Congratulations!
Thinking of adding a puppy to your home? Here is some important information in your search.
Not every breed of dog is the same. Every Canine has it's own distinct personality and needs. For example, you may really want a Great Dane, but you live in a small area that would not be quite big enough for a dog of such size. There are websites to help pick the right kind of breed for your lifestyle.
Animal Planet Dog Breed Selector Site
Don't forget that there are plenty of wonderful mixed breeds out there in need of a good home!
New puppies are just like small children. There are steps to take to puppy proof your home for the new addition. Be advised that even if you adopt an older pet, you should still make sure that your home if safe for them. You never know if that old hound likes to chew through doors!
All household cleaners should be stored in a cabinet that is out of reach or under a lock, (you would be amazed at what dogs can do when unattended), any belongings you don't want to get played with should also be out of reach and out of sight. Any medications should be tucked away, rooms that are off limits should be kept shut, all doors leading outside should be able to be shut tight to prevent outdoor dashes.
Training your puppy is a whole new ballgame. Larger breed pups should learn to not jump up on people at a young age, small breed pups may take a little more time to housebreak. Sometimes training can seem like a dead end. It may seem as if more you try commands the less your new pooch hears you. Don't give up. Motivate with treats or a favorite toy. Take the alpha role from the very beginning. Find a local trainer and work with them. Every canine has the potential to be a well behaved pet!
Local Dog Trainers:
http://www.aaadogtraining.com/
Diet:
Puppies have very high metabolisms due to all of their high energy. We recommend feeding a proper amount of puppy food three (3) times a day. For large breed puppies, there are specific diets to help promote healthy bone growth. The proper amount depends on the activity levels and the size of the puppy.
Monthly medications such as Frontline Plus and Heartgard are very important to use yearly!
Watch this instructional video on how to apply frontline plus for tick and flea prevention!
Watch this important message about heartworm disease
And even MORE information on heartworm disease!
Let's talk money. It is important that a new owner understands that not only is a new 4 legged companion a huge responsibility emotionally, but also monetarily. Dogs need vaccines annually, they should be spayed/neutered at 6 months of age, they need their teeth cleaned, they need their nails trimmed, they may need to be groomed often, they should be on heartworm preventative, flea and tick preventative (monthly treatments) and they most definitely need to eat everyday. This doesn't include if any accidents should happen in between. Having a pet is not cheap! All this should be considered when thinking of adding a dog to the family.
It would be wise to try and save 5 to 10% of your paycheck for pet emergency funds.
A rough estimate of how much your pooch could cost you in the first year? $1,500 to $5,000. The range includes everything from leashes, collars and spay/neuter to a dog sitter, a pooper scooper (professional) and boarding on a regular basis. This estimate does not include any emergency visits!
The ASPCA has a cool tool for calculating the costs of different pets!
We highly suggest getting your dog groomed on a regular basis. Long hair breeds can get matted fur which can cause serious skin infections. Not to mention great discomfort for your pet. Regular nail trims are also important. Leaving the nails to grow can result in arthritic issues and distress.
Short hair pooches also need baths every now and again!
We recommend Pawsitively Purrfect in Edgewood, Md. They do a spectacular job!
Watch this video on how to give a bath at home!
