Puppy Class #2 How to Raise a Healthy Puppy

Copyright YourDogNeedsYou.com 2010 - 2014

How to raise a healthy puppy

Puppy Class # 2

Mia Montagliani Your Dog Needs You – online provider of training and obedience resources & tools for dog owners.


This is the second of three classes:How to Raise a Confident PuppyHow to Raise a Healthy PuppyHow to Raise an Obedient Puppy


Vaccinations De-sexing Good diet & poisonous foods Dental care Worming How to make vet visits stress-free


VaccinationsThe correct level and type of vaccinations should be discussed with your vet, as requirements vary between location, breed, lifestyle, health and age.


VaccinationsFrom roughly the age of 6 weeks, puppies should be given a course of 2-3 injections about 3-4 weeks apart.After that, injections can be given on an annual basis.


VaccinationsThese injections can protect your dog against:• Distemper• Parvovirus• Cough• Hepatitis• Rabies


VaccinationsKeep your records up to date and easily accessible. You’ll need these records for emergency care, training classes, grooming or boarding. If you travel with your dog, keep a copy in the vehicle.


VaccinationsUntil fully immunized keep puppy away from:• Pet stores• Parks and other public places where

dogs congregate• Animal shelters or kennels.


De-sexing (Neutering)Neutering is the removal of the female dog’s reproductive system (ovaries and uterus) or the testicles for male dogs.Most dogs are neutered between 5 and 8 months old.


De-sexingThis operation can help ensure your dog is less aggressive.It can also an inhibit the dog’s desire to mark in inappropriate locations, such as in the house.


De-sexingBenefits of neutering include calm, attentive behavior and less likelihood of cancer in the dog’s reproductive organs.


De-sexingFemale dogs go into heat twice a year.A female in heat might try to run away. If she manages to escape, there is the danger that she might find herself a mate and fall pregnant. Once neutered, female dogs no longer go into heat.


Dental CareCaring for your dog’s teeth is vital for your dog’s health and longevity.Healthy puppy’s gums are pink, with no redness or swelling along the gum line.


Dental CareBad breath, gum redness, discoloration (such as ugly brown build-up) and refusing food can all be signs of bad dental hygiene. This can be painful for your dog and can lead to other health problems.


Dental CareTo keep your dog’s teeth healthy and clean you can brush daily or several times a week and use:• a doggy toothbrush or rubber thimble.• yummy, flavoured toothpaste formulated for dogs. (Human toothpaste is fatal to dogs).


Dental CareBrush mainly in the outside of the dog’s teeth to minimize tartar build-up.Ensure your brush right down to the back of their long, deep jaws.Occasional professional cleaning by a vet is recommended.


Dental CareThese treats will keep your puppy’s teeth clean:• High quality grain-free kibble (dry-food)• Raw meaty or marrow bones• Frozen poultry• Kong toys & Nylon bones• Greenies• Bully sticks• Dentastix


The best diet for your puppyThere is no one ideal diet for your puppy.Cheap supermarket brands are not recommended.Your puppy needs the correct proportion of protein, calcium and minerals.


The best diet for your puppyYour breeder can give you good nutritional information. Do not substitute dog food for puppy food.Puppies need protein for growth.Don’t experiment with new foods often.Ensure your puppy has access to fresh water.


The best diet for your puppyFeeding schedules:• Up to 8-12 weeks: three times a day.

(Four times a day for toy breeds).• From about 3 months old you can

wean your dog down to twice daily.• Occasional food refusals may occur.


The best diet for your puppyThe right amount of food:• Start with recommendations of packaging, or expert (breeder/vet) suggestions• Make sure you make adjustments as the puppy grows• Puppy must not become tubby or too bony.



6 weeks 3 months 6 monthsSmall breeds - mature weight of 10 kg (22 lb.)

330 530 700

Medium to Large breeds – mature weight of 30 kg (66 lb.)

1200 1800 2600

Giant breeds – mature weight of 50 kg (100 lbs)

1950 2500 4000

Daily Calorie Requirements for Growing Puppies

The best diet for your puppySmall and soft puppy treats:• Used as rewards for good behavior.• Use small pieces of commercial treats or chopped vegetables cooked meat and unsalted popcorn.• Should not make up more than 10% of the puppy’s diet.


Poisonous foods1. Grapes2. Raisins3. Onions4. Garlic 5. Chocolate6. Caffeine products7. Macadamias and walnuts


Poisonous foods8. Animal fats and fried foods9. Cooked bones10. Tomatoes11. Avocados12. Nutmeg13. Certain fruit seeds or pits14. Raw eggs


Poisonous foods15. Excessive salt16. Some types of mushrooms17. Xylitol (sweetener)18. Sugar and corn syrups19. Many human medications20. Potatoes


Intestinal WormsIt is necessary to protect your dog against intestinal worms and heartworm.Intestinal worms can include: whipworm, hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm.


Intestinal WormsWhipworm – Dogs can become infected by eating infected poop or dirt. Whipworm is not generally life threatening, although it can cause significant discomfort.


Intestinal WormsRoundworm - Many puppies are actually born with roundworm as the worm passes from their dam prior to birth or during whelping. Roundworm can also infect puppies and adult dogs if the dog eats infected poop, vomit or vermin (such as rodents). Not generally life threatening.


Intestinal WormsHookworms can cause itchy feet, coughing, wheezing, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and bloody or black poop. In advanced cases, anaemia and death can occur. Puppies are particularly vulnerable and can die if infected.Hookworm is difficult to detect.


Intestinal WormsDogs can get tapeworm by eating an infected flea whilst self-grooming or licking their coat. Tapeworm segments can be found in the dog’s poop.The itching may result in your dog ‘scooting’ its bum along the ground. Tapeworm is not life threatening, however they can cause discomfort.


Intestinal WormsPrevention:• Broad-spectrum worming preventive from 2

weeks of age.• Keep your dog's living area clean and remove

poop regularly.• Keep your dog from eating wild animals and

vermin• Keep your dog from eating animal carcasses

such as birds and rodents.Copyright YourDogNeedsYou.com 2010 - 2014

Intestinal WormsPrevention:• Do not allow your dog to eat offal from

any animal.• Ensure areas and parks that your dog

visits are clean and well maintained.


Intestinal WormsPrevention:• As part of your dog’s annual check-up,

have your vet examine your dog’s poop.• Ensure your dog’s toys, bones and

chewy items are relatively free of dirt.


Heartworm Heartworm is a parasitic disease that is spread by mosquitoes, so all dogs are vulnerable. Chronic infection can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, intolerance to exercise, coughing and breathing difficulties. Acute infection can result in shock, vomiting, diarrhoea and fainting. Copyright YourDogNeedsYou.com 2010 - 2014

Heartworm There are two types of preventative treatments: 1. Monthly tablet or chew – broad spectrum covers heartworm and intestinal worms. 2. Annual injection given by a vet, usually at same time as vaccine booster.


Monthly Prevention of Heartworm & Intestinal Worms1. Give monthly doses on the same date each month.2. Ensure the correct dose is given according to your dog's weight.3. Set reminders for heartworm prevention.


Choosing the Right Vet1. Make sure you find a vet before, or soon after, picking up your new puppy. 2. When inspecting different veterinary practices, have a look at their kennel area. 3. For practices where there is more than one vet in attendance, ask whether your puppy will be assigned to one vet only.


Choosing the Right Vet4. Your new vet should make you feel welcome and take your concerns seriously. 5. Check their prices, but don’t base your decision on this solely:• Vaccinations• Neutering• X-rays6. Ask for Pet Insurance recommendation.


Summary:• From roughly the age of 6 weeks,

puppies should be given a course of 2-3 injections about 3-4 weeks apart. After that, injections can be given on an annual basis.

• Vaccinations should protect your dog against: Distemper, Parvovirus, Cough, Hepatitis & Rabies (in some countries).

• Keep your vaccinations updated & handy.


• Until 2 weeks after final puppy vaccination, keep puppy away from other dogs and dog areas

• Most dogs are neutered between 5 and 8 months old.

• Benefits of neutering include calm, attentive behavior and less likelihood of cancer in the dog’s reproductive organs.


• Bad breath, gum redness, discoloration and refusing food can all be signs of bad dental hygiene. This can be painful for your dog and can lead to other health problems.

• Regular brushing with special doggy toothpaste or dental chews and bones are highly recommended.


• Feed your puppy high quality commercial food specifically formulated for growing puppies.

• Don’t experiment with new foods often.

• Ensure your puppy has access to fresh water.

• Feed 3 times per day up to 12 weeks old, then 2 times per day thereafter.


• Occasional food refusals may occur; see a vet if food is refused more than twice in a row especially if your puppy seems unwell.

• Use small treats as rewards for good behavior – treats should not make up more than 10% of overall diet.


• Be careful what you feed your puppy – a list of dangerous foods is available for you to download from the link below.

• Intestinal worms and heartworm can be prevented with a monthly broad spectrum tablet or chew – check the label for details of which worms your dog will be protected against.


• Other measures such as keeping your dog’s living area clean of poop and vermin will assist in protecting your dog against worms.

• For heartworm, annual injections can be given as a preventative.

• When choosing a vet, check their prices, kennel area, one-vet policy and their customer service.



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Puppy Class #2 How to Raise a Healthy Puppy

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Transcript of Puppy Class #2 How to Raise a Healthy Puppy