Puppy Care - Towerhill Veterinary Clinic & Vet On The Move

Puppy Care & Health Checks

Introduction

Introducing a new dog to your family is an exciting moment, but it can be overwhelming for the dog as they enter a new environment with unfamiliar sights, smells, and people. While the change may seem joyful, it can be stressful for the animal. To ease the transition, it’s important to establish routines and be well-prepared. Here are some tips to care for your dog, ensuring their comfort and safety in their new home.

Basic responsibilities

According to the law, it is mandatory to fulfil the basic welfare needs of your dog. This includes ensuring your dog has access to clean water, suitable food, proper sleeping conditions, shade to protect them from the hot sun and sufficient exercise to maintain their health and well-being

Housing

Dogs should be housed in an environment that caters to their physical and behavioural needs, ensuring safety and well-being. This involves creating an engaging space, implementing fencing to prevent escape, and offering outdoor areas with shelter and shade. Providing a comfortable and secure sleeping area is essential, with warm and dry bedding, regularly washed blankets, and rugs. Older dogs or those with arthritis might benefit from extra padding. While most dogs prefer sleeping indoors near their human families in a draught-free space, if outdoor sleeping is necessary, a sturdy kennel with protection from the elements, suitable bedding, and access to fresh water is crucial

Vaccinations

Puppies need a vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks and 10 – 12 weeks, with an additional booster at 16 – 18 weeks. A yearly booster is also required to maintain protection. Two weeks after this vaccination, your puppy should have good immunity, and can go outdoors and mix with other dogs.

What diseases does my dog need to be vaccinated against?

We advise all clients to vaccinate their dogs against the following main three diseases, because of their global distribution and the severity of illness that they cause. These three viruses are combined into a single vaccine, commonly referred to as the C3 or the core vaccines.

Parvovirus (PV) – causes severe bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, and eventually anaemia, shock, blood infection, and death.
Distemper (DV) – affects the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and Central Nervous systems, so can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, eye inflammation, pneumonia, seizures and death
Hepatitis Adenovirus (AV) – causes hepatitis, fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, bleeding disorders, and eventually death

It is also advisable that dogs coming into contact with other dogs, or sharing the same house, water bowls or food bowls, should also be vaccinated against two infectious agents of kennel cough:

Both Bb and PiV can cause infectious Broncho-tracheitis (kennel cough), which often causes a “honking” cough, fever, nasal discharge and/or ocular discharge. These symptoms can get worse and may lead to pneumonia-type signs. Your dog doesn’t need to go into boarding kennels to be exposed to this type of infection; as it is an airborne infection/disease. Airborne diseases are bacteria or viruses that are most commonly transmitted through small respiratory droplets.

Dogs going into boarding kennels should be vaccinated with C5 (C3 + both components of Kennel cough vaccine; Bb/PiV) before going to the boarding kennel.

Heartworm

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes so it’s essential to protect your new pup. Your Vet is able to advise you with the best prevention program for your pets. A prevention program should be started by 12 weeks of age, either by an annual injection or monthly products which will be continued for life.

Fleas

No one likes an itchy puppy, especially the puppy! So we recommend a routine treatment to prevent fleas becoming a problem. Talk to us about the best product for your pet.

Feeding

We recommend a mixture of wet and dry good quality puppy food, which is vital to a little puppy’s health. You will be guided through the best diet as well as the frequency of meals to suit different life stages.

Providing appropriate nutrition is crucial for a dog’s overall health, particularly during their puppy stage when rapid growth and development occur.

Essential nutrients like protein, calcium, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates are vital for your dog’s overall well-being. Whether opting for commercial food or preparing meals at home, it’s crucial to ensure a balanced mix of these nutrients.

As the puppy matures, the frequency of feedings can be reduced gradually. However, it is advisable to continue feeding a reputable puppy diet until adulthood, typically around 9 to 12 months for most dogs and up to 2 years for giant breeds.

As your dog progresses through different life stages, their dietary requirements evolve. An active puppy, for instance, demands more calories and frequent meals compared to an older dog. Determining the right type and quantity of food can be challenging, but you can check with your vet what is the best dietary regime.

Important Note: Avoid feeding dogs cooked bones, as they can splinter and pose severe health risks. Additionally, there are specialized dry foods and chew treats designed to enhance your dog’s dental hygiene, and your vet can recommend suitable options.

Deworming

Puppies need to be dewormed every two weeks with an all-wormer until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until six months of age. Afterwards, three-monthly tablets.

De-sexing

Unless intended for breeding purposes, it is advisable to spay or neuter all dogs. Not only does this prevent unwanted litters, and anti-social behaviours, but also reduce the risk of potential health issues, such as prostate disease in males and uterine infection or mammary cancer in females. Additionally, spaying and neutering can positively impact behaviour. For females, spaying is typically recommended around 5 months of age, before their first heat cycle, as this is the safest and most beneficial timing for medical advantages. For males, neutering is usually done between 4 and 5 months of age, varying based on breed and size. However, for very small and very large dog breeds, our vets will discuss the pros and cons of the de-sexing time for each breed.

Microchip

All pets in Victoria should be microchipped. You have to apply online for a “Source Number” on the home page of “Pet Exchange Register”, here is the link for that https://per.animalwelfare.vic.gov.au/. If your pet goes missing, a microchip is the best way to track them, identify them, and get them safely returned to you. It can be done at any age, but new animals older than 12 weeks must be chipped before they can be registered with your local council. Remember to update your details with the registry if you move or change phone numbers. Microchipping is a highly reliable identification method that significantly enhances the likelihood of reuniting with your lost dog. A tiny microchip is inserted under your dog’s skin by a veterinarian or another qualified individual. Each microchip possesses a unique identification number.

Insurance

Unfortunately, you can’t add Fluffy to your Medicare card, but you can take out pet insurance to help minimise unexpected costs associated with treating illness or injury.

Grooming

To maintain your dog’s overall well-being, it is essential to regularly brush its hair coat, especially if it is thick or shaggy and prone to matting. Brushing helps eliminate shed hair and prevents the formation of mats, which can irritate the skin and create a suitable environment for bacterial or parasite infections. It is crucial to use electric clippers, not scissors, when removing mats to avoid cutting the skin underneath. Periodic bathing with a pet shampoo is recommended to promote healthy skin and fur, but excessive bathing can lead to skin and hair dryness and irritation. Generally, most dogs do not require more than one bath a month, with the frequency influenced by the time of year and weather conditions.

Zoonoses

Zoonoses are diseases that can transfer from animals to humans or vice versa, posing a higher risk to certain individuals, including young children, adults over 65, and those with compromised immune systems. While the chances are minimal, it is possible to contract diseases from your dog, such as ringworm, certain intestinal worms, scabies, and fleas. Mitigating this risk involves maintaining your dog’s worm prevention, practicing regular handwashing, refraining from allowing your dog to lick faces, and preventing children from playing in soil contaminated by dog faeces.

Dog Training and socialising

Engaging in training sessions with your companion dog is a delightful aspect of pet ownership, allowing you to teach them new skills. Dogs generally find these sessions enjoyable and can be quick learners when using a reward-based approach.

Reward-based training not only stimulates them mentally but also helps prevent the development of undesirable behaviours, fostering a stronger bond between you and your dog. It is essential that all training relies on positive reinforcement, where desirable behaviours are rewarded with praise and small treats, while unwanted behaviours are either ignored or redirected. Punishment is discouraged, as it is ineffective, distressing to the dog, and tends to exacerbate problems. Ideally, training should commence during puppyhood, starting with exposure to various experiences in their early socialization period.

Additionally, dogs undergo an early socialization period, typically from 2 to 4 months of age. This phase presents a prime opportunity to expose them positively to various stimuli, fostering acceptance of new people, places, animals, and experiences. This early positive exposure significantly reduces the likelihood of future behavioural issues and fear-related behaviours.

Unlike social exposure training, which should be done before a puppy reaches 12 weeks old, dog training can be initiated at any age. Various approaches can be employed, including at-home training, joining local dog training classes, or hiring a private dog trainer.

Training tips

Ensure to conduct short training sessions, lasting five to ten minutes, several times a week to prevent boredom. Use food treats as rewards during training, as they are highly effective and appealing to dogs. Minimize distractions during training to keep the dog focused on you; for example, avoid training in busy places like parks with energetic children.

It’s crucial for all dogs to acquire basic obedience skills, responding attentively to every household member. Focusing on basic commands such as ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘come,’ ‘drop,’ and ‘heel’ is recommended, as mastering these commands provides a foundational level of control and trust in your dog’s behaviour.

Sit

‘Sit’ is typically the initial command taught to young dogs and is a fundamental part of basic training. To achieve this:

Hold a piece of food or a dog treat between your thumb and forefinger.
Position the food just above the dog’s nose.
Slowly move the food up and back over the dog’s head towards its tail.
The dog will naturally look up and move into a sitting position.
As the dog sits, say the word “sit” once or twice to associate the action with the word.
Once the dog is seated, provide the reward and offer positive praise in a cheerful tone. Ensure the treat is held at an appropriate height to prevent the dog from jumping up to get it.

Stay

Initiate training with your dog on a lead, starting in a sitting position on your left.
Use an open hand in front of the dog’s face, command “stay,” and step in front.
Gradually increase the duration before rewarding the dog.
As your dog becomes better at holding the stay position, start taking steps backwards until you are at the end of the lead.
Once your dog has mastered staying on a lead, you can practice off-lead stays at home or within a securely fenced area.

Come

Effective control over your dog requires training them to come when called. A crucial rule is ensuring a positive outcome every time they come to you. Follow these training tips:

Hold your dog’s lead in your left hand and a treat in your right.
Step backward, calling your dog’s name followed by “come,” using a positive tone.
Gradually increase the number of steps while issuing the command.
Praise or reward your dog upon responding to the command.
If training at home or in a safe fenced area, progress to off-lead training once your dog consistently masters the on-lead version.

House manners

Establishing boundaries for your dog when it enters your home is advisable. Provide your dog with its designated area, preferably in a quieter section of the home, offering a retreat for moments of peace. This designated space should include essential items such as a food bowl, water bowl, and comfortable bedding. If the area is outdoors, ensure it is well-shaded and sheltered from sun, wind, and rain.

Sleeping

Dogs find comfort in having their own bed, often retreating to it when seeking personal space. Many owners choose to place their dog’s bed in a quiet corner of the laundry or family room, away from disruption.

Kitchen and eating areas

It is advisable to train your dog to be on its bed while meals are being prepared, or the family is eating. It is unwise to feed your dog from the table as dogs can quickly learn to become scavengers. All treats should be given on your terms, not on the dog’s demand.

Visitors

Ensuring your guests feel at ease during their visit involves teaching your dog good manners. Jumping up on people is a common issue that can be addressed through consistent practice and training with family members at home. When your dog jumps up, calmly turn your body away, avoid eye contact, and keep your arms still. Once the dog has all four paws on the ground, provide a reward.

Behavioural issues

Dogs can develop undesirable behaviours, often unknowingly reinforced by owners. Seeking professional help from a vet or qualified dog behaviourist is essential if negative behaviours persist and impact your lifestyle

Chewing

Dogs, especially teething puppies, may exhibit destructive chewing behaviour. Teaching puppies what is acceptable to chew is crucial. Numerous toys, such as hard rubber balls, rawhide chews, and squeaky toys, are designed to withstand chewing and aid in the transition from baby to adult teeth.

Toilet training

Whether you’ve welcomed a puppy or an older dog into your home, toilet training is essential. Puppies require intensive training to signal when they need to go and to identify acceptable toileting areas. Even older dogs, potentially already toilet trained, need guidance on appropriate areas in their new environment.

By consistently taking the dog outdoors at times when dogs naturally eliminate and praising them for doing so, housetraining can typically be achieved in a few weeks with patience and persistence. It’s beneficial to establish a designated area associated with elimination. Watch for signs like circling and sniffing the ground, indicating your dog’s need to go. Reward successful toilet trips to reinforce positive behaviour.

If accidents occur, taking the pet outside to the designated area and offering praise is more effective than punishment, which can have a negative impact on training. Minimizing indoor accidents is crucial, as each one can set back the training process.

Times When Puppies Naturally Eliminate

In the morning after waking up
At night before bedtime
After every meal
After drinking a lot of water
After waking from a nap
During or after vigorous play or other activities
Occasionally during the night, especially for very young puppies

Sit

‘Sit’ is typically the initial command taught to young dogs and is a fundamental part of basic training. To achieve this:

Hold a piece of food or a dog treat between your thumb and forefinger.
Position the food just above the dog’s nose.
Slowly move the food up and back over the dog’s head towards its tail.
The dog will naturally look up and move into a sitting position.
As the dog sits, say the word “sit” once or twice to associate the action with the word.
Once the dog is seated, provide the reward and offer positive praise in a cheerful tone. Ensure the treat is held at an appropriate height to prevent the dog from jumping up to get it.

Stay

Initiate training with your dog on a lead, starting in a sitting position on your left.
Use an open hand in front of the dog’s face, command “stay,” and step in front.
Gradually increase the duration before rewarding the dog.
As your dog becomes better at holding the stay position, start taking steps backwards until you are at the end of the lead.
Once your dog has mastered staying on a lead, you can practice off-lead stays at home or within a securely fenced area.

Come

Effective control over your dog requires training them to come when called. A crucial rule is ensuring a positive outcome every time they come to you. Follow these training tips:

Hold your dog’s lead in your left hand and a treat in your right.
Step backward, calling your dog’s name followed by “come,” using a positive tone.
Gradually increase the number of steps while issuing the command.
Praise or reward your dog upon responding to the command.
If training at home or in a safe fenced area, progress to off-lead training once your dog consistently masters the on-lead version.