How to create a puppy schedule

When you get a new puppy, it’s only natural to want to simply hang out with them and play and cuddle all day. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that you need to do in those first few days and weeks — both to make sure that your new pup stays healthy and to establish good behavior patterns. Rest assured that the work you put in now will pay off tenfold in the long run.

When your full-grown adult dog is balanced, well-behaved, and the envy of all your Pack Leader neighbors, you’ll be glad you took good care of her right from the beginning.

Getting into a routine

One of the most important things you need to do for your puppy right off the bat is to establish a routine. Though it will be difficult initially for you to decide on a routine that will work for you, your family, and your puppy, don’t wait too long to figure it out.

Here are some of the most important things to make sure you have on your puppy schedule:

1. Feeding
   Your new puppy is doing his best to become a full-grown adult dog. But in order to do so, he’s going to need to eat more frequently than an adult. Where you can feed many adult dogs twice a day — or even just once — puppies need to be fed three times a day like people.

   Sound like a lot of work? Well, the good news is that you can plan your pup’s meals more or less around your own. The best times to feed him are around 7 in the morning, at noon, and then again at 5. You’ll want to follow this schedule for the first 3 to 4 months of your pup’s life. Then you can switch to twice-a-day feedings unless your vet recommends continuing more frequent meals.

   Establishing a routine for eating times is especially important. With a set feeding schedule, your puppy will learn when to expect food and will be less likely to beg between designated meal times.

2. Potty time
   Unless you want to have a big mess on your hands, you need to make sure you’re giving your pup “potty time” every 2-4 hours. Any longer than that and she just won’t be able to hold it. Putting a set time (and place) to this activity also teaches her that this isn’t just something she can do whenever and wherever she feels like it.
3. Keywords training
   Very young puppies can’t get into any kind of formal training class right away, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be teaching him some basics every day. One thing every pup can start learning: keywords.

   Begin with important words like “good,” “bad,” and “no.” Keep these words simple and be consistent with which ones you use. Your dog needs to get used to hearing the same words in order to associate the same meanings with them each time.

4. Exercise and play
   Starting to think you’re never going to have any fun with your new puppy? Well, you can relax, because it’s also important to build time for exercise and play into your schedule.

   Ideally, you want to begin your pup’s day with exercise before she has her first meal. After breakfast, try a pack walk (if she’s too young to go outside, you can do this around the house) followed by some bonding or play time. You’ll repeat this general routine throughout each day. Exercise, meal, exercise, bonding, meal, and so on.

By creating a good schedule for your puppy and starting small with tasks like feeding times, potty times, teaching keywords, and exercising and playing, you will not only save yourself innumerable future headaches, you’ll also ensure that your new bundle of joy grows up to be the best that he can be.

By Josh Weiss-Roessler

Starting your puppy off right!

New puppy owners often make the mistake of endlessly worrying about finding the right accessories, puppy treats, or bed. They spend little or no time thinking about how or what they will teach their new puppy. Yes, a puppy needs nutritious food and a safe, warm place to live, but another equally powerful and important biological necessity is the need for a strong pack leader.

Be the Pack Leader

Puppies are naturally hard-wired to follow a pack leader. A pack leader is, by definition, strong, stable, and consistent; traits many new puppy owners forget. Many of my clients are strong leaders in their jobs, but when they come home, they turn to mush with their dogs. Then they come to me puzzled as to why their dog won’t behave.

Puppies sense our confidence levels and will take control if they perceive us as weak. When this happens, bad behaviors, such as excessive barking, chewing, leash-pulling, or anxiety, will develop.

The most important thing you can do is become your puppy’s pack leader. This role doesn’t begin when your dog is six months old or when he’s bad; it should be maintained throughout the entire dog training experience. For your new puppy to grow into a healthy, balanced dog, you must demonstrate leadership from day one!

Visit to the veterinarian

One of the cornerstones of good health for your puppy is regular veterinary care. It is crucial that your puppy maintains a nutritional diet and exercise routine to stay healthy and balanced. Plus, your vet can advise on heartworm, and flea and tick preventative care. While a lot goes into keeping your puppy in good health, it all begins with the first visit to the vet.

Housebreaking

All dogs become conditioned never to eliminate in their dens. From two to four months of age, most pups pick up on the concept of housebreaking quite easily since it is part of their natural programming.

In the early days of housebreaking you want to make sure the puppy has a place to relieve herself where she feels safe; a place that seems and smells familiar. First thing every morning, bring your puppy outside to the same general area. It is important to remain consistent throughout the process so your puppy can learn the habit.

Once your new puppy has successfully gone outside, it is important to reward the good behavior. It doesn’t have to be a big, loud celebration, but a simple quiet approval or a treat can get the message across of a job well done.

And be sure not to punish your puppy for an accident or do anything to create a negative association with her bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive and quietly remove the puppy to the place where you want him to go.

Dog walking

Please find safe ways to exercise your puppy too! As your puppy’s pack leader, you must help to expend their energy in a productive way. For all dogs, this means a daily walk.

Walking in front of your new puppy allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your puppy should be beside or behind you during the walk.

Also talk to your veterinarian about the risk of long-term bone development problems, parvovirus, and other health issues before implementing an exercise routine.

By Cesar Milan

Spring cleaning tips for dog owners

Yes, it’s that time of year. But cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore if you follow our quick and easy tips. You and your pup will both be happier and healthier if you do!

Plus, we’ve got tips for safer cleaning and recipes for cleaning products that use simple ingredients from your pantry, like baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice here.

Air Filter
Trap airborne dust and dander with a filter to reduce lingering pet odors in your home. Look for filters made especially for pet owners; they come with built-in ionizers that minimize allergens and help deliver a boost of air freshening.

Beds and Bedding
Your dog’s bedding tends to attract a buildup of dirt and grime. Follow these four steps to ensure a clean, comfortable sleep for Fido.

• Choose a bed with a removable fabric cover.
• Vacuum the bed regularly to remove hair, dirt, and other debris. Follow up with a lint roller to pull away any hair the vacuum may have left behind.
• Wash the cover and the bed base (if it’s machine washable) in cold water. Use a mild laundry detergent—no dyes or fragrance. Add a cup of baking soda to help neutralize odor.
• Dry (in the clothes dryer) for about 20 minutes. Use at least one pet-safe dryer sheet (teddyneedsabath.com); this will reduce static electricity and remove more pet hair. To avoid shrinkage, finish by line drying.

Collar Cleaning
A stinky collar can ruin the pleasures of a freshly groomed dog. But how do you clean a dog collar without damaging the webbing material or hardware? Put a couple of squirts of dog shampoo (which will help prevent skin irritation) in a bowl and fill the bowl with hot water. Let your dog’s collar soak for about 15 minutes. Rub the collar against itself to extract any ground-in dirt. If necessary, apply extra shampoo directly to the collar. Avoid using a brush, which could damage the material. Rinse the collar under running water and hang to dry. If you need to speed up the drying, use a towel to remove excess water before hanging.

Dog Hair
To remove pet hair from furniture, drapes, or other fabric-covered items, use rubber gloves. Slightly dampen a glove on your hand and sweep the fabric with it. Hair will ball up and be easy to pick up. Wash and dry gloves between uses.

Lavender Oil
Not only is lavender essential oil soothing to the central nervous system, but when applied regularly between your dog’s shoulder blades, it can keep fleas and ticks at bay. Try a lavender room mist in your car to keep your dog calm and your automobile smelling fresh after a day at the beach or park with your pooch.

Muddy Paws
The rain in spring means muddy paws, but a little prevention can keep your dog from tracking dirt inside the house. First, trim the hair around your pup’s paws regularly — mud won’t clump to his feet when the hair is kept short. On days that you can’t avoid a little mud, keep a bucket of warm water and a towel near the door. Before you come inside, remove dirt by dipping each paw in the water and gently wiping it with the towel.

Quick Bath
Over-bathing your dog can cause dry skin, which results in itching and flaking.  Avoid these issues—but keep your pup smelling fresh—by giving him a quick dry bath. Brush out his coat first to loosen dead hair, dirt, and debris. Wipe him down with a towel spritzed with a solution of half apple cider vinegar and half water. Follow up by sprinkling baking soda on him and rubbing it in, which will neutralize the smell of the vinegar. Let it sit for a minute or two, then brush it off. Tip: Give your dog his dry bath outdoors, or another place where a little mess won’t matter!

Toys
Wash dog toys to keep them germ-free and in good shape for years of enjoyment. For soft toys, pop them in the washing machine, ideally in a garment bag. (Be sure to use dog-safe detergent.) Line dry or put them in the dryer inside a pillowcase. Hard toys can be cleaned in the sink with a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar and a brush or sponge. An easy alternative: Put your pal’s toys in the dishwasher with her bowls.

Urine
Even if you can’t smell traces of urine, your dog can. It’s important to clean and neutralize these odors, because as long as he can smell it, he’ll continue to use that area as his personal potty. For new stains, soak up as much as you can by layering newspaper on top of paper towels and standing on the padding. Repeat this step until the area is no longer damp. The Humane Society suggests taking urine-soaked paper towels outside in order to positively reinforce to your dog where it is suitable for him to do his business. Follow up by rinsing the soiled area with water. Once the area is clean, use an enzyme-based pet odor neutralizer like Dog Whisperer Natural Stain and Odor Remover

Vacuum
When choosing a vacuum, focus on suction—disregard horsepower, watts, or amps which are measure of electrical current, not pickup. Vacuums with upright canisters are best for carpets.

Yard
Maintaining your yard can help cut down on messes inside the home.

• If your yard is mostly dirt, consider putting sod down in one area. By providing a grassy area for your dog to play, you can minimize the amount of dirt and mud she’ll track indoors.
• Keep your dog’s boredom at bay by providing toys exclusively for outdoor play. If she has something to play with, she will be less likely to paw at dirt, so her paws will stay cleaner. And keep her outdoor toys outside.
• Some dogs are sensitive to citrus smells. Scatter the peels of a few oranges in places where you don’t want your dog to dig—like flower beds or vegetable gardens.

It’s important to keep certain garden items cleaned up and away from your pets:

• Bait traps for rodents, snails, and slugs
• Insecticides
• Blood meal
• Fertilizers

Some common plants that are toxic for dogs (you can find a complete list at the ASPCA website):

• azaleas
• daffodils
• hyacinths
• tulips
• lilies
• oleander
• sago palm
• foxglove
• mushrooms

B Cesar Milan

Why are dogs’ noses wet?

For many dog owners, it’s one of life’s greatest joys: You enter a room and immediately your pooch is at your side and shoving his face into you, sniffing away with his cold, wet nose. It’s something that should probably feel disgusting, but instead it’s wonderful and endearing to have that slimy little thing all up in your business.

Have you ever wondered why dogs’ noses are wet, though? Your nose works perfectly fine dry, so what’s up with their sniffers? It turns out that there are many reasons for those wet noses — and a big misconception about what wet vs. dry noses really mean.

5 reasons your dog has a wet nose

Why are dogs’ noses wet? Let us count the reasons.

1. Because they secrete mucus
   Before you get too grossed out that your pup has been rubbing her mucus-ridden schnoz all over you, this doesn’t mean what you think it means. When dogs are trying to follow a specific scent, their noses make a thin layer of mucus that allows them to actually absorb scent chemicals and, therefore, smell better.
2. Because dogs tend to lick them a lot
   This one seems pretty straightforward, but there’s more to it — namely, why dogs lick their noses. There are two main reasons.

   First, because those long snouts and noses can get dirty pretty easily, especially when they’re rooting around in food. Licking cleans them off. Dogs also lick their noses because of the mucus mentioned above. Why? Because they can actually lick off those scent chemicals so that the olfactory glands on the roof of their mouth can sample them.

3. Because it helps them to cool down
   Most dog owners know that dogs pant to cool off rather than sweating, but this isn’t strictly true. Dogs do actually sweat — by secreting moisture from their paws and their nose. A really wet nose may be Fido’s way of releasing heat after exerting himself.
4. Because dogs’ noses tend to pick up moisture
   If you’ve ever watched your dog sniffing around outside, you know that it’s an “all-in” process where that nose is often being shoved right into grass, leaves, dirt, and so on. In doing this, dogs’ noses often pick up moisture from the environment, making them cold and wet.
5. Because they’re born that way
   Certain dogs and dog breeds just have colder, wetter noses than others due to genetics and other factors.

Now it’s time to dispel a myth. It’s likely that you’ve heard tales of how a hot, dry nose means that your dog is sick. In fact, you may have even spent some time in the vet’s office due to this little piece of acquired knowledge. However, it’s just an old wives’ tale.

Beyond this, the temperature and moisture level of your dog’s nose likely fluctuates quite a bit on a normal day, so it’s quite possible for it to be wet in the morning, dry in the middle of the day, and slimy again in the evening. Also, it’s important to note that dogs can be sick even if their noses are cold and wet.

Instead of obsessing over the moisture level, you should keep an eye on the kind of discharge coming from your dog’s nose. If the mucus suddenly become crusty or gets thicker, this can be a sign that something is wrong.

By Josh Weiss-Roessler

How to fit the dog walk into your daily schedule!

Walking your dogs is important for a variety of reasons:

• It provides them with much-needed exercise that keeps them healthy and relieves excess energy so they don’t cause problems around the house.
• It stimulates their brain because there are so many new smells, sights, and sounds to experience.
• It gives you a fantastic opportunity to train your dog and make sure that they recognize you as the Pack Leader.
• And, of course, it allows them to go to the bathroom.

Despite all of these benefits, many people only walk their dogs intermittently — or not at all — because they don’t feel like they can fit dog walks into a daily schedule that may include work, school, kids, and more. Because of that, we thought we’d offer up some helpful tips that can get you out the door with your pups.

1. Set Up a Schedule
   Ideally, you want to try to walk your dogs at the same time every day, so creating a schedule can be very helpful. If you know you’re going to be walking them every day at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., you can plan the rest of your life around this, set alarms, and so on. Just remember to protect yourself and your dog with reflective gear or anLED collar if it is dark out. And speaking of setting alarms…
2. Have a Daily Reminder
   While an alarm clock may be necessary to help you get up for an early morning dog walk, it’s not the only way to stay on track. For many, setting up a daily reminder on their phone will be even more valuable — and less intrusive. Dogs also have an innate sense of time, so if you get them on a regular walk schedule, they’ll start reminding you themselves.
3. Bring the Stroller
   Many people find that it becomes more difficult to walk their dogs after they have children, but you can’t let this stop you. Bring your little one with you on the walk by putting them in the stroller and bringing them along. Including the baby on the walk can also give your dog a job “herding” the stroller as you go.
4. Be Flexible
   Can’t walk your dogs at the scheduled time one day? No worries — do it a few hours later. Unable to get a walk in at all? Come up with a backup plan such as tossing a tennis ball around your yard. Weather not walk-friendly? Exercise your dog indoors!
5. Get Up a Half Hour Earlier
   If your problem is that you genuinely don’t have time in your daily schedule to go for a dog walk, one of the best solutions can be to expand that schedule by getting up earlier and devoting this time to the walk. It will be an adjustment at first, but both you and your dogs will benefit.

The underlying message here is that life will always create obstacles — it’s up to you to find your way around them so that your dogs can stay happy and healthy.

By Josh Weiss-Roessler

12 things you need to know about spay/neuter!

Spaying or neutering your dog is an important part of responsible pack leadership.

It not only helps keep your dog safe from a number of medical issues, but it also helps reduce overpopulation. Every day, pets across the nation are euthanized because shelters don’t have the space or resources to care for them. By spaying or neutering your dog, you are helping to stop this tragic problem.

Here’s a list of answers to the most common questions related to spaying and neutering.

1. Should my dog be spayed or neutered?
   This one has a simple answer. Male dogs are neutered. Female dogs are spayed.
2. Is the surgery safe?
   Yes. It is a common medical procedure, so as long as you are working with a licensed veterinarian you can rest assured that he or she likely has a wealth of experience with the surgery. Whenever an animal is put under anesthesia, there is some risk, but your veterinarian will be on the lookout for signs of illness or any other possible complications.
3. What can I do to keep my dog safe?
   Follow pre-op and post-op instructions carefully. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call your vet.
4. How old does my dog need to be?
   Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association endorsed Early Age Neutering, which can be done as early as two months or two pounds, but the average age is four months. There may also be laws in your area that require your dog to be spayed or neutered by a certain age.
5. Where can I find a low-cost spay/neuter service in my area?
   The ASPCA has a great database where you can look for vets offering discounted services in your area.
6. Should I wait until my female dog has had one litter before spaying?
   No, it’s actually easier on your dog to have the surgery before her first heat. Plus, by allowing your dog to have some puppies, you’re contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. If you’d like to allow your children the experience of seeing a birth, consider fostering a dog that’s already pregnant at a local rescue or shelter.
7. Should my female dog go into heat before she’s spayed?
   No, by doing so before her first heat, you can greatly reduce her risk of mammary tumors.
8. How long after giving birth can my dog be spayed?
   The procedure can be done as soon as the pups are weaned, usually four to five weeks.
9. What are some of the health benefits of spay/neuter?
   Female dogs have no risk of infections, cancers, or diseases of the uterus (which is removed), and also a reduced risk of breast cancer. Male dogs have no risk of testicular cancer and a reduced risk of prostate cancer. The surgery also reduces some problem behaviors related to mating, such as roaming, marking, and aggression.
10. Will my dog be given pain relief?
    Yes. Your dog won’t feel any pain during the surgery. Typically, dogs are given an injection which will provide pain management for eight to twelve hours after the surgery. And you may also be given medication that you can give at home. Never administer human pain medications, because many of them can be poisonous to your dog.
11. Will my dog get fat after the surgery?
    No, this is a myth. Just like humans, dogs gain weight if they’re eating too much or not getting enough exercise. Provide your dogs with regular walks and healthy meals, and they’ll stay fit!
12. Will my guard dog stop protecting Me?
    No. In fact, most police canine units spay or neuter their dogs. If your dog has been trained to be a guard dog, he will still be able to protect you after the procedure.

By Juliana Weiss-Roessler

Puppy love: Do dogs have emotions?

There’s no doubt in my mind that dogs have emotions. They feel joy after a job well done. They feel sad when a pack member passes away. And they feel love for their family members – their pack.

However, it’s important to remember that those emotions are different from our own. The feelings that dogs experience aren’t connected to complex thoughts. They don’t have ulterior motives or doubt. Their emotions are pure and honest. Your dog isn’t lying to you when he communicates that he loves you.

The more you fulfill your dog’s needs, the more this connection will develop between you. There’s nothing better than coming home from a bad day and having your dog there to support you. No judgment. No questions. Just love!

But remember, how we feel affects our dogs. If you are upset after a long day of work, your dog won’t understand why, but he will pick up on your energy and body language. He will interpret this as unbalanced energy, and if you don’t have your leadership down pat, it can lead to behavior issues. Make sure you are fulfilling your dog’s needs first.

Our dogs give us so much and ask so little. If we provide them with exercise, discipline, then affection, we can really appreciate man (or woman’s) best friend and the love they have to offer.

Stay calm and assertive!

By Cesar Millan

Can your dog catch the flu?

Flu season has arrived—for humans and for dogs. As people march into medical centers to nab their annual vaccination, veterinarians across the country are recommending that dog owners consider a similar immunization for their four-legged companions.

The canine flu (H3N8) aka “the dog flu” is a contagious respiratory infection that was first discovered in 2004 when the virus jumped from horses and began affecting several breeds of racing dogs. Since then, 38 states have reported infected dogs, but, according to Dr. Edward J. Dubovi, Director of Virology at Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center, outbreaks tend to be sporadic and then dwindle down.

With that being said, the canine influenza appears to be on the rise this holiday season, particularly in areas of New York, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. Fortunately, experts say that most cases are generally mild, can be treated if caught in time, and are preventative.

Here is some more information on the virus and how you can keep your dog healthy this holiday season:

How is the dog flu spread?
Since dogs have no natural immunity to this virus, canine influenza can be easily transmitted between dogs; an infected dog can pass it to another dog through aerosolized respiratory secretions (sneezing, panting, etc.). The virus can also spread through canine contact with contaminated objects and by people who move between infected and uninfected dogs.

Symptoms of canine influenza

• Cough
• Fever
• Runny Nose
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Respiratory infection

According to veterinarian Shari Brown, signs of canine influenza can actually mimic kennel cough (a dry cough) but can also be a moist cough that persists for 7 to 30 days.

What to do if you think your dog has the dog flu?
Brown recommends that If an owner notes a cough that lasts longer than two days combined with other symptoms (nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, lethargy, decreased appetite), they should see a veterinarian immediately. Your vet will perform a test to see if your dog has canine influenza and if he tests positive, will prescribe a treatment plan.

How is it treated?
Most canine influenza cases are considered mild and involve treatments consisting of supportive care. Dogs may be given several medications to make them feel more comfortable as well as fluids to ensure that they are properly hydrated.

“Just like human flu, we will treat with antibiotics to help protect against secondary infections. With the severe form, dogs show signs of fevers and pneumonia. These dogs sometimes have to be hospitalized,” explains Brown.

Preventing the dog flu
Keeping your dog away from infected dogs is the best way to prevent dog flu. If an owner is exposed to dogs or facilities with infected dogs, all clothing, surfaces, and hands should be disinfected before coming into contact with an uninfected dog.

A H3N8 vaccination can help protect against certain strains of canine influenza. The vaccine consists of two shots given several weeks apart. These shots are preventative and will not treat a dog once it is infected. In the U.S., the average cost of each shot is about $50.

Should you vaccinate your dog against canine influenza?
The American Veterinary Medical Association’s stance is that dogs that are in frequent contact with other dogs should be vaccinated against canine influenza to help prevent the spread of the virus.

While the vaccination is definitely advised in high-risk infection areas, many veterinarians, like Dubovi, recommend that owners make a risk assessment before deciding whether or not to vaccinate.

“CIV is transmitted most efficiently with dogs in close contact—kennels, shelters, day care facilities, and perhaps dog parks. In those enzootic regions, dogs in these risk categories may benefit from vaccination just as they would for the standard respiratory vaccines. The other risk group are those that do dog rescue work where dogs are moved from enzootic areas to areas without a history of infection,” says Dubovi.

Brown says that although her veterinary clinic is not in an “infected zone,” they still administer the vaccinations because some boarding facilities are starting to require it before accepting dogs. “It may also be recommend for dogs that are in doggie day care every day (being in an area with multiple dogs allows the virus to spread more easily),” she explains.

While the vaccine will significantly lower the odds of your dog coming down with canine influenza, it’s important to note that it only protects against certain strains and therefore won’t guarantee that your dog won’t get the flu. Owners should access whether or not their dog should be vaccinated based on the lifestyle of their own pet. Even vaccinated dogs should be kept away from people, objects, and dogs that have come into direct contact with the virus. If your dog becomes sick, don’t panic. Take him to the vet and follow the suggested treatment plan. This virus is generally mild and if properly treated, infected dogs should experience a full recovery.

By Nicole Pajer

Vet’s checklist for your pup

Trying to raise a puppy right can be an incredibly challenging task but one that is infinitely rewarding as well. One of the cornerstones of good health for your puppy is regular veterinary care. The following is a list of the veterinary or health related concerns that will come up during your puppy’s first year.

1. Find a great veterinarian
Ideally you want to find out which veterinarian you plan on using before you get your puppy. Ask your friends that are dog owners which veterinarians they recommend. If possible, visit the clinic beforehand and look around, is the waiting area clean, is the staff courteous and helpful? Find out if the office hours will fit your schedule and if they handle emergencies after hours.

Many practices have multiple vets, it is best to stick with one veterinarian who knows your pet well, so ask the staff if you will be able to request an appointment with a specific veterinarian. Picking a vet is a personal choice, try to find one that really listens to you and thoughtfully answers your questions. If your first veterinarian makes you uncomfortable in any way keep looking until you find one that is a good fit for you and your puppy.

2. Financial concerns
Consider getting pet health insurance for your puppy. They can ease the cost of veterinary care especially if emergencies occur. Far too often new dog owners find themselves in the emergency room with a very sick puppy and insufficient funds because they just spent all their money on purchasing the puppy and puppy supplies. Expect to spend several hundred dollars a year minimum for routine veterinary care and set aside one to two thousand dollars for emergencies.

3. Vaccinations
Newborn puppies do not have innate immunity at birth; they get antibodies from the mother which helps protect them from disease while their immune system develops. Vaccinations are a vital part of your puppy’s veterinary care, it will help prevent serious disease. Vaccines can be core or non-core. Core vaccines are those that have been recommended by the AVMA to be given to all dogs. These include vaccinations for distemper, adenovirus-2, canine parvovirus-2, and rabies. Non-core vaccines include leptospirosis, Lyme disease and Bordetella for example and are recommended for dogs in specific geographic locations. Your veterinarian will go over the non-core vaccines that are recommended for your puppy, and the vaccination schedule. Several boosters will be necessary over the course of the first year in order to provide ideal immunity for your puppy.

4. Deworming
Many puppies already have intestinal parasites contracted from the mother before they are even born. Therefore it is important to have your vet deworm your puppy regularly and perform fecal exams to ensure that treatment is complete. If left untreated intestinal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms can cause anemia and weight loss which can be fatal. Common intestinal parasites of dogs can cause problems in people as well so not only do they affect your puppy’s health but yours as well and anyone that may be exposed to the puppy’s feces. Regular deworming and picking up after your puppy can go a long way in minimizing zoonotic disease.

5. Heartworm
Another problematic worm is Dirofilaria immitis better known as the heartworm. Unlike the previous parasites this one lives within the circulatory system and prefers the chambers of the heart. Dirofilaria is spread by various mosquitoes and is endemic throughout the United States. With the gradual warming of our climate mosquitoes are staying active longer each year therefore year-round heartworm prophylaxis is recommended. The American Heartworm Society recommends that puppies start on prophylaxis no later than 8 weeks of age.

6. Ectoparasites
As with heartworm, preventing flea and tick infestations is far easier than treating them. Your veterinarian has a variety of topical products that can be safely applied to puppies eight weeks and older. Keep your lawn short and keep your puppy out of bushes and woody areas. Treat the environment by washing bedding regularly and vacuuming carpets to remove eggs and larvae.

7. Spay/Neuter
Spaying or neutering your puppy provides numerous health benefits and should be considered if you are not planning on breeding your dog. Healthy puppies can be neutered as young as 8 weeks although some veterinarians prefer to wait until 4-6 months of age. Spaying should be performed before the first heat when possible because it will virtually eliminate the risk of developing mammary cancer at a later age.

8. Diet and weight
Puppies eight weeks and older should be fed a high quality puppy food. Regular adult dog food will not provide your puppy with the energy and calcium that your puppy’s growing body needs. Follow the label recommendations and your vet’s guidelines to determine how much to feed your puppy. Ideally, puppies should be fed three to four time a day until they are at least six months of age when you may decrease the feeding schedule to twice a day is so desired. Ask your veterinarian if your puppy is at a healthy weight.

9. Teething
Your puppy’s deciduous teeth will erupt between three to eight weeks of age and around four to six months of age these teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth. The first teeth to be replaced are usually the central incisors. You will know when your puppy is teething because you will notice increased chewing. It is important to never leave your puppy unsupervised and is doubly important during teething. Besides the general destruction a teething puppy can cause they can occasionally ingest objects that may cause obstruction or toxic items. Other hazards include chewing on electric cords which can lead to fatal pulmonary edema. Give plenty of toys for the teething stage; there are specially designed toys for teething puppies at major pet stores. Teething usually last a few weeks to a month. It is important to have your veterinarian monitor the teeth as they come in because sometimes deciduous teeth can be retained which can cause problems down the road.

10. Puppy proofing
While it is important to see your veterinarian regularly for wellness you want to avoid emergencies as much as possible. Take a good look around your home to see the potential hazards to an inquisitive puppy. Consider toxins such as household plants and cleaning supplies and keep them out of reach. Use baby gates to block off access to stairs to prevent falls and to limit access to rooms that are not “puppy safe” such as the basement or workshop. Small objects such as change, jewelry, hair ties should also be kept out of reach lest they be swallowed. Take garbage out regularly and consider using garbage pails with heavy lids that the puppy can’t open. Screen off the fireplace if you have one. Again the best way to keep your puppy out of trouble is to never leave him unsupervised and to use a crate when he cannot be watched.
By Cesar Milan
Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/new-dog/Top-10-Checklist-for-Your-Puppy#ixzz3NLJO3XOD