| Bringing Home The New Puppy The excitement of bringing a new puppy into the household is sometimes dampened by the morning after when the family have suffered disturbed sleep. Puppies usually go to new homes at the age of eight weeks, when they have had their first vaccinations, and until this age have had the company of brothers and sisters to snuggle up to for company and warmth. The first day in the new home the puppy is cuddled, played with and made the centre of attention. Life is wonderful. At some point during the evening the family will put the puppy to bed, usually in a shed, garage or laundry, turn off the lights and go to bed themselves. The house becomes quiet. The puppy feels alone and there is no warm body of a brother or sister next to it. It is a natural reaction for the puppy to cry and whine to register a protest and the usual result is that one of the human family will stagger out of bed to console it for a few minutes and then shut the door and go back to bed. The pup will continue to cry, often louder, and again someone will get out of bed to console the pup or even to chastise it. The pup has learned its first lesson � cry and you are rewarded with company, if only momentarily. Dogs learn fastest by being rewarded for certain actions and continuing to go to the crying puppy will reinforce the lesson that crying brings company. Hearts must be hardened for pup�s first night at home. The decision must be made as to where the pup is going to sleep and the area make ready for it. The area must not be too large, remember that the pup is used to having other bodies close to it. The area must be warm and cosy (in the cooler climates) and bedding must be provided. A radio may be left playing, out of the pups reach, to provide some comforting noises during the silence of the household. An old soft toy serves as a soft body to snuggle but remember to remove any parts such as plastic eyes and nose which the pup may chew. Supper should be given and the pup taken outside to relieve itself and then it should be put to bed with a kind word. The crying will commence softly at first but may build up to a crescendo as the pup calls louder. With a bit of luck it may cease after a short time but some pups will continue for the first night. Remember that if at any time you go to the pup you have rewarded the behaviour and you will have to start all over again. Naturally you must be sure that the puppy is not crying because it is stuck or hurt but you will recognise the difference in the crying. It is natural that the pup will awake early in the morning and you should be ready to be greeted with exuberance and to respond with love and cuddles. Put the pup out to relieve itself, lavish it with praise for �performing� and then serve the puppy breakfast. Then it�s outside for toilet opportunities again, and you are ready to spend the second day with your best friend. Our Puppy Diet Sheet 3 weeks (breakfast), the puppies were introduced to Supercoat Puppy this was soaked until very soft, then mashed into a porridge with added Di-Vetelact. 4 weeks (breakfast and dinner), the same but not mashed. 5 weeks (breakfast and dinner), half softened with added Di-Vetelact. 5 � weeks (breakfast and dinner), slightly moist with added Soy Milk (lactose free) 8-16 weeks Breakfast: A good quality, well digested puppy dry food e.g. Supercoat Puppy or Pedigree Meaty Bites Puppy Formula mixed with a small amount of fatty meat. If necessary add a small amount of powdered milk, goat�s milk or natural yoghurt. Dinner: � Dry puppy food to � amount of fatty meat plus a small amount of powered milk, goat�s milk or natural yoghurt. Between 12-16 weeks gradually decrease the amount of breakfast and increase the evening meal accordingly. By 16 weeks one meal per day should be sufficient. Vary the diet now and then with a tin of sardines, leftovers, chicken, cheese or eggs. Bones, particularly mutton flaps or brisket bones are very good for keeping the teeth clean and healthy and can be introduced at this age quite safely. 16 weeks and over Dinner: � good quality puppy or junior dry food mixed with � amount of fatty meat. Occasional mutton flaps or brisket bones are excellent. If your puppy gets diarrhoea at all, its usually from him eating either something he is not used to (ie a different brand of food) or something he shouldn�t (ie trees in the garden etc). As long as he is still bright and happy a diet of boiled chicken and boiled white rice for a few days will usually get him back to normal. Then gradually change him back to his puppy food. Any food changes must be done gradually so as not to upset his bowel. Plain low-fat yoghurt with acidophilus (about a dessertspoon) added to each meal will help prevent him from getting bowel upsets. A large meaty bone (marrow bone) should be given once or twice a week to help keep teeth and gums healthy. Bones should be raw. Cooked bones can�t be digested properly and are prone to splintering and causing constipation. All meat is NOT a balanced diet and if a large proportion of meat is to be fed, then a calcium supplement must be added to prevent bone growth defects. Remember when feeding dry food be sure to have plenty of fresh water available for the dog. For More Information on Worming & Puppy Training |