How to Prepare for a New Puppy

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By Janet Ford
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy from DaPoochie Cavaliers - www.dapoochie.com

You're going to be bringing a new puppy into your family soon and you can barely stand the excitement. Now is the time to prepare for your new puppy and assemble all the necessary dog goodies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Author show stacking an 8 wk old Redbone Coonhound puppy

The most important thing is to assure yourself that your getting your puppy from someone reputable. Whether your puppy be purebred or a loveable mutt from an unplanned breeding, the owner of your puppies mother still needs to be held accountable for the welfare of those puppies.

Has Mom been vaccinated?
Have the puppies been vaccinated? Wormed? Vet checked?
Will they give you a minimum of a 7 day health guarantee if your purchasing the puppy?
Are they being properly socialized, groomed and fed?
Will they allow you to view the puppies and the mother at their home or are they only willing to meet you somewhere as if they have something to hide?
Step 2

This black and tan coonhound nearly died when his 'breeder' sold him with an active case of Parvo (author saved him)

As for the puppies health and feeding records in writing so you have an easy reference when you assume responsibility. If they give their own vaccinations, ask them to peel the sticker off the vial for you so you will have it for your veterinarian.
Step 3

Cavalier puppy - A worm free puppy will have clear eyes, nice fur, no nasal discharge and be plump but not have an out of proportion rotund belly.

Schedule a well puppy exam with your chosen vet. Don't forget to ask that a fecal be done.
Step 4

Healthy Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy

If you plan to feed the puppy a different food than the breeder had them on, ask for a small sample of their food so you can mix it 50/50 for the first few days to a week.
Step 5

Jack Russell Terrier Puppy

Bring a gallon jug with you when you pick up your puppy and ask for them to fill it with water for you. It's a very common issue for puppies to develop diarrhea from the change in water. This will not apply if you are from the same town, of course.
Step 6

Can you find the monkey in the midst of these redbone pupies?

Obtain a variety of dog safe toys appropriate for the breed and size you have.

Say NO to rawhide! Rawhide kills. It's a choking hazard.
Step 7

"I claim the bear rug as my bed!"

Purchase a variety of dog / puppy necessities:

Leash
Collar
Dog Bed
Crate
Dishes

Bitter Apple Spray! This prevents most puppies from destructive chewing. It's a God send for many owners!
Step 8

Jerry Ledford - Author's handling instructor and AKC professional dog handler stacking Breezy, one of the author's pups after class.

Make arrangements to have your puppy take obedience classes. This is not only for training but also for much needed socialization both with humans and other dogs. You may like it so much that you later decide to take further dog training in areas such as; agility, competition obedience, rally, Freestyle (dancing with your dog!), tracking, flyball... the list goes on! You can meet people participating in these other activities by attending simple puppy classes.
Step 9

Author's husband training one of their redbones to show stack

Not as a substitute but as an addition, you should also investigate into various dog training videos that are out today. Books are great as well but the videos really give you that hands on type approach.

Comments

mechelepellebon said

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on 11/29/2008 I miss the times when my bichon frise was a puppy. I'm thinking about adopting a new one, and this article gives great tips for new dog owners and veterans alike. 5 stars.