How to take care of your dog/Puppy
Vaccinations
The first step in taking care of your dog is making sure he/she is healthy. If you vaccinate your dog as required, the chances of it becoming ill with a serious disease are slim. Until the dog is vaccinated, he/she is vulnerable to different diseases, and it's enough for your dog only to come in contact with another dog's feces to become seriously ill. It is strongly recommended to keep him/her indoors until the third vaccination is given. Here are the instructions to follow in order to keep your puppy healthy and happy.
There are three options according to your dog's age:
1. If the dog is between the ages of 6-8 weeks, it will be given the Parvo vaccine.
Two weeks later, the dog will be given the DHLP vaccine.
After two more weeks, the dog will be given the Booster shot
After two further weeks, the dog will be given the Rabies vaccine and the microchip
The last vaccine will be given at the age of 4 months and one week and it is the Live Parvo and the spirocerca lupi (Esophageal Worm) vaccine.
If the puppy is of pure breed, it is recommended to vaccinate again at the age of 5 months with Live Parvo
2. If the dog is between 8 weeks to 5 months of age, it will be given the DHLP vaccine. Two weeks later, it will receive the booster shot. After another two weeks, will receive the Rabies vaccine and the microchip.
The last vaccine will be given at the age of 4 months and one week OR two weeks after the rabies vaccine and it will be Live Parvo and spiricerca lupi (Esophageal Worm) vaccine.
3. If the dog is 5 months of age and more, it will be given DHLP vaccine, and after two weeks, will receive the booster shot and the spirocerca
lupi (Esophageal Worm). Two weeks later, it will receive the Rabies vaccine and the microchip
Worms
There are two types of worms that exist in dogs: Tape worms and Round worms. A puppy can get worms from its mother, while in older dogs they usually come from fleas. Round worms can pass on to people, (especially children). The treatment against worms is either by pills or by syrup. We recommend the first treatment against worms to be given at the age of 6-8 weeks and again after two weeks, along with the vaccine.
It is important to keep in mind that tape worms come from fleas, and a regular treatment is necessary for prevention.
Fleas and Ticks.
Most dogs that go for walks outside and socialize with other dogs will probably get fleas. There are many products to treat your dog against fleas and ticks; here are some we recommend:
Bravecto - A pill, by MSD the American drug company, is the best for the prevention of fleas and ticks, it lasts for three months, and can be administered along with any vaccine.
Seresto collar - An odorless collar by Bayer. Effective for both fleas and ticks. The collar is effective for 7-8 months and is water resistant.
Advocate - Advocate spot on, also a product of Bayer are drops that are administered on the dog's skin by separating the fur in three different places along the back.
Trifexis/Nextguard - both are pills administered once a month, effective for fleas, it is given with food and has to be given 2 weeks apart from the park worm injection.
BATHING.
Bathing
Dogs have a naturally oily coating on the skin, which is why its recommended to bath them as little as possible. Unless the dog is dirty or has a foul odor, you should not bath more than once every 2 to 3 months. Puppies should not be washed before the age of 3 months. You should only use a special shampoo for dogs; there is also a special shampoo for puppies.
Feeding Good nutrition is very important for the health of your puppy. Canned food is also recommended to give your dog along with the dry food.
Recommended food companies are:
Euknoba
Hill's vet essentials
Hill's science plan
Royal canin
Purina pro-plan
Until the dog is one year old, you should purchase puppy food
FORBIDDEN FOODS: You should never feed your dog with: bones, sweets, salty and spicy food, onions, garlic, broccoli, avocado and chocolate, grapes and raisins. It is also forbidden to give human medications to dogs without consulting a veterinarian.
FEEDING TIMES AND QUANTITIES: The number of times a day you should feed your dog depends on his age:
Up to 3 months you should feed 3-4 times a day from 3-6 months you should feed 3 times a day From 6 months to one year you should feed twice a day.
The quantities of food you should give your dog, depends on his size and the dog's metabolism and the brand of food you give. (You can see on the food package the quantities your dog needs to eat per day). There is no need for vitamins/calcium if you keep your dog on a healthy and balanced diet with good quality dog food.
SEXUAL MATURITY
Dogs usually reach their sexual maturity by the age of six months. There are two options to deal with it.
1. Spay for the female dog and castration for the male dog is the preferable option (if you don’t want to breed them.) It is recommended to spay the female at the age of 6 months and to castrate the male between six months to one year of age.
2. The natural way: supervision while the female is in heat, which is very difficult to do because the female has a tendency to run away. In addition, there is also bleeding and a likelihood that male dogs will bark and wait near your home. Also, the bitch is more likely to develop cancer in the mammary glands or infection of the uterus.