Proudly Welcoming New Clients! Proudly Welcoming New Clients! Proudly Welcoming New Clients!
Wheatland Puppy Pack
Welcoming a new puppy is an exciting journey, and below you’ll find everything you need to support your pup's first year. At your first visit, you’ll receive a welcome packet with lots of information for your puppy. From behavior and training basics to preventive care like vaccines, parasite protection, and future planning (spay/neuter, microchipping), we cover all the essentials for a healthy, happy life.
Behavior & Training
Training
Training builds a strong bond with your puppy and can often be done at home with the right guidance. If you have questions, our veterinarians can recommend trusted methods and resources.
Potty Training
Keep a consistent schedule for taking your puppy outside, rewarding them for using a designated spot with a cue word. Limit unsupervised indoor access and calmly redirect your puppy if accidents happen.
Crate Training
Crate training offers your puppy a secure, comforting spot to rest when you’re not around. Make it a positive space with soft bedding and toys, and avoid responding to whining unless necessary.
Leash Walking
Use positive reinforcement when leash training and avoid choke or pinch collars. Gentle Leaders or front-clip harnesses are great pain-free tools to help discourage pulling.
General Puppy Care
Collars
A traditional neck collar works well for ID tags and walking if your dog doesn’t pull, but for pullers, a front-clip harness or a Gentle Leader muzzle are safer options. We can help you choose the right collar and teach proper use, while discouraging choker or pinch collars because they rely on pain and can cause behavioral issues.
Nail Trimming
Getting your puppy used to having their feet handled early helps make nail trimming easier. Use scissor-type clippers, avoid cutting the “quick,” and if bleeding occurs, apply styptic powder or cornstarch; ask your vet for a nail trimming demonstration.
Brushing Teeth
Dental disease is the most common health problem in pets and can affect their overall health. Start brushing your puppy’s teeth early using a children’s toothbrush and water, focusing on the outside surfaces—dog toothpaste is optional, but never use human toothpaste.
Parasites
Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal illness caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, affecting the heart and lungs. Since mosquitoes can survive outdoors most of the year in our climate and easily enter indoors, we recommend year-round heartworm prevention starting at 6 weeks of age, along with testing at 8 months and annually.
Intestinal Parasites
Puppies can get intestinal parasites that may cause vomiting or diarrhea and can spread to people or other pets. We recommend fecal tests at least twice during their vaccine visits and then yearly to detect and treat parasites early.
Fleas
Fleas can live on many animals and lay eggs in places like your home, yard, or under decks, making it easy for pets to bring them inside. They multiply quickly and can spread bacteria that may make both dogs and people sick.
Ticks
Ticks are common in wooded areas, tall grasses, and near water, and they can spread serious diseases to dogs. Talk with your veterinarian about your dog’s risk; we recommend an oral preventative because it kills ticks quickly.
Vaccinations
There are several diseases that your puppy can contract which can be prevented through proper vaccination. Your puppy should be vaccinated for the following diseases:
Distemper (D)
Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs as well as several wild animals (wolves, coyotes, raccoons) and ferrets. Distemper can be contracted by contact with contaminated objects and can affect multiple organ systems. Signs include: runny eyes and nose, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. This vaccination is given 4 times as a puppy, once at 1 year of age, and is boostered every 3 years thereafter.
Infectious Hepatitis (H)
Canine hepatitis is a serious viral disease that affects the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, eyes, and other organs. It is spread through any bodily secretion and signs will often develop about 1 week after exposure. Signs include: fever, loss of appetite, increased thirst, and reddening of the lining of the mouth, throat, and eyelids. This vaccination should be given 4 times as a puppy, once at 1 year of age, and boostered every 3 years thereafter.
Leptospirosis (L)
This is a bacterial infection that affects dogs, raccoons, opossums, rats, and even people. In our area, raccoons and opossums are the most common carriers. Leptospirosis affects the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Any animal that recovers from the infection can still shed the bacteria in their urine for up to 1 year. This vaccination is given twice as a puppy and annually thereafter.
Parainfluenza (P)
Parainfluenza is a viral disease with varying signs, including: coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, or even vomiting and diarrhea. This vaccination should be given 4 times as a puppy, boostered at 1 year of age, and then every 3 years thereafter.
Parvovirus (P)
Parvo is a highly contagious virus that can survive in the environment for long periods and causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and rapid dehydration. This vaccination should be given 4 times as a puppy, boostered at 1 year of age, and then every 3 years thereafter.
Bordetella
Bordetella, or “kennel cough,” spreads easily between dogs and can lead to pneumonia if untreated. This vaccination should be given twice as a puppy, boostered at 1 year of age, and is then given annually thereafter for dogs considered at risk for the disease.
Rabies
Rabies is a fatal virus that affects all warm-blooded animals and spreads through bites from infected animals. Puppies receive their first rabies vaccination at 16 weeks of age, which will last for 1 year. The vaccine should be boostered the following year with either a 1 or 3 year vaccination.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by ticks that must be attached for 10–24 hours to infect. Dogs at high risk - like those hunting or in wooded areas - can be protected with tick preventatives and vaccination.
Canine Influenza
Canine influenza is a virus spread through respiratory droplets or contaminated objects, affecting dogs in close contact with others like in boarding or grooming. Symptoms include cough, lethargy, fever, and nasal discharge, and while mild cases last 10-21 days, severe cases can lead to pneumonia.
The vaccination schedule for your puppy should be as follows:
6-8 weeks of age: DHPP
9-11 weeks of age: DHPP and Bordetella
12-14 weeks of age: DHLPP and Bordetella
15-17 weeks of age: DHLPP and Rabies 1 year
4-6 months of age: Spay/Castration
8 months of age: 4DX (Heartworm/Blood Parasite Screening)
Future Care
Spaying or Castrating (Neutering)
Neutering your puppy prevents unwanted litters and reduces the risk of certain cancers and infections in both males and females. It can also help control behaviors like marking and roaming; talk with our veterinarians to decide the best timing for your pet.
Microchipping
Microchipping provides a permanent ID for your dog and helps if they get lost. A tiny chip is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades, and once registered (which we handle), it can be scanned nationwide to help reunite you with your pet; we offer this at spay/neuter or any visit.
Summary of Important Future Visits
New Adult (~1.5 years): DHLPP, Rabies 1 or 3 Year (usually 3 years), Bordetella, 4DX, fecal
After New Adult:
*Rabies every 1-3 years based on vaccination given previously
*DHLPP every 3 years
*Leptospirosis annually (included in DHLPP if due)
*Bordetella annually (if needed)
*Canine Influenza annually (if needed)
*Fecal annually
*4DX (Heartworm/Blood Parasite Screening) annually
*Don’t forget to get monthly preventatives throughout your visits to best fit your puppy’s weight as he/she is growing!
Educational Puppy Workshop
We offer a complimentary Educational Puppy Workshop here at the hospital with one of our veterinarians once a month! Topics include (but are not limited to): daily care and challenges, behavior, and disease prevention. Please feel free to bring any additional questions or concerns for the doctor to address. This event is open to the general public, so family and friends are welcome to join you!
