Caring for Your Puppy

Congratulations on your newest addition!

Now that your adorable little bundle is about to come home, you’ll want to make sure your home is safe and that you prepare other family members for knowing how to protect your puppy from household hazards.

Protect your very young puppy

Infection resistance is lowered until your puppy is older than four months. Be cautious of other dogs, particularly of kennels, shows, test events, dog parks and uncontrolled neighborhood encounters until this time. If new to raw diet, don't start before this age.

Avoid flea collars, dips or other meds on hand for older dogs.

Train and socialize your pup to reduce the risk of fear biting and aggressiveness, running away or car chasing. Puppy classes are good for even experienced dog folks. See The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson for a discussion of bite prevention. 

Avoid grain-free foods which have been linked to heart disease/deaths in cats, implicated in dogs. After several others, we use Purina One, Salmon base for the extra Omega-3 fats for our dogs and Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy Food for pups and pregnant females. We occasionally switch to a Venison base to vary the protein source but are wary of antibiotic residue in beef and chicken-based foods. A professor of canine nutrition who had one of our dogs was a very useful resource in guiding us.

Keep hazardous materials stored out of reach

There are many hazards for dogs, and especially puppies, in your house. You must take extra precautions to keep hazards out of reach. And remember, childproof containers ARE NOT puppy-proof. Here are the most dangerous and most common hazards.

• A number of foods are toxic or dangerous. Chocolate is toxic, especially cocoa powder, mulch and cooking chocolate. Cooked poultry bones may puncture and lodge. Peach and cherry pits and other fruit pits/apple cores may be toxic. Grapes, raisins, onions, macadamia nuts and garlic are toxic to some. Potato peels, rhubarb leaves and tomato stems are toxic. Xylitol, a sugar substitute in diabetic and low calorie foods, particularly “sugarless” gums, is very toxic and fatal in small amounts. Obviously the list can grow so we don't feed dogs at table and don't give scraps without thought. We discourage counter surfing strongly.

• Secure electrical cords and small items, such as Christmas ornaments, cigarette butts and toxic plants (diefenbacchia, yew, rhododendron, lily of the valley, pieris japonica) and glassware.

• Candle flames are attractive, avoid using them.

• Secure pins, needles and other sharps including diabetic supplies.

• Button batteries, used in hearing aids and other appliances, cause severe digestive burns when swallowed even when removed quickly.

• Powerful magnets in toys and for craft use are very dangerous if swallowed.

• Keep toilet lids closed, particularly if you use bowl cleaners. Secure household chemicals. Cupboards should not be left open or can be opened. Use of fly paper, rat poison and other pesticides should be avoided. Check barns for old traps and weak flooring, etc.

• Garages hold a host of toxics, particularly antifreeze which can kill in very small amounts, pest controllers and other garden chemicals. Garage door fail-safes are set for kids, not pups. 

Prevent accidents and injury

Cellar doors and upper story windows and wells/cisterns should be secure.

Taking steps on the run or jumping down at less than four months of age may increase hip/elbow dysplasia rates.

Driveway safety and road safety are big challenges. Try not to back up in the drive. We stopped using our invisible fence when one of the dogs repeatedly went through. Wait until your puppy is at least four months old before using one.