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THE DOG PAGE
Welcome to The Dog Page! I am busy compiling tips and lots of other stuff which I hope will be of some use to you. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like specific information to be added.
SO YOU HAVE A NEW PUPPY?
Welcome to the world of the New Dog Owner! To the wet and dirty floors, to sleepless nights, to the scratched furniture and the shredded laundry - and to the tight smiles from the neighbours. You've arrived!
Your new pup will need some time to acclimatize and to find his place within your household; in this time, you should become the 'pack leader', and he will test your family to see just where he fits in. Here are some tips to help you to ensure that the settling in period is as gentle and trauma free as possible:
1. Show your puppy around his new environment. Let him sniff each area to familiarize himself with its smells.
2. Portion off a small area - about the size of a reasonable sized playpen - and make this his 'den'. He should be given a bed, bedding, water bowl with fresh water, paper (for toilet) and toys - such as squeaky toy, chewy toy and ball. This den becomes his place of safety, his haven. He should never be sent to his den as punishment.
3. Introduce him to his den by putting him inside in a happy manner, with his food. Let him eat the food, then take him out and make a big fuss of him - play, talk in a high and happy voice - "What a good boy! That's a good boy!". Next time leave him a bit longer with some toys. Again take him out, play, and make a big fuss. If this goes well, put him in his den and leave the house. Don't go too far away, just in case his calls irritate the neighbourhood. When you go back, same circumstances: play, fuss, happy talk.
4. The idea is to have the pup accept this denning as good, so that when you do have to leave him, he is not open to abuse by neighbours, passers by, or baiting by some sick minded idiot. Also, he is less prone to separation anxiety because he is happy, and he knows that you will come back.
5. Now that you've got your puppy settled in and onto a good feeding routine, it's a good time to check him over. One really good way to do this is by massage. Try dropping down on the floor with your puppy, and gently, gently! massage him around the nose, the head, jaws, mouth; down the neck, shoulders, legs, feet - check those paws for nails, torn pads etc. -; then down the back, sides, belly - turn him over for this (but be prepared to have him flop all over you - it's really relaxing!); then over the rump, down the backlegs and paws, and along the tail. This is a great way to check for ticks and fleas and any injury. It also calms a hyperactive pup or dog, and is soothing for you too. Quality time with your pup!
6. Have you introduced your puppy to the neighbourhood yet? No? Well, now is not a good time unless he has had all his vaccinations; but if they have been done, then a gentle walk - not a gallop! - around the neighbourhood would be rewarding for both of you. If you pup is big and strong or a great puller, then maybe a gentle leader or a halti would be a life saver for you. A dog can pull 250% of its body weight on a collar or harness, but with either the gentle leader or halti, will only pull 5%. I know which one I'd like! There are arguments for and against choker chains (sometimes called slip collars), but I am against them, unless the handler is well versed in their use. There is vet evidence which indicates severe trauma to the throats and windpipes of a vast number of dogs on which these collars have been misused. In the hands of some handlers, these collars have been used as instruments of torture. I have intense dislike for other collars such as the prong collar, the bark collar, and the 'fence' collar. Who would like to have someone jerking a prong collar into their neck? And the bark collar contains citronella, which dogs hate - but there are many reports of the product misfunctioning, and the dogs get left with the stench all day; there is also no reason for the dog as to why he is being 'punished'. As for the 'fence' collar - a dog's yard is supposed to be his secure area; if other dogs can enter his space without hindrance (they aren't wearing collars!) and chase him out - he'll be left outside and with no means to return. Enough of my hobby horse!
7. After all this exercise, he'll be hungry! Some feed 'wet' food, some feed 'dry', and some feed a mixture of both. Whatever food you do give your puppy, please make sure that the food is a complete and balanced diet. Don't be surprised if when you get your puppy home, he goes off his food. That's fairly normal - after all, he is away from his mother and siblings and in a strange environment. It may take him a little while to accept food; however, remember that a healthy animal will not starve itself. Just keep trying small amounts at a time. He'll soon come round. Water needs to be present at all times.
8. If he is still not eating after a few days, he may have some problems - such as sore teeth/gums, an infection, tummy upset, or another major problem. If you've checked him out and his teeth are o.k., his gums are pink, his ears and feet alright, it might be an idea to take him to the vet. He could be a sick little dog! It is always better to be sure.
9. Besides his yearly vaccinations, he will need regular heartworm and worming. If your dog is not on heartworm treatment - please-don't put him on any treatment until your vet has checked him out. You could endanger your pup's life if you do this. And talk to your vet about a good broad spectrum wormer to get rid of those other lurking intestinal worms while you're at it!
10. Importantly - enjoy your pup!
That's all for now folks!
Any info you'd like to pass on - or anything you'd like to make comment about - I would gratefully receive and acknowledge; just email me.
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This page was updated on 16th March, 2001
