PUPPY'S FIRST NIGHT AND FIRST FEW DAYS

    Your puppy may go off his food a bit at first. This is normal.  Offering some special food like cottage cheese, yogurt or chopped hard boiled egg mixed in kibble usually helps.  A slight change in appetite is to be expected, but a refusal to eat does indicate a problem.  Call us if you are unsure.  If you are uneasy, call your vet.

    Puppies have to eat and potty more frequently than older dogs.  Between twelve weeks and six months, puppies generally need to be fed three times per day.  They eat small amounts and usually need to go potty upon awakening and after each meal.  After six months the puppy can generally be fed twice per day.  Be sure to supply free access to water also.  Some people prefer to free feed.  (This means, leave enough dry food out in a dish to be eaten as a puppy's appetite dictates during the day.)  But it is more difficult to housebreak if you use this method in a puppy. 

    Failure to eat can produce a condition known as hypoglycemia.  If this condition persists, a young puppy may suffer convulsions and even die.  Frequent small feedings are necessary and free feeding may also help with dogs prone to this disorder.

    Consistency is the key to successful potty training!  Take the puppy where you want him to potty every couple of hours and particularly after sleeping and eating.  Praise the pup every time he performs.  Training treats (puppy-sized biscuits) will help facilitate learning and keep the pup's appetite stimulated.

    Remember dogs are sociable animals.  They love companionship.  Leaving home and littermates can be a traumatic experience.  Be patient, gentle, and kind.  Even though your puppy does not understand your words, he does understand your vocal tones and he knows when your hands are kindly, gentle, and loving towards him.

    If your puppy is not content to sleep quietly by himself the first few nights in his new home, you may wish o try one or more of these suggestions: leave a radio playing softly, put several soft stuffed animals down for him to cuddle, put him in a crate or playpen beside your bed with an article of clothing or a fuzzy slipper, put a clock nearby, wrap a hot water bottle or put in a heating pad for him.  Speak softly to him and pet or hold him.

      A slight loosening of stool due to stress or water change may be normal.  However, diarrhea with bad odor, blood or mucus in the stool can indicate your puppy has a parasite such as Giardia or Coccidia so have his stool checked by your vet.  Puppies can become dehydrated quickly by illness due to worms, infectious diseases or parasites.

    If you have other pets in the household, it is best to introduce them slowly to your newest addition.  Some pets readily adjust while others resent or fear a new pet.  Keep pets separate until you will be there to supervise.  Never leave a new pet unattended with other animals or children until you are sure they have all had time to adjust and respect each other's space.  It is best to separate and confine the new pet whenever you will be gone.

    Your new pet will need time to get to know your voice and speech patterns.  Even if he knows his name and commands, he may not recognize them coming from you!  An older pet may also have the same problem.  Even if your new pet is a housetrained, it may take a few days to learn your home's floor plan.  Show your new pet all the exits and let him become adjusted to one room at a time.  Show him how to get "outside" from each room.  Use the same words and phrases and intonations whenever you speak to him and he will learn much faster!

    Don't confuse and overwhelm your new pet with too many demands or situations at once.  He or she may actually have to unlearn past behavior or training.  This may make the dog appear slow at first but with patience you will soon find your new pet is anxious to please you and earn your praise.

    When a new pet comes home with you, you may assume that he will respond the same way you have seen him respond in the past.  That is, if you have seen that he loves to be groomed, or that he comes when called, you may assume he will do so in every environment and with you, his new master.  In some cases this may be true but not always.  For this reason it is not wise to turn a new dog out without a lead or in an unprotected place before knowing you are in complete control.  Until you have complete confidence in each other, don't allow your dog off lead or unattended on a grooming table or bathtub.  Some dogs are voice controlled and others are not.  Some dogs, like children, like to challenge authority!  A new pet may have to build confidence in your before he learns to trust you completely.  You will know he does when he completely relaxes as you groom him or he comes before you finish calling his name!

      If your puppy has any of the following symptoms call us or your veterinarian at once: vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat, coughing, lethargy (loss of energy), a very runny or crusty nose and/or eyes.  An elevated temperature (above 102 degrees rectally) indicates fever.  Any one or combination of any of these symptoms may indicate a sick puppy.

    If your puppy seems to drink a lot of water and urinates puddles rather than spots, you will need to have his kidney function checked.  Bleeding or bruising, limping or crying out when playing or jumping can also indicate problems.

    Be observant, if you have any questions or fears, call us or have your puppy examined by a veterinarian.  You will feel better and you and puppy will both sleep better!