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Paw here to find out how.
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owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The BeanTown Dogs website is
not affiliated or associated with any organization or business - It is a completely independent project. - Archie and Mum
| SEARCH ~ ADVERTISE ~ PRIVACY ~ LEGAL ~ CONTACT US Copyright Perkins & Company 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved. All content, including graphics, on BeanTown Dogs Website is Copyright Perkins & Company, unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. |
| Ages & Stages: Puppy Care |
| TOPICS ON THIS PAGE Feeding. Worming. Inoculations. Training |
FEEDING
"The right amount of nutritious food is essential to every dog's health. Food
provides the fuel to grow, maintain a healthy body, fight infection and reproduce.
Plenty of fresh water is equally important.
"The right food contains balanced proportions of carbohydrates, protein, fats,
vitamins and minerals. High-quality dog foods offered by reputable companies
can meet these needs. The correct proportion of each key ingredient and the
amount to be fed depends on the individual. Is the dog young or old? Thin or fat?
Active or sedentary? Does the dog spend most of its time indoors or outdoors,
in a hot climate or a cold one? Is the dog a working dog? A pregnant bitch?
Each of these cases presents its own nutritional needs.
"Every dog in the household should have a separate food dish and access to
fresh, clean water. The dishes and utensils used to prepare food should be kept
clean at all times. For best results, a regular feeding schedule should be
maintained.
"Puppies need more calories and essential nutrients than do adult dogs. Food
quality is as important as quantity, especially just after weaning -- usually at four
weeks old. Eggs, milk, meat and cottage cheese are appropriate puppy foods
because they are palatable, digestible and contain plenty of high-quality protein.
Foods with a very high fiber content are less desirable during the period of rapid
growth. If a commercial dog food is offered, it should be formulated for puppies,
or an adult food can be supplemented with the high-protein foods just mentioned.
"Most young puppies are fed two times a day, although some breeders prefer
three times daily for the first month and two thereafter.
"Perfectly healthy dogs occasionally skip a meal or eat less than normal. Unless
the dog is showing signs of illness or its appetite doesn't pick up again soon,
there is no cause for alarm. Be careful to avoid overfeeding young dogs
because it can lead to a variety of medical problems. A puppy should be
weighed weekly, and the growth rate should be compared with published charts
for that breed. An average growth rate is preferable to a maximum one. Exercise
is also important at this time. Small breeds often approach maturity at seven to
ten months, at which time their total nutrient requirements gradually decrease.
Larger dogs mature at a slower pace.
"Always remember to provide fresh drinking water, even if your dog's food
seems very wet. Between-meal snacks should be avoided, except for the
occasional treats used as rewards for good behavior." Another great treat for
Beagles are cooked vegetables. Try giving your dog cooked carrots, green
beans, or whatever and see if it likes them. Vegetables make great low-calorie
treats and many dogs love them.
A good test is to lightly squeeze your dog's skin between your fingers and thumb
-- if you feel fat under the skin, slowly lower the amount you are feeding your dog,
or increase the amount of exercise your dog is getting. I keep my dog fit and
trim, at all times, with no excess weight. Remember, that dogs are a lot like
people with different appetites, metabolic rates, activity levels, and nutritional
needs. Feed each dog a pre-measured amount of food, in its own dish, on a
twice daily schedule and you will be amazed at how easy it is to keep your dog
at that perfect (fit & trim) weight.
WORMING
Usually all puppies are born with roundworms. Roundworms are long and look
like spaghetti. All puppies need to be dewormed several times after they are
born. This is why a lot of times their bellys look bloated. Tape worms are
completely different. They look like grains of rice and are not contagious. They
come from swallowing a flea or chewing on dead rabbits or birds. The dogs
must take a pill to get rid of these. I hope you know how important heartworm
prevention is. Heartworms are caused by getting bit by an infected mosquito and
is fatal if not treated, and the treatment is VERY expensive so I hope you keep
your dogs on monthly heartworm preventative. The monthly pills also have
intestinal dewormers in them so they are a very good thing to keep them on.
INOCULATIONS
Dogs can receive inoculations at any time in their lives, although they receive
more as puppies. The most common diseases and viruses that are inoculated
include lyme disease, leptospirosis and bacterial diseases often prevalent in
kennels. Mother dogs can receive vaccines that immunize their puppies, while
newborn dogs usually receive a series of shots, followed by yearly boosters.
Vets recommend a minimum two multivalent vaccinations for puppies,
administered three to four weeks apart for every puppy aged over three months
old, as well as an additional inoculation against rabies. Most puppies should
receive regular vaccinations and boosters until they reach 16 weeks of age, with
a longer period recommended for Doberman and Rottweiler breeds. Another
common dog infection is Canine Distemper, which can cause a range of
symptoms, including vomiting and weight loss. Dogs are conventionally
vaccinated early against this type of disease, as there is often no recovery once
it is contracted. Although some dogs will experience negative reactions to their
vaccinations, this is rarely long-term.
TRAINING.
As far as house training is concerned, the basic thing is to try and avoid
accidents by taking the puppy outside after meals, and when he/she wakes from
sleep, and praise him when he performs outside. Punishment after you find a
mess in the house is pointless and cruel, but a sharp reprimand if you catch him
in the act is in order, followed by taking him outside. A fully grown dog is a
powerful animal and some basic obedience training is essential if he is not to be
a nuisance to you and other people. It is much easier to achieve control if you
start while he/she is young.
It is suggested that you take your pup to training classes. Even if you have
previous experience of dog training it is still well worth the classes as it will give
you access to help and advice, and an opportunity for your dog to learn to
behave him or herself in the presence of other dogs and people under controlled
conditions. The maximum benefit is derived if you bring your dog to training as
soon as his inoculations have taken effect (14 weeks!), and get him used to
other dogs and people, as he will socialize readily at this age. REAL
PROBLEMS may arise if you leave it until he is FULLY GROWN.
"The right amount of nutritious food is essential to every dog's health. Food
provides the fuel to grow, maintain a healthy body, fight infection and reproduce.
Plenty of fresh water is equally important.
"The right food contains balanced proportions of carbohydrates, protein, fats,
vitamins and minerals. High-quality dog foods offered by reputable companies
can meet these needs. The correct proportion of each key ingredient and the
amount to be fed depends on the individual. Is the dog young or old? Thin or fat?
Active or sedentary? Does the dog spend most of its time indoors or outdoors,
in a hot climate or a cold one? Is the dog a working dog? A pregnant bitch?
Each of these cases presents its own nutritional needs.
"Every dog in the household should have a separate food dish and access to
fresh, clean water. The dishes and utensils used to prepare food should be kept
clean at all times. For best results, a regular feeding schedule should be
maintained.
"Puppies need more calories and essential nutrients than do adult dogs. Food
quality is as important as quantity, especially just after weaning -- usually at four
weeks old. Eggs, milk, meat and cottage cheese are appropriate puppy foods
because they are palatable, digestible and contain plenty of high-quality protein.
Foods with a very high fiber content are less desirable during the period of rapid
growth. If a commercial dog food is offered, it should be formulated for puppies,
or an adult food can be supplemented with the high-protein foods just mentioned.
"Most young puppies are fed two times a day, although some breeders prefer
three times daily for the first month and two thereafter.
"Perfectly healthy dogs occasionally skip a meal or eat less than normal. Unless
the dog is showing signs of illness or its appetite doesn't pick up again soon,
there is no cause for alarm. Be careful to avoid overfeeding young dogs
because it can lead to a variety of medical problems. A puppy should be
weighed weekly, and the growth rate should be compared with published charts
for that breed. An average growth rate is preferable to a maximum one. Exercise
is also important at this time. Small breeds often approach maturity at seven to
ten months, at which time their total nutrient requirements gradually decrease.
Larger dogs mature at a slower pace.
"Always remember to provide fresh drinking water, even if your dog's food
seems very wet. Between-meal snacks should be avoided, except for the
occasional treats used as rewards for good behavior." Another great treat for
Beagles are cooked vegetables. Try giving your dog cooked carrots, green
beans, or whatever and see if it likes them. Vegetables make great low-calorie
treats and many dogs love them.
A good test is to lightly squeeze your dog's skin between your fingers and thumb
-- if you feel fat under the skin, slowly lower the amount you are feeding your dog,
or increase the amount of exercise your dog is getting. I keep my dog fit and
trim, at all times, with no excess weight. Remember, that dogs are a lot like
people with different appetites, metabolic rates, activity levels, and nutritional
needs. Feed each dog a pre-measured amount of food, in its own dish, on a
twice daily schedule and you will be amazed at how easy it is to keep your dog
at that perfect (fit & trim) weight.
WORMING
Usually all puppies are born with roundworms. Roundworms are long and look
like spaghetti. All puppies need to be dewormed several times after they are
born. This is why a lot of times their bellys look bloated. Tape worms are
completely different. They look like grains of rice and are not contagious. They
come from swallowing a flea or chewing on dead rabbits or birds. The dogs
must take a pill to get rid of these. I hope you know how important heartworm
prevention is. Heartworms are caused by getting bit by an infected mosquito and
is fatal if not treated, and the treatment is VERY expensive so I hope you keep
your dogs on monthly heartworm preventative. The monthly pills also have
intestinal dewormers in them so they are a very good thing to keep them on.
INOCULATIONS
Dogs can receive inoculations at any time in their lives, although they receive
more as puppies. The most common diseases and viruses that are inoculated
include lyme disease, leptospirosis and bacterial diseases often prevalent in
kennels. Mother dogs can receive vaccines that immunize their puppies, while
newborn dogs usually receive a series of shots, followed by yearly boosters.
Vets recommend a minimum two multivalent vaccinations for puppies,
administered three to four weeks apart for every puppy aged over three months
old, as well as an additional inoculation against rabies. Most puppies should
receive regular vaccinations and boosters until they reach 16 weeks of age, with
a longer period recommended for Doberman and Rottweiler breeds. Another
common dog infection is Canine Distemper, which can cause a range of
symptoms, including vomiting and weight loss. Dogs are conventionally
vaccinated early against this type of disease, as there is often no recovery once
it is contracted. Although some dogs will experience negative reactions to their
vaccinations, this is rarely long-term.
TRAINING.
As far as house training is concerned, the basic thing is to try and avoid
accidents by taking the puppy outside after meals, and when he/she wakes from
sleep, and praise him when he performs outside. Punishment after you find a
mess in the house is pointless and cruel, but a sharp reprimand if you catch him
in the act is in order, followed by taking him outside. A fully grown dog is a
powerful animal and some basic obedience training is essential if he is not to be
a nuisance to you and other people. It is much easier to achieve control if you
start while he/she is young.
It is suggested that you take your pup to training classes. Even if you have
previous experience of dog training it is still well worth the classes as it will give
you access to help and advice, and an opportunity for your dog to learn to
behave him or herself in the presence of other dogs and people under controlled
conditions. The maximum benefit is derived if you bring your dog to training as
soon as his inoculations have taken effect (14 weeks!), and get him used to
other dogs and people, as he will socialize readily at this age. REAL
PROBLEMS may arise if you leave it until he is FULLY GROWN.
Click to go: Ages and Stages > Puppy Care
