your puppy home.
> Then, once your puppy is home, you should take him in to the vet within
> the next day or so for an overall check-up. In the first few months,
> there'll be several visits to the vet for various vaccinations and
> spaying/neutering. Once your pup reaches adulthood, at least one visit a
> year is required to ensure his ongoing good health.
> Rule 7
> Give your puppy home health checks
>
> You can play a big role in keeping your puppy healthy by doing health
> check ups at home. Checking his weight, coat and skin, eyes and ears,
> teeth and gums, and doing spot checks can prevent little problems from
> turning into big ones.
> Rule 8
> Introduce your puppy to other dogs
>
> One of the best ways to teach good canine manners is to allow your puppy
> to interact with an adult dog. Most adult dogs won't be aggressive
> toward a puppy though sometimes, a big dog will find a way to put a
> puppy in its place, perhaps with a growl or a snap. Don't prevent an
> adult dog from doing this, since puppies learn to limit the strength of
> their bite and how to control themselves. If you prevent an older dog
> from controlling a puppy, then the puppy soon learns to think of himself
> as the boss and that he can do anything he wants
> Rule 9
> Reward good behavior
>
> Positive reinforcement is a powerful way to make your puppy a
> well-behaved member of your family. Reward him with a treat or praise
> when he does what you tell him. This will encourage the repetition of
> good behavior and will increase the likelihood that he will repeat the
> desired behavior in the future.
> Rule 10
> Be patient
>
> Raising a puppy requires a lot of love and even more patience. Educate
> yourself by reading as much as you can about raising a dog, talking to
> other dog owners and communicating with your vet. This will eliminate
> many "surprises" along the way, and will put you well on the path to
> building a strong, long-lasting relationship with your puppy.
