| Food | Water | Health | Housing |

Food:

Dogs are usually fed twice a day. On the back of most dog food bags there will be a listing of amounts to feed your dog based on the dog's size.

Water:

Provide plenty of fresh, clean water for dogs at all times in a stainless steel bowl (some dogs have allergic reactions to plastic bowls). Remember, if your dog is left outside always replenish his water supply.

Dogs should be housed inside, but remember they should be house trained as soon as possible to avoid any problems. Outside, dogs should be in a fenced-in yard with a dog house for shade in the summer months and warmth in the colder months.

Health:

• Dogs should visit the veterinarian at least once a year to have a physical examination and have all necessary shots updated. Puppies should begin their first set of shots at 6 weeks and then have booster shots at 10 weeks of age and 14 weeks of age. By law, all dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Puppies should receive their first rabies vaccine at four months of age and should be revaccinated a year after.
• Keep an eye out for symptoms that may affect your dogs health. For example, skin or fur that has changed in appearance, eyes that are weepy, the dog has lost a significant amount of weight or has lost its appetite.
• Before bringing your puppy home, you'll need to "puppyproof" your house. Just remember, puppies are like babies: they want to explore every corner of your house, and they want to put everything into their mouths! Here's a simple checklist to make sure your home is safe before letting Rover run free:
• Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach. Did you put the household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves? These items can be deadly to your puppy. And always remember as Happy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves.
• Check your plants. Many plants both inside and outside of your house can be threatening to your pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your pup sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? For a more complete list of dangerous doggie plants, consult your vet.
• Look at your house from puppy's point of view. That's right - get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags, or other tempting objects that will be in puppy's reach? If there is, be sure to put it away immediately, or make sure it's out of reach.
• Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside, and keep him off balconies, upper porches and high decks. Puppies, no matter what breed, are so little that they can slip through openings and fall when you are not around. Puppies may also get tangled in ropes or the plastic from six-pack beverage holders. Cut these items apart to prevent problems.
• Keep your toilet lid down. Puppies are often tempted to play in toilet bowl water. This habit can be awful to break. Not only is it embarrassing when friends or family are visiting, but toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed, and your puppy could be injured if the lid falls on him.
• Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's confinement area. Chewing on these cords can cause severe mouth burns, electrocution or fires. It is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets with covers, when they are not in use.
• Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins, and other sharp objects out of your puppy's reach. If your puppy swallows any of these objects, he can damage his mouth or his internal organs.
• Do not tie ribbons around your puppy's neck. Rufus may be tempted to chew the ribbon, which can cause digestive problems. He could also choke himself if he catches the ribbon on anything.

Supplies to buy:

Before bringing your puppy home, purchase the following supplies. Preparing in advance for the arrival of your new pal will allow you and Rex to spend time getting to know each other.

• Food and water bowls. Select bowls that won't tip over. Make sure they're easy to clean, since they need to be washed daily. Purchase separate bowls for food and water. You may want to buy smaller bowls at first, and upgrade to larger ones as your puppy grows, to keep him from getting buried under a heaping pile of dog food or from falling in his water bowl every time he drinks!
• Collar. There are a variety of lightweight collars available for your puppy. Some have buckles and others snap, but whichever collar style you choose for your puppy, remember to attach an identification tag - listing your puppy's name, address and phone number - to his collar.
  Your puppy's first collar should be made of lightweight nylon or leather. To measure your puppy's collar size, measure his neck and add two inches. To check to see if the collar you choose properly fits your puppy, slide two fingers under it. If your fingers fit comfortably, you have the right size collar. If there is extra room, you need a smaller size. If both fingers don't fit, the collar is too small and your puppy needs a larger size. It may take a while for your puppy to get used to wearing his collar, so don't be discouraged if he is uncomfortable or scratches his collar a lot at first.
• Leash. Leashes come in a variety of styles such as leather, nylon and retractable, and a variety of lengths. However, a six-foot leash is the ideal length for both training and walking.
  Always keep your puppy on his leash unless he is in a fenced-in area. Many states and cities have leash laws, which make it mandatory for your puppy to be on his leash at all times, even at public parks or playgrounds. Under these laws, you can be fined if caught with your puppy off his leash. And always remember to clean up after your puppy if he goes to the bathroom in a public place, such as a park or a neighbor's lawn.
• Grooming supplies. Make sure you have the proper grooming tools. These will differ depending on your puppy's haircoat. For short-haired breeds use a brush with natural bristles, a rubber curry comb, or a hand mitt. A sturdy wide-tooth metal comb and perhaps a mat splitter are needed for long-haired breeds. Be sure to include a flea comb in your grooming supplies and begin establishing a weekly grooming program with your puppy as quickly as possible.
• Toys. All puppies need toys to help them exercise and provide a safe way to satisfy any chewing cravings. Be sure to choose toys that are made for puppies and cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. Large rawhide chips, nylon chews and hard rubber balls are fun and usually safe. As a general rule, if the toy can fit comfortably in a puppy's mouth, it's too small.
  
  Your puppy's toy chest should be free from:
  • Sponge toys or items with hard, sharp points or attachments, such as squeakers, that can break off and be dangerous if swallowed.
  • Shoes or other personal clothing. Giving your puppy these items will only teach him that it's O.K. to chew your shoes and rip holes in all your shirts.
  • Balls of string, yarn, cellophane, twist ties, plastic baggies and other household goods that could get lodged in your puppy's throat, causing him to choke or suffocate.
  • Children's toys made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge, or plastic. If your puppy swallows a small particle of any of these materials, it could cause digestive problems.
    
• Puppy food. Start your puppy on the right track with the essential nutrition of a balanced puppy food.
• Crate or sleeping bed. Your puppy will need a warm, comfortable place to sleep. A crate provides a den for your puppy when you are not home. Crates usually come in one of two types: a portable enclosed, plastic crate with handles; or a wire crate. Your puppy's crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around and lie down in and should have adequate ventilation. If you buy an adult-sized crate, purchase partitions or place a cardboard box in the back to provide a cozy space for your puppy. Even if you crate your puppy, you should have a separate sleeping bed he can sleep on when you are at home. Make sure you buy a puppy-sized bed rather than an adult-sized bed, so your puppy will feel safe and snug.
• Stain and scent remover. Special formulated stain and scent remover takes the odor away from a puppy's nose as well as yours. Conventional household products, not found in the pet aisle or a pet supply store, mask the odor to humans, but not puppies. If you use a conventional household product to clean up after your puppy, don't be alarmed if he keeps repeating himself at the same spot - he's merely trying to mark his territory.
• Book on puppy care. Place this handy-dandy reference guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know when a question will creep up that you'll need a quick answer to.

Housing:

 Think Spring - Think Heartworm!

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