PUPPY DO'S AND DONT'S

DO make early, regular visits to your veterinarian for vaccinations and routine health care. The old “ounce of prevention” saying really holds true.

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DO feed regular meals. The puppy has transition to two meals a day at about eight weeks old. Overweight puppies do contribute to health problems later. Puppy is currently on: See another handout.

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DO offer different SAFE chew toys, such as Nylabones, Kong’s, or similar quality products. Puppies have a natural tendency to chew and need a suitable outlet. Also add a additive to their water for their teeth.

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DO reward good behavior. Try to catch them doing something right and reinforce it with praise and/or a small tidbit of their favorite food.

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DO take your puppy outside frequently, including after meals or drinking and about every two to three hours when they are young. Since the smell of urine and feces will stimulate elimination, take them to the same place every time and praise them if they eliminate. Crate training can be helpful in your puppy’s house training.

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DO expose your puppy to people and pets on a gradual but steady basis. Since the first year of a puppy’s life is the equivalent of 15 human years, good socialization makes for a well-adjusted, outgoing, and friendly Pet.

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DON’T wait until your puppy is sick to see a veterinarian. Puppies have a weaker immune system than adults and commonly have been exposed to parasites. Your veterinarian will have several effective and inexpensive recommendations to help prevent illness in your new family member.

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DON’T take your puppy to dog parks, public areas or unknown areas where disease contamination may be high. Puppies cannot be considered fully protected by their vaccines until four months of age.

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DON’T leave food available all the time. Dogs often gain excessive weight and become finicky eaters if allowed to eat any time of the day.

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DON’T feed generic or low-quality brands of food. If a brand of food costs less than $1.00 a pound it is most likely not a good food to get. Go natural buy my recommended Human Grade Mix I have used since 1996 and add your own meat. Remember as I have showed you the way most Kibble is processed it is believed to cause early cancer in dogs.  If you want to feed Dry Kibble instead of the diet I have used for years look for companies that slow cooks its food. One I know of uses 25 pounds of chicken for a 30-pound bag. Remember to add Super Food Supplement I also use or something similar ever day as well.

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DON’T allow your puppy to chew on your hands or other parts of your body. This can become a serious problem that is difficult to break and may cause injury when the dog iss older. Also, don’t let him or her chew on socks, shoes, or other clothes. Dogs cannot distinguish between good items and old items and will likely chew up the wrong thing if they are left alone.

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DON’T use heavy-handled discipline. Excessive punishment can often make a dog fearful and create behavior problems. Only discipline a dog with a loud deep voice or grip on the nape of the neck if you catch him or her “in the act.” If more than three seconds have passed, the dog will not associate the punishment with the discipline.

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