Buy pet insurance - A New Puppy - Top 5 Things to Consider

Who doesn't smile at the site of a new puppy. As a Veterinarian, I have seen some of the biggest, toughest men grin at a puppy. So it comes as no surprise when the decision to add a puppy to your family is made with some degree of emotion. However, there are some things to consider when making the choice.

* What is the disposition and activity level needed for this breed?
* What will puppy grooming in tale?
* How much time and energy will I be able to put into training my puppy?
* What are the nutritional requirements for the new puppy?
* What preventative medicine is needed to keep my puppy healthy?

Choosing the right breed to mesh with your family dynamics is the first question to ask yourself. Are you looking for a companion who will set on your lap and watch TV? Or are you wanting one who will accompany you on long walks and camping trips. Maybe you want something in the middle. A dog who will romp and wrestle and than settle down for some quiet time. The breed of the dog is a good indicator as to the disposition of the puppy. Of course there are differing personalities within each breed.

If you get a Jack Russell terrier and expect it to be a calm docile animal, you are going to be frustrated. Don't get me wrong. Jack Russell terriers are wonderful dogs. They were bred to control rodents. They need an active family that has the time and energy to interact with them. Likewise, if you have an active athletic family, who is wanting Fido to be a part of these activities, a Maltese may not be the best match for your situation. These are a very calm and affectionate pet. Even mixed breed puppies will have some of the traits that were seen in his distant ancestors. A Collie/handsome stranger cross may still have a lot of the herding qualities seen in Collies.

Grooming is another consideration for all dog. Your dog does not have the same hair or skin as you do. As a veterinarian, the number one skin problem I see is due to over bathing. As a general rule your dog should not be bathed more often than every 5-6 weeks. More frequent bathing leads to dry/itchy smelly skin. Yes I said bathing leads to smelly skin. Your dog has a normal oil and normal bacterial level on their skin that keeps them clean and their skin healthy. If you take away the good bacteria your dog will start to smell like a stinky old shoe. Pay special attention to the ears. Do not let water accumulate in the ear canals. This can lead to ear infections from bacteria and yeast growth in this warm moist environment.

Trimming your dogs toe nails is a very important aspect of grooming. If you start trimming the nails when the puppy is young, you will avoid a lot of drama as they get older and bigger. You do not need the latest gadget to accomplish this task. A good set of dog nail trimmers can be found at you local pet supply or discount store. Most will come with a gadget to keep you from trimming off to much nail. No your dog will not "bleed out" from clipping the nails to close. If you are unsure of how to clip the nails your local Veterinarian or groomer can show you how.

Training of your new puppy should start as soon as you get them home. House breaking and social skill are a must for your new puppy. Never use pain as a training tool. The 3 P's works well (patience, persistence and prayer), and a good training program will train you how to train your pet.

Basic obedience (sit, stay and down) commands should be taught to all puppies. Good obedience skills lead to good social skills. You do not want the puppy to jump on Great-aunt Flo. But if he has no training how will he know what you are asking of him. A simple "sit" command will let him know what you expect of him. If you get in a new situation where he seems to be over excited, give him the "sit" command and he will know what you want. And you will have the time to patiently guide him away from Aunt Flo. There are several training tools to use. Books, tapes and classes are all good places to start. But the main thing is to start. Once you get the basics down you can decide where to go from there. For some owners the fun has just begun. Agility classes or more in dept obedience can be a lot of fun for both of you.

House breaking your puppy is a must. I have had great success with the crate method. Basically the puppy is kept in a crate or kennel when you are not at home or when he is not under your direct supervision. Your puppy is taken out to potty just before being placed in the crate and again when taken out of the crate. If you take him to the same spot each time to potty he will smell his scent in this area and stimulated to return to the area each time. This also helps you know where to look when cleaning the yard. If your puppy does have an accident do not rub their nose in the mess. Simply take him out to his spot in the yard.

The practice of litter training dogs has gained popularity. This is great for for busy professionals who may not be able to come home and take their small dogs out in the middle of the day. There are some great guides to teach you how to accomplish this.

The nutrition for your new companion is very important. Remember they are still growing and developing. Table scraps should never comprise more that 10% of your animals' diet. The old adage that all pet foods are the same is not true. The "cheaper" foods are able to sell for less because they use more filler. Compare the chart on each bag. You will be amazed. It can take 2-4 times more to feed the cheaper food. That means less cost per bag but over all more per feeding. And remember, they need to eliminate 2-4 times more waste.

Preventative medicine is critical to the continued health of your pet. This is a commitment that will last the lifetime of the animal. I highly recommend a visit to your local veterinarian as soon as possible. Some Veterinarians will offer a discounted new puppy examination. This allows the Vet. to get acquainted with both you and your pet, and to go over a vaccination schedule and talk about parasite prevention.

You may have already gotten you new puppy. Or you may be just thinking about it. You cannot take the emotional aspect am the decision or from your final choice. However, I hope you remember to choose the right breed for your family and basic obedience training are important factors in making this happy choice. May the bond between you and your new companion be a strong and lasting one.

Article Source: A-New-Puppy---Top-5-Things-to-Consider was written by Judith_A_Thomas_DVM