How to Raise a Purebred Pug Puppy
Pugs start out as active, high-energy dogs that settle into couch potato mode when they enter adulthood. They like to be with their people. Pay close attention to your dog's health needs, give him quality food and care and your pug puppy will enjoy a long and healthy life.
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Things You'll Need
- Small breed puppy food
- Dog crate
- Soft crate mat
- Soft collar
- Leash
- Wash cloth
- Brush
- Food and water dishes
- Dog bed
- Toys
Instructions
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Establish a relationship with a good veterinarian. According to Pug Village, pugs require more veterinary care than most dogs. Interview vets to find one that is a good fit for you and your dog. Arrange an appointment with your veterinarian for an initial puppy exam and vaccinations.
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Familiarize yourself with health concerns specific to the pug. Some health issues that affect pugs are: dry eye, cataracts, elongated soft palate and hip dysplasia. They often have breathing issues related to their short muzzles and heavy necks. Pug puppies are also prone to skin mites.
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Buy a quality food, especially meant for small breed puppies, like your pug. The kibble will be sized to accommodate his smaller mouth. Pug puppies need higher protein levels than adult pugs, to fuel their rapidly growing bodies.
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Purchase a dog crate. The crate should be large enough for your pug to lie down and turn around comfortably. Some crates come with removable dividers to allow it to grow with the dog. Since most pugs are sedentary creatures, they will probably opt to spend a lot of time napping in their crate.
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Select a collar, leash, feeding dishes, bed and toys for your dog. Look for a soft collar to protect the folds of the pug neck. Select toys designed for small breed chewing. Pugs are heavy chewers. Providing your dog with his own chew outlet, may help save your furniture and shoes.
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Groom regularly. Brush the pub daily to remove the loose hair. Clean the pug's body folds regularly to prevent infection with a damn cloth. Trim their nails often. Drain anal sacs if the pug is unable to do it himself.
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House train your dog. Designate a spot in the yard for his bathroom breaks. Take him out every two to three hours. Pugs are intelligent dogs, but they possess a stubborn streak that can prolong the house training lessons. Patience and firmness is required when training this breed.
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Socialize your puppy from the beginning. Invite friends to your home and ask them to bring their children to play with your pug puppy. Watch the children carefully. Kids tend to be fascinated by the pug's curled tail and bulging eyes and can easily harm the dog.
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Walk your puppy daily and teach him to behave appropriately on his leash. He should learn to walk beside and slightly behind you. You should, at all times, be the leader. Pugs don't tolerate extreme cold or hot temperatures well. Heat stroke is a concern for your pug during hot weather.
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Teach your dog which areas of the house he is allowed access to. If you don't want him on the furniture, teach him this early. It is easier to train him right in the beginning than to change his behavior later. Pugs usually prefer to be on the furniture, so it may take some patience to convince him otherwise.
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Plan to spend a lot of time with your pug puppy. According to The Pugusta Club, pugs can be quite clingy.
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Expect a long term commitment to your pug. This breed lives approximately 12 to 14 years when raised with quality care.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not leave your pug puppy in his crate for more than two to three hours at a time.
Do not over feed your pug. These dogs tend to become overweight easily.
Due to their intolerance to extreme temperatures, pugs must never be left outside.
Do not crate your dog during very hot weather.
Remove you pug's collar before crating to prevent the possibility of it getting hung up and choking the dog.
References
- Photo Credit boston terrier image by berdoulat jerome from Fotolia.com
