Puppy Do’s and Don’ts

Charlie – F1b Labradoodle

Puppy DO’s

1. Identify your puppy with a tag placed on a collar. Tattoos can also be used. I also recommend all puppies are microchipped.
2. Take your pet to the vet for yearly checkups.
3. Supply your puppy with clean, fresh water at each meal and throughout the day.
4. Keep your young puppy indoors until they’re fully vaccinated.  You want to give them a chance to get used to their new home and keep the activity level too a minimum.
5. Socialize your puppy using  “The Puppies Rule of 12”.
6. Do start a kindergarten puppy class as soon as your puppy is old enough. The training and socialization are good for your puppy and it will help you teach it good manners.
7. Do have your puppy neutered or spayed as soon as your veterinarian says it’s time.
8. Treat diarehha with pumpkin and or yogurt. Take off food for 24 hours and give lots of liquids. If this does not help by the following day you may need to take them to the vet. (Read our post on Coccidia and Giardia)

Puppy DON’Ts

1. Don’t take your new puppy to meet all your friends. Resist the urge to take them out and show them off to all your neighbors and friends. Not only can they catch a bug but a new home for a young puppy is a very stressful time.
2. Don’t leave your dog or puppy in the back of an open pickup truck.
3. Don’t switch your puppies food the first week especially. If you must change their food, do it gradually.
4. Don’t give your pet bones (chicken, pork, turkey, steak, ham, etc).
5. Don’t give milk to your pet; it causes diarrhea.
6. Don’t give your pet chocolate; it is very toxic.
7. Don’t pick up or carry any pet by the back of the neck.
8. Don’t use carpet powders or cleaners unless they are recommended safe for pets.
9. Don’t try to treat your pet with over-the counter human medicine.
10. Don’t scream at or hit your pet. Use positive training methods and time outs.
11. Don’t leave your dog chained up in your yard. Chained dogs become agrressive dogs. (Read unchainyourdog.org for more info)
12. Don’t keep choker chains on your dog for everyday use. They are for training purposes only.
13. Don’t leave poisonous plants around the house. (List of Poisonous Plants)
14. Don’t let your puppy run freely in the house until they’re fully potty trained.
15. Don’t leave your puppy in your car, even with the windows open on a hot day.
16. Don’t wait for your puppy to get sick before you take him to the vet for the first time.