Caring For Your New Puppy
Congratulations on the most recent addition to your family! Pawrent-hood equates to a long-term responsibility that is accompanied by happiness and fulfilment. Like humans, canines are social creatures with needs that extend beyond their physical well-being. A puppy that is healthy and well-socialized can interact and respond to his/her surroundings in a way that is devoid of a fearful or aggressive response. Ultimately, a healthy and happy dog is the lifelong culmination of several factors in which conditioning typically begins from puppyhood.
Housing
It is recommended that preparations for your new puppy commence prior to bringing them home. The following measures are recommended to ensure that has access to a safe and comfortable environment:
· Providing a puppy crate – this will act as a place that your puppy will associate with comfort and safety. It can also act as a resting place where your puppy can retire to after vigorous activity.
· Puppy-proofing the room – as many puppies exhibit a curious tendency to chew and ingest items, it is important that any potentially hazardous items be removed from the room. This can include small toys, screws, needles, & stationary items. Foods that are known to be toxic to dogs include chocolates, garlic, onions, avocados, macadamia nuts, grapes/raisins, cherries & xylitol (a synthetic sweetener found in some food products and toothpastes). Common plants that are poisonous when ingested include tulips, aloe, lilies & eucalyptus. Likewise, any exposed circuitry or wires should be hidden or moved to somewhere inaccessible.
· Providing fresh water – always provide unrestricted access to a clean supply of fresh water for your new puppy. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are ideal as they are durable, easy to clean, and less likely to leach chemicals. Water in the bowl should be changed at least once daily.
Diet
For newly acquired puppies (up to 1 year old in small-medium breeds and 2 years in large breeds), commercially prepared puppy diets are recommended due to their higher nutrient density which is essential for growth. Where possible, it is preferable that the diet from the shop/breeder/place of acquisition be continued. It is recommended that mealtimes be split into three small meals a day, following which a transition can be made to meals twice daily by 6 months of age. If dietary changes are made, these changes be made gradually so as to prevent any gastrointestinal upsets. For example, a transition can typically be achieved over a few days:
· Day 1 : 25% new diet, 75% old diet
· Day 2 : 50% new diet, 50% old diet
· Day 3 : 75% new diet, 25% old diet
· Day 4 : 100% new diet
Toilet training
Toilet training is an essential component of training for every puppy. As puppies do not achieve maximum bladder capacity until they are approximately a year old, this may contribute to the illusion of improper urination particularly if they are not properly toilet trained. Successful toilet training is often the collective result of positive reinforcement, verbal cues, and pattern recognition. Some ways this can be achieved include:
· Setting aside a designated area for urination and defecation – ideally, this area should be isolated from areas used for sleeping, eating, and drinking. The creation of a ‘toilet area’ is very much a first step and scaffold for successful toilet training behaviour. You may subsequently wish to line the area with disposable materials such as pee-pads or newspapers.
· Establishing a bathroom routine – most canines exhibit a fixed pattern of urination and defecation following a meal. You are encouraged to reinforce this routine bringing your puppy to an appropriate place after mealtime. The use of verbal cues (i.e. ‘toilet’) and treats/rewards (for urinating/defecating in the correct location) are also very useful in establishing this routine as it allows your puppy to establish an association.
· Refraining from punishment – the use of any forms of punishment is strongly discouraged. Not only does punishment potentially instill fear and aggression related behaviours, but rarely does it prevent the undesired behaviour from reoccurring. If soiling occurs in an inappropriate area, clean the area with an enzyme or biological-based cleaner to eliminate any residual scent and reduce the likelihood of your dog soiling the same area again in future.
Enrichment and handling
Socialization and enrichment are important in ensuring that your puppy learns how to interact with its environment in a positive manner. While socialization can occur at any age, the first 3 months of their life are regarded as the most crucial period as this is when they are most inquisitive and receptive to their surroundings. Studies by the University of California Davis have advocated for at least 90 different situations by the time your puppy is 14 weeks old. Here are some measures you can adopt to facilitate the process:
· Handling sensitive parts of the body – in particular, these include the ears, paws and mouth. By conditioning your puppy to having these parts handled, this will subsequently help them become to become acclimatized to ear cleaning, nail clipping, and tooth brushing – respectively.
· Walks – we recommend taking your puppy out to the park so that he/she can be exposed to a variety of stimuli. Aim for brief periods of exposure that range from 10-20 minutes, once to twice a day. This will help desensitize them to scenarios that would otherwise be confronting if suddenly encountered a later age. Concurrently, we recommend that your puppy remain up to date with their vaccination protocol so as to reduce the chance of contracting infectious diseases.
· Toys – toys are an excellent way to keep your puppy engaged and stimulated. However, the ideal toy will ultimately depend on your puppy. For example, toys manufactured from hard rubber or nylon are less likely to destroyed by a puppy that is teething. Similarly, some puppies are stimulated more by toys that emit sounds.
Preventative health care – prophylaxis
The statement that ‘prevention is better than cure’ encapsulates the notion of preventative healthcare in puppies. This is especially true since puppies are prone to many transmissible and potentially fatal diseases that are otherwise preventable. Preventative healthcare in puppies constitutes a few broad areas:
· Core vaccinations – the core vaccination program for puppies consists of three doses that are typically given at 8, 12, & 16 weeks. If the third vaccination is administered before 16 weeks of age, your veterinarian may elect to administer an additional dose due to interference from maternal antibodies. Following this, yearly boosters are encouraged. The core vaccination referred to as DHLPP covers for canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus & parainfluenza virus. A titre check may sometimes be offered in place of a yearly booster to ascertain the level of protection conferred by the previous dose. In the event where antibody levels are adequate, a re-vaccination may not be necessary.
· Kennel cough vaccinations – the kennel cough vaccine covers for canine infectious tracheobronchitis (colloquially referred to as ‘kennel cough’) and is an optional vaccination. This vaccination should be considered if your puppy will be exposed to other dogs, particularly in settings such as puppy school, boarding, and daycare. This is a yearly vaccination which may be administered intra-nasally (via the nostrils), or orally.
· Rabies – as Singapore is a rabies-free country, the rabies vaccine is not necessary and is typically only mandated in the event your puppy is travelling overseas. Most commonly, it is a requirement of the recipient country.
· Parasite control
- Deworming : de-worming in puppies typically begins at 2 weeks and is continued every 2 weeks until they are 4 months old. Following this, deworming may be done every 3-6 months. Products such as Drontal (praziquantel and pyrantel) are typically given, which help prevent and eliminate tapeworm infestations.
- Ectoparasite & Heartworm control : ectoparasite & heartworm control may be commenced at 6 weeks of age and may be given either as a topical (spot-on) or oral treatment. Many products have a broad spectrum of coverage (ticks, ear mites, mites, fleas, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm, heartworm, lungworm) and are indicated as monthly treatments. Nexgard Spectra & Revolution are two highly recommended products which are administered orally and topically, respectively. While these products can be purchased in pet stores, it is important to note that lapses in any medication with coverage for heartworm for 6 months or longer warrants a blood test to verify or rule out the presence of heartworm before re-commencing prophylaxis.
Preventative health care – oral health & tooth brushing
Tooth brushing is an essential component of preventative health in all pets. It is recommended that tooth brushing be commenced at an early age as young patients are more amenable to handling and conditioning. You may use a pet toothbrush or a human (baby) toothbrush with soft bristles together with a toothpaste for pets (do not use human toothpastes as they contain xylitol which is toxic to dogs and cats). The ideal technique for toothbrushing involves utilizing a 45o angle in a rotary/circular motion, referred to as the modified bass technique. If your puppy is amenable, you may also brush the inner surface of his/her teeth although brushing the external surface is generally considered sufficient. Where frequency is concerned, it is recommended tooth brushing be done daily, and minimally every 3 days.
Spaying & Neutering
Spaying and neutering refers to the practice of removing the reproductive organs of a female and male respectively and encompass sterilization. Sterilization confers certain benefits which include :
· Reduced soiling/spraying behaviour
· Reduced urges to wander in search of mates
· Eliminating the risk of uterine cancers and infections (e.g. pyometra)
· Reduced risk of prostatic diseases and elimination of testicular cancers/diseases in male dogs
Small breed dogs are generally suitable to be sterilized once they are 6 months of age, while recently developments have shown that larger breeds (Retrievers, Shepherds, Labradors) should be sterilized only once they have attained full maturity at 2 years of age. Prior to surgery, your veterinarian may elect to conduct a pre-anaesthetic blood-test to screen for any abnormalities which may otherwise have been undetectable on a physical exam.
We look forward to meeting your new puppy! Schedule a Canine Wellness Plan with us today to ensure they get the healthiest start in their new home!