Are you ready as an individual and as a family?
Think broadly about this important step. To have a dog in your family is a lifetime commitment. Dogs are friendly creatures and your dog deserves to be a member of your family rather than being a "one-day wonder". If you are thinking about adopting a dog for a while and that it's the right time, keep reading. As your dog is going to be a part of your family, you may need to decide together in order to share this commitment with them and to make it work.
Are you ready financially?
Adopting a dog is like having a baby. This means that you should be ready for the costs of a dog owner's responsibility. You don't want to neglect health and other needs of your dog as you don't want to do so for your child.
Is your home ready?
Having a dog in the house is like having a child. Both are curious and want to discover around. As is the case with a child, you should protect your dog against everything that might be potentially dangerous for him. You can start with walking around in your house and searching for things that might pose danger for your dog. Even things for daily use can be dangerous. Put away sharp objects, cleaning supplies and everything that he can swallow (buttons, coins, jewelry, paper clips, etc.).
In addition, before taking the dog home you should have the following ready:
· Food and water bowls
· Food
· Dog house and/or bed
· Collar and identity label
· Grooming tools (comb, brush, scissors, teeth health and cleaning materials, shampoo, etc.)
· Medical materials
· A few toys
When you are buying material for your dog for the first time, it may seem that there are a lot to purchase. However, do not forget that these materials with cost will be used for years and this investment is worth the return (wet kisses, fidelity and love). We wish you and your dog a pleasant life.
Training of your dog will be a big part of the interaction between you in the first months. If you are patient trying to understand your dog when training it, an attachment will develop between you in a short time.
Some information to help you in the beginning:
Toilet Training
One of the most important things that should be remembered is that a dog getting a house training will cause unpleasant situations. For both young and adult dogs, completing the house training will take months. Two main methods for house training is paper training and dog house training. If you decided to provide your dog paper training, you will teach it to defecate in a large area covered with newspapers. After your dog understands that it should only defecate on the area covered with newspapers, you can start to reduce the amount of newspapers and finally reduce the size of the area to a piece of paper. You can also realize this with tablets and pads specific for the race of the dog.
After this process is completed you have to train your dog to defecate outside. People generally prefer the paper training because the dog would not need to go out for each need. Though some of the dog owners are successful, this method can be confusing for the dog. Paper training trains the dog to defecate inside home and then it should learn to defecate outside. Once a dog is used to defecate at home, changing this habit will be very difficult.
As dogs staying in a dog house don't like to defecate where they sleep they will go outside the dog house and want to go outside. Create a routine where you take your dog regularly outside. Your dog can learn that it has a regular defecating possibility. Going outside should be the first thing in the morning, one hour during the day and just before it sleeps. After taking the dog outside give it some time to play before going back to the dog house. In-between these promenades watch your dog, and take it outside if you see a sign of defecating requirement. Do not forget that sometimes unpleasant situations may occur and home training for most of the dogs may take up to six months. Whatever method you choose, stick to it. Success in house training may require consistency and a lot of patience!
Leash Training
Going out for a walk with your dog will be fun both for you and for your dog. However, if your dog does not know how to walk around with a leash, this may turn into a annoying and tiresome activity. Training your dog to properly walk with a leash when it is young will deliver you of a big problem during its lifetime. If you own a big dog, this is especially important. Because, for example, being dragged by a 45-kilo Rottweiler downhill cannot be considered as a relaxing and entertaining walk. Primarily you will need a leash and a collar. As there are many brands in markets today, you should decide which one is appropriate for your dog. There are many types of leashes made of leather, cotton and plastic. As it may damage your hand if your dog makes a sudden movement after a cat of a car, stay away from the iron chain leashes. Two meters of length is ideal for a leash. There are also retractable leashes which allows 5 - 8 meters of movement area for your dog. As retractable leashes allow movement area for your dog, they are good for walking in parks, however, do not forget that not everybody is fond of dogs and may not desire to suddenly encounter a dog; for this reason, take your dog beside you when you encounter with somebody. Some leashes have their own collars. If yours doesn't have one, a simple plastic or a buckle leather collar would be just fine. Some dog owners prefer leash set instead of a collar. If you will use a safety belt system in your car instead of placing your dog in a carrier, leash set is ideal. However, leash sets allow less control over the dog compared to collars. If you decide to use a leash set, ensure that the leash set is appropriate for your dog as a loose or too tight leash set will cause irritation on the skin, rubbing against the fur.
As you now have all necessary accessories, it is time to go out! Start with keeping your dog next to your left leg. In classical standing position which is used by most of the trainers, the dog stays on the left side of the owner. This is a good position to start and should be maintained until your dog completely learns to walk with the leash. However, afterwards it is not important where your dog stays. If your dog hesitates to stay where you want, encourage it with some delicious food and award it when it is in the right position.
Show another reward food when it stays on your side and hold the food just in front of its nose, on a height where it will be able to eat it lifting its head and won't have to jump. Say its name, give the command you have selected for walking and start walking. Watch the leash when you are walking, and when the leash is strained stop. Your dog also will stop. Stay put, make your dog to come to the previous position showing the reward and then continue walking. The dog will start to walk with the leash in some time and there will be no need for rewards after that point.
It takes time to train a dog to walk properly. Be consistent and patient. You will have long and calm walks lifelong.
Obedience Training
Trying to control a dog which doesn't know obedience commands is a very tiresome and generally impossible task. Dogs do not speak. Then how can we expect them to communicate with us without providing them with some vocabulary? Teaching your dog four simple commands will make a big difference and will create an opportunity to establish a connection between you. Do not forget that attention time of young dogs is very short and do not expect it to concentrate for long times. As there is too many distracting things inside and outside, keep training sessions short at the beginning and gradually increase the time you spent every day.
Sit down
Sit down command is a very important command that your dog should learn. It is the best way of quickly controlling your dog in any situation. One of the easiest commands to learn, Sit Down command should be taught in an early period using the following method:
Put the leash and ensure that it stays before you. While holding the leash in one hand, show the reward food above its nose. When it lifts its head to get the food, hold the food above its nose and make him go backwards. Your dog will automatically sit down and try to follow the food with its eyes and nose. When its thighs touch the ground, say "Sit Down!", touch it to caress and give the reward.
Lie Down
Lie Down command is another useful command and teaching it at an early period is very important. This may be more difficult to teach but do not give up too quickly! With a little patience your dog will learn Lie Down command in a little time. Follow steps given below:
Kneel down to be on eye level with your dog and hold the reward food in your hand. Allow the dog to smell the food and slowly lower the dog on the ground between its legs. Your dog should lower your its front feet and automatically place them in the lying down position. When its elbows and belly touches the ground, say "Lie Down", and then caress by touching and give the reward.
Stay
The goal of the Stay command is to ensure that your dog maintains a certain position such as Sit Down and Lie Down. If you only want your dog to wait (for example, when you are entering to home) do not use Stay command. This will confuse it as you want it to stay around and not to stay put as normally Stay command conveys. When you are teaching the Stay command to your dog, follow the steps given below:
Start when your dog is sitting down beside you with the leash. Give Sit Down and Stay commands with your palm open before its nose. When it stays put for a few moments, caress by touching and give the reward. Most of the dogs can maintain Stay position only for 5 or 10 seconds in the beginning. However, you can increase this time after a few séances. If your dog can stay 10 sec or more without moving, try to move away further each time.
Come
When you use the Come command, your dog should come to you immediately and without hesitation. It is very important to apply this command together with entertaining games and rewards in order for it to always remember this. Some dog owners fall into the error of using this command when the dog should enter the dog house or do something not exciting for the dog. In such a situation, the dog will quickly learn that Stay command is some kind of an end to freedom and will ignore when you next use it. Then, take some delicious food and a few toys and follow these steps:
Show your dog a reward food or a toy, and throw it for your dog to bring it back. When it runs to bring it back, go to the opposite direction and stay away from the field of view. Then, enthusiastically say your dog's name. When it finds you, award it with kisses, compliments and with love! Repeat this game a few times during the day, however do not repeat it too much or your dog will get bored. In the end, it will learn to automatically run to you each time it hears its name.
Teaching your dog the obedience commands will help you to easily communicate and after your dog starts to understand and obey, you will see that your life will be more fun.
Socializing
Dogs are capable of learning at a very early stage and within this period they develop impressions, tendencies and habits much likely as children. When a behavior is seen it may be a "now and never" moment for your dog. A dog encountering with different scenes, sounds and experiences in early stages of his life is more likely to become an adult dog which shows right socializing skills and proper behaviors, happy and healthy. In general, a young dog learns the important socializing skills when it is between 8 - 16 weeks old. Within this time you should be attentive when introducing your dog to new people and locations; otherwise, afterwards it will have difficulties. When your dog is 8 weeks old and its vaccines are complete, the socializing period may begin.
A simple way of starting this period is taking your dog for a walk. Especially if your environment is noisy and crowded, you should prefer to take it to a park. As it is very important that the environment is entertaining, safe and calm in this first socializing experience, your dog can be comfortable with smelling, discovering and interacting. By taking a walk together, you can introduce it with different people, animals and other things.
When people show an interest in your dog, if you allow them to stroke it, your dog will be more easily get used to different touches and smells. In addition, carrying different flavored food is a good idea for letting people feed your dog and this will help it to get rid of its fear from strangers. When your dog comes very close with another dog, firmly hold the leashes of both dogs and introduce them very slowly and attentively.
In the first stages of the socializing process, your dog will have the chance to encounter with different sounds such as keys and clapping and different smells such as grass, waste and other dogs. In addition, it will encounter with different scenes such as people with sunglasses or hats, bins and moving cars. Any image, sound and smell is helpful for your dog in the development phase, and it will decrease the fears and let it be more comfortable in different situations.
Hold your dog with the leash during walking and in other socializing activities. In this way, you can hold your dog close to you and protect it if necessary, and your dog will feel secure understanding that it is protected. However, it is also very important not to spoil your dog and award it for a coward behavior. If you realize that it is frightened from a certain situation, try to change this situation until it feels more comfortable. For example, if it fears from a situation where it is surrounded by a group of children, limit its interaction with only one child until it feels comfortable.
It may take time to socialize your dog, however it is worth. With some devotion and patience in the early stages, your dog may become a versatile adult with correct behaviors.
Problem Solving
Sometimes dogs may develop problematic behaviors which require special attention, such as chewing, digging, excessive barking or jumping and hopping. Learn how you will detect these tendencies and correct these behaviors. Problem Solving
Sometimes dogs may show problematic behaviors. Even dogs with very correct behaviors may show problematic behaviors. As they do not have a moral understanding, dogs do not look on the events as "wrong" or "right". They act as they wish. For example, if you see your dog gnawing on some chair and give it a cookie in order to draw it away, the only thing you teach will be to gnaw on the chair when it wants a cookie.
The main reason for problematic behaviors is boredom. When a dog has nothing to do, it starts to chew or dig. As the owner you are partly responsible, since you should satisfy the requirements of your dog, including daily exercises and entertainment. In addition to provide sufficient activities every day, you will start to detect when and how your dog develops a problematic behavior, and take precautions which will help to remove this tendency. Some of the most frequent problems are as below:
Chewing
All dogs require to chew. In young dogs this is a way to discover the world around and spend the never ending energy; in old dogs, this may be a sign of anxiety and boredom. Another common reason for the chewing problems in dogs is that they enjoy it. As it is impossible to determine what can be chewable for a young dog, it should be oriented when possible. When you see it chewing something, say "No!" and give another thing that it can chew. When the dog will be alone, close him to doghouse with proper chewing toys.
Digging
Digging for dogs is instinctive; they cannot help themselves. So, how will you prevent holes in your garden (or on the carpet in your living room)? The first option is to allocate a place where digging will not be a problem, such as a small sand box in your garden. Do not forget that digging is a natural behavior for dogs. With some orientation, you can protect some important areas against your dog's paws, however, you should not punish your dog as it is a normal behavior.
Excessive Barking
Dogs bark for various reasons such as excitement, protecting and angriness. However, they may also bark to draw attention. If your dog is barking to draw attention, pretend not to have heard and then softly caress it. If you shout at a barking dog, it may think that you are joining it, and that you are trying to help it to bark more loudly, and this will encourage the problematic behavior. In addition, shouting is giving what it wants: attention.
One method used to remove excessive barking behavior is a shaker. A shaker may be an empty metal box with coins or small pebbles. When your dog starts to bark, say it a command such as "Do not bark" and shake the box. The sound will frighten it and stop the barking. After the barking stops, caress it with touching and award with some food.
Jumping
It is customary to shake hands, embrace or kiss when we meet old friends or newly meet with someone. Jumping for most of the dogs is just a greeting method. If you don't want your adult dog to greet people in this way you can discourage it when it is very young.
When you see your dog is coming to welcome you, fall onto your knees and look at it in the eyes. When you are doing this, hold the collar from under its chin with your finger and apply some pressure to prevent its jumping. Only when it places its four feet on the ground, touch and caress it. When you have visitors ensure that the leash is tied before you open the door. This will let you control its behaviors without holding the collar.
When your dog starts to show some problematic behavior, try to correct it as soon as possible. The more you allow it, the more difficult to correct it. Some problematic behaviors may reach to levels where a normal dog owner can no longer correct. If you think that your dog has a problem which you cannot solve, ask for help from a professional trainer.
Separation Anxiety
You are preparing go out of the door. You are by the door and have keys in your hand. Your dog will come by you when it hears the sound of the keys and start to bark (and with some howling). It seems to understand that you are going and tries to block the way to the door.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common example for problematic behaviors. A dog with separation anxiety will be very sad when it understands that you are about to leave. After you are gone it howls, barks, urinates and defecates or tears your home apart. If your dog shows this problematic behavior when you are preparing to go out or after you leave, it may be experiencing a separation anxiety. Though getting angry to your dog is normal, you should think on the underlying causes.
Above all, your dog may fear that you will not come back. Especially if your dog has been left before this fear is very probably. Another reason may be a simple confusion. After you pass a few weeks with your new dog or for example after you stay at home for the summer holiday, your dog may get used to spend time with you. When you go back to work or be away for a long time for any other reason, this unexpected solitude will confuse your dog's mind and it may think that you will never come back. In both situations, it may take time to learn that you are not leaving it for good.
How can you help a dog experiencing a separation anxiety? Try to gradually mitigate the sensitivity of your dog to being left alone. First of all, give it a toy to pass time such as a chewing bone in order to prevent it to follow you everywhere when you are at home. In addition, you can make sounds with your keys or play with the door handle without leaving the home; this way, your dog will stop associate these sounds with your leaving. When it is time to leave the home, do not make this a big event and walk to the door and exit without looking at your dog. Leaving your television or radio on may also work, in order to prevent complete silence.
Do not forget that dogs need friends. They always want to pass good time with their owners; and more than to pass every minute with you. Though it is not possible, you should be attentive to pass one or two hours every day with your dog playing, walking with, training or only hugging your dog. If you know that you won't have sufficient time to give the attention your dog requires during a day, you may think to enroll for a daily dog care program or you can hire a dog walker who will walk it around and exercise it.
Dogs live in groups in the nature. They use barking and howling to come together. If your dog is howling and barking, it may be feeling lonely and trying to call for a friend. Another way to help a dog experiencing separation anxiety is to buy a second dog. A furry friend may help to sooth and cheer up your dog in anxiety moments.
Another important way to help your dog get rid of separation anxiety or to avoid it from the start is to teach it some of the basic obedience commands. When your dog acquires some skills, it will be more sure of itself and its anxiety will decrease.
If you think that you have tried everything but your dog still has some important problematic behaviors, you may need to get professional aid. Professionals may try to change these behaviors and prescribe drugs. Leaving your dog alone at home should not be traumatizing neither for you nor for your dog. Do not hesitate to contact with a professional to help your dog overcome this issue.
Nearly all children love to feed an animal at home. However, parents do not always like this idea. Moreover, they are strongly opposed to it worrying that it may negatively affect the child's development and that it may create various health issues. However, the positive impact of an animal at home, on the development of a child, is a fact. Especially, communication between dogs and children is better.
Growing with a dog at home is an important support for the psychological and social development of the child.
· Domestic animals will help to develop the responsibility feeling of a child. Animals require a human to provide care. When a child undertakes the care-related tasks such as feeding, walking the dog outside, he/she will receive love from the animal.
· Knowing that a creature needs him/her, and that it can live only through this relation is something which solidifies the self confidence. The child will enjoy the pleasure of taking care of it, helping it and will experience commitment by embracing the animal. As animals get ill and should be vaccinated now and again, this will help the child in his experiences and support him/her in more effectively dealing with these situations.
· When teaching something to the domestic animal, the child also will learn something. The child may overcome his/her fears by trying these on the animal. In this way, the child will learn to love, to give, to protect and to be an independent person which constitute the base of human relations.
Which dog types are suitable for your child.
In fact, all dogs that are well trained are suitable for children. However, if one needs to prefer one, the dogs which can be highly trained, which are less aggressive should be preferred provided that the suitable conditions can be ensured: Labrador Retriever, German Kurzhaar, Newfoundland, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Austria Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle (kanesh), English Springer Spaniel and Turkish Sheepdog Kangal. English Bulldog, Bloodhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Bassethound and Bob Tail may also be suitable, but the training level is low with these races.
Should you buy a dog, just because your child wants it?
Never! As it is known, children's desires are generally temporary. If the dog that is purchased this way has chance, it will be fed and loved by the parents. However, the destiny of most the dogs purchased this way ends up in the streets. Of course, parents can purchase dogs for their child, but they should not expect that the dog will always be loved or taken care of by the child. They should also love the dog and be prepared for its care.
Can your dog be jealous of your child?
Similar to children, dogs are jealous of every animated or unanimated thing that they care for. Jealousy depends on the situation of the dog at home: Ambitious dogs which think that they are the boss of the home may try to compete with the child for leadership, however, dogs which are known for their status at home and do not compete for leadership will not have any trouble with children.
Is there anything better than going on a travel? In order to fully enjoy travelling with your dog, ensuring that your dog's vaccines are complete is the most important thing to do. If you are going abroad a health certificate from your veterinary may be required. For travels closer to your home, it will be relieving to know that your dog is protected against any diseases on the way.
Before you get into the ship for a few days of cruise or into a plane for a few hours of flight, ensure that your dog is used to the pet carrier or box. If your dog feels at home with the box or carrier, then it will have no problem to conform to the travelling conditions. If you are lucky it will just sleep throughout the travel.
Decide beforehand what your dog may need. Some of the basic requirements for travelling with a dog; food, water, collar, leash, some reward food, defecation bucket and a small first aid kit.
During the travel, it is very important that your dog has the possibility to defecate. The dog should not be left without food and water. Respect other people and places by cleaning after your dog and using the leash all the time.
If you are travelling by a car during summer period, avoid leaving your dog in the car. If you need to leave it for a short time, leave the windows open for proper ventilation. When you move again, protect your dog's ears and eyes against threats by closing the windows or placing your dog in the carrier.
A travel with preparation for yourself and your dog will be completed without any issues. Do not forget to have fun with your dog and enjoy the time you pass together!
ALIMENTATION
Alimentation requirements of the dogs change with age. Complete and balanced alimentation, prepared in accordance with the alimentation requirements will determine present and future health, development and life quality. You cannot meet vitamin, mineral, energy, fat, etc. requirements of the dog with homemade food or leftovers. Ready foods with ingredients carefully prepared are both practical and economical for you and delicious and nutrient for you dog. It is sufficient to feed them with dry food regularly and in amounts appropriate for the dog's weight. All dogs love reward foods. You can award your dog with wet foods with different flavors, reward biscuits and chewing bones.
CLEANING
1. Grooming
Grooming is the most important way to ensure that your dog feels and looks like healthy. Regular fur examination through grooming will enable you to realize the changes on the fur of your dog. For this purpose, you should procure a brush suitable for its fur and regularly brush it. This activity is a very entertaining practice for both of you.
2. Washing
How often you should wash your dog depends on its fur type, how much time it passes outdoors and how dirty it is; some dogs should be watched once every 2 or 3 weeks, while others once every 6 weeks is sufficient.
If your dog does not like washing, you can help him calm down by talking or even singing. Your tone of voice will sooth it. If you live in a hot climate and have garden, you can wash your dog outside using a garden hose. If you are washing your dog indoors, placing a plastic mat on the floor of the wash basin or shower will prevent slipping of your dog's feet and it will ensure that your dog firmly stands.
Prepare a soft dog shampoo, cotton and a washing fabric. Place your dog into the wash basin and sprinkle it with warm water (plug cottons to prevent water entering to the ears), and ensure that the fur is wet up to the skin. You can use the sprinkling tip to make it easy that all parts of its body is wet. Apply the shampoo and scrub the furs until it is foamed. Use a wet fabric to clean its face and prevent soap entering into the eyes. Rinse all the body with warm body until it is clean of soap. After rinsing, allow it to shake off the water, if possible. Then, dry it thoroughly with a towel. If the fur is thick, use a drying machine to ensure that it is all dry. If the fur is wet after washing, it may cause an unpleasant smell. Ensure that the fur is completely dry. Using perfumes after washing prevents possible smells. However, do not allow the perfume enter into the mouth or nose.
3.Nail Cut
Nails should not protrude from the sole and should be cut from this point. Long nails will cause unnecessary load on the feet of your dog by changing its centre of gravity to the back of the paw. The “nail flesh” in the middle of the nail can be easily seen through white and clean nails. Do not cut these parts. Cut the nail below this part with a 45 degree angle. Make ready a coagulant such as silver nitrate as a precaution for massive bleeding in case you accidentally cut it. After you get used to it, cutting your dog's nails will be as easy as cutting your own nails. You can cut the nails easily and quickly without any worries about giving a damage to your dog. Purchase nail scissors specific for dogs. Ensure that your dog is sitting down when you are cutting the nails at the front feet, hold one foot and raise it 15 cm above the ground and cut it. Ensure that your dog is standing when you are cutting the nails at the back feet, hold one foot and raise it 15 cm above the ground and cut it.
4. Eye and Ear Cleaning
As dogs are sensitive to many eye diseases, you should regularly clean your dog's eyes. If your dog's eyes are healthy, the eyes are clean, mucoid secretion is normal and it must be cleaned with a soft fabric. If the secretion is yellowish or bloody, you should take your dog immediately to the veterinary. Due to the eye fluid in many dogs with light color which moisturizes the fur around the eyes and causes bacterial growth, there may be brown tear traces below the eyes. In order to prevent these tear stains, keep your dog clean and prevent the fur hair entering to the eye.
Ear Cleaning:
For dogs with too much hair like poodles, hair may grow on ear canals and these should be regularly removed every week. Ear powder makes it easy to remove the hair by stiffening them. After removing the hair, clean the ear dirt with cotton immersed into alcohol. Ears of all dogs with short fur, long fur or medium-length fur should be regularly cleaned with cotton immersed into alcohol. In case of an ear problem, you will see some symptoms. The dog will often shake his head, rub his ears to the ground or scratch its ears by scratching with the feet. If you encounter these symptoms look inside the ears. If they are red or if there is flix, you should visit the veterinary as soon as possible as there may be some inflammation or infection.
5. Teeth Brushing
As 80% of dogs catch gingival diseases up to 3 years of age, tooth and gingival care of your dog is very important. Symptoms of these diseases are discoloration on teeth, a bad smell on breath, swelled gingival, low gingival line and easily bleeding gingival. In addition to the regular visits to your veterinary, the best way to protect the health of your dog's teeth and gingival is to brush its teeth.
As many dogs won't like this brushing process, in order to make them get used to it, start with smoothly massaging on the gingival with your finger and make it to get used to your finger being inside its mouth. In addition, in order to make it get used to tooth paste you should allow it to lick some tooth paste. After it gets used to it, lift its lips slightly and start massaging the bottom, top and front part of the gingival with circular movements using your finger. You will need a tooth brush and a tooth paste for dogs. Start with the front teeth and continue with other teeth until all are clean. As your dog is capable of cleaning the residuals on the inner side of the teeth with its tongue, focus on the food residuals on the outer side. You should brush its teeth every day if possible.
Finding a veterinary
Regular veterinary visits are very important for protecting the health of your dog. You should have a veterinary which you regularly visit and comfortably call. Best way to find a veterinary is to get recommendations from other dog owners. After you list the proper ones, arrange a visit to meet with the doctor and see around the office.
The best time to separate the puppy from his mother is the age of 8 weeks. Breast milk contains the vital nutrients for the puppy's growth as well as the antibodies that will protect him against infectious diseases in the first weeks. Therefore, early separation from mother will leave him vulnerable to many health problems.
Combing
You should comb your little friend at least once every week, with a comb suitable for its fur type and length (for dogs with long fur, you should comb them every day). Combing will create an emotional bond between you and your dog and will help to identify dermal problems.
Mouth Care
Baby teeth will fall off and will be replaced with permanent teeth when it is 4-6 months old. This is the best period to start mouth care and make your dog get used to teeth brushing. Brushing the teeth of your puppy is an easy process. Please consult your vet to get more information about this. Check that his gums are pink and healthy and that his teeth are clean.
Nail Clipping
It is important to keep your puppy's nails clean and at ideal length. Please consult your vet to get detailed information about nail clipping.
Ear Cleaning
You should always keep your puppy's ears clean. Never use ear sticks. These will damage tympanic membrane of your dog. Consult a vet for ear cleaning.
Eyes
The eyes of your puppy should be bright. You can gently remove dried tears around the eyes with a cotton pad. You can also use specially formulated solutions to remove the tear stains.
Bathing
It's hard to believe but puppies have to take a bath sometimes. Use specially formulated shampoos when you are washing your puppy. Afterwards, dry his hair with a towel. Please consult your vet to get more information.
Nose
There is no need to clean a puppy's nose. If you see anomaly please consult your vet.
