Feeding schedule
Adult dogs usually eat two times a day but when it comes to puppies it is quite different, we need to feed them at least 3 to 4 times a day. Establishing a feeding schedule will help in regularising the pup’s digestion and this also helps in cultivating a habit of eating at the same schedule on a given day.
Potty Training
It’s better to cultivate a habit of taking your puppy to the designated potty spot every two hours, it can be made simple like taking the puppy out immediately after they wake up and after each meal or after drinking water. Make sure to reward them with a treat if they get it right and pet parents must always keep in mind that raising your voice or scolding will not fetch the results.
Grooming and Oral Care
Giving a bath is not required for puppies till they complete all the necessary vaccines, which is usually completed by the 12th week. Puppies can be wiped with wet wipes which are specially designed for them and taking advice from veterinarians on the right tools to use for brushing, dental hygiene and nail clipping. Setting up a specific area for the groom will help in training them to know what to expect each time you take them there. Brushing can be done between 8 to 16 weeks. You can provide Drools Dr Dent to keep up the oral health.
Early Socialization
The best time to socialize your puppy is between 3 to 12 weeks. Start by introducing them to new sights, sounds, different ground surfaces and flooring as well as neighbourhood objects like parked vehicles, gates, trees, etc. Then you can move on to introducing your pup to a wide variety of people like men, women and children of all ages. Lastly, socialize your pup with other dogs or pets either on walks or by setting up meetings with friends that have pets.
Conducting brief training session everyday
Training puppies is an important aspect of puppy care. The earlier we start the better it will be, the best time to train will be at 7 – 8 weeks of age. At this age we can begin with easy commands like sit, stay and stand, once the pup holds on to this we can move on to the next level. Remember to use the positive reinforcement technique coupled with a calm and gentle voice. Puppies have short attention spans, so make sure to keep the sessions short and the treats small. Treats like Drools biscuits, sausages and chewies can be used.
Vaccination and Deworming
Deworming should be started as early as 2 weeks for puppies with the proper advice from your veterinarian and the first vaccine can be administered followed by new vaccines and boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16-17 weeks old. They will also need a booster shot 1 year after completing this vaccination series.
The amount of care we put in the first year of the puppy is very important since most of the important events happen here and negligence at this phase may affect the life of the pup.
- How often should I bathe my dog?
New pet parents may not know when they should start giving baths. Once the new pup arrives home it is important to give them a period of at least one week to get acclimatized to the new environment. After one week of observation of the pup’s activity, pet parents can have a general checkup from the veterinarian who will give the vaccination and deworming schedule to be followed. Till then it is better to wipe them with puppy wipes or a towel dipped in lukewarm water. Once the pup completes all the necessary vaccines, pet parents can give a normal bath using a good puppy shampoo.
- How early should I start deworming my pup?
Deworming is an important aspect of a pup’s life. Puppies may carry worms from their mother in the early phase after their birth, scientifically it is advised to provide them deworming as early as two weeks of age which is repeated every 2 weeks till the pup reaches 3 months of age. After three months of age, we can deworm every 3 months apart.
- What can I expect from my puppy’s first veterinary exam?
First, the veterinarian or veterinary technician will take your puppy’s vitals and ask for his health history. If you brought a stool sample, the specimen will be checked for evidence of intestinal parasites. Next, the veterinarian will examine your puppy from nose to tail to check for signs of disease, abnormalities and external parasites. Depending on your puppy’s age and vaccination history, the veterinarian will administer the proper vaccinations. She may also give deworming medication and suggest a flea and tick preventive. Your puppy’s first exam is a great time to bring up the other questions in this gallery and any concerns you want your vet to address.
