Puppies have the potential to bring tremendous benefits to their owners’ lives and can be an asset during uncertain times, including lock-in. That said, caring for a young animal is not without challenges. While more than one in four dog buyers admit during the pandemic that it was an impulse decision, there are serious concerns about the future of animals adopted during this time.
The success of a long-term dog-owner relationship depends on building a good foundation. Here are six things every owner should know about grooming a puppy and developing a long lasting relationship with their new best friend.
Exercise
While many new owners romanticize the idea of making long walks with a puppy puppy, young dogs, especially larger breeds, should not exercise too much. Puppies have a lot of energy, but their bones, joints and growth plates are soft and can be easily damaged.
Too much exercise is almost as harmful as not enough. Excessive activity at the wrong age leads to health problems, including hip dysplasia, growth formation and movement disorders.
There is no exact science about the optimal amount of time for puppies to walk. However, a general rule is five minutes a month, twice a day. According to this logic, a 16-week-old puppy needs a daily total of only 40 minutes of exercise.
5. Vaccinations
Vaccinating your puppy is one of the most important things to do in the first few weeks as a new owner. Vaccinations can protect dogs against a wide range of dangerous pathogens, including parvovirus, kennel cough, hepatitis and leptospirosis.
Puppies usually receive their first set of vaccinations at about eight to ten weeks of age, with another two to three weeks later, although protocols differ. Puppies are not advised to come into contact with unvaccinated dogs until they are fully protected, and therefore walks in the park are prohibited. However, pups can still be worn in the environment to facilitate socialization.
4. Socialization
Dogs have a number of important developmental stages, of which the socialization period is between three and 16 weeks old. Within this relatively short opportunity, puppies should be exposed to as many people, animals and situations as possible.
If your puppy does not socialize, it can cause a great deal of fear of these stimuli later in life and, in some cases, the development of resistant behavioral problems. Dogs that are denied contact with children can become overly reactive in their presence, rushing at them and even trying to bite.
The importance of making an effort to expose puppies to the sights, sounds and smells of as many different stimuli and situations as possible cannot be overemphasized. This will make it easier for your dog to navigate life.
3. Separation
Closure has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of time owners spend with their pets, which can lead to an increase in anxiety about separating dogs when owners return to work. It is believed that this problem is due to an excessive attachment between the animal and its caregiver, and one that often leads to re-domestication in animals.
Typical symptoms of this anxiety disorder include urinating or defecating inside, barking and whining, destruction of the home, escape attempts or self-mutilation when the pet is left alone. Separation anxiety is difficult to treat successfully.
It is important to make an effort to prevent overheating from an early stage by gradually increasing the time the animal spends alone. Several enrichment tools can help the puppy feel relaxed during these separation periods. Things like pheromone dispensers, classical music or fragrances are known for their relaxing properties.
2. Dangerous foods
While it can be tempting to give your puppies leftovers from the table, there is a long list of foods that can be toxic to dogs. Chocolate, especially the dark variety, for example, contains the stimulant theobromine. If ingested, it can damage the intestines of the dogs, heart, central nervous system or kidneys, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and even death.
Onions, garlic and chives, in all forms, can damage the red blood cells of dogs, which can eventually cause anemia. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in foods such as sugar-free chewing gum, a little peanut butter and some sweets, can dramatically lower blood sugar, and in some cases liver failure.
The list of other foods that are dangerous to dogs is quite extensive, including caffeine, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Owners should familiarize themselves with the list of foods that are harmful to dogs and seek immediate veterinary advice if ingested.
1. Poisonous plants
Puppies are notorious for eating anything and everything. It seems that many people consider the garden as their own personal dining room. Unfortunately, there are numerous botanical hazards that owners should be aware of.
Certain bulbs, such as daffodils, and houseplants such as poinsettias should be avoided. Seeds and leaves such as acorns, ivy and marten branch can all be life threatening on dogs. Early signs of toxicosis can include vomiting, diarrhea and salivation, with more serious consequences, such as liver and kidney damage, which take up to two days to manifest themselves. Again, veterinary care should be sought immediately if an owner suspects that their puppy has eaten potentially toxic plant material.
Being aware of these important tips can help keep your puppy healthy and happy and give you a lifetime of joy. Getting a puppy is extremely exciting, but just a little thought and planning will ensure that you and your puppy get off to the best possible start.
This article was originally published on The Conversation by Deborah Wells at Queen’s University Belfast. Read the original article here.