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Your New Puppy |
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Basic
Training |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting ready for your puppyThe preparations you take before you bring your puppy home will help your pet adapt to the new environment. You should be ready with food, toys, grooming aids, a collar and leash, bedding and some basic understanding of dog behavior. During his first nights with you, your puppy may be lonesome for his littermates or afraid of the new environment. A radio turned on low, or a ticking clock can help soothe your puppy to sleep. Introduce your puppy to his collar and leash slowly. Let him get used to the collar for a day, then introduce the leash by connecting the leash to his collar and letting the leash trail on the ground. When your puppy is used to the leash, pick it up and hold it loosely. Gradually increase your control of the leash until you can persuade your puppy to walk with you. Basic trainingPuppy training can begin at an early age, even with puppies as young as 8 to 12 weeks. Early training can help with important areas of puppy learning, including establishing leadership, socializing, and preventing unruly behaviors. Routine examsIn most cases, you will be visiting us several times during your puppy’s first few months. Your puppy will receive a comprehensive health examination during each visit. We will also start your puppy on a vaccination schedule and advise you when boosters are needed. A stool specimen will be examined for intestinal parasites. We will discuss heartworm disease, a deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can easily be prevented with once-a-month medication. Flea control is very important in our area, and a variety of safe, 100% effective, products are available at our hospital. We will give you information regarding elective surgeries and the proper age to perform these surgeries. HomeAgain Microchip Pet IdentificationIt’s safe, simple and effective. Once your pet has the Home Again Microchip, you simply fill out and send your registration materials, along with a low, one-time lifetime enrollment fee to the AKC Companion Animal Recovery Program. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve taken the extra step to help prevent the heartbreak of a lost pet. Grooming |
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Bathe your pet with a mild shampoo such as Hylyt Shampoo. You can repeat the bath whenever your puppy is dirty or soiled. Always comb and brush your puppy’s coat free of matting and knots before wetting the coat. Our staff can show you how to clip your puppy’s nails and also recommend a good nail trimmer.
CPAH has a groomer who is always available to assist you in learning how to properly comb and brush your puppy. If you prefer, we can schedule an appointment to have your puppy groomed at our hospital. |
Basic nutritionYour puppy is going through its fastest growth period now until it's about 12 months old. These early stages of your puppy’s development represent the most important time in your pet’s life. That’s why proper nutrition is essential. Feed a high quality, life stage pet food like Science Diet Canine Growth. |
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How much to feed and how oftenYou should feed your puppy enough of the proper food to meet its energy needs. Use a feeding guide, usually printed on the label, as a starting point only. Thereafter, the amount you feed should be adjusted to maintain optimum body weight. What about Treats? |
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Many owners enjoy giving their pets treats. It is important to use a quality, life stage treat. Most grocery store treats are very high in calories and may lead to obesity or improper nutrition if used in excess. We recommend using regular diet kibble as treats for most of the training sessions. |
