Advice for the New Puppy Owner
Jeffrey and Sandy Shaika 610-509-3491
email: doxies@doxiecamp.com
We know you'll love your puppy and do your very best to keep him happy and healthy, so here is an easy to follow guide to take good care of him. Remember; he only has you to depend upon.
1. Very important -- keep your puppy on a feeding schedule, feeding him the same meals at the same time everyday. Let's say you feed him at 7:00 AM, then again at 12:00 noon and again at 4:00 PM, make sure he has fresh water all day and after each meal. As your puppy gets older, you can reduce the meals to twice a day; and please keep in mind, no snacks. Also, make sure the puppy does not have any vigorous exercise before or after meals (never over-exercise him).
2. Remember that he's only a baby and although play is important, sleep is just as important. Never startle a dog while they are sleeping.
3. A puppy relieves himself when he wakes up, after he plays and after he eats so be sure to keep his area clean (whether paper-training or outdoor training), this prevents parasites and disease and ensures a happy, healthy puppy. He probably relieves himself away from his bed, so make sure there is paper in that spot. If you are consistent in your training, then everything will go smoothly.
4. Never allow canned dog food (and it should be puppy food) to stand more than five minutes as it gets rancid, it's unhealthy and creates bad eating habits.
5. If your puppy cries excessively all night or day and you can't soothe him, call your vet or Emergency Animal Hospital for assistance. If his temperature has to be taken, the normal range is 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Make sure he doesn't get near wires or anything laying around that he could chew on or swallow. The only items that should be "left around" are his toys and they should only be dog toys made of Nylabone, hard rubber or tough rawhide (American-made rawhide). A ball should be bigger than his mouth so he can't choke on it. Teething is a vital part of puppy growth so prevent mishaps and there will be no need to reprimand the dog.
7. When the puppy relieves himself, check his stool -- it should not be loose. If it is, it might be due to diet, parasites, worms, the nervousness of a new home or something else. Have the veterinarian check it. You should also bring a stool specimen when you take the puppy for his inoculations. The stool is a good indication of a puppy's health.
8. Keep his eyes clean of discharge by wiping them with a soft, clean cloth. Some breeds are prone to a discharge.
9. Until he has his proper shots, do not expose him to the outside or to any other animal. Talk to your vet about this. Usually after his second shot, it is okay to take him out and have him around other animals.
10. When petting your puppy, speak gently and never yell in his ears. Build a close bond with your dog and you will have a happy, healthy dog and a friend for life. Let him know he can trust you by knowing who you are and depending on you to take care of him.
11. Never pick your puppy up by his neck or legs. Put your palm under his chest and be sure his backside is supported with your other hand. If you are not sure how to do this, ask us or your vet to show you the proper way.
12. Until your puppy is fully paper-trained or trained to relieve himself outside, keep him confined to a small area. Only upon your total supervision, should he be allowed the run of the house.
13. When you begin taking him outside, don't take him where all the other dogs go, always take him to the same spot in your yard (or on the street) and then clean it up. This will help keep him (as well as other animals) free of parasites.
14. If you're consistent in any training, the dog learns quicker and becomes more of a pleasure to live with.
15. If you are going to be out of the house for many hours at some point during the day or evening, you may want to consider crate-training your puppy.
16. Important ingredients for a happy, healthy dog - Love, Understanding, Proper Nutrition, Exercise and Obedience Training. If you are not sure of anything, ask your vet.
As of this moment, you have become responsible for someone else, so it's up to you to work out a schedule to give your puppy the best care possible. As your puppy gets a little older and understands more, it gets easier. Please be patient and understanding to his needs because you have a new best friend.
Good Luck!
SOME PERSONAL TIPS:
YOGURT ~~ Stress of any kind; new home, change of water, change of food, etc., can make a pups bowels loose. One teaspoon daily will help put natural bacteria into the intestines. Give 3 -4 days.
IF THEY CAN'T JUMP ON IT, NEVER LET THEM JUMP OFF IT!! A dachshunds back is the most vulnerable point of the dog. If they can't jump on the couch, never let them jump off of it. So if you are watching T.V. and have to do something, place the pup off the couch in his bed to sleep or on the floor. Good rule of thumb.
CONTROL FOOD ~~ If you control the input, you control the output. Never leave food down for a puppy. If you think about it, they can eat when you eat. Within approximately 10 minutes they will need to go outside so this is a good time for that walk.
PLENTY OF CHEW TOYS~~ If you have them plenty of appropriate chew toys, hopefully they will not chew on thing they shouldn't, like your new leather shoes (or Cell Phone).
BRUSH THEIR TEETH~~ I saw the other day that brushing a dog teeth can add two years to their life. Chew things like the dent-a-bones or greenies are good, dental wipes or wash are better, brushing is best. They have special toothpaste in beef flavor. Starting early will get the pup used to having their teeth brushed.
FEET ARE TOUCHY~~ A dachshunds feet are sensitive. If you fettle, (rub, play, mess with) their feet while laying or sleeping beside you, you will get them used to having their feet touched and making nail trimming easier.
SOCIALIZING PUPPY: From the time your puppy is 7 weeks until he is about 9 months old, he/she is in a crucial stage of development, mentally as well as physically. This mental development is what shapes his behavior and personality from then on. You don't want a puppy that when grown will not be able to handle new people, surroundings and other animals. When he has finished his puppy shots for his protection, let him visit places with other people and pets to "socialize" him. There are pet stores that let you shop with your new family member, parks, tracks, and even events for puppies. Check out the puppy classes. Get him out in the big, wide world to enjoy it and you can show off your new baby.
CHOCOLATE: Chocolate contains theobromine, a first cousin to caffeine. Unsweetened or baking chocolate has 10 times as much as sweetened does. This chemical causes the amount of calcium to increase to the cells, causes an increase in heart rate, and causes the adrenal to release hormones. In high enough quantities, it can stop the heart. Chocolate remains in a dogs blood stream much longer in a dog than in people. Chocolate can also, even in small amounts, be cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
SUGAR-FREE GUM/SUGAR SUBSITUTE: Liver failure may occur in severe cases of toxicity due to the dog's low blood sugar. A small piece of sugar-free gum (or 0.1 g/kg of xylitol) may be considered a toxic dose of xylitol, depending on the dog's weight.
FEEDING PUPPY FROM THE TABLE: A steady diet of table scraps can create a serious nutritional imbalance. The premium puppy food you feed is undone by supplementing it with "junk food." The canine stomach was not built for people food. Spices that we take for granted in our favorite dishes can cause gastrointestinal upset in puppies. A puppy regularly fed table food is more likely to become overweight. So when tempted to feed from the table, DON'T. If you just can't resist when the pup is older, feed a carrot or green bean. They get enough carbohydrate in their dog food.
0-3 months~~4 feedings per day
3-6 months~~3 feedings per day
6 months up~~2 feedings per day
FIRST THINGS FIRST: Give you new puppy a place to call their own; a safe haven to add familiarity and structure to their world. Set up a small area or room with separate sections for feeding, sleeping, and eliminating. Establish a routine that works with your schedule. If your puppy is going to be alone for periods of time, it is best to get her use to that in the beginning. And establish who is boss now. If you let them get away with being naughty now it will become a habit. BUT remember discipline gentle and reward good behavior.
Teething: During the difficult teething phase (3-6 months) your puppy need your patience more than ever. Like human infants, they have a natural need to chew ~ unlike a human baby, your puppies teeth are sharp! To minimize damage to shoes and other things rotate giving the puppy a nice selection of chew toys. If you catch them chewing something other than their chewies, clap you hands and say "no". Then immediately replace with one of their chew toys. Remember praise is the key--not fear.
Traveling with Pup: It's lots of fun taking a pup along on a trip but you they have certain needs too. Be certain you puppy is in good health. Even if his vaccinations are current, it is wise to arrange a travel physical with your vet. A week or so before a car trip, take a few short rides with your puppy to acquaint them with travel if they are not used to traveling. If motion sickness is an issue, consult your vet. Plan to keep control of your pup at all times. Make sure if they are not in a crate that they are strapped in. Be sure a collar and tag are on them and you have a leash for bathroom breaks when you take one. Never leave your pup unattended in a closed car. A little water offered if the trip is a long one but food is not always required. In fact, it could make them nauseous. Check with your hotel to make sure they welcome pets. Offer food and water sparingly when you arrive.
MEETING THE CHILDREN: You should have no trouble at all encouraging your children to play with you new pup. Still, you will want to supervise their first interactions with your kids and set playtime limits---about 15-20 minutes two or three times a day. Ground rules are no rough teasing or playing. Tell your kids that tail-pulling and teasing can lead to bad habits like jumping up. Tell the kids never to shout at the pup, even if he does something wrong. Explain the pup can be startled by loud noises.
INTRODUCING OTHER PETS: Do it gradually. Keep them separated for the first few days. Keep them safely in their crate or behind an expandable doorway gate while you supervise their first meetings. After several days of sniffing each other, let your resident pet enter the family room while your new dog is out of his cage. Do not let them try to eat from the same bowl. Even after several day/weeks it is a good idea to have separate feeding dishes.
I.D. YOUR PET: It is crucial for you pet to have identification so they can be returned if they get lost. Collar Tag~ The most common and visible for is a tag simply attached to the pups collar to display the dog's name and your phone number. But your pet must wear his collar at all times and it is possible that the collar/tag can become detached. Tattoos~ More permanent than a tag, a tattooed pet I.D. number links your dog to the AKC's Companion Animal Recovery Program. Call 1-800-252-7894 to learn more. Microchips~ Another permanent form or I.D. is a microchip. The size of a grain of rice, it's painlessly implanted under the dog's skin. No anesthesia or surgery is required. It contains an alphanumeric code that can be read by animal shelters or vet's office equipped with a hand scanner. They then notify the chip's manufacturer that the pet has been found and the manufacturer contacts the owner.
IF YOUR PET IS LOST: First don't panic. Look all over your property including new places where your dig might try to hide. Search the neighborhood. Talk to all your neighbors and leave a note with your name and phone number at houses where no one is home. Call your pet's name frequently. Help your pet find his way home. Place his bedding or some of your dirty clothes outside your house as a homing scent. Call local veterinarians, shelters and humane societies. Also check with the Department of Transportation in case your pet was injured on the road. Post flyers in the area. Include your pet's photo, a detailed description and your phone number (but not your name or address). Place a "lost dog" ad in your local newspaper's classifieds.
PLANTS POISONOUS TO DOGS
The great variety of potentially poisonous plants and shrubs makes identification difficult or impossible-unless the owner has direct knowledge that his dog has eaten a certain plan or produce. Most cases suspected of being malicious poisoning actually are not.
Toxic plants may contain a wide variety of poisons. Most cause vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps. Some cause tremors, heart and respiratory and/or kidney problems, which are difficult for owner to interpret:
Amaryllis
Asparagus fern
Azalea
Bird of Paradise
Creeping Charlie
Crown of Thorns
Elephant Ears
Glocal Ivy
Heart Ivy
Ivy
Jerusalem Cherry
Needlepoint Ivy
Pot Mum
Ripple Ivy
Spider Mum
Sprangeri Fern
Umbrella Plant
Hallucinogens:
Marijuana
Morning Glory
Nutmeg
Periwinkle
Peyote
Loco Weed
Produce vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea:
Horse Chestnut
Buckeye
Rain Tree
Monkey Pod
American Yew
English Yew
Western Yew
English Holly
Privet
Mock Orange
Bird of Paradise
Black Locust
Apricot, Almond
Peach, Cherry
Wild Cherry
Japanese Plum
Balsam Pear
Irritants, swollen mouth, tongue pain, sore lips:
Arrowhead Vine
Boston Ivy
Caladium
Drunk Cane
Emerald Duke
Marble Queen
Majesty
Neththytis
Ivy
Pathos
Red Princess
Saddle Leaf,
Split Leaf,
Heart Leaf,
(Philodendron)
Rash after Contact with Skin or Mouth:
Chrysanthemum
Creeping Fig
Weeping Fig
Poinsettia
Spider Mum
Pot Mum
Plants with varied toxic effects:
Rhubarb
Spinach
Tomato Vine
Loco Weed
Lupine
Dologeton
Buttercup
Nightshade
Poison Hemlock
Jimson Weed
Pig Weed
Water Hemlock
Mushrooms
Moonseed
May Apple
Dutchman's Breeches
Mescal Bean
Angel's Trumpet
Jasmine
Matrimony Vine
Plants that produce vomiting and diarrhea in some cases:
Delphinium
Daffodil
Castor Bean
Indian Turnip
Skunk Cabbage
Poke Weed
Bittersweet Woody
Ground Cherry
Fox Glove
Larkspur
Indian Tobacco
Wisteria
Soap Berry
