PETstock Puppy Care

By: PETstock

 

Owning a Puppy
Owning a puppy will be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things that you and your family will ever do.

To enjoy all the benefits of owning a puppy, it is vital that you ensure it stays healthy and happy.

While it is exciting bringing a new puppy home, remember the environment is new and your pup may be very apprehensive or scared. Act calm, not too rowdy, and provide a warm, soft and cosy area for your pup to feel secure. Certainly a toy or two will help in these early days.

 

Feeding Requirements
Feed the current diet for the first week before aiming to integrate a good quality puppy food. Wet food is fine but it is important to always feed some dry food too, as it is much better for your pup's teeth! Keep the diet consistent as transitional diarrheas can occur.

Feed 4 times a day until 12 weeks of age then 3 times daily until 5-6months old. From then on, once or twice a day is fine.

A premium puppy food is recommended as it is complete and full of the right nutrients in the right proportions unlike many supermarket foods. The coat condition of your pup is a great indicator of food quality.

Keep your pup on a growth diet until 12 months of age and then switch to an adult food.

Tip: After a pup is weaned, there is no need to give milk. Fresh water is better for them and helps with digestion.

 

Microchipping
A Microchip is a permanent identification device implanted under the skin of your pup allowing quick return of your puppy if they are lost. It is now a law to have this done in several states of Australia so ask for PETstock staff or your council if this is a requirement in your area.
 

Your pup can be microchipped at any age but the earlier the better. Microchipping is quick and easy, causing very little discomfort. If your PETstock store has PETvet, this service can be done in-store.

 

Training
Puppies are wonderful little creatures that grow into wonderful, bigger creatures. Training starts as early as possible and is vital for a happy and healthy relationship. Dogs are pack animals and are used to a social hierarchy. Set your rules and stick to them. You should be fair, firm and consistent but most of all, you must become the dominant pack leader.

Always praise your puppy for good behaviour and correct undesirable behaviour with a firm "No!" and then ignore for 2 minutes. Ceasing 'playtime' is a good punishment for a pup. Rewarding with treats is a great way to train your puppy when he does things right.

Tip: Puppy school at PETstock is highly recommended as it is a great, fun way to socialise and train your pup in a group.

 

Desexing
Due to various health and behaviuor problems, it is highly recommended your puppy is desexed at 5-6 months of age if you are not intending to breed her/him. This will not change the personality of your puppy.

 

Pet Insurance
Owning a puppy can be costly, especially if things go wrong and you require expensive veterinary treatments. Pet Insurance works in much the same way as our insurance. You pay a monthly premium and 80% of your vet bills including some routine cover are paid for. The last thing you need to worry about in an emergency is "can I afford treatment?"

Tip: The highest costs of pet ownership occur in the first year and last few years of your dog's life, so get covered early!

 

Flea Protection
Protect against fleas. Fleas carry tapeworm and can cause severe scratching and allergic reactions known as flea allergy dermatitis.

Cover your puppy with a good quality flea control product on a monthly basis, all year round. You can start from 6-8 weeks of age and continue it for life.

 

Heartworm
Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and lungs of dogs and is spread by mosquitoes. This disease is usually fatal without treatment and contrary to popular belief, is present in all states of Australia.

 

It is vital to cover your puppy against heartworm rather than waiting for them to contract it. The old saying "prevention is better than cure" definitely applied here.

Prevention comes in the form of yearly injections, tablets, chewables and spot-ons.

Tip: Most "all wormers" do not prevent heartworm, so check them.

 

Vaccination
Puppies are at risk of a number of serious diseases including parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and more. These diseases are debilitating and can be fatal, thus vaccinating against them is vital. Your vet will guide you on the right vaccination regime for your pup.

The first vaccination is generally given at 6-8weeks of age, 12 weeks for the second and the final one at 14-16 weeks of age. Boosters are then recommended yearly.

If your PETstock store has a PETvet service, you can get your pup vaccinated conveniently in-store.

 

Worming
Your puppy should be treated for intestinal worms every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age then every 4 weeks until 6 months of age. After 6 months, worming should continue every 3 months for life.

The common intestinal worms include roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and whipworm.

Tip: "All wormers" are a good way to ensure you cover everything you need to. Remember worms can transfer from dog to human, so be diligent especially if you have children.

 

Puppy Checklist

• Vaccinations
• Microchip
• Flea and tick control
• Worming
• Heartworm prevention
• Premium puppy food
• Bedding
• Food and water bowl
• Training treats
• Desexing
• Collar and lead
• ID tag
• Shampoo and grooming
• Pet insurance
• Council registration