First Few Days Dog

Keywords:
First, new, adjust, bring home, crate size, training, crying, carrying, diet, puppy, changes, depression, lethargy, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, vaccine, schedule, immunity, parasites, adopt, adoption, immunization

First Few Days Dog

First Few Days Dog

Having some concerns about your new puppy or rescue dog? Well, don't panic! Remember, a new home takes some getting used to. The first few days may require some adjustments from you and your new dog. It's a shock for your new pet - especially a puppy - to be without his mother and littermates. So, from the very beginning, you want to make him feel as wanted as possible. Though I know you probably want to share your room with your new family member, for house-training reasons, it's best to confine him to a smaller area--preferably one with a linoleum or tiled floor, or even a crate, which should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay stretched out in. I also recommend a couple of good chew toys, a padded surface for a bed, and some food and water. Even with all that, you should still be prepared for some crying the first few nights - especially if he is kept where he can't see you. Whatever you do, don't give in-don't go in and comfort him because you'll only reinforce the crying behavior, which may make it worse tomorrow night! .

I know-this is tough, but it's for his own good. Also, try not to spoil him by constantly picking him up and carrying him around. When he starts to hit his adult size you are going to be sorry you got him into the habit. Remember; always try to encourage good behavior.

So, what about diet? It is recommended - at least for the first few days - to feed your dog the same type and amount of food he was being fed at the breeder or shelter. Changing the diet abruptly can lead to intestinal problems, like diarrhea. I like feeding puppies less than 12 weeks of age 3 times a day, and after that you can drop down to twice a day feedings.

It's important to monitor a new pet as carefully as you can in the beginning. Watch for problems like depression, lethargy, coughing or sneezing, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or anything else that just doesn't seem quite right. The stress of a new home can freak pets out a little which can make them more susceptible to disease. If you notice any abnormal behavior or problems make sure to call us right away.

As far as vaccinations are concerned, it is important to know when the last vaccines were administered and how old your new furry canine was at the time. Generally, puppies receive vaccines in a series-usually beginning at about 8 weeks of age, and continuing at about 4 week intervals until they are around 16 weeks. Older dogs with no known vaccine history, usually just need a series of 2 vaccines 3 to 4 weeks apart. If you're in doubt, make sure to check with us! While younger pups are going through their vaccine series, we recommend keeping them away from public places where there are a lot of other dogs. They don't develop a strong immunity against contagious diseases until a couple of weeks after they receive their last vaccines. It's okay to take them outside in front of your own house, and I don't mind if you let them play with other dogs, as this is good for socialization, as long as you know who they belong to and that they are well vaccinated and well taken care of, . We also highly recommend having your new dog's stool checked for parasites as soon as possible. Some of these infections can be serious if left unchecked and untreated-and though most are not that serious, some can pose a health threat to you and your family.

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Daily Pet News


Take caution when choosing a weight loss food for your fat cat
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again… An animal that is not overweight will live 30% longer than an overweight animal. So if you have a fat cat, do it a favor and put it on a diet. But before you do, know that 50% of weight control cat foods cannot do what they claim to do. The report from the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that the best way to help your pet is to design a weight loss program with the help of your veterinarian.

Does the thunder roll your dog into a cold dark corner?
If your dog is like mine, then he crawls under the covers or into a cold dark space when the thunder rolls. Experts say the best way to battle these fears is with love and treats. The fear of loud booming noises usually develops as a puppy and can worsen with age. However, positive reinforcement such as petting your dog or offering a treat can help to rewire the circuit. That is, they will now associate the thunder with pleasant events, rather than fear of injury. Between storms, playing loud sounds and using positive reinforcement, can help to desensitize your pet to the real thing. If things do not improve, you can ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety drugs.

Some foods that are toxic to dogs
Some foods that are considered healthy or harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping these items away from your dogs… Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, and chewing gum. It is also advisable to limit intake of salt and sugar.

Babies can read facial expressions in dogs
A study at Brigham Young University has concluded that human babies as young as six months can tell the difference between an angry growl and a friendly bark. The study included showing two different pictures of the same dog to the infants, all of which lived with dogs. One picture was an angry looking dog with a scowl. The other was a playful looking dog with a nice smile. When playing a recording of a growling dog, the subjects tended to stare at the picture of the angry dog. When playing audio of a playful bark, the infants then focused on the happy looking dog. A BYU professor said that emotion is one of the first things babies can pick up on in their social world. Pets, in turn, are also very aware of emotions of their surroundings.

Rabies enters Colorado neighborhoods
Rabies cases in Colorado are increasing and moving from rural to urban areas. Rabies is a deadly disease and is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. It is most common amongst raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The number of cases has nearly doubled compared to last year. Rabies is a major concern to all species including humans, especially if it spreads to domestic animals. Keeping your pets up to date on rabies vaccinations provides the best protection against the deadly virus.

Foxtail can pose a serious threat to your dog.
Cheatgrass or foxtail weeds can pose a danger to your dog. As they dry out, the weeds become sharp, like arrowheads, and can penetrate deep into a dog’s skin. If they are stuck, they can form serious infections. Either way, they cause severe pain. Foxtail weeds have been known to penetrate into blood vessels and even into the spinal cord when a dog rolls in them. Most commonly, the weeds are stepped on and thus penetrate deep into the pads of the feet. It is a good idea to always check your dog for foreign bodies after every walk or adventure into potentially dangerous areas.

Pets need blood transfusions too
Like humans, certain medical conditions in our pets may require blood transfusions. A healthy pet can safely donate several times per year to a local blood bank. In some programs such as the one offered at LSU, a pet who donates enough blood can qualify to receive blood for free, if needed. If you are interested in having your pet donate blood, check with your veterinarian for a location near you.

Further research is necessary to find out why cats are dying
Feline infectious peritonitis is one of the most devastating and least understood infectious diseases that affect cats. The disease is caused by a virus in the coronavirus family. However, while some cats develop the fatal disease, it is unknown why others don’t. There is no cure and treatment for the disease only helps to make the animal more comfortable. The virus is transmitted through fecal contact and can actually be inhaled. There is a vaccination for the virus, but it is often given to a kitten after they have already been exposed. Research is being done to help protect our pets from this terrible disease.

Yogi Bear may have rabies?
Yellowstone County remains under a rabies quarantine. The quarantine means that dogs, cats, and other pets must be vaccinated against rabies at least two weeks before being moved outside the county. Yellowstone has been under eight quarantines in the past two and half years. Montana’s state veterinarian says that this is the time of year that pet owners need to be vigilant and take extra precautions.

Tips on getting Marmaduke off your favorite couch
Does your dog like to relax on your favorite couch when you are not home? Here are a few tips. Number one, make sure you train your dog when you are home. He needs to understand that this is not acceptable. Always be consistent. Number two, while you are training, don’t allow your pet access to your furniture if you are not there to stop the behavior immediately. Number three, if you have trouble, there are products that can be sprayed on your furniture that are safe to both your pet and your furniture. These sprays produce an odor that repels your pet. Other products will vibrate or produce a loud noise if your pet comes in contact with the furniture. Always check with your veterinarian before using any products around your pets.