Healthy Is Happy For Your Dog

First day

We have made the decision ! Yes ! We are going to get a new family member. A sweet little puppy dog. We have decided on the breed or some of us don't really care about breed and just want a friend /companion. We have done everything and the great day has arrived and we are so excited.We are handed this chubby bundle. Sometimes it may be full of happy licking all over your face or it may be pulling away. Whichever ! it is your responsibility now.

Quiet

He or she needs lots of sleep and a quiet place. If you have kiddies around the house please ration the time for them to play with pup. Do involve them with the feeding and cleaning programme. As soon as pup has eaten she/he should be put outside for a while and so pup will quickly realise that it is normal to do his 'stuff' outside that you won't even notice it has happened,after maybe 4 to 8 days. The first couple of nights you may wish to have the newcomers bed next to yours in order to keep half an eye on it but really it is much easier to keep it downstairs in your chosen spot for it.

Music

It will be a lifelong lesson for you and pup to have him /her slightly independent of you in the early days. I always leave some quiet music on, and cuddly jumpers, then place him away from the door and draughts.

Teach a return

After a few days when pup is familiar with the new family try to place a light lead around him/her ,only in your presence; let pup walk around with you like this and soon it will not mind you actually walking him /her on the lead. ( you may be so happy that you followed this instruction when pup is mature and a ' happy to return to you ' dog).

Hiccups

When giving him/her food always remove after he has finished what is required-don't want a faddy eater ! At this age maybe 4/5 small portions daily- remember to take pup out for his'stuff'. Goes without saying to always have clean water.Some complete food is very salty and can cause indigestion in the dog with symptons like hiccups,drooling. if you do decide to use complete food then, in order to prevent pup getting hiccups, and other things, pour cold water on the food about 1 hour previous.

Biscuits & other things

Many dog biscuits are full of additives which are bad for dogs so be very vigilant on anything containing aspartame, which is so dangerous for animals re. liver damage.

Human biscuits are even more dangerous if they contain the artificial sweetener called XYLITOL which may be in chewing gum,cakes,biscuits ,muffins and other human foodstuff. One muffin can have serious results!Other things that maybe most people know of as being bad are chocolate,onions,raisons,grapes,sharp cooked bones i.e chicken and SUGAR,SUGAR.

Diabetes

These days Diabetes is on the increase in dogs and maybe the commonest disease in dogs today.The good news is vegetables which can ,mostly, be added to the dog food whatever your choice , it may be complete food,tinned food or raw food.

Nice to swim

Most dogs are at their happiest when swimming !

It is the very best exercise for them. Caution though ! Avoid getting water in the base of the ear,very difficult I know ! Their ear protectors on the market but I have no experience of them.

Love

With time and good training, one would never have to cruelly punish a dog with the use of any kind of electric collar, which I believe is rightfully banned in the u.k. after all we do love our dogs,don't we .

Some people,who don't even have dogs,advocate the use of electric and battery collars and other implements of control of which I think are so very cruel and all they will do is to encourage nervousness in an animal.

For the larger and high energy breed, training from a very early age is essential ,for very soon they will be big, and strong,maybe stronger than you !

Exercise

Months have gone by maybe 12 and your dog is fine but sometimes a little naughty. it must be remembered that a tired dog is a good dog ! You do not want a bored dog that is always in mischief in the house, through lack of company ,and exercise.

Exercise is so very important !