Puppies are a lot of fun, and watching them grow into the dog, they will become very rewarding. Puppies are also a lot of work. Now that it’s in your home and your heart, let’s work on making it a lasting connection.
Let’s start with health. Your puppy/dog needs a wellness check as soon as possible. If you adopted a six weeks old puppy and it now January, that baby needs to be dewormed again and shots. A new puppy will need shots at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks with a bordetella and rabies shot in the mix too. Your new baby is not entirely Inoculated until it has had at least three vaccines. Parvo never takes a break in our area. Get that baby into the vet ASAP and get it on a schedule. You can check out the Mobile County Health Department to see when and where their weekly rabies clinics are. This is the most important thing you can do for your new pet. It may cost a little upfront, but parvo is very expensive to cure!!
Next, and this may seem to be what should have been first, but I’m trying to keep that baby of your healthy and alive; let’s talk training. I always recommend crate training. It’s easier, and you will have fewer accidents in the house. A new puppy is like having a toddler in the house. And everything has to be touched and tasted. If your pet stays in his crate while you aren’t playing with him or feeding him, then you won’t have to worry about chewed shoes or electric cords. We have had a client with a nine-week-old puppy lose it to electrocution while the owner was at a paint party at church. She chewed the wire on the DVD player. This doesn’t mean pup is in the crate all day, just during his downtime. A puppy 12 weeks and under is going to poop eight times a day and pee every time he wakes up. You must be diligent and not break your own rules, or you will never get him trained.
It would be best if you were not taking your new pet to the dog park or groomer or to even really visit until they have had three shots and a bordetella vaccine. Bordetella can be carried on your clothes, and it is hard to get rid of. The hacking cough is pitiful. Once your pet has had, it’s appropriate shots, then seek out a groomer. Regular grooming on long hair dogs will help keep them happy and healthy. A matted dog is in pain, and it really can alter their personality. Luckily for our readers, this area has several good groomers.
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