Raising Puppies

Raising a puppy is a way to build an unbreakable bond with a loving companion.  Watching the puppy grow, learn, and mature under your care is very rewarding.  There is a lot of responsibility involved however, and the owner should be prepared for the level of dedication required of them.

Puppies can not fend for themselves.  They need good nutrition, exercise, socialization, and training to become good pets.  A puppy should receive proper veterinary care as well.  Vaccinations are given to protect the pup from contagious disease. They are boostered several times while the immune system is developing.  Young puppies are susceptible to intestinal parasites, and will probably require de-worming to keep them healthy.  Spaying or neutering should be planned around five to six months old.

Puppies should be fed at least three times a day, and they should always have access to fresh water.  A name brand premium puppy food will provide proper nutrition to grow up healthy and strong.  Supplemental vitamins are not usually required when a good balanced diet is fed.  Puppies should be fully weaned before adoption.

Crate training is the fastest way to house-train a puppy.  It helps to establish a schedule for sleeping, playing, feeding, and eliminating.  The crate is never used for punishment, as the puppy should consider it a safe and happy place to be.

A puppy’s stools should be checked to be sure they are formed.  If the puppy has diarrhea, it can quickly become dehydrated.  Blood in the stool is a sign of serious illness or intestinal parasites.  If the stools are not normal, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Obedience training begins as soon as the puppy’s attention span allows for it.  Around six weeks old, dogs can begin learning basic commands like sit.  Patience, persistence, and time are all that are required to properly train the puppy.  Commands can become more complex as the puppy matures.

Puppies should be well socialized to people and other pets.  Beginning at a very young age, the pup should learn proper interaction and social skills.  Fear of people when the dog is older stems from improper socialization when it was young.  Many behavioral problems can be avoided in this way.

Caring for a puppy is a challenge that will bring many rewards.  Having a well trained, happy, and healthy dog begins with raising a puppy properly.