PUPPY-PROOF
YOUR HOME
Before you buy or adopt
any puppy, there are a few things you need to be ready with.
These are important items in order for you to make sure you
can properly train and care for your new friend.
License
Dog owners should be properly licensed in their country before
they own a dog. Each country has its own policies and rates
and it is better for you to call your local animal service
center for more information. In the Philippines, you may contact
the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. at (02)4124104 or 721-7152
or email them at pcci@i-manila.com.ph. They handle dog registration,
transfer of ownership as well as dog shows and events.
Dog
Food
Ask the breeder what kind of food the puppy is being given
and buy a bag of this food. If you intend to change the brand
of dog food, buy only 1 or 2 kg. If you intend, to maintain
the same brand, you may opt to buy more. Here at Moonlight
Kennel, we make sure you get 1 kilo of dog food enough to
last you for at least a day so you don’t have to rush
to the pet shop right away.
Ask the breeder about
feeding times and amount as well. Make sure you get all the
details. The puppy’s first few days away from its litter
is stressful enough so you might want to do this a few days
after bringing it to its new home. The immediate change in
the diet might just generate unnecessary stress for the poor
champ.
When changing the brand
of dog food, make sure you do it gradually, over a 7-10 day
period. Start with about 90% of the current dog food and 10%
of the new food. Increase the amount of the new food each
day as you decrease the amount of the old dog food. At the
end of the 7-10 days period, your puppy should be eating 100%
of the new dog food.
Feeding
Bowl
It’s best to get stainless steel bowls although they
are usually more expensive. These bowls last longer than regular
aluminum or plastic bowls. Plus, puppies can’t chew
them! You should also make sure that the feeding bowl is always
clean and that your new puppy always has clean water to drink.
Some even opt for two bowls, one for food and one for water.
Collars
and Leashes
You’ll probably change collars several times during
the first few months. Make sure you buy one that fits just
right. Adjustable collars are also advisable because you can
use them longer. The leash should be around 5-6 feet long.
Grooming
Tools
This usually depends on the type of breed you’re buying.
Make sure you ask the breeder about the grooming tools they
are using. Normally, you would need at least one bar of soap
or shampoo, a toothbrush, a tube of dog toothpaste (or toothpaste
for babies, if you can’t find one), a towel, and a brush.
Toys
and Chewies
Puppies are generally very playful. If you intend to keep
them inside the house, make sure they have something to keep
them busy other than your slippers or the couch. During the
teething stage, it is important that they have nice and safe
rubber toys to play with. Avoid giving them wooden toys as
the splinters could cause damage to the poor puppy’s
mouth. Make sure that the toy is not small enough to swallow.
Cow hide treats and rubber balls are advisable.
House
Plants
Plants can be very irresistible to young pups. It is better
to put plants at a safe height so that the puppy can not reach
them.
Trash
Cans
Make sure that all trash cans are covered and non-accessible
to the puppy. These cans contain all kinds of different smells
that are very attractive to puppies. And they contain a lot
of waste that can be very toxic for them. Keep trash cans
and waste baskets inside the sink cabinet or make sure the
lids are puppy-proof.
Potentially
Damaging Objects
People sometimes have the habit of leaving small things anywhere
like paper clips, rubber bands and pins. Once you have a puppy
in you home, you must be very conscious about what’s
lying about. Puppies are very curious and tend to chew on
everything they see. If a puppy swallows a potentially harmful
object, it may lead to a very expensive trip to the vet.
House
Rules
You should have clearly set house rules for all your housemates
to follow before the new puppy comes home with you. You should
identify puppy-proof rooms where the puppy is allowed to stay
and designate areas where the puppy is not allowed. Training
should start the very moment you bring the puppy home. How
you treat your puppy during the first few weeks will determine
its behavior for the next 12 – 15 years.
This article is written
by Moonlight Kennel © 2005
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