Don’t forget to ask for a piece of puppies blanket when picking him/her up. The familiar smell will be comforting in the first few nights in his/her new home.
Remember to puppy proof your home before bringing puppy home.
Remember to keep lots of toys available for puppies so they do not chew on the wrong things.
A retractable leash works well for young pups not yet familiar with leashes.
Make sure to ask what brand of food your puppy is used to when picking him/her up.
Always switch food gradually by mixing your old and new brands together for several days to prevent upsetting the digestive system. Each day the percentage of new food can be raised. Some puppies are also sensative to water changes. My water is not chlorinated.
If you don’t have your own clippers use electric razor or similar devise to get puppy used to the sound and vibration of the clippers. The head is the area most dogs are most sensitive about. Clip nails every week or two while puppy is young so he or she gets used to it.
Teaching pup to ring a bell hanging from the doorknob is a great way to aide in house training. Take puppy to the same area of you yard or walk in the same path while housetraining. Then you will only have one area of the yard to clean up and the smell from former movements will encourage puppy to go.
Ask your vet about the dangers of rawhide treats. Most vets agree rawhide is not good for your pet.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Please don’t allow them to have it. It is important to teach this to your children.
One of the best puppy toys I have ever found is a calf nipple. This can be purchased from your local feed store or dairy supply. Price is about $2.00.
In the event your puppy or dog should eat something toxic Hydrogen Peroxide can be given orally to induce vomiting. The amount needed varies. Give a capful and wait a few minutes, then repeat till you get the desired results. This may be repeated without harm if you feel everything was not voided the first time.
Remember people food is for people, dog food is for dogs, puppy food is for puppies and cat food is for cats.
Keeping your puppy in a kennel is not cruel. A kennel is to a puppy what a playpen is to a baby. They need to be safe when you are sleeping or away.
Stainless steel food and water dishes are much easier to clean than plastic.
Don’t let the cute little puppy chew on your finger. The puppy is going to grow up fast and you will not want him/her chewing on it then.
When you are picking a new puppy don’t forget to ask to see Mom and Dad. It will teach you a lot about both personality and size of the puppy.
Baby shampoo can be used as a safe alternative to buying special puppy or dog shampoo.
If you have a breed that is prone to ear infections, use a cotton ball in the ears while bathing to keep water out.
To avoid drying the skin out you should only bath puppy once a month.
Many dogs are lactose intolerant so dairy products may cause diarrhea.
If you feel the need for a black light you need not buy an expensive one from a pet shop. The models sold in the lighting department of any store work just as well.
Please remember that a black puppy or dog will get hot much faster in the summer. Take precautions against over heating.
If you are trying to take pictures of a dark colored pet try a dark backround. You would think a light backround would work better but you get much more detail with a dark backround. The more light the better.
I have had a couple cases of puppies not drinking much water after going to their forever home. I do not have chlorinated water. If puppy does not seem to like your water try letting it set out for a day or two so it does not taste and smell so much like chlorine.