Bringing a new puppy into your family is exciting. While puppies can be a lot of work, they also bring a lot of joy and love.
Whether you’re a first-time pup parent or a seasoned dog owner, this puppy care guide provides you with all the essential information you’ll need to ensure they thrive.
Diet
Did you know that the food your puppy eats in their first year affects their development, growth and immune health for the rest of their life?
That’s why we recommend you feed your pup high-quality puppy food, specifically made for young dogs.
Puppy-specific pet foods are easily digestible, which makes them gentle on young tummies. They also have a measured balance of protein, fat, phosphorus and calcium to support your pup’s increased nutritional needs as they grow.
When it comes to choosing between wet and dry food, some families find dry food more convenient and a little cheaper, while others prefer wet. Either choice is fine. Remember to follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging or consult with our veterinarians to find the right portion sizes for your puppy’s age, breed, and activity level.
Toilet Training
Achieving toilet training success depends on one key factor: consistency.
First, pick a designated area where you’d like your pup to do their business, whether it’s a patch of grass beside your house or an indoor puppy pad. Choose what suits your situation best.
Next, take your puppy to the chosen toilet area at regular intervals. Take them after naps and meals, and whenever you spot those telltale signs that they need to go, like circling and sniffing the ground.
When your pup does their business in the right spot, shower them with praise! Positive reinforcement goes a long way in supporting good habits.
Now, let’s talk about accidents. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” your puppy has an indoor mishap. Avoid scolding them. You don’t want to instil fear or anxiety related to toileting. Instead, quickly clean up the mess using an enzymatic cleaner. This helps eliminate any lingering scents that might draw your pup back to the same spot next time.
With consistency and patience, you’ll guide your pup toward mastering their bathroom etiquette.
Vaccinations
Even with the best of love and care, we can all get sick sometimes. Puppies are vulnerable to a range of infectious conditions, some of which can be very serious. Fortunately, there are vaccinations available to help protect them.
Your pup should receive their first vaccination between 6 to 8 weeks of age, their second between 10 to 12 weeks and their third between 14 to 16 weeks. Your dog will then require a yearly booster.
Desexing
While the thought of surgery for your puppy may be daunting, desexing is a common and safe procedure with minimal risks involved.
Desexing your dog not only helps reduce the risk of unwanted puppies, which, in turn, reduces the number of animals in shelters, but it also offers health benefits for your pup.
For female dogs, desexing lowers the chances of developing uterine infections and certain cancers. In male dogs, it lowers the risk of prostate cancer and may even help in reducing aggressive behaviour. Additionally, desexing helps minimise nuisance behaviours like roaming and fighting.
Some owners of male puppies can be reluctant to have their animal desexed, for a range of reasons. But did you know there is a temporary chemical alternative to surgical desexing for male dogs? This involves the injection of an implant called Suprelorin under the skin, which can last up to 12 months. Once this time elapses, your dog’s testosterone levels will return to normal. You can read more about chemical desexing here.
When you bring your puppy in for their vaccinations, we will discuss with you the best time for desexing, as well as answer any questions you might have about the procedure. We typically recommend that dogs be desexed between 4-6 months of age, however, this can vary depending on their sex and breed. Larger breeds (dogs expected to be over 20kgs when fully grown) and Dachshunds are typically advised to delay desexing until at least a year old to prevent ligament disease.
We love puppies at Bryants Road Vet!
The team at Bryants Road Vet take great joy in being part of your puppy parenting journey.
We’d love to welcome you and your new puppy at our Loganholme vet clinic, and provide support, advice and care through desexing, vaccination and beyond.
To make an appointment, you can book online, call us on 07 3801 1744, or drop by our vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road Loganholme.