Puppy Care
How to care for your new puppy
For the first 72 hours get acquainted; you and your new baby need time. Keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. Limit taking them around other dogs (outside your home) until their vaccinations are complete.
Your puppy has been on a strict vaccination and worming program. You will be given a record of this and instructions on further health needs. Give the copy of the Medical Record (sent with your puppy) to your vet when you go for your first visit. They will put you on a plan that works best for you and your pet.
The small, tiny puppies do not eat well sometimes with the stress of moving to a new home. We recommend feeding them puppy food, because they need the extra protein and vitamins. Iams small breed puppy is great if your puppy is tiny. But any quality puppy food of your choice is fine. We use Purina Puppy Chow Healthy Morsels.
If your puppy doesn't eat the food dry, add a couple spoons of canned puppy food to the dry food. You may also try adding water to soak the food and make it soft and easier to eat. This also helps with puppies that like to make a mess with their dry food. They are less likely to play with it. We recommend Pedigree puppy or any canned Iams canned food. Your vet may sell another quality food.
Remember that your puppy is a baby. They need to be warm and will get sick if chilled.You can put a heating pad under half of your puppy’s crate on the outside of the crate on low if chilly. You can also buy a pet heating pad that adjust to your puppies body temperature. Remember that a cold draft is puppies worst enemy.
It is very important that your puppy get fresh water and food at least twice a day, 4 times a day if tiny. It is crucial that if your puppy doesn't eat and drink enough, you need to consult your veterinarian, as waiting even 1 day can be fatal if dealing with tiny breeds. Please be mindful of the temperature in your home.
Some puppies need more or less, so you will have to be the judge of that. However, overfeeding is just as bad as underfeeding your puppy. If unsure, ask your vet. If your puppy is a small breed and he/she becomes a picky eater after arriving home, you can try, temporarily, the following foods to encourage them to eat:
- Gerber baby meat sticks
- Lunchmeat such as Braunschweiger, turkey, roast beef, etc.
- Chicken cooked (remove the skin first)
- Any meat baby food
- Any canned puppy food
Think of how much growing a child does in the first 15 years of life. That's how much growth a puppy experiences in her first year! The puppy needs a "complete and balanced" diet. Puppies require higher percents of protein and a tighter calcium-phosphorus ratio. Usually a commercial dog food labeled for puppies gives the puppy the best shot at the right diet. Look for a brand that is listed for either puppies or "all life stages", which includes puppies.
Feeding Schedule: Scheduled Meals vs. Free-choice
Scheduled meals: means feeding your puppy meals, and removing the bowl after about 15 minutes.
Advantages- Scheduled eliminating and weight control.
Disadvantages- can predispose to food and air gulping and bloat in some dogs.
Feed 3 to 4 times daily until puppy is 6 months old, then twice daily until puppy is a year old. Young puppies need food every 8 hours.
Free choice feeding: means always keeping food in the bowl. It's best to wait till after puppies first year for this type of feeding. This works with a dry food diet.
Advantages- puppy paces herself; may decrease gulping; no schedule to maintain. Disadvantages- excessive weight gain in some dogs.
Small dogs have smaller appetites. Feed puppy according to package directions. We feed our dogs twice daily, morning and evening, dividing the daily ration. Puppies 3 or 4 times daily.
TABOO FOODS
Don't feed to dogs: chocolate, grapes and raisins, coffee, tea, alcohol, onions, garlic, bird and fish bones, macadamia nuts, xylitol: in many sugar free foods, raw eggs: the whites may decrease absorption of B vitamin Biotin.
HOUSE TRAINING: The crate tops the list. It is an indespinsable housebreaking tool that will save your floors and carpets. You might try newspaper or kitty litter and box for starters. We use both from about 7 weeks on. Around 8 weeks puppy starts forming location prefrences for elimination. The maximum time between eliminations is give-or-take one hour for each month of age: Example, 3 mon-3 hours. At 8 weeks- puppies urinate hourly, and defecate 4 times daily. At 6 months-puppies urinate 3 or 4 times daily, defecate 1 or 2 times daily. At 8 or 9 months-puppies can go 8 to 10 hours without soiling.
OUTSIDE TRAINING: For a 2 or 3 month puppy, offer meals 3 times a day and take bowl away after about 15 minutes. Puppy's gastrocolic reflex, will stimulate defecation within 15 or 20 minutes after its meal. So be ready to take puppy out. Each day bring puppy outside to potty, 6 to 8 times. Consistency is the key to housebreaking. When to take puppy out: first thing in the morning, after naps, 15 to 20 minutes after eating, after drinking alot, following play or exercise, right before your bedtime, puppies under 10 weeks: once at night, and anytime the puppy indicates the need.
POTTYPADS OR PAPER OR LITTER TRAINING: Puppy learns to potty on paper each day, reduce the size of covered area, and overtime move towards door, then outside if you wish. The advantage of this type of training is it takes less pressure.
VACCINATIONS: The core vaccines that every puppy should have are rabies, distemper, hepatitus, and parvovirus: the last 3 are usually given in a shot combo that also includes parainfluenza. The rabies vaccine is administered between 3-6 months of age, then boosted one year later and every 1-3 years after that. You will need to see your vet for this shot.
The DA-2PPV is given every 2-4 weeks, from 8-16 weeks of age. Your puppy will be current on all vaccinations, its medical record will indicate to you and your vet, what shots he has had and what shots he may need, depending on age. Keep puppies away from other dogs until a few weeks after administration of first 2 DA-2PPV boosters, around 12 weeks. The puppy gets its first vaccination at 8 weeks, then 12 weeks, and then 16 weeks. Make sure your puppy gets all its vaccinations, so it will be fully protected from these diseases.
WORMING: Your puppy comes to you with all its worming information. We worm puppies at 2 weeks with Strongid for 2 days, at 4 weeks with Panacure for 3 days, and at 6 weeks with Strongid for 2 days. Then at 9 and 12 weeks if it is still with us. Please see your vet for further worming information after you receive your new puppy. Worming is very important for puppies!!!
Poison Control for Dogs: 24 hr. hotline 888-426-4435
Things you will need for your new puppy
1. Food and water bowls
2. Puppy food
3. Collar and leash
4. Bedding for crate
5. Grooming tools
6. Toys of all kinds
7. Dog shampoo- Do not use flea shampoo on puppies under 12 weels old.
8. Crate
Tips for a happy puppy
1. Set your puppy up on a schedule
Choose a time for feeding, potty training and play that best fits your family. Your puppy may whimper or cry at night at first. Provide him/her with a warm blanket, soft toy and a dim light. Remember, don't let your puppy do things now that you don't want him/her to do later.
2. Puppy proof your home
Check around your home for dangerous things your puppy could get into. Electric wires, open doors, balconies, medicines etc.
3. Prepare your family by explaining the schedule and rules for the puppy
Having the families help will make training your new puppy easier. If everyone works together your new puppy will be trained well for life! Also doing things different each time a different family member takes care of your new puppy will be VERY confusing.
4. Make your puppy feel at home
Allow your puppy to sleep with an article of your clothing, preferably something you've worn and that smells like you. This way, your puppy will become familiar with your scent and will feel more comfortable in his/her new environment.
5. Groom your puppy once a week
Good grooming habits start early. Regular brushing and bathing will keep your puppy feeling clean and fresh. A clean puppy is less likely to soil them selves in their crate. Dogs have a keen scent for foul odors. Make a bath fun and rewarding for all!
6. Checklist for Feeding
Provide food for his/her stage of life. Have fresh water available. Serve the food at room temperature. Watch your puppy's weight. Feed nutritious snacks. Do not allow the children to tease the puppy while eating. Never give stale food to your puppy. Don't change your puppy's diet suddenly. Don't allow your puppy to have brittle bones like chicken. Follow the food label for increasing/decreasing the amount of food needed.
Dollie's Country Dachshunds -The Worthington Family- Emily and Susan-Managers
Located in Southern Illinois
Contact Details
Dollie's Country Dachshunds
Contact us:
Call or text at: (618) 317-5730
Email us at:
dolliescd@yahoo.com
HOURS WE ARE AVAILABLE
Monday thru Saturday
8:00am to 8:00pm CST
Sunday is our day of worship.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV
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