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Diabetes up in U.S. cats and dogs
May 13th, 2012 by admin

Cover of "Cats and Dogs (Best Book of)"

Cover of Cats and Dogs (Best Book of)

Diabetes up in U.S. cats and dogs

By Lindy Washburn

Diabetes diagnoses are rising at an even faster rate among dogs and cats than their human companions, according to a national analysis of pet health released this week.

The 2011 “State of Pet Health” report is based on data from more than 2.5 million dogs and cats that visited Banfield Pet Hospital facilities in 43 states.

Nationally, diabetes rates increased by nearly a third among dogs in the last four years and by 16 percent among cats. It is much more common among cats. By comparison, human diagnoses of diabetes rose 10 percent over the same period.

The surprisingly high incidence of diabetes stems in part from rising rates of obesity, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a veterinarian and chief medical officer for the Banfield chain, based in Portland, Ore.

“We have increasing obesity in dogs and cats, just like in humans. It’s no mystery how that occurs: overfeeding and lack of exercise.”

The most common symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination, excessive thirst and weight loss despite a good appetite. Managing this chronic disease can be time consuming, usually including twice-daily insulin injections, a change in diet and regular monitoring by a vet.

“Millions of pets are getting insulin twice a day,” Klausner said. “Dogs can be diabetic for years and do just fine.”

Cats can be somewhat harder to treat because they are smaller, and harder to find for the daily injections.

The best preventive measure: Make sure Buster and Tiger get enough exercise and don’t become overweight.

Overall, the most common problem among the animals was dental disease, the report said. Problems with the teeth and gums affected more than three-quarters of dogs and two-thirds of cats, with symptoms ranging from gum inflammation and tartar buildup to tooth loss.

Other common health problems among companion animals, according to the report:

•  Fleas and ticks. Tick infestation carries the risk of Lyme disease. The rate of flea infestation has also climbed steadily.

•  Internal parasites. Most pets show no signs of infection, although puppies and kittens can become noticeably ill. Some of these parasites can be transmitted from animals to humans.

•  Otitis externa, or an inflammation of the outer ear canal. This was the most common diagnosis among dogs and cats after dental disease. Prevention includes regular ear cleaning.

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Patricia Griecci Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

PlayMore Publishing Dog Books

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Patricia Griecci has written a fabulous guide to the perfect pooch party

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Happy Mother’s Day To All Mom’s With “Kids With Tails”
May 13th, 2012 by admin

Happy Mother’s Day To All Mom’s With “Kids With Tails”

Pampered Pooch Parties

Pampered Pooch Parties


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ASPCA Pet of the Week: Eskimo Kisses
May 12th, 2012 by admin


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Watch Buddy The Dog Fire Fighter
May 12th, 2012 by sgriecci

Watch Buddy The Dog lead police to his burning home!

Save the Whales! email the White House and ask The President not to support Whaling by Japan and Norway.


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Housetraining Your Dog From Day One
May 12th, 2012 by admin

Housetraining Your Dog From Day One

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

Use persistence and lots of praise to teach your pup potty manners.

Housetraining your puppy doesn’t have to be a headache.

The more vigilant the family is about eliminating the pup’s opportunity to have accidents and rewarding successes, the quicker and easier the pup is trained, says Julie Jackson, canine behavior coordinator for the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wis.

Begin training the first day you take your pup home.

How often you’ll need to take him outside depends on his activities. Puppies normally need to go to the bathroom after they eat, drink, play, chew, or sleep.

After each of these activities, take your puppy outside on a leash and take along a tasty treat about the size of a pea.

Try to go to the same spot each time. The odor from the previous visits will remind him why he’s there.

Once he starts to eliminate, softly praise him. (If speaking interrupts him, though, don’t say anything.)

When he finishes, immediately give him the treat and more praise.

Sometimes puppies urinate or defecate more than once per outing. After he relieves himself, don’t rush back inside. Wait a few more minutes just in case.

If you’re outside for more than 10 minutes and your puppy has not gone to the bathroom, but you think he has to, go inside. Wait 10 minutes. Then return outside and try again. Keep this up until he goes.

Make your puppy’s elimination schedule more predictable by feeding him the same amount of food, at the same time, everyday. (Sudden diet changes can cause diarrhea.)

To prevent indoor accidents, keep close tabs on him. Jackson recommends using a lightweight, 10-foot leash with a clasp on one end. Tie the leash around your waist or belt loop, and hook the clasp to your dog’s collar.

Now everywhere you go, he goes too. Look for signs that your puppy may need to eliminate, such as sniffing the floor in circles, or trying to run out of sight.

If you’re not home during the day, use a baby gate to confine your pup in a room with tile or linoleum to make cleaning up accidents easier.

During your lunch break, go home to let your puppy outside. If you can’t, consider hiring a pet sitter, or asking a neighbor.

Housetraining pads are an unnecessary step in the housetraining process, according to Jackson. Your puppy is capable of learning right from the start that the appropriate place to eliminate is outside.

When an accident happens, don’t yell, hit or rub his nose in the mess.

If you catch puppy in the act, clap your hands and startle him, she says. Then scoop him up, take him to the backyard, and reward him for finishing out there.

If he goes to the bathroom but you didn’t see him do it, just clean up the mess. Don’t say or do anything.

Your pup will start reliably going outside within several weeks, but Jackson warns not to let him have too much freedom, too soon. It can take up to nine months, she says, before he’s fully trained.

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Patricia Griecci Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

PlayMore Publishing Dog

Books

PlayMore Publishing Dog Our

Books

Smiling Dog Bakery Dog Our Books

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england photos
PlayMore Publishing Dog Our Books

PlayMore Publishing Dog Our

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Manufacturing Operations New Products Process Engineer Resume Frank Tebeau


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Like humans, dogs have not been immunized from Cancer
May 10th, 2012 by admin

Catch Me If You Can
Image by kellygifford via Flickr

Like humans, dogs too have not been immunized from the deadly disease of Cancer which for ages has been claiming the lives of millions of human. Dogs though hardly seen as precious possession for human on whom lots of many can be spent curing deadly disease like Cancer, the recent trend is that dog owners are more than willing to spend money on their dogs and cure. Various new dog cancer care centers have come up which promise to offer cost-effective help for cancer in dogs. However, identification or detection of Cancer is fundamental so that care can be offered to dogs.

Dog cancer can be identified as a major disease which claims a significant population in the death of dogs. Dog owners often undermine the disease or do not want to invest in curing their pet. However, not all dog owners have the thought that it is after all a dog and why to invest in treatment; buy a new dog instead. Dog owners who are looking for dog cancer care can now contact various dog cancer care centers which are located in various parts of the USA. According to various estimates approximately 50% of deaths among dogs are cancer-related.

Moreover, there is not one monolithic dog cancer which can be blamed for the death; rather, there are several types of cancer which can be blamed. A dog cancer care guide helps dog owners know about various causes of dog cancer, detection of dog cancer, prevention of dog cancer, etc. Several dog cancer care centers are helping out dog owners with their specialty care services. Such centers not only offer specialize cure for dog cancer but also assure the therapy does not cause any adverse effect in the concerned dog.

As cancer is hard to detect at the initial stage a vigilant dog owner only can do it with the help of dog cancer care guide wherein various indications or symptoms of the disease are mentioned in detailed manners to help dog owners. Generally two kinds of cancers are found in dogs one is benign, slow-growing and removable; and, the second one is aggressive, spreading throughout the body. The latter cancer is hard to help. Despite all the knowledge and technological development in medical science there has not been any success in knowing the causes of cancer.
Despite the fact that certain breeds of dogs such as Golden Retriever, Boxer, Bernese Mountain dogs, Greyhounds, etc. are prone to cancer more than other breeds, rest of breeds are not safe from it. Dog cancer care guide helps dog owners know about symptoms and signs of cancer in dogs and get a quick address. In the same manner numerous dog cancer care centers help in detecting the disease in dogs and curing it.
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Taking Care of Puppy
May 10th, 2012 by admin

Puppy Care: Bringing Home Baby

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

A wriggly puppy offers us boundless love and cuddles. It gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment, too. But did you know owning a pet can also boost your immunity, lower your blood pressure, and reduce anxiety and depression, all in one fuzzy package? If you’re ready to bring home a puppy, here’s what you need to know, from adoption to training to keeping puppy safe.

Before Adoption: First Know Thyself

Before bringing home a puppy, get to know yourself a little better. Why do you want a dog? Will you have the time, space, and money to care for and play with your pup? Which breed do you want? Know the answers before you start looking because “once you look, you are going to bring home a puppy!” says Carrie Damewood, DVM, an Oregon veterinarian. You want to make sure your choice is for life — the dog’s life.

Tips for Adopting a Puppy

You’ve got a lot of options when choosing a puppy: Shelters, breeders, rescue groups. Because there are millions of homeless pets, it’s a great idea to adopt from a shelter or breed rescue group. If you choose your puppy from a breeder, the ASPCA suggests looking for a small-scale breeder, one who never sells to dealers or pet shops. Be sure you can visit the breeder’s home and kennel, as well as the mother or relatives of your dog.

Preparing for Your Puppy’s Arrival

You’ll need a few things before bringing home your precious new pup, including puppy food; a leash and a collar with identifying tags that include your phone number and your vet’s number; water and food bowls; a place for your puppy to sleep; brushes for grooming; a folding gate to confine your puppy to one area; and of course lots of chew toys for your new four-legged friend.

Puppy-Proofing the House

Like babies, puppies explore with their mouths. To keep them safe you’ll need to follow some precautions before bringing your puppy home, including: Remove breakables; be sure your puppy can’t reach electrical cords; keep low windows closed. Also lock away motor oil, antifreeze, and kitchen and garage cleaning supplies, as well as drugs of all kinds. Trash that is dangerous to puppies should be tossed into a tall garbage can that your puppy can’t reach.

Do Puppies Need Puppy Food?

Puppies really do need food specially designed for their smaller bodies, says Linda P. Case, co-author of Canine and Feline Nutrition. That’s because a growing puppy needs more protein and calories than an adult dog, and a puppy’s smaller mouth and weaker jaw requires a kibble made for their chewing ability. Don’t forget that puppies also need plenty of fresh, clean water.

How Much Food Does Puppy Need?

Dogs are “what we call voracious eaters” says Case, and will eat a lot if the food is available. For this reason it’s a good idea to avoid feeding your puppy buffet-style. Another reason is so you can watch your pup eat — a good way to keep tabs on your fuzzy friend’s health. How much food a puppy needs depends on its breed; use the suggestions on the pet food as a starting point, but know that some pups need less than recommended, others more.

Dog Beds and Crates

Puppies may sleep from 14 to 20 hours a day, so keeping them comfortable while they snooze is important. For bonding, many experts suggest that your puppy sleep in your bedroom at first, whether in their own bed or a crate. If you use a crate, use it only for sleeping, housebreaking, and travel. Dogs aren’t meant to live in crates, so experts suggest using a crate judiciously.

Inside or Outside?

You’ll need to decide if your pup will be an indoor or outdoor dog. Dogs are pack animals and do best when they’re with their pack — you. If you keep your dog outdoors often, make that adjustment slowly, and always make time for daily walks and play. A fenced yard is vital to keeping your dog safe, and be sure the yard has an enclosed, dry, draft-free spot to keep your dog warm, as well as a shaded area to keep them cool. And make available plenty of fresh water.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Your puppy’s first days in their new home are scary, so give them lots of loving attention. Play with them often, and bring your puppy’s bed or crate into your bedroom at night, so they can be near you. Soon after your puppy settles in, schedule their first vet visit. This visit is important, says Damewood. “We’ll make sure there’s no health problems with your new friend, and we’ll talk about nutrition, housebreaking, and what to expect from your puppy.’

Obedience and Training

“I recommend every puppy go to obedience classes,” says Damewood, “even if you can teach them yourself, the puppy will benefit from the social side of classes, they’ll get to work things out when there’s chaos around, and most importantly it’ll help you stay on track and do your homework.” With a little time, kindness, and patience, you can teach your rambunctious, rough-and-tumble puppy what good behavior is.

Tips on Housebreaking a Puppy

Your puppy doesn’t want to make a mess where she lives, so it’s up to you to show her the right thing to do. Two signs your pup needs to potty: Sniffing the ground to find a likely spot, and/or racing around frantically. When you see this behavior, pick your puppy up and place the little one on a newspaper or outside. After your puppy has peed in the right place, offer praise. Puppies relieve themselves every few hours, so expect accidents along the way!

The Importance of Play

Ask any puppy and they’ll tell you: Playing is fun! Devoting time daily to playing with your pup helps them in many ways: They expend energy, satisfy their inquisitive nature, develop physical coordination and importantly, bond with you. When you play, use toys as toys, not your puppy’s leash, your hands, or anything else you don’t want your puppy to grow up thinking of as quarry.

Walking Your Puppy

Even if your puppy has a great yard, you’ll need to take your little one for walks — and this holds true once they’re grown, too. Walks give dogs exercise and mental stimulation, let them interact with other dogs met along the way, and allow them to leave scent markings, which can be important for a male dog’s sense of self. Aim for no less than 60 minutes daily, broken into two to four walks.

Keeping Kids and Puppies Safe

They can look as cuddly and soft as teddy bears, but puppies aren’t toys. As much as kids and canines love to play together, a young dog is still learning the ropes and may respond to rough-housing, well, roughly. There’s also the chance that energetic kids could play too hard with their still-growing pup. The solution is to supervise puppies and children at all times so that they both stay safe.

Caring for Puppy’s Coat and Claws

Brushing your pup’s coat daily will help them get used to grooming, but talk to your vet about the right brush and frequency for your dog’s breed. You’ll also want to keep the nails short, as too-long nails can put stress on a dog’s wrist joints, as well as damage people and furniture. Trim nail tips weekly, and start while your pup is young so they’ll be comfortable with clipping early on. Ask your vet to show you proper technique.

Food Harmful to Your Puppy

Of course you love sharing, but feeding your puppy from your plate is a bad idea. First, it can make your little one a beggar — a habit that’s hard to break! Another reason is that some foods can be toxic to pets, including grapes, raisins, tea, alcohol, garlic, onions, avocados, salt, and chocolate. Call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away if you think your pup has eaten something dangerous.

A Note About Chocolate

Chocolate’s danger to dogs comes from how slowly they metabolize theobromine, one of its components. Though a little chocolate won’t hurt, a dog’s tendency to devour the food in front of them means you should always keep chocolatey things safely out of your puppy or dog’s reach. Always call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away if you think your puppy has eaten something dangerous.

Plants Harmful to Your Puppy

Remember, puppies like to chew on just about everything — including yard and house plants. Some of these plants can be harmful to your furry friend, including lily of the valley, oleander, azalea, yew, foxglove, rhododendron, rhubarb leaves, and shamrock. If you think your puppy has eaten a poisonous plant, call your veterinarian right away or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

6-9 Weeks Old: Time for Vaccines

Vaccinations can really help your puppy stay in tip-top shape. At 6-9 weeks it’s time to get them vaccinated against distemper, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and the potentially deadly parvovirus. At 12-16 weeks it’s also vital to get your puppy immunized against rabies. While there are more vaccine options, these depend on your puppy’s exposure risks, so talk to veterinarian about a sensible vaccination schedule for your little one.

Foiling Fleas On Fido

It takes just one flea to start the flea cycle in your home. Signs your puppy may have fleas include: flea “dirt” (tiny black flea droppings), mild redness, severe scratching, and skin infections. To combat fleas, ask your veterinarian to suggest a flea control made expressly for puppies; some even contain medication to prevent heartworms. Always treat all pets in the house for fleas, not just the one that may have them.

What About Intestinal Parasites?

Your puppy will probably need deworming medication at their first vet visit. This is a good idea for your puppy’s health, and also because some canine parasites, like roundworm, can pass to humans, causing disease and infection. Though they show few symptoms, nearly all puppies have roundworms. Hookworms (magnified here), voracious blood-eating parasites, are potentially deadly to your pup. Talk to your vet to learn more.

16-20 Weeks Old: Spay or Neuter

So that you won’t add to the more than 6 million dogs and cats finding their way into shelters every year, it’s a great idea to spay or neuter your puppy. Spaying can be done as early as two months, but most vets wait between four and six months, just before many dogs become sexually mature. If cost is a problem, call your local humane society or shelter, or call toll-free (800) 248-SPAY to find a low-cost spay program near you.

How to Tell When Your Puppy Is Sick

Dogs often won’t show it when they’re feeling ill, doing their best to remain social when their people are around. That’s why it’s important you know the signs of illness in puppies and dogs. These can include not eating, eating less, lethargy, vomiting, fever, loose stool, diarrhea, or sleeping a lot more. If you see any of these signs, call your veterinarian.

Tips for Picking a Vet

Just like you did when looking for a family physician, it’s a great idea to ask friends for recommendations when looking for a veterinarian. Once you have a few choices, visit each clinic. You want one that’s well-managed and looks and smells clean. The vet should listen to you and answer questions clearly. Does the vet like dogs? Is the staff friendly? Just as with your own doctor, be sure you feel comfortable with the vet you choose.

Enjoy the Journey!

Puppies don’t stay little for long! Be sure you’re there for it all and make every day count for you and your little one with plenty of love, appropriate discipline, and play!

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Patricia Griecci Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

PlayMore Publishing Dog Books

PlayMore Publishing Dog Our Books

Smiling Dog Bakery Dog Our Books

new england photos


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Heartworm Season Is Upon Us
May 10th, 2012 by sgriecci

Heartworm season is upon us again is your dog protected? Heartworm disease is a very serious and potentially fatal disease that all dogs is acceptable to even if they spend the majority of time indoors.
Heartworm disease is a parasitic disease that is spread by mosquitoes from dog to dog. It only takes one bite from a disease carrying mosquito infected dog. The mosquitoes feed on the dog and deposit the active lab day in the bite. Allowed a mature as in my grades to the heart and can grow as big as 5 to 14 inches in length. Dogs can get over 100 of these worms in their hearts and major blood vessel. The worms interfere with the valves of the heart and can decrease blood flow to vital organs in the body such as Longs, space kidneys, space and liver. Dogs that become infected if in fact dead may not show any signs for up to two years, by which time treatment is much more difficult and dangerous. Treatment involves a series of injections and oral medications over several weeks to months. Space the danger is that buying worms can cause significant inflammation would dislodge from the heart becomes stuck in other major vessels in the body causing organ damage failure.
Because heartworm prevention can be harmful if a dog already has the disease, dogs blood must be tested before prevention can be started. Disease prevention consists of the medication given by mouth monthly year round. The prevention is much safer and potentially much less expensive than treating the disease.
This information was provided by our vet, for more information, visit their website at<a href=”http://www.cdah.com”> www.CDAH.com</a>
<a href=”http://www.playmorepublishing.com”>For our Books about Dogs</a>


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Cleaning 101 For Dog Owners
May 10th, 2012 by admin

Cleaning 101 For Dog Owners

Smiling Dog Bakery All Natural Dog Treat Recipes Vol 1 + 2

Smiling Dog Bakery All Natural Dog Treat Recipes Vol 1 + 2

How to deal with common canine messes to maintain a clean and happy home.

Whether its an upset stomach or a housetraining accident, pets will, at some point, make a mess in the house. The good news: Many of todays new products not only make cleaning easier, but remove any trace that an accident ever occurred. Heres how to clean up some common dog messes step by step.

Urine: If you own a puppy, senior, or ill dog, you’ve likely dealt with puddles. Follow these tips for effective cleanup:

  • Don’t use steam cleaners to remove urine from carpet, since heat bonds urine protein to the carpets fibers. Instead, use a hand-held wet-dry vacuum to absorb the liquid.
  • Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners. A byproduct of decomposing waste, ammonia will smell like urine to your dog, attracting him back to the same spot.
  • Use cleaning products specially designed to clean pet messes. These products use a variety of technologies to remove stains and neutralize odors.
  • Don’t have any special pet cleaning products? Then gather some paper towels, water, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar. Blot the stain with paper towels. Clean the spot with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and one cup of warm water. Rinse with fresh water, and blot dry. Next, add one third cup of white vinegar to two-thirds cup of water, and dab on stain. Vinegar neutralizes odors. Rinse with water, and blot dry. Then sprinkle carpet with baking soda or rug deodorizer and vacuum.
  • Never scrub or wipe the stain, as this distorts the carpet fibers. Always blot and press.
  • What happens if you smell the accident, but don’t see it? Turn off the lights and shine a UV light (black light), available at pet-supply stores, onto the carpet or furniture to locate both old and new stains.

Vomit and feces: These pose challenges, since the dyes in pet foods and medicines can stain carpets.

  • Pick up as much of the solid material as you can, using a dustpan or spatula.
  • Use a hand-held or upright steam cleaner to extract remaining soiled material.
  • For fecal matter, apply a stain and odor remover designed for this purpose.
  • If vomit or blood is present, use a cleaning agent specifically designed to treat stains on carpet, not fabric. If the cleaning agent involves using water, use cool water, not hot.

Hair: You can’t stop pets from shedding, but you can control the loose hair.

  • Brush your pets daily to remove dead hair and keep their coats in good shape.
  • Use pet rakes, pet hair sponges, adhesive tape rollers, velour brushes, and lint brushes on dry upholstery and carpets to lift pet hair.
  • Try a pet hair magnet to dislodge hair embedded in upholstery.
  • Use a hand-held or upright vacuum with a beater brush to loosen pet hair from carpet or furniture.
  • Wipe an electrostatic dusting cloth across furniture and electronic equipment, or an electrostatic sweeper across floors, to loosen and pick up pet hair.
  • Before vacuuming, use one of the new antistatic deodorizing foams or sprays to break the static charge that bonds pet hair to fabric and carpet.

New products make cleaning up after our best friends easier than ever. Always remember, pet messes are infrequent, but love is constant.

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Patricia Griecci Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

PlayMore Publishing Dog Books

PlayMore Publishing Dog Our Books

Smiling Dog Bakery Dog Our Books

new england photos
PlayMore Publishing Dog Our Books

PlayMore Publishing Dog Our Books

Manufacturing Operations New Products Process Engineer Resume Frank Tebeau


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Taking Care of Puppy
May 9th, 2012 by admin

Puppy Care: Bringing Home Baby

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

I'll Teach You Every Thing About House Training Me Told By Spike

A wriggly puppy offers us boundless love and cuddles. It gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment, too. But did you know owning a pet can also boost your immunity, lower your blood pressure, and reduce anxiety and depression, all in one fuzzy package? If you’re ready to bring home a puppy, here’s what you need to know, from adoption to training to keeping puppy safe.

Before Adoption: First Know Thyself

Before bringing home a puppy, get to know yourself a little better. Why do you want a dog? Will you have the time, space, and money to care for and play with your pup? Which breed do you want? Know the answers before you start looking because “once you look, you are going to bring home a puppy!” says Carrie Damewood, DVM, an Oregon veterinarian. You want to make sure your choice is for life — the dog’s life.

Tips for Adopting a Puppy

You’ve got a lot of options when choosing a puppy: Shelters, breeders, rescue groups. Because there are millions of homeless pets, it’s a great idea to adopt from a shelter or breed rescue group. If you choose your puppy from a breeder, the ASPCA suggests looking for a small-scale breeder, one who never sells to dealers or pet shops. Be sure you can visit the breeder’s home and kennel, as well as the mother or relatives of your dog.

Preparing for Your Puppy’s Arrival

You’ll need a few things before bringing home your precious new pup, including puppy food; a leash and a collar with identifying tags that include your phone number and your vet’s number; water and food bowls; a place for your puppy to sleep; brushes for grooming; a folding gate to confine your puppy to one area; and of course lots of chew toys for your new four-legged friend.

Puppy-Proofing the House

Like babies, puppies explore with their mouths. To keep them safe you’ll need to follow some precautions before bringing your puppy home, including: Remove breakables; be sure your puppy can’t reach electrical cords; keep low windows closed. Also lock away motor oil, antifreeze, and kitchen and garage cleaning supplies, as well as drugs of all kinds. Trash that is dangerous to puppies should be tossed into a tall garbage can that your puppy can’t reach.

Do Puppies Need Puppy Food?

Puppies really do need food specially designed for their smaller bodies, says Linda P. Case, co-author of Canine and Feline Nutrition. That’s because a growing puppy needs more protein and calories than an adult dog, and a puppy’s smaller mouth and weaker jaw requires a kibble made for their chewing ability. Don’t forget that puppies also need plenty of fresh, clean water.

How Much Food Does Puppy Need?

Dogs are “what we call voracious eaters” says Case, and will eat a lot if the food is available. For this reason it’s a good idea to avoid feeding your puppy buffet-style. Another reason is so you can watch your pup eat — a good way to keep tabs on your fuzzy friend’s health. How much food a puppy needs depends on its breed; use the suggestions on the pet food as a starting point, but know that some pups need less than recommended, others more.

Dog Beds and Crates

Puppies may sleep from 14 to 20 hours a day, so keeping them comfortable while they snooze is important. For bonding, many experts suggest that your puppy sleep in your bedroom at first, whether in their own bed or a crate. If you use a crate, use it only for sleeping, housebreaking, and travel. Dogs aren’t meant to live in crates, so experts suggest using a crate judiciously.

Inside or Outside?

You’ll need to decide if your pup will be an indoor or outdoor dog. Dogs are pack animals and do best when they’re with their pack — you. If you keep your dog outdoors often, make that adjustment slowly, and always make time for daily walks and play. A fenced yard is vital to keeping your dog safe, and be sure the yard has an enclosed, dry, draft-free spot to keep your dog warm, as well as a shaded area to keep them cool. And make available plenty of fresh water.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Your puppy’s first days in their new home are scary, so give them lots of loving attention. Play with them often, and bring your puppy’s bed or crate into your bedroom at night, so they can be near you. Soon after your puppy settles in, schedule their first vet visit. This visit is important, says Damewood. “We’ll make sure there’s no health problems with your new friend, and we’ll talk about nutrition, housebreaking, and what to expect from your puppy.’

Obedience and Training

“I recommend every puppy go to obedience classes,” says Damewood, “even if you can teach them yourself, the puppy will benefit from the social side of classes, they’ll get to work things out when there’s chaos around, and most importantly it’ll help you stay on track and do your homework.” With a little time, kindness, and patience, you can teach your rambunctious, rough-and-tumble puppy what good behavior is.

Tips on Housebreaking a Puppy

Your puppy doesn’t want to make a mess where she lives, so it’s up to you to show her the right thing to do. Two signs your pup needs to potty: Sniffing the ground to find a likely spot, and/or racing around frantically. When you see this behavior, pick your puppy up and place the little one on a newspaper or outside. After your puppy has peed in the right place, offer praise. Puppies relieve themselves every few hours, so expect accidents along the way!

The Importance of Play

Ask any puppy and they’ll tell you: Playing is fun! Devoting time daily to playing with your pup helps them in many ways: They expend energy, satisfy their inquisitive nature, develop physical coordination and importantly, bond with you. When you play, use toys as toys, not your puppy’s leash, your hands, or anything else you don’t want your puppy to grow up thinking of as quarry.

Walking Your Puppy

Even if your puppy has a great yard, you’ll need to take your little one for walks — and this holds true once they’re grown, too. Walks give dogs exercise and mental stimulation, let them interact with other dogs met along the way, and allow them to leave scent markings, which can be important for a male dog’s sense of self. Aim for no less than 60 minutes daily, broken into two to four walks.

Keeping Kids and Puppies Safe

They can look as cuddly and soft as teddy bears, but puppies aren’t toys. As much as kids and canines love to play together, a young dog is still learning the ropes and may respond to rough-housing, well, roughly. There’s also the chance that energetic kids could play too hard with their still-growing pup. The solution is to supervise puppies and children at all times so that they both stay safe.

Caring for Puppy’s Coat and Claws

Brushing your pup’s coat daily will help them get used to grooming, but talk to your vet about the right brush and frequency for your dog’s breed. You’ll also want to keep the nails short, as too-long nails can put stress on a dog’s wrist joints, as well as damage people and furniture. Trim nail tips weekly, and start while your pup is young so they’ll be comfortable with clipping early on. Ask your vet to show you proper technique.

Food Harmful to Your Puppy

Of course you love sharing, but feeding your puppy from your plate is a bad idea. First, it can make your little one a beggar — a habit that’s hard to break! Another reason is that some foods can be toxic to pets, including grapes, raisins, tea, alcohol, garlic, onions, avocados, salt, and chocolate. Call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away if you think your pup has eaten something dangerous.

A Note About Chocolate

Chocolate’s danger to dogs comes from how slowly they metabolize theobromine, one of its components. Though a little chocolate won’t hurt, a dog’s tendency to devour the food in front of them means you should always keep chocolatey things safely out of your puppy or dog’s reach. Always call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian right away if you think your puppy has eaten something dangerous.

Plants Harmful to Your Puppy

Remember, puppies like to chew on just about everything — including yard and house plants. Some of these plants can be harmful to your furry friend, including lily of the valley, oleander, azalea, yew, foxglove, rhododendron, rhubarb leaves, and shamrock. If you think your puppy has eaten a poisonous plant, call your veterinarian right away or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

6-9 Weeks Old: Time for Vaccines

Vaccinations can really help your puppy stay in tip-top shape. At 6-9 weeks it’s time to get them vaccinated against distemper, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and the potentially deadly parvovirus. At 12-16 weeks it’s also vital to get your puppy immunized against rabies. While there are more vaccine options, these depend on your puppy’s exposure risks, so talk to veterinarian about a sensible vaccination schedule for your little one.

Foiling Fleas On Fido

It takes just one flea to start the flea cycle in your home. Signs your puppy may have fleas include: flea “dirt” (tiny black flea droppings), mild redness, severe scratching, and skin infections. To combat fleas, ask your veterinarian to suggest a flea control made expressly for puppies; some even contain medication to prevent heartworms. Always treat all pets in the house for fleas, not just the one that may have them.

What About Intestinal Parasites?

Your puppy will probably need deworming medication at their first vet visit. This is a good idea for your puppy’s health, and also because some canine parasites, like roundworm, can pass to humans, causing disease and infection. Though they show few symptoms, nearly all puppies have roundworms. Hookworms (magnified here), voracious blood-eating parasites, are potentially deadly to your pup. Talk to your vet to learn more.

16-20 Weeks Old: Spay or Neuter

So that you won’t add to the more than 6 million dogs and cats finding their way into shelters every year, it’s a great idea to spay or neuter your puppy. Spaying can be done as early as two months, but most vets wait between four and six months, just before many dogs become sexually mature. If cost is a problem, call your local humane society or shelter, or call toll-free (800) 248-SPAY to find a low-cost spay program near you.

How to Tell When Your Puppy Is Sick

Dogs often won’t show it when they’re feeling ill, doing their best to remain social when their people are around. That’s why it’s important you know the signs of illness in puppies and dogs. These can include not eating, eating less, lethargy, vomiting, fever, loose stool, diarrhea, or sleeping a lot more. If you see any of these signs, call your veterinarian.

Tips for Picking a Vet

Just like you did when looking for a family physician, it’s a great idea to ask friends for recommendations when looking for a veterinarian. Once you have a few choices, visit each clinic. You want one that’s well-managed and looks and smells clean. The vet should listen to you and answer questions clearly. Does the vet like dogs? Is the staff friendly? Just as with your own doctor, be sure you feel comfortable with the vet you choose.

Enjoy the Journey!

Puppies don’t stay little for long! Be sure you’re there for it all and make every day count for you and your little one with plenty of love, appropriate discipline, and play!

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