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In The Garden
Dogs of all ages can be very curious and they like being outside if the weather suits them. Puppies will bury their nose into every corner of your garden so make sure your garden is escape proof. Puppies can squeeze through very small holes so make sure there aren’t any if your fence or in some cases under the gate. Garden gates should also be kept locked (or closed securely) so they can’t be opened by inquisitive little scamps. Also make sure your fence is high enough as some of the tall breeds can jump between 3 to 5 feet if something grabs their attention.
You must also be very careful about the contents of your garden as animals won’t know what is toxic to them it is your responsibility as the owner to protect your dog from such hazards.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/factsheetpoisonoussubstances09.pdf
- Check for holes in your fence
- Lock up tools
- Close gates and doors securely
- Make sure fences are high enough if you have a large dog
- Cover any gaps underneath gates
Inside the Home
The first issue with the home are stairs. Young, long, low dogs such as Dachshunds or large dogs such as Wolfhounds should not be allowed to go up and down stairs. Stairs can over-stress their vertebrae, leading to spinal disc troubles in later life. It can also lead to hip problems in breeds that are susceptible. A Child gate is a good preventative measure. Puppy owners should be careful with cables, wires and electrical sockets as curiosity get the better of them and become a hazard. Make sure power sockets are switched off when not in use and unplug and tidy away any appliances that aren’t in use. Children should also be taught to not leave their toys on the floor in a household with a puppy, which can be difficult! Puppies may choke on small toys or plastic left lying around.
- Fit Stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs
- Unplug unused appliances
- Turn off electrical sockets
- Cover up trailing wires
- Don’t leave small chewable objects lying around
Going to the Vets
Make sure your vet knows in advance which breed of dog you’ll be bringing so they can find out any potential health problems before you arrive. Do not put your puppy down on the pavement between your home and the vets and most importantly don’t set him down on the floor of the practice. There may be other dogs that may be inquisitive about your puppy and you want to keep them separate to avoid infection. Remember most dogs will be at the vets because there’s something wrong with them.
The vet will give your puppy an examination and if he’s old enough he will be able to vaccinate him. Your dog will need to be vaccinated as there’s several diseases that threaten your dog’s life such as parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis being the main 3. Most vets will vaccinate between 10 and 12 weeks with a booster following 2 weeks later. If the puppy isn’t old enough for vaccination, you will have to schedule an appointment for the first opportunity.
Insurance is a good option as there are a lot of health threats to puppies (and older dogs!) so ask your vet for advice on what would be the best option for you.
