Puppy Care

Guide for adopters

Furry Friends Refuge ◊ 515-222-0009 ◊ furryfriendsrefuge.org

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Family Pet Veterinary Center West 1215 Prospect Avenue West Des Moines (515) 224-9747

Family Pet Veterinary Center Norwalk 1326 Sunset Drive Norwalk (515) 981-0317

Animal Care Clinic West & Metro Cat Hospital 2900 University Ave # F5 West Des Moines, IA 50265 515-224-4368 Animal Doctors Veterinary Clinic 4800 Mills Civic parkway Suite #110 West Des Moines, IA 50265

1. 515-309-9268 Ashworth Road Animal Hospital 5508 Ashworth Road West Des Moines, IA 50265 515- 225-1807 Broderick Animal Clinic 10 4th Street Waukee, IA 50263 515-987-1447 Eberle Animal Hospital 9920 Swanson Boulevard Clive, IA 50325

1. 515- 727-5757 Fleming Animal Clinic 1903 Ep True Pkwy # 307 West Des Moines, IA 50265 515- 221-9045 Grand-Avenue Veterinary Hospital 108 Grand Avenue West Des Moines, IA 50265 515- 274-3489 Jordan Creek Animal Hospital 3401 Ep True Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50265 515- 224-9500 Northwest Veterinary Hospital, P.C. 7507 Dennis Drive Urbandale, IA 50322 515-276-4549 Oaks Veterinary Clinic 2030 27th Street Des Monies Des Moines, IA 50310

1. 515-279-3654 Pet Medical Center of Urbandale 4450 128th St Urbandale, IA 50323

2. 515-331-9035

The Animal Health Care Center 4450 NW 128th Street Urbandale, IA 50323 515-278-1434

University West 8145 University Boulevard Clive, IA 50325 515- 223-8185 Urban Pet Hospital 3601 104th Street Urbandale, IA 50322

1. 515- 727-0607 Value Vet 4654 Northwest 86th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 515- 278-1011 Waukee-Clive Veterinary Clinic 15151 Hickman Rd Clive, IA 50325 515- 987-4552 Westfield Veterinary Clinic 8789 Northwest 54th Avenue Johnston, IA 50131 515- 986-5738 West Side Veterinary Clinic 3035 Northwest 86th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 515- 276-5972 The Animal Hospital of Adel 1126 Greene Street Adel, IA 50003 515-993-3410

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TheFirstday

Whenadoptinganewpuppyyoushouldchoosearelativelyquietperiodtobringhomeyournewlittle

friend.Duringinitialintroductions,thepuppyshouldnotbeallowedfreeaccesstothehouse,butshouldbeconfinedtooneroomandallowedtoexplorethatroom.Itisoftenhelpfultofirstintroducethepuppytotheroominwhichhis/hercrateislocatedorwherehe/shewillbespendingalargeamountof

his/hertimeeachday(Pleaseseecratetrainingonpage7fortipsoncratetraining).Afteryourpuppyhasexploredandsettledin,familymemberscanbegintointeractwiththenewcomerbyspeakingtohim/herquietly,sittingonthefloornexttohim/herandpettinghim/her,orenticinghim/herintoa

gamewithatoy.Itisoftenbesttointroduceeachpersonsinglytoavoidoverwhelmingthenewpuppywithseveralexcitedfamilymembersatatime.Finally,ownersshouldmakesurethatthenewpuppyisprovidedwithaquietplacetorestoftenduringthefirstday.Travelandintroductionstoanewfamily

areexciting,butarealsostressfulforanewpuppy.

Establishingaregulardailyschedule

Becausemanyownershavebusyschedulesandmaybeawayfromhomeduringtheworkweek,adjustmentsmustbemadetoaccommodatethenewpuppy’sneeds.Oneofthebestwaystodothisis

tosetasideaportionoftimeeverydaythatisspentexclusivelywiththepuppy.Thistimecanbespentinanumberofways:exercisingorplaying,practicingobediencelessons,orjustsittingquietlybrushingorpettingthepuppy.Thistimemayalsobeusedtogivethepuppyexposuretonewpeopleand

environments(seesocializationbelow).Inaddition,aregulardailyroutineshouldbeestablished.Behaviorproblemsthatareassociatedwithboredom,frustrationorseparationstressarelesslikelytooccurwhenthenewpuppylearnstoanticipatearegularscheduleofattention,exercise,play,and

feeding.Ideally,feedingshouldtakeplaceatapproximatelythesametimeandinthesamearea.Exercise,trainingandplayperiodsshouldoccurataroundthesametime,evenonweekendswhenyourfamily’sschedulemaychangesomewhat.Forpuppies,thesamedoorshouldalwaysbeusedforgoing

outdoorstoeliminate(seehousetrainingonpg.4formoretips).

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Socializingyournewpuppy

Socializationisthefirststepinraisingawell-behaveddog.Duringthefirstcouplemonthsofyourdog’slife,He/Shegoesthroughcriticalperiodsofdevelopment.Whenyourdogisexposedtonewpeople,places,andsituationsinapositivewayduringthisperiod,there'sagoodchancethatyourdogwillbecalmandacceptingwhenhe/sheexperiencesthesamesituationsagainlaterinlife.Properlysocializeddogsarelesslikelytodevelopbehaviorproblemsastheygrowolder.Dogsthatdon'tgetearlysocializationmayreactwithfearoraggressionwhentheyareexposedtonewthings.Itismucheasiertoteachyourdogtoacceptnewthingsasapuppythanitistore-trainyourdogafterbadhabitsdevelop.

Althoughtheprimarysocializationperiodoccursearlyinlife,continuedsocializationisalsoimportantthroughoutlifetopromotehabitationandmaintainsocialrelationships.While12weeksindogsinidentifiedastheofficial“end”ofprimarysocialization,theageofupto4to6monthsisgenerallyacceptedasagoodperiodduringwhichtosocializeanewpuppy.Infact,thereisevidencesuggestingthatdogsbenefitthemostifsocializationcontinuedthroughoutthejuvenileperiod.Socializationproceduresshouldbeviewedasanenjoyableactivityforbothyourpuppy,andforyou.

Allexposureneedstobeintroducedatyourdog’space,thiswillhelpensureapositiveexperience,andavoidnegativeexperiences.Itisimportantnottooverwhelmyourdogbyover-exposinghim/hertonewthings.Ifyouforceoroverwhelmyourdog,youcancausehim/hertomakeanegativeassociationtothethingsintheenvironment,andcancauseyourdogtobecomemorefearfulandoraggressive.

Socializationshouldinvolveasmanypeopleandsituationsaspossible.Introduceyourdogtoawidevarietyofpeople,includingmen,women,andchildrenofallages,alsointroduceyourdogtootherdogsofallsizes,cats,andothereverydaythingsthatyourdogwilllikelyencounterthroughouthis/herlife,likestrangenoises, householdappliances,vacuums,bikes,cars.Virtuallyeverythingmaybenewtoyourdog,sodon’tbelimitedthinkingthatit’ssomethinghe/shehaslikelyseenbefore.

Whileyoulikelycan’texposeyourdogtoeverythinghe/shemayencounterinthefuture,youcanmakesurethatyourdoghaspositiveexposuretoawidevarietyofnovelexperiences;thiswillresultinadogthateasilyadjuststonewthingsthroughouthis/herlife.Awell-socializeddogisn’tfrightenedofsomethinghe/shemayneverhaveexperiencedpreviously.Inotherwords,well-socializeddogsaremoresecure,confidentandself-assured.

Handlingexercisesareanotherimportantpartofsocializing.Thinkofallthewaysyourdogmaybehandledinhis/herlifetime-achildcouldpullhis/hertail,aveterinarianmightneedtorestrainyourdog

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forshots,youmayneedtoholdyourdogsfeettocliphis/hernails.Ifyougetyourdogtobecomfortablebeinghandledinagentlemannerasapuppy,youwillbelesslikelytohavetroublehandlingyourdogwhenhe/shegetsolder.

Socializingyournewpuppy(cont.)

Whensocializingpuppies,besafe,thereisasmallpossibilitythatyourdogmaybeexposedtoanillness;howevertheadvantagesofsocializationfaroutweightheminimalriskofillness.Ultimately,thedecisionisyoursonwhereyoutakeyourdogwhensocializing.

ImportantremindersforSocialization.o Havefun!Yourpositiveattitudetowardnewthingsisimportantforyourdog.o Usecommonsenseandbecarefulthatallexperiencesarepositive.Avoidsituations,

peopleandenvironmentsthatyouthinkmightresultinaless-than-happyexperienceforyourdog.

o GOSLOW.Respectyourdog’sfeelings.Don’tpushorforceyourdogifhe/she’satallreluctant.Trylaughingandinteractingwiththenewobjectyourself,butultimatelyerronthesideofcautionifyourdogthinkssomethingisjusttooscaryrightnow.

House-Training

Housetrainingtakestimeandcommitmentfortheentirefamilytobesuccessful.Itmaytakeseveralweekstoseveralmonthsforyourdogtobecomereliablyhousetrained.Ifyou’reconsistentandpatient,youcansuccessfullyhousetrainyourdogwithminimumstress.Asuccessfulhousetrainingstrategycombinescontrolofthepuppy’senvironmenttopreventeliminationinthehouseandampleopportunityforurinatinganddefecatingoutdoors.Providingmanyandfrequenttripsoutsideearlyinthehousetrainingprocessisessentialforestablishingastrongandpositiveassociationwitheliminationoutdoorsinapre-selectedlocationandonanappropriatesurface(usuallygrass).Trainingshouldemphasizepositivereinforcementofeliminationoutdoorsandshouldnotfocusonpunishmentformistakesmadeindoors.

Ifapuppyiswell-supervisedandtakenoutsidefrequentlytoeliminate,accidentsinthehouseshouldberare.Ifeliminationoccursinthehouse,thepuppyshouldnotbepunishedorreprimanded.Theuseofphysicalorharshverbalpunishmentduringhouse-trainingcancausefearandavoidance,andcanresultinapuppywhoavoidsbeinginthepresenceofhis/herownerwheneliminating.Punishingdogsforaccidentscauseshim/hertoassociatethepunishmentwithhis/herownerandpossiblywiththat

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locationinthehouse,butdoesnotnecessarilyaffectfutureeliminationhabits.Infact,ahistoryofpunishmentforin-homeeliminationisoftenthecauseofhouse-soilingproblemsinwhichthedogeliminatesoutofsightoftheowner,inanotherroomofthehome.Ifyouobservethepuppyeliminatinginthehouse,thepuppyshouldbecalmlyinterrupted(notreprimanded)andcarriedortakenonaleashoutsidetofinish,calmlypraiseyourdogforgoingintheproperplaceoutside.Thespotoftheaccidentinsidethehomeshouldbecleanedthoroughlywithcleanerdesignedforpetwastetoreduceolfactoryattractivenessofthespot,andyoushouldintensifysupervisionofthepuppyandhouse-trainingtechniques.

House-Training(cont.)

Youngdogsshouldnotbeallowedunsupervisedfreedominthehouseuntiltheyarecompletelyreliableintermsofhouse-training.Wheneverthepuppycannotbesupervised,he/sheshouldbeconfinedtoa

crateortoasmall“dog-proofed”area.Asyourpuppybeginstodemonstratelearningbyeliminatingpromptlywhentakenoutdoors,havingnoaccidentsindoors,andoccasionallyapproachingthedoortoindicateaneedtogooutside,youcangraduallyincreasetheamountoffreedomthatyourpuppyis

allowedfreeinthehouse.Aspuppiesmature,ownerscanbegintorelymoreonthedog’ssignalsandhis/hereliminationscheduletodictatethedog’seliminationschedule.Ingeneral,alldogs,regardlessofage,shouldbeprovidedwithanopportunitytogooutdoorstoeliminateeveryfewhoursduringthe

day.Ifyourdogishavingaccidentsinyourhouse,andhe/sheisreliablyhouse-trained,youshouldtakehim/hertoyourvetforacheck-up.

Stepsforsuccessfulhouse-training-

• Supervision,supervision,supervision:Unsuperviseddogsexploreand,whiletheyareexploring,theyeliminate.Accidentscanbepreventedwiththissimplerule:Thepuppyisneveraloneor

unsupervised(never!).Acratecanbeusedtosafelyconfineyourpuppywhenhe/shecannotbesupervised(readcrate-trainingonpage.7).Asyourpuppymaturesandbecomesmorereliable,theirfreedomcanbegraduallyincreased.

• Frequentoutings:Oneofthemostcommonmistakesthatnewownersmakewithyoungerdogsistowaittoolongbetweentripsoutdoors.Puppybladdersareverysmallandyoungdogshavealimitedabilitytocontroltheireliminationhabits.

• Samedoor,samearea:Yourpuppyshouldbetakentothesameoutdoorareawhereeliminationisdesirableandtheownershouldalwaysaccompanythepuppyoutdoors(always!).

• Positivelyreinforcedesiredbehavior:Ownersshouldaccompanythepuppyoutside.Beingpresentenablestheownertoimmediatelyreinforceelimination.Thisshouldbeintheformofquietpraiseorpetting-exuberantpraiseshouldbeavoidedasitmayinterruptordistractyoung

dogs.

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• Establisharegularfeedingandexerciseschedule:Puppiesshouldbefed2-3timesaday,atapproximatelythesametimes,andwalkedandplayedwithonaregularschedule.This

promotesregulareliminationhabitsthataidwithhouse-training.• Avoidunrealisticexpectations:Puppiesyoungerthat12-14weekshavelimitedcontrolover

eliminationandmustbetakenoutsidefrequently.Unfortunately,someownershavebeenledto

believethataneight-weekoldpuppycanbefullyhoused-trained.Thisissimplynottrue.Morerealistically,mostpuppiesbegintobecomereliablewhentheyareabout5-6monthsofage.

House-Training(cont.)

Recommendedhouse-trainingschedulefornewpuppies-

Youngpuppieslearnmostrapidlyiftheyhavefrequentopportunitiestoeliminateinthecorrectplace

(outdoors)andiftheyarepreventedfrommakingmistakesindoors.Thebestwaytopreventaccidentsinyourhomeistotakepuppiesoutsideregularlyandoften.Forpuppiesbetween7and12weeksofage,thismeansevery20to30minutesduringperiodswhenthepuppyisactiveandplaying.This

schedulecanbegraduallyextendedasthepuppymatures.Puppiesshouldalsogooutsidetoeliminateatthesetimes:

• Inthemorningimmediatelyafterwaking• Afternappingduringtheday-Nomatterhowshortthenapwas!

• Followingeachmealandafterlongdrinksofwater• Afterplayingortrainingsessions(andperiodicallyduringextendedplaysessions)• Immediatelybeforegoingtobedintheevening

• Puppieslessthan12to14weeksofage:Onceortwiceduringthenight(smallbladdersarenotyetabletolasttheentirenight)

Finalnote:Youngpuppiesshouldnotbeexpectedtoindicatetheirneedstogooutsidetoowners.Thisistrueforbothpuppiesandfornewlyadoptedadultswhohaveneverbeenhouse-trained.Thetimespan

betweenwhenthepuppyfeelstheneedtoeliminateandwhenhe/shemusteliminatemaybeveryshort.Adultdogsthathavenotbeenadequatelyhouse-trainedalsoneedtograduallylearntowaittoeliminate.

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Crate-Training

Cratetrainingcanbeoneofthebestthingsyoucandoforyourdog.Acratecanprovideaplaceofsecurityforyourdog,andwhereyourdogcanrelaxwhenhe/sheistiredoranxious.Theremaybetimes

throughoutyourdog’slifewhentheywillneedtobeconfined,dog’sthatareaccustomedtobeinginacrate,willfeelmorerelaxedandatease.Cratetrainingcanalsobeveryhelpfulwhenworkingonhousetrainingwithyourdog.Whenchoosingacrate,youwanttomakesurethatit’slargeenoughfor

yourdogtobeabletostandupandturnaroundcomfortably,ifthecrateistoobig,yourdogwillbeabletogetawayfromtheirmess,andwon’tbeinclinedtoholdit.

Tointroduceyourdogtoacrate,youcanstartbyfeedingyourdoghis/hermealsinthecrate,leavingthedooropen.Startbyputtingthebowlinsidethecrateneartheentrance,andthengraduallymoveit

fartherintothecrateoverseveraldayswhenyourdogseemscomfortable.Throughoutthedayyoucantosstoysandtreatsintothecrate,thiswillencourageyourdogtogointothecrate,andwillhelpyourdogassociatethecratewithgoodthings.

Onceyourdogiscomfortablegoinginandspendingtimeinthecratewiththedooropen,startclosing

thedoorforacoupleseconds,thenopenthedoor.Rewardyourdogwithtreatsandpraisewhilethedoorisclosedandyourdogiscalm.Continuebuildingthetimethatyourdogspendsintheircrate.Ifyourdogpawsatthedoorandwhinestogetout,ignore,andwaitforyourdogtosettlebeforeletting

him/herout.(Lettingyourdogoutofthecratewhenhe/sheiswhining,pawingwillteachyourdogthatcarryingonworkswhenhe/shewantstheirway,andwillinhibityourdogfrombecomingcomfortablein

thecrate).Ifyourdogiscomfortablewiththecrate,he/sheshouldn’thesitatetoenteritandenjoytheirtoys,treatswiththedoorclosed.

Alwayskeepafuntoyortwointhecratetokeepyourdogoccupied.Youcanprovidebothahardchewtoy,andasofttoy,soyourdogwillalwayshaveatoytofittheirmood.Anytoyyouleaveinyourdog’s

crateshouldbesturdyandsafe.

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Althoughthecrateisavaluableandsafetool,it’sveryimportanttonotoveruseit.

Importantremindersforcratetraining:

• Neverputyourdogintothecrateaspunishment.Youwantthedogtothinkofitinahappyway.• Pairthecratewithgoodthings,liketoysandtreats.• Trytoputthecrateinaquiet,butwell-traffickedareainthehouse.

• Ifyourdogistiredout,he/shewillacceptthecratemorewillingly.Thatmeansexercise!• Makesurethatyourdoghasgonepottyshortlybeforebeingcrated.

PreventingNippinginpuppies

Gentlemouthingandnippingisnormalplaybehaviorfordogs.Puppiesdemonstratethesebehaviorswhentheyplaywithotherpuppiesandwhenplayingwithhumancompanions.Dogsalsonaturallyinvestigatenewarticleswiththeirmouths.Thisisnormalexploratorybehaviorandisalsoacomponent

of“teething”whenthepuppy’spermanentteethbegintoeruptafterfourmonthsofage.Ownersmustteachpuppiestoinhibittheintensityoftheirnippingduringplayandtocompletelystopnippingandmouthingwhenaskedtodoso.Contrarytopopularbelief,puppieswillnotlearnthisontheirown,nor

willthey“outgrow”nipping.Apuppywhoisnottaughttoinhibithis/herplaybitingwhileyoungcandevelopintoanadultdogwhouseshis/hermouthmuchtooroughlywhilehe/sheisplaying.Insomecases,thiscanevenleadtousinghis/hermouthaggressively.Conversely,teachingpuppiestoplay

gentlywithoutnippingleadstoadultswhoplaywithhumansandotherdogssafelyandgently.Thetwomosteffectivetrainingtechniquesforteachinggentleplayareredirectionandremovalofattentionwhennippingstarts.Allplaysessionswithpuppiesshouldincludeapre-selectedtoy.Thetoyisbrought

outatthestartofeverysession.Duringplay,allnippingandmouthingisredirectedtothetoyandawayfromhandsorclothing.Afterseveralplayexperienceswiththeownerandthetoy,thepuppywillbegintoassociatethe“specialtoy”withplayandfocushis/hernipping,mouthingandtuggingtothetoy,not

tohandsorclothing.Theremovalofattention(negativepunishment)cancomplementredirectionforpuppieswhopersistinnippingathands.Inthiscase,nippingisnegativelypunishedwhentheownerabruptlystopsallplayandattentionwheneverthepuppybeginstoplaytooroughlyorusehis/her

mouthinappropriately.Theownerreactsquickly,saying“ouch”oranotherhighpitchedsound(don’tscarethedog)andimmediatelystopsplay.Playonlybeginsagainwhenthepuppyiscalm.

Aspuppiesmature,theycanbetaughtalternatecommandstouseforredirectionandtocalmpuppies

whobecometooexcitedduringplay.Themostappropriatearesit,down,andtocomewhencalled.Theseexercisesshouldbeusedsporadicallyintoallplaysessions,astheyprovideapositivewaytomoderatethepuppy’senergyandarousallevels,andprovideanopportunitytopositivelyreinforce

relaxed-calmbehaviors.Althoughtheseexercisesarehelpfulinredirectingnippingbehavior,youshould

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avoidusingasit,down,orstayonlyinresponsetonippingandavoidunwantednegativeassociationswiththesecommands.

Trytoavoidgettingyourpuppyoverlyexcitedduringplaytime,andavoidusingyourhandsduringplay.

Rewardyourdogeverytimeyoupetorplaywithyourdogandhe/shedoesnotmouthyou.Alsomakesureyourdogisgettingappropriateamountofexercise.

Teachingpuppiestochewappropriateitems

Aprimaryunderlyingcauseforchewinginyoungpuppiesisnormalexploratorybehavior.Puppieslearnabouttheirenvironmentbysmelling,touching,manipulating,andsometimeschewingonnovelitems.Chewingbehaviorinpuppiesisnotclassifiedasproblembehavior,butratheranormalbehaviorthat

mustbedirectedtoappropriateitems.Managementofthepuppy’shomeenvironmentisthemosteffectiveapproachforpreventingundesirablechewingandforteachingpuppieswhichitemsaretheirownandaresafeforchewing.Animportantruleistokeepallitemsthatmayattractthepuppysecured

andoutofsight.Thepuppymustbesupervisedduringallfreetimeinthehome,bothtopreventinappropriatechewingandtomonitorhouse-training.Ownersmustprovideavarietyofappropriatechewtoysforthepuppyandhavetheseavailablewheneverthepuppyisawakeandactive.Appropriate

chewtoysarehardenoughtonotbedestroyedortornapartquicklyandarecomposedofamaterialthatisknowntobesafeifswallowed.Becausedogsenjoynoveltyintheirtoys,ownersshouldselectavarietyoftypesofchewtoysandrotatethemfrequently.Observeyourdog’schewinghabitsandoffera

similar,butacceptablesubstitute.Ifyourdoglikestochewonhardsurfaces,liketablelegs,giveyourdogsomethinghardtochewon,suchasappropriatehardtoyslikekongs.Ifyourdoglikestochewonsoftstuff,likepillows,fabricetc.tryasofterappropriatetoy.Orofferyourdogavarietyofsoftandhard

toysandletyourdogchoosewhichonehe/shewants.

Ifthepuppydoespickupsomethingthatisnothis/hers,theownershouldsimplyremoveitfromhis/hermouthandredirecthim/hertooneoftheirowntoys,praisingthepuppywhenhe/shechewsonappropriateitems.Similartohouse-training,usingaharshreprimandwhenthepuppyischewingon

somethingundesirablecanteachthepuppytochewoutofsightoftheownerortorunawaywheneverinpossessionofanovelitem.Ownersoftenmistakenlyinterpretthisbehaviorassignifyingthatthepuppy“Knowshe/sheiswrong”.However,avoidancebehaviorssuchasthesessimplysignifythatthe

doghaslearnedthoughexperiencewithpunishmenttoavoidchewinginthepresenceoftheowneror,inmoreextremecases,torunawayfromtheownerwheninpossessionofanovelobject.Rememberto

alwaysrewardyourdogformakingtheproperchewingchoices.

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Finally,inadditiontomanagingthepuppy’senvironmentandprovidingplentyofvariedandinterestingchewtoys,ownerscanteachtheirpuppythetwoinvaluablecommandsof“leaveit”and“giveordrop

it.”

Aspecialnoteaboutbones-

Theideathatit’snaturalfordogstochewonbonesisapopularone.However,bonescanbedangerousandcancauseseriousinjurytoyourdog.Likebrokenteeth,mouthortongueinjuries,choking,intestinalblockage,infections,andintheworstcasedeath.

Talkwithyourveterinarianaboutchewingalternativesforyourdog.Therearemanybone-likeproductsmadewithmaterialsthataresafefordogstochewon.Howeverthedecisionisyoursonwhatyougiveyourdogtochewon.Youshouldalwayssuperviseyourdogwithanychewproduct.

Introducingyournewdogtootherpets

Dogsandcats: Whetheryoualreadyhaveadogandareconsideringgettingacat,orviceversa,itisveryimportanttothinkabouttheirfirstintroduction.Ifyouletaloosecatandanoff-leashdogmeeteachotherinanopenroomforthefirsttime,youareprobablysettingupbothanimalstofail.Planaheadandtakeyourtime!

Donotintroducetheanimalsrightaway.Putyourcatawayinanotherroom,Letyourdogexploretheroomwherethecathasbeen.Thenputyourdogawayandletyourcatexploretheroomwherethedoghasbeen,thiswillhelptheminvestigatethescentofeachother.Acrossafewdays,rotatewhichanimalhasfreedomandwhichisconfinedtoalloweachanimalplentyoftimetoinvestigatetheotherone’sscent.Continuewiththistypeofintroductionuntilthedogiscalm(oratleastnotobsessedwiththecatsscent),andthecatiscalm,eatingandusingthelitterboxnormally.Whenthedog(s)andcat(s)arecalmallowtheanimals(oneatatimeifyouhavemultiplecatsordogs)tobeinthesameroomatthesametime,butkeepthedogsecurelyleashed.Againcontinuewiththistypeofintroductionuntilthedogiscalmandignoresthecat,andthecatiscalm,eatingandusingthelitterboxnormally.Continueuntilboththedogandcatseemhappyandrelaxedaroundeachother.

Whennooneishome,thedogorcatmustbesecurelyconfinedsounsupervisedinteractionsarenotpossible.Unsupervisedtimetogethercanoccurafterthecatanddoghavebeensupervisedaroundeachotherforasignificantperiodoftime(amonthorso)andyouarepositivetheywillnothurteachother.KittensanddogsshouldNEVERbeleftalonetogether.EvenifyourdogisokaywithyourAdultcat,he/shemaybecometooroughwithakittenandhurthim/her.So,forsafety’ssake,keepsmallkittensanddogsapartanytimeyouarenotwatchingthem.Realizethatintroductionsmaytakeweeks,orevenmonths.Ifthereisanysignthatitisnotgoingwell,simplygobackacouplestepsandgomoreslowly.Alwaysmakesureyourcathasanescaperoutewhenaroundthedog.

DogsandSmallanimals:Veryfewdogscanappreciatethecompanyofasmallfurrypet,bird,reptile

etc.Mostdogscan’tbearoundsmallanimalswithoutthinkingofaquickgameofchaseoraquick

snack.Goodmanagementisessentialwhenlivingwithbothtypesofanimals.Dogsarepredatoryanimalsandothersmallanimals(likerabbits)arepreyanimals.It’sadog’snaturalinstincttopounceon

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andchasesmallfurrymovingobjects.Whileweenjoythecompanionshipofbothtypesofanimals,naturewillusuallyhaveitsway.

DogsshouldNEVERbeleftwithanysmallanimal(s).

Birdsandsmallanimalsshouldhavesecurecagesthataredog-proofandbekeptoutofreachfromyour

dog.Ifpossiblekeeptheminaseparateroomandclosethedoorbehindyou.

Ifyouarenotconfidentofcomfortableatanypoint,pleaseseekthehelpfromsomeonewhoisknowledgeableaboutdogandanimalbehavior.

Introducingyournewdogtootherdogs

Ifyouhaveadogandanewonewillbeenteringyourhome,therearethingsyoucandotoensurethatthemeetinggoeswell.Ifyouareuncertainhowone(orboth)ofthedogswillreacttoanotherdog,becautious.Thedogsneedtobeintroducedonneutralground.Choosealocationwhereneitherdogis

likelytofeelterritorial.Ifyouareadoptingadogfromashelter,bringyourresidentdogwithyoutomeetthenewdogthere.Whereveryouchoosetointroducethedogs,makesurealldogsareonaleash

(thiswillhelpcontrolthedogsshouldsomethinghappen).Aseparatepersonshouldhandleeachdog.Ifyouhavemorethanoneresidentdog,itmayhelptointroducethemoneatatimetothenewdog.Whenthemeetingoccursbecalmandrelaxed,ifpossiblekeeptheleashloose(sincepullingonand

keepingtheleashtightmightcommunicatetothedogthatyouarefearfuloranxiousabouttheirmeeting).Asthedogsapproacheachother,watchtheirbodylanguageclosely,ifyoudon’tknowhowtotellthedifferencebetweendogsthataregettingtoknoweachother,anddogswhodon’tlikeeach

other,trytohavesomeonetherethatdoes.Ifthatisnotpossibleherearesometipsonwhattowatchfor,andwhattodo.Onebodypositionthatindicatesthingsaregoingwellisa“playbow”.Thisiswhenadogwillcrouchwithhis/herfrontlegsonthegroundandhis/herrearendintheair.Thisisan

invitationtoplaythatmayormaynotelicitfriendlybehaviorfromtheotherdog.Allowthemtosniffeachother,andgivepraiseforanicegreeting.Ifallisgoingwelltakethemforawalktogether,stoppingoccasionallytoallowthemtosniffandinvestigateeachother.Watchcarefullyforbodyposturesthat

indicateanaggressiveresponse.Iftheystiffentheirbodies,haveprolongedstares,havehairstandingupontheirback,teeth-baring,deepgrowlsortheytrytolungeateachotherandtrytofight,theyprobablyaren’tgoingtobebestfriends,forthesafetyofpeopleandthedogs,don’ttryanyfurther

introductionswithoutthehelpfromsomeoneexperiencedwithdogtrainingandbehavior.

Ifthedogsseemfinetogetheryoucantakethemhome,makesureyouhaveputawayyourresidentdog(s)toys,bones,foodetc,sincetheymaybeasourceofconflict.Ifyou’regoingtooffertheresidentdog,andthenewdog,food,toys,bonesetc.,itmaybebesttoseparatethem.Onceyourdogsaregood

friends,theymaybemorewillingto“share”oratleastbeclosetoeachotherwhenhavingtheseitems.

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Untilyou’reconfidentthatthedogswillgetalong,theyshouldneverbeleftalonetogether.Introducingpuppiestoadultdogs:Tointroduceapuppytoadog,usethesameproceduresasabove.Puppies

dependingontheirageandbackgroundmaynotrecognizebodylanguagefromanolderdog,forthisreasonifapuppyisunder4months,boththedogandthepuppymayneedfrequentbreaksfromeachother.Someadultdogswillquicklylosepatiencewithapuppy’senergy.Forthisreason,apuppy

shouldn’tbeleftalonewithanadultdoguntilyou’reconfidentthepuppyisn’tinanydanger.Itmaybehardwithanewpuppy,butmakesurethatyouradultdoggetssome“quiet”timeawayfromthepuppy.Alsomakesureyouradultdogisgettingsomefunindividualattentionwithyouaswell.

Dogsandkids

Childrencanhavethemostamazingrelationshipswithdogsifbotharetaughthowtoproperlyinteract

andrespecteachother.Propertrainingandmanagementofbothchildrenanddogscanpreventbadthingsfromeverhappening.Remembernotalldogsaregoodwithkids,andviceversa.Everydogisdifferent,soifpossiblebeforeadoptingadogbringyourchildrentoseehowtheyandhowthedog

interactwitheachother.

Beforeadoptingadog:Ifyouhavechildren,theirmaturityandlifestylemaybeimportanton

decidingwhattypeofdogyouwanttobringhome.Somedogsaren’tgoodwithyoungchildren,andsomechildrenarejusttooyoungtotakeonaresponsibilityforanotherlife.Ifchildrenaren’t

emotionallyandmentallypreparedforadog,theycan’tbecountedontotakecareofadog’sneeds,andallthecaregivingwillfallononeorbothoftheparents.Allfamilymembersbothyoungandoldneedtobeonboardwiththedecisiontoadoptadogandunderstandtheirpartincaringforanewdog.

Discusstheadoptionwithyourchildrensothateveryoneknowswhat’sexpectedofthembeforetheadoptionprocessbegins.

Afteradoptingadog:Makesureyourchildrenunderstandhowtoappropriatelyinteractwithyour

newdog.Teasing,roughphysicalinteraction,pullingears,tailetc.areunacceptablebehaviors.Some

peopleholdthebeliefthatit’snotuptothechildrentolearnacceptablebehavior.Iftheyarerough,thedogshouldhaveto“takeit”.Thisiscompletelyunrealistic,andaverydangerousthinking.Yes,therearesomedogsthatkidscanwalkallover,howevernotalldogswillbesotolerant.Somedogsmaybe

frightenedbyroughexuberantchildbehaviors.Ifthedogstriestoescapeandcan’t,thenshe/hecouldsnaporbite.Yournewdogneedstolearnhowtoappropriatelyinteractwithchildrenalso.Dogsneedtobetaughthowtoplaysafelyaroundchildren.Thedogmustlearnbiteinhibition,learntonotchase

runningchildren(thiscanbeverytemptingforsomedogs,especiallyherdingbreeds);thedogalsoneedstolearntoleavethechildren’sthingsalone.Dogsdon’tknowthedifferencebetweentheirtoys

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andthechildren’stoysunlesstheyaretaught.Itwillbeuptoyoutoteachyourdogwhatisandwhatisn’tanappropriatetoyforhim/hertochewon.Childrenalsoneedtolearntoleavethedog’sthings

alone.Childrenshouldnottrytotaketoysorfoodfromthedog.Theyshouldn’tusethedogscrateasa“fort”(thecrateshouldbesolelyreservedasthedogs“safe”zone).Justasthedogshouldrespectthechildren’sthings,yourchildrenshouldrespectthedog’sthings.

Childrencantakepartinhelpingcareforyournewdog,withrealisticresponsibilitiesbasedontheirage

andmaturitylevel.Letyourchildrenparticipateintraining,theneveryonecanlearnhowtocommunicatewiththedog,andyourdogwilllearnhowtoactaroundeveryoneaswell.

Alwayskeepaneyeonyourdogwheneverhe/sheisaroundchildren.YoungchildrenshouldNEVERbeleftunattendedwithanydogofanysizeorage.

HealthandwellnessforyournewPuppy

VaccinationScheduleHowmanyvaccineboostersyourpuppywillneeddependsonhowoldyourpuppyiswhenyouadopthim/her.Puppiesneedmanyboostershotsbecauseyoungpuppiesbegintolosetheirmaternal

immunity(fromtheirmom),butastheyaregrowingtheiradultimmunityhasn’tkickedinyet.Itisimportanttheyreceivevaccinestobeprotectedfromthediseasesthataremostlikelytomakethemsick.

Thisisarecommendedpuppyvaccinescheduleandmaybealtered.Yourveterinarianwillhelpdeterminewhatvaccinesarenecessarytofityourpuppy’sspecificneeds.

RecommendedPuppySchedule6-8Weeks

DistemperComboVaccineFecalExamDeworming8-11weeks

DistemperComboBoosterBordetellaVaccineLymeVaccine+/-FecalExamDeworming12-15weeks

DistemperComboBoosterBordetellaBooster

LeptospirosisVaccine

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+/-FecalExam+/-Deworming

16weeksDistemperComboBoosterLeptospirosisBooster

RabiesVaccine+/-FecalExam+/-Deworming

10monthsHeartwormTest

DistemperComboVaccine(distemper,adenovirus-2,parvovirus,andparainfluenza)

Thisvaccinepreventsagainstfourviraldiseases.Distempervirusisaviralinfectionthataffectsthenervoussystem,digestivesystem,andrespiratorysystem.Distempervirusisveryserious,withafatalityrateofalmost50%inuntreateddogs.AdenovirusType1isavirusthataffectstheliverandkidneys,

whileAdenovirusType2affectstherespiratorysystem.Parvovirusisavirusthatishighlycontagiousamongdogs.Itattacksthedigestiveandimmunesystemscausingdiarrheaandvomiting.Parvovirusisalsoveryserious,withafatalityrateapproaching90%ifleftuntreated.Parainfluenzaviruscausesa

respiratorydiseaseindogs.Thisvaccineisadministeredinitiallyandmustbeboosteredatleastonce.Dependingonwhenyourpuppybeganthisseriesatotalof3-4vaccinesmaybeadministered.TheDistemperCombovaccineistypicallyanannualortri-annualvaccine.

BordetellaVaccineThisvaccinepreventsagainsttheconditioncommonlyreferredtoasKennelCough.KennelCoughisalso

knownasCanineInfectiousTracheobronchitis.Bordetellabronchisepticaisabacterialdiseasethatinfectstherespiratorysystemandcausesahackingcough.Bordetellaishighlycontagiousandeasilytransmittedthroughdirectcontactortheair.Thisvaccineisrecommendedfordogsthatareathighrisk

forexposure,suchasshelters,groomingfacilities,dogparks,orboardingfacilities.Thisvaccineisinitiallyadministeredthenboostered3-4weekslater,althoughoccasionallysomedogsaregivenjustonevaccine.Bordetellaisanannualvaccine.

RabiesVaccineRabiesvaccinationisusuallyrequiredbylaw.Rabiesisaviralinfectionthataffectsthenervoussystem

andcausesdeathifcontracted.TheinitialRabiesvaccineisa1yearvaccinethatisgivenat12-16weeksofage.Typicallya3-yearvaccinecanbeadministeredaftertheinitial1yearvaccine.

LeptospirosisVaccineLeptospirosisisabacteriumthatinfectsthekidneysandliverandcancausepotentiallyfatalkidneyand/orliverdiseaseifleftuntreated.Leptospirosisistransmittedthroughtheurineofwildanimals.

Dogscanbecomeinfectedfromsniffingyourownbackyard.Thebacteriaisshedinurine,thenonceadogsniffstheareathebacteriacanbetransmittedtothedogthroughthenasalmucosalmembranes

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andspreadtotheliverorkidneys.Leptospirosiscanalsobetransmittedtohumans,causinghumanillness.Itisimportanttovaccinateyourdogforthisasitcanpotentiallybeapublichealthconcern.This

vaccineistypicallyadministeredanytimeafter12weeksofageandthenboostered3-4weekslater.Itisanannualvaccine.

AdditionalVaccinestoconsiderLymeVaccine

Lymediseaseiscausedbyabacteria(BorreliaBurgdorferi)transmittedbyticks.Lymecausesjointdisease(arthritis)andkidneydisease.Thisvaccineisrecommendedfordogsthathaveahighriskofbeingexposedtoticks,suchasduringcamping,hiking,orhuntingactivities.Thisvaccineisinitially

administeredanytimeafter9weeksofage,boostered3weekslater,andthengivenannually.InfluenzaVaccine

Influenzaisanewerdiseaseaffectingdogs.Thiscausesflu-likesymptomsindogsthatareusuallymild,butcanprogresstolife-threateningpneumonia,especiallyinsickordebilitatedanimals.Itistransmittedbydirectcontactwithinfecteddogsorrespiratorysecretions(suchascoughingorsneezing).Itisspread

rapidlyinfacilities,suchasboardingfacilities,daycarefacilities,veterinaryclinics,groomingfacilities,ordogparks.Thisvaccineisadministeredasaninitialdoseandfollowedbyabooster2-4weekslater.

Yearlyre-vaccinationisrecommended.

IntestinalParasitesIntestinalparasitesareextremelycommoninyoungpuppies.Themostcommonintestinalparasitesareroundwormsandhookworms.Virtuallyallpuppiesareinfectedwithroundwormsatbirthorshortly

after.Thusitisveryimportantthatroutinedewormingmedicationbeadministeredtopuppies.Otherintestinalparasitesincludewhipworms,tapeworms,coccidia,andgiardia.Clinicalsignsdependonwhichparasiteispresent,butdiarrheaisacommonsymptom.Itisimportanttoputyournewpuppyona

monthlypreventativetopreventagainstthemostcommonintestinalparasites(usuallyroundwormsandhookworms)asparasitesareprevalentintheenvironment(eveninyourownbackyard!).Fecalexaminationsareimportantfordetectingthelesscommonparasitessothatyourveterinariancan

appropriatelytreatyourpuppy.

HeartwormDiseaseHeartwormdiseaseisaseverediseasetransmittedbymosquitoes.Heartwormsaffecttheheartand

lungsofdogsandcanclogthevessels,causingadebilitatingandpotentiallyfataldisease.Itisextremelyimportantthatyourpuppybeputonamonthlyheartwormpreventativeattheageof16weeks.Heartwormpreventativeisusuallyintheformofachewableorpillorincludedinatopicalapplication.A

heartwormtestisabloodtestperformedbyyourveterinarianusuallyat10monthsto1yearofage.Heartwormpreventativemustbeadministeredmonthlythroughoutyourdog’slife.Itisveryimportanttopreventthisdiseaseratherthantrytotreatitshouldyourdogbecomeinfected.Heartworm

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treatmentisoftenveryexpensiveandextremelyhardonyourdog(oftenrequiringamonthofcagerestandharshmedications).Thisdiseaseismucheasiertopreventthantreat!

FleasandTicksItisimportanttopreventfleainfestationsastheyaredifficulttogetridofonceyourpuppyhasthem!Amonthlyfleapreventativecanbeadministeredusuallyasatopicalapplicationtopreventinfestation.

Fleasarecancauseanemiaifthereisasevereinfestation.Additionallysomeanimalsareextremelyallergictoevenjustonefleabite,oftenresultinginhairloss.Tapewormsareusuallyassociatedwithfleainfestationsaswell.Itisimportanttotreatfleasyear-roundastheycanbefoundeveninthecoldwinter

months.Tickpreventativesareoftenadministeredtopicallyaswell.Tickscancarrydiseases,suchasLymedisease.Itisimportanttouseapreventativeifyourpuppyhasahighriskoftickexposure.

CommonSignsofIllnessinYourPuppyAlthoughnon-encompassing,thesearesomecommonsignsofillnessinpuppies.Itisimportanttocontactyourveterinarianpromptlyifyounoticeanyoftheseclinicalsignsorifyourpuppyisnotacting

normally.1) Vomiting-oftenasignofgastrointestinalupset2) Diarrhea-canbecausedbyparasites,viral,orbacterialgastrointestinaldisease

3) Eatinglessornotinterestedinfood-oftenanearlysignthatyourpuppyisn’tfeelingwell4) Coughing–causedbyrespiratoryillness,suchasKennelCoughSyndrome5) Sneezing–causedbyrespiratoryillness

6) Eyedischarge–causedbyupperrespiratoryillnessorcanbecausedbyaninjury7) Scratchingatears–indicatesanearinfection8) Urinatingmorefrequently–oftenasignofaurinarytractinfection

GroomingandDentalHygieneItisimportanttogetyourpuppyusedtoroutinegroomingactivities,suchasbathingandbrushing,nailtrims,earcleaning,anddentalcare.Puppies(anddogsingeneral)donotneedtobebathedfrequently

(ingeneralnotmorethanevery4-6weeks).Infact,over-bathingyourdogwillleadtodryskinanditchiness.Itisimportant,however,togetyourpuppiesusedtobathingatayoungageasanoccasionalbathwilllikelybenecessary.Itisimportanttouseappropriateshampoosforbathingandtorinse

thoroughly.Brushingisimportantforyourdog,especiallyifyouhavealong-hairbreed.Doghaircanbecomemattedifnotfrequentlybrushedoutleadingtoskinirritationandinfection.Itisimportantto

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getyourpuppyusedtoroutinebrushing.Makethebrushingsessionsfunwithlotsoftreatsandpraiseinitiallytogetyourpuppyusedtogroomingactivities.

Nailtrimmingisanecessitythroughoutyourdog’slife,aslongnailsareuncomfortableforyourdog.Howoftenyourdogwillneedanailtrimdependsonhowquicklyyourdog’snailsgrowandactivitylevel.

Itisimportanttoplaywithyourpuppiespawstogetthemusedtoyouhandlingtheirpaws.Nailtrimsshouldbeperformedeveryfewweekssoyoucanjustclipthetipsoff.Therearedifferenttypesofnailclippersthatyoucanpurchasedependingonwhatwillworkbestforyourdog.Yourveterinariancan

showyouhowtoappropriatelyclipnails.Earcleaningmaybenecessarylaterinyourdog’slifeifyouhaveabreedthatispredisposedtoear

infections.Itisimportanttoplaywithyourpuppiesearsandgethimorherusedtoyouhandlinghisorherears.ItisimportanttouseacottonballorclothtocleantheexterioroftheearandNOTputanythingintotheearcanal(suchasacottonswab)asthismaydamageyourdog’seardrum.Ear

cleanserscanbepurchasedfromyourveterinarianifnecessary.Ifyouallowyourdogtoswim,youmayneedtopurchaseanearcleanerwithadryingagentthatwillhelppreventagainstyeastinfectionsduetothemoistureintheearcanal.Yourveterinariancanhelpyoudetermineappropriateearcareforyour

dog.

Dentalhygieneisextremelyimportantasdentaldiseasecancauseyourdogtohaveapainfulmouthandpredisposetootherdisease(suchasheartorkidneydisease)laterinlife.Thegoldstandardisdaily(orat

leasteveryotherday)brushingofyourdog’steethtopreventplaqueandsubsequenttartarformation.Youcangetyourpuppyusedtodailyteethbrushingatayoungagetomakethistaskeasierforyou.Itisimportanttousepet-appropriatetoothpaste(oftenpet-friendlyflavored!).Youcanuseeithera

toothbrushorfingertoothbrushtobrushyourdog’steeth.Ifyouareunabletobrushyourdog’steeth,dentalchewsorspecialdietscanhelppreventplaqueandtartarformation.ItisimportanttouseaVOHCapproveddentalchewasotherbones(suchasrawhides)canactuallybreakteethorcauseforeign

bodies(i.e.getstuckintheintestines).Evenwithroutineathomecare,dentalproceduresarenecessarytoremoveexistingtartarandassessyourdog’steeth.Anannualdentalisrecommendedtopreventtoothlosslaterinlife.

Keepingyourpuppyhealthyandhappysoundslikeadauntingtask,butitisimportanttorealizethatifyouspendtimegettingyourpuppyusedtotheseactivitiesatayoungage,thenitwillbemucheasier

(andtakelesstime)foryoutocareforyourfurryfriendlaterinlife!

Harmfulfoodsandplantstodogs

FoodsToxictoPets

Avocado–usuallycausesgastrointestinalsignsindogs,butmaycausecardiacproblems.

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Beer,wine

Breaddough(duetoethanol)–maycausebloat,gastrointestinalblockagefromrisingdough,behaviorchanges,andcardiac/respiratoryproblems.

Chocolate–causesincreasedheartrate,cardiacarrhythmias,excitement,seizures,vomiting,diarrhea,

orurinaryincontinence

Coffeeproducts–caffeinecausesirritability,increasedheartrate,over-stimulation,andincreasedurination

Grapes,raisins–causesrenalfailure.

Macadamianuts–causesvomiting,abdominalpain,weakness,lamenessandaffectsthenervoussystem(notusuallyfatal,butdoescausetransientparalysis).

Prunes(highinsorbitol)

Onions&garlic–causeshemolyticanemia(damagestheredbloodcells).

Xylitolsweeteners(foundinchewinggums,candies,bakedgoods)–causesextremelylowbloodsugar

andliverdisease(symptomsarevomiting,depression,diarrhea,weakness,seizures,anddeath).

PlantstoAvoid

Rhubarb–cancausevomiting,diarrhea,andoralirritation,oftenprogressingtorenalfailure.

Tomatoes(theflowers,vines,andgreenfruit)–causesvomiting,diarrhea,andnervoussystem

problems.

CocoaMulchBark–sameeffectsaschocolateingestion.

Marijuana-resultsindepressionofthecentralnervoussystemandincoordination,aswellasvomiting,diarrhea,drooling,increasedheartrate,andevenseizuresandcoma.

SagoPalm-theseedsor"nuts"containthelargestamountoftoxin.Theingestionofjustoneortwoseedscanresultinveryseriouseffects,whichincludevomiting,diarrhea,depression,seizuresandliverfailure.

Tulip/Narcissusbulbs-thebulbportionscontaintoxinsthatcancauseintensegastrointestinalirritation,drooling,lossofappetite,depressionofthecentralnervoussystem,convulsionsandcardiacabnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron–cancausevomiting,drooling,diarrhea,weaknessanddepressionofthecentralnervoussysteminanimals.Severeazaleapoisoningcouldultimatelyleadtocomaanddeathfromcardiovascularcollapse.

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Oleander–maycausegastrointestinaltractirritation,abnormalheartfunction,hypothermiaandevendeath.

CastorBean-canproducesevereabdominalpain,drooling,vomiting,diarrhea,excessivethirst,weaknessandlossofappetite.Severecasesofpoisoningcanresultindehydration,muscletwitching,tremors,seizures,comaanddeath.

Cyclamen-canproducesignificantgastrointestinalirritation,includingintensevomiting.Fatalitieshavealsobeenreportedinsomecases.

Kalanchoe-canproducegastrointestinalirritation,aswellasthosethataretoxictotheheart,andcanseriouslyaffectcardiacrhythmandrate.

Yew-causescentralnervoussystemeffectssuchastrembling,incoordination,anddifficultybreathing.Itcanalsocausesignificantgastrointestinalirritationandcardiacfailure,whichcanresultindeath.

Amaryllis-cancausevomiting,depression,diarrhea,abdominalpain,hypersalivation,anorexiaandtremors.

AutumnCrocus-canresultinoralirritation,bloodyvomiting,diarrhea,shock,multi-organdamageandbonemarrowsuppression.

Chrysanthemum–mayproducegastrointestinalupset,includingdrooling,vomitinganddiarrhea,ifeaten.Incertaincasesdepressionandlossofcoordinationmayalsodevelopifenoughofanypartoftheplantisconsumed.

EnglishIvy-canresultinvomiting,abdominalpain,hypersalivationanddiarrhea.

PeaceLily-cancauseoralirritation,excessivedrooling,vomiting,difficultyinswallowingandintenseburningandirritationofthemouth,lipsandtongue.

Pothos-cancausesignificantmechanicalirritationandswellingoftheoraltissuesandotherpartsofthegastrointestinaltract.

Schefflera-cancauseoralirritation,excessivedrooling,vomiting,difficultyinswallowingandintenseburningandirritationofthemouth,lipsandtongue.

Otherpotentialhazardstopets

Antifreezepoisoning

Rodenticidepoisoning(ratpoison)

Insecticides

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Over-the-counterhumanpainmedications(suchasTylenol,Ibuprofen,orAspirin)

OtherHumanMedications

Householdproducts,suchaslead,paints,solvents,cleaningproducts,andadhesives

Nicotine

FinaltipsandinformationEverydogisanindividualRememberthatyoucanresearchyourselfandyourpotentialcaninefriendandstillbepleasantlyor

unpleasantlysurprisedonceyouadopt.Thepuppyyoufallinlovewithmaygrowintoanadultofasizeandpersonalityyoudidnotexpect.Dokeepinmindthatbreedcharacteristicsarejustthat-characteristicsandgeneralizationsthattendtoruninaparticularbreed.Justbecauseadogisn’twhat

youthoughthe/shewasatfirstdoesn’tmeanthathe/shedoesn’thavegreatqualitiesofhis/herownorthatyouwon’thaveamazingexperiencestogether.Youcanencouragesomebehaviorbyfindingpositivewaystomotivateyourdogintoactivitiesthatyoucanbothenjoy.Everydogisaproductofnot

onlygeneticsbutindividualpersonality,trainingandlifecircumstances.Ifyoucanletgoofyourinitialexpectationsandvalueyournewcompanionforwhohe/sheis,youjustmightenjoythemostfulfillingrelationshipofyourlife!

MakingtimeCompanionshipisapriorityinmostdogadoptions.It’sfuntocuddlewithadogandwatchtelevision.Butyourdogisnotaplushtoy.Youdogwillneedpropernutrition,physicalexercise,andmental

stimulation.Problemsbecomeinevitableifyoudon’thavetimeordedicationtomeetyourdog’sneeds.

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Dogswithoutexercisemaygetfat,listless,andhyperactive.Dogswithoutpropermentalandphysicalstimulationwillmorethanlikelydesigntheirownbrainandbodybuildinggamesthatmayinclude

chewing,barking,diggingetc.Exerciseisperhapsoneofthemostbasicneeds.Everydog,ateveryage,needstobeexercisedeveryday.Ifyourdogfailstogetaproperworkout,he/she’slikelytoexhibitbehavioralproblemsthatnoamountoftrainingcanfix.

Committoalifelong,lovingrelationshipwithyourFurryFriend

Yourdogisnotand“it”.He/shehasfeelingsandemotionsjustlikeyou.Yourdogsloveisgenuine.Lookuponyourdogasafamilymember,givinghim/herthesametimeandaffectionasyouwouldapersondeartoyou,andyouwillberewardedwiththemostloyal,attentive,lovingfriendyoucouldeverimagine.Whenyouhaveadog,you’llhavetofindawaytocontinuelivingwithhim/her,inwhateverphysical,financial,oremotionalstateyou’rein.Still,onrareoccasions,aturninfamilyfortunesmaymakeitimpossibletokeepadog.Sometimesafamilyhastomakethepainfuldecisiontopartwayswiththedog.Ithappens.Butsuchdecisionsshouldneverbemadelightly.Yourdoghasgrowntodependonyouineverypartofhis/herlife;he/shehasgrowntoloveeverythingaboutyou,andwillbetraumatizedandlostbytheendofyourrelationship.

SeekingProfessionalHelpYouloveyourdogandwantthebestforhim/her.Troubleis,youmaynotknowhowtogetthebestbehavioroutofyourdogwhilemaintainingyourloving,positiverelationship.That’swhereatrainercomesin.FurryFriendsrecommendsfindingagood,positivereinforcementtrainertohelpyou,

especiallyifyourdoghasparticularissuesthatyou’restrugglingtorectify.Intheend,though,thedecisiononhowtotrainrestsonyouandyourdog.

Rememberalldogsbark,chew,digandalldogsgotothebathroom,how,whereandwhentheydoallthesethingsdependsonyou.It’syourresponsibilitytoprovidethemwithacceptableoutletsforthesesbehaviorstohelpthemlearntodotheminacceptableways.Helpingyourdogtosuccessfullynavigate

therulesandexpectationsofhumansisimportanttokeepingharmonyinyourhome,andanimportantpartofyourrelationship.

Appreciateyourtimewithyourdog.It’salltooshort

Yourdog’slifeisshortcomparedwithyours.Yourpuppyalltoosoonwillbecomeandelderlydog.Solookatlifethewayyourdogdoes,andenjoyeverymomenttogether.Yougotadogbecauseyouthoughtyou’dhavefuntogether,Sodoso!

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Enjoy your new Furry Friend!