VACCINATIONS

Puppies are given a series of vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they have received a total of four distemper vaccines. Other vaccines include corona, bordetella, lyme, and rabies. These will be given based on your puppy's individual needs.

HEARTWORM

A daily or monthly heartworm preventive should be administered throughout the year. The exact type will be given based on individual needs. Your dog should continue to be tested for heartworm once a year as an adult.

FLEA/TICK PREVENTION

Fleas are typically a summer and fall problem. However, ticks are a nuisance throughout the year. For this reason, we recommend using a preventive even during the winter months. There are several different brands that we recommend based on your puppy's individual needs.

SPAY/NEUTER

Puppies should be spayed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity. We recommend spaying or neutering at approximately 6 months of age.

FOOD/WATER/TREATS

Because puppies do not have many fat reserves, they should be fed 3 to 4 times daily to avoid low blood sugar. Some small/toy breeds require additional dietary supplements. Ask a doctor if this is necessary for your puppy. Dry and canned foods are similar in nutritional content, but dry food is better for dental health and weight control. After eating, most puppies need to defecate within 10 to 20 minutes. This will vary from animal to animal - you will soon learn your puppy's schedule. Fresh water should always be accessible when the puppy is not in the crate, unless otherwise advised by a doctor. Small treats are great for rewards and training. Puppy milk bones can be broken up into even smaller pieces and given more frequently to reward appropriate behaviors, tricks, and urination outdoors. Rawhides, nylabones, and pig ears should be avoided not only because they are too hard for puppies' teeth, but because they can often cause them to choke.

HOUSEBREAKING

Crate training is the easiest, most effective, and safest means of housebreaking your puppy. He should be crated when you are not home, are sleeping, or are unable to watch him closely. However, he should be walked before and after being put in the crate even if only for a short time. You should walk with your puppy (even in a fenced-in yard) so that you may give a small food reward each time he urinates or defecates. Most puppies need to be walked every few hours initially. As your puppy grows, so will his ability to hold his bladder. If you catch him having an accident, simply say "NO" with a strong, firm voice and then take him outside. If he then urinates, give him lots of praise or a treat. However, if you do not catch him in the act of inappropriate urination, you will only frighten him if you reprimand him after the fact.

GROOMING

Many adult dogs do not like to be groomed. However, if you begin grooming on a weekly basis while your dog is still young, he will become accustomed to it. Pick a spot that is your "grooming area." Smaller dogs do well when placed up on a higher surface, such as a table or a washer.

1. Clean out the ears with a mild cleanser.
2. Brush the coat, especially the difficult areas, such as the back legs and behind the ears.
3. Brush the teeth. This can be done with a finger toothbrush or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. When they learn to tolerate this you can also try dog toothpaste.
4. Clip the toenails. We can instruct you on how to best accomplish this at home. Quick stop may be purchased at a pet store in case of mild bleeding.
5. Clean around the eyes with a warm wet washcloth if your dog is prone to eye discharge.
6. Bathing should be done no more than once a month. However, puppies may require frequent spot baths to keep them clean. A puppy or tearless baby shampoo works best.

SOCIALIZATION

The window of opportunity to socialize your puppy is short and lasts until he is 20-24 weeks of age. After this time, puppies become fearful of new experiences and are much more difficult to socialize. Therefore, try to have your puppy exposed to new people of all ages both inside and outside of your home. Traveling in the car with you for fun (not just to go to the vet), seeing kids in the neighborhood, and having friends over to play are a few good examples of positive socialization exercises. Although puppies do need to socialize with other dogs, your puppy's immune system is not strong enough to fight off many infections other dogs may carry. For this reason, you should never take your puppy to pet stores or dog parks until after his initial vaccination series is complete.

TRAINERS

Linda Hobson (609) 587-2305

Pat Foley (609) 394-3459

Dan Gentile (732) 517-0333

BOARDING

Kauffman's (609) 448-3114

Windy Hill (609) 259-2540

Cameron Kennels (609) 466-4315

Bed & Biscuit (908) 874-7748

Camp Bow Wow (609) 689-3547