Puppy Fever

Well, she did it. My fur-mom brought home a puppy! Her name is Milaney and she is pretty cute. I was jealous at first, but she’s growing on me now. Such a bundle of energy! Having forgotten what it was like, my fur-mom had to refresh herself on all things puppy. Here’s some great pointers for anyone thinking of getting a puppy.

1. What breed is right for you? Research prospective breeds: consider exercise needs, grooming, are they good with children? You can find great dog breed information at www.akc.org.


2. Find a responsible breeder. Does the breeder breed purely to make money or to better the breed? Does the breeder take excellent care of her dogs: quality food and acceptable living quarters? Are the dogs AKC registered? Does the breeder test for genetic diseases? Make sure to visit the breeder, see the facility, and meet the puppy’s parents. Whatever you do, do not buy a puppy online!


3. Find a respectable trainer. Clicker training is the best choice as it uses only positive reinforcement which enables the dog to bond with their owner and learn much quicker. Be patient with your puppy during training. They are just puppies, after all. It is good to start off with potty pads for potty training as most puppies can not hold their bladder for very long.


4. Start off with the right supplies. All puppies need to wear a collar with an identification tag. They may not like it at first, but be persistent. Use a harness when walking your puppy. Have lots of toys available for your puppy as their gums will itch and they will want to chew on everything. You might want to purchase a crate to help with potty training. Buy a bed that can be washed easily and will fit nicely in their crate. Accidents will happen, so the easier to wash, the better. The Haute Hound Pet Boutique carries velour donut beds that will work nicely. The entire bed can be put in the washer and they are soft and comfortable, yet stylish.


5. Prepare your home for the puppy by making it safe and nurturing. Check for loose and hanging cords or other safety hazards. If your home is empty for 6+ hours every day, either postpone your decision to get a puppy until that changes, or locate a professional dog-walking service or canine day-care. Puppies that are left all day can develop behavior problems. Start a puppy fund to help pay for unexpected expenses. Remember, puppies are expensive: vaccines, spay and neuter, food costs.

Now that you have your puppy, enjoy every minute of it. They grow up so fast!