Bringing home a puppy

All puppies are cute and it is very tempting to acquire one almost by accident. Taking on a puppy is a big responsibility – remember it will not stay a puppy for long. Within a year you will have an adult dog which may be expected to live for 10 years or more. Before getting a puppy think about whether you are able to make a long-term commitment and, if you are, what kind of dog will best suit your lifestyle.

There are a huge variety of pedigree dogs and if you decide to get a pedigree puppy you should contact a breeder for further advice. The breeder will be able to provide you with more information about your chosen breed and whether it is really the right kind of dog for you. Listen carefully to them and take their advice – think again if they suggest that you have made the wrong choice. Do not buy puppies from dealers however tempting it may be. Always ask to see a puppy with its mother and preferably in a home environment. If you have children you should ideally get a puppy brought up in a household with children.

Animal welfare charities and rescue centers are always looking for good homes for puppies and mature dogs. It may be more appropriate for you to have an adult dog that is already trained. Always be wary of adult dogs in rescue centers if their previous history is unclear – ask yourself ‘why did someone else get rid of this dog?’

A normal puppy should be active, interested and playful. It is a bad sign if the puppy is very nervous or appears sleepy all the time. However, normal puppies do sleep for long periods, so it is worth watching the puppy for a while or visiting on several occasions before making a final decision. Early experiences are important to produce a happy and well-adjusted dog, so ideally choose a puppy from a household which is similar to your own. If you have children or a cat your puppy is more likely to adjust well to these if it has grown up with them from an early age.

A normal puppy should be active, interested and playful. It is a bad sign if the puppy is very nervous or appears sleepy all the time. However, normal puppies do sleep for long periods, so it is worth watching the puppy for a while or visiting on several occasions before making a final decision. Early experiences are important to produce a happy and well-adjusted dog, so ideally choose a puppy from a household which is similar to your own. If you have children or a cat your puppy is more likely to adjust well to these if it has grown up with them from an early age.

Puppies normally leave their mothers between 8 and 12 weeks. Before you take the puppy home ask about the kind of care it was getting. Try to feed the same type of food for at least a few days and introduce any new diet gradually. Find out if the puppy has had any vaccinations and if it has, you should be given a certificate signed by a veterinarian. All puppies have worms and so regular worm treatment (usually every 2 weeks at first) is vitally important in the first year of life. Find out when your puppy was last treated for worms and ask your veterinarian for advice about continuing treatment in your home.

Make sure you have all the things you will need before you bring the puppy home. Food and water bowls, food, a warm bed, a collar with name and address tag and grooming equipment are all essential. Toys are also a good idea. Set up a puppy-proofed area in your home to help keep your puppy safe and assist with house training. The proper use of baby gates, exercise pens, and crates can help smooth the puppy’s transition into your home.

If you have other pets, introduce them gradually to the puppy and never leave them alone together at first. It is very important for a puppy to meet a variety of other animals and people as soon as possible. Because your puppy is not fully protected until the end of the vaccine series, they should ideally only mix with healthy, vaccinated adult dogs with good social skills, whilst they are still undergoing vaccines. However, your veterinary practice may run puppy socialization classes where all of this has been taken into account. There are puppy ‘socialization classes’ where your pup can meet others of the same age for fun and frolics. Think about attending puppy life skills classes – set your puppy up for success and a lifetime of happiness.

Register your puppy with a veterinarian as soon as possible and ask for a health check. Regular, daily grooming paired with pieces of your puppy’s food or special treats will help keep your pet in top condition. Starting this once your puppy has acclimated to their new home (about a week) gets your puppy used to the idea of being groomed and he should look forward to the attention and treats. Dental disease is common in dogs and this can be avoided, just as in humans, by daily tooth . If you start a routine of tooth brushing as soon as you get your puppy it will be much easier to continue throughout his later years. Be mindful that when your puppy is teething, their gums will be more sensitive than usual, and you don’t want to put them off tooth brushing by doing it when gums are uncomfortable. Be gentle and seek advice from your veterinary practice. Sometimes just putting some enzymatic toothpaste on a teething chew can be a good compromise when gums are tender. Special brushes and doggy toothpastes are available. Do not use human toothpaste as this will foam up in your puppy’s mouth and he will not like the taste.

There are a number of highly infectious and potentially fatal diseases that can affect your dog. There is no treatment for many of these diseases and young puppies that catch them often die. However, for many of these conditions there is a simple protection in the form of vaccination. Ensure  your dog completes an initial course of vaccinations and then receives regular boosters, to keep your dog fit and healthy.

Puppies can be neutered from a young age. You should discuss this with your veterinarian at the time of vaccination if you are not planning to let your pet have puppies.

While owning a dog is a long-term commitment it will bring you many rewards.