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Here are the answers to just a few of the questions most
commonly posed by by dog owners:
1. What supplies do I need to have on hand before I bring
my new puppy home?
The first thing you'll need is a travel crate for your dog's
trip home. You'll also need to buy some high quality puppy
food and bowls for food and water. Your vet, breeder or
shelter personnel can tell you which brands of food are the
best. Other items you'll need to get in advance of the new
puppy's arrival are: an adjustable collar, a leash, toys and
bedding. Don't forget to make an appointment with your
veterinarian for your puppy's first check-up!
2. What is crate training and how do I do it?
Crate training is a method by which your dog is taught to
stay in a crate within your house for prolonged periods of
time. This is an especially useful technique for dogs that
would otherwise tear up the house when left alone. The best
time to start crate training is when your dog is still a
puppy. Leave him in the open crate for brief periods of time
at first and then begin closing the door behind him. Make
sure that your puppy's crate experience is always positive
by giving him treats and rewards whenever he enters the
crate. Once he is comfortable, you can leave him in the
crate for increasing periods of time - give him his meals
there as well. Never use the crate as punishment. You want
your dog to feel that his crate is a safe refuge, not a
prison. Furthermore, the crate is a place where your dog can
go to feel safe and secure while you and your family are
away from home for a few hours. When you're home, your dog
should be out of his crate and socializing with his human
family.
3. How do microchips work?
A microchip is a very tiny device that is injected
underneath the dog's skin, usually at the neck. If your dog
is lost, then any veterinarian or shelter can use a scanner
to read the information on the microchip and then return the
dog to you. Do you need to microchip your dog? If you are
always with your dog, then a microchip might not be
necessary. However, given that the implantation procedure is
such a safe and simple one, you really should consider it.
Even the most closely guarded dogs can get away from their
owners.
4. How can I tell if my dog has worms?
Some of the most common worms that a dog can potentially
have are: heartworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and
whipworms. All can cause internal irritation and damage to
your dog, but heartworms can be fatal. So, it is very
important that your veterinarian routinely test your dog for
these. Your vet will take a stool sample from your dog and
look for worms under a microscope. Of course, if you see
what you think are worms or worm pieces in your dog's stool,
get him to a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.
5. Why should I get my dog fixed?
Unless you plan to professionally breed your dog, you should
get him or her neutered or spayed (fixed). Pet
overpopulation is an extremely serious problem in the United
States. There are just not enough homes for all of the
puppies and kittens born each year; and, as a result, over 4
million dogs and cats are euthanized annually. Don't let
your dog contribute to the overpopulation problem - have it
fixed! Spaying and neutering procedures are routine and pose
very few health risks for your dog. If there are no
complications, your dog can usually come home on the same
day.
In addition to its being an effective pet population control
measure, spaying and neutering can also benefit your dog's
health. If you have your dog neutered or spayed before it
reaches 6 months of age, then its risk of developing certain
types of cancers and infections will be cut in half.
6. Why should I take my dog to obedience school?
Every dog should go through some form of obedience training.
Obedience training not only allows you to get your pet to do
what he's commanded to do, it teaches you to communicate
effectively with your pet and get the best out of him all
the time. Obedience training also helps socialize your pet,
as he is taught to remain calm in a room full of unfamiliar
people and dogs.
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