Puppy Advice

This is an informal gathering for novice and experienced owners alike. Raising a puppy has its rewards and frustrations, so feel free to bring questions and concerns for the doctor to address. Discussion will include: puppy handling, daily care and challenges, and disease prevetnion. The next orientation is Thursday, August 25th, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the hospital lobby. Puppies are welcome, but do not have to be present.

Getting a new puppy is an exciting, yet busy time for you. It is a very dynamic period, and you play a major role in your dog's social development. It is important to realize that there really aren't "bad" dogs--just dogs who develop undesirable or dangerous habits due to their upbringing. Most of these dogs are owned by good people with good intentions, yet some basics are misunderstood. If you follow a few basics, you will give yourself the best chance of raising a happy, well-adjusted puppy that develops into a fun, social adult dog.

• Do your homework--research your breeder. Ask them questions and visit the facility. A puppy's first eight weeks of life is proven to be the most important in its social development. Get a puppy who has been given good interactions with its littermates and people as well. We strongly suggest avoiding situations where puppies are caged individually and not handled extensively by people.
• Practice positive reinforcement--dogs learn good habits through positive reinforcement. So reward everything from appropriate pottying outdoors to calm behavior with plenty of "good dog"s and small treats.
• Avoid negative reinforcement--this is paramount! The only way to make a dog learn from negative reinforcement is to scare or hurt them. You do not want to do either to your puppy! This includes not only hitting, but also verbal punishment. Never yell at your dog, rub his nose in his accidents, or make him feel guilty for his inappropriate behavior. Instead, prevent the behavior or divert their attention by distracting them. Don't focus on what's wrong--show them what's right! Thats how they learn.
• Crate train your puppy. This facilitates quick potty training and also develops a comfort level with the crate.
• Contact us for consultation on training programs--we can help you find the appropriate training program for your dog. Remember, we are also experts on your dog's behavior, not just their medical conditions. We can give you good advice on training and help you find good training programs if you are interested.
• Socialize your new little guy/girl! Get your dog out--allow him to interact with people and other dogs. It not only socializes them, but its fun too!