Resources

How To Care For Your New Puppy !!

For those who are first time puppy owners, or who need a refresher, here are some helpful links to help you prepare. In addition to covering essential items that need to be purchased ahead of time, these articles have an abundance of practical advice:

New Puppy? What to Focus on First!

Socialization and Stimuli

There are a multitude of resources that provide information on why it’s so important to socialize your puppy. Undoubtedly you will do your own research, but here are a few links that cover why it’s so essential and ideas for what to include:

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/…
https://www.smalldogplace.com/puppy-socialization.html
https://goodlifedogs.com/the-rule-of-7s-in-puppy-socialization/
Hip Dysplasia

All dogs are born with healthy hips, and hip dysplasia is not found in the wild. Preventing hip dysplasia can be achieved by providing a non-slip surface for your puppy to walk and play on. By minimizing your pups exposure to hardwood and laminate floors and providing stable surfaces in their place, you will greatly reduce the chances of developing dysplasia.

Limited high intensity activities like running and hiking and maintaining low intensity walks as exercise before the age of 2 can all help to prevent hip dysplasia. Please feel free to read the following links and do some exploration on this topic. Hip dysplasia is highly avoidable.

https://dogsolutions.co.za/hip-dys…
http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/hip-dysplasia1.html
Weight Control

Obesity can cause heart and respiratory problems, diabetes, tumours, skin diseases, ACL tears, arthritis and dysplasias. It also posses a greater anesthesia risk and greatly reduces quality of life. As a puppy, the number one risk from obesity is hip dysplasia.

It’s healthy for a puppy to have a small tummy. It is not healthy if that tummy is starting to stand out. Always make sure you can feel their ribs beneath their coat, that they play without panting heavily, and that you are feeding them as per the instructions on their food packaging.

https://dogtime.com/dog-health/fitness%E2%80%A6
https://www.thesprucepets.com/dog-nutrition-and-food-4162139
Exercise With Caution

While making an effort to ensure your puppy is getting enough exercise, it is important not to do any strenuous activity before 2 years of age (when their growth plates have sealed over), or you can do irreparable damage. Here are a few articles that everyone should read:

https://www.puppyleaks.com/jogging-can-be-harmful-to-puppies/
https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/pet-community/pet-talk/how-to-exercise-your-puppy/
FDA Dog Food Warning

Many research studies have been conducted in recent years regarding dogs and grain-free diets showing elevated DCM cases. The following is the link to their ongoing investigation, collection of data, graphs showing cases per brand, and everything you need to know about DCM. Also of note, Golden Retrievers are known to be deficient in Taurine, so be sure to buy food that contains it.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy
Dangerous Foods for Dogs

There are a number of common household foods that are actually quite harmful to your dogs. Be sure to review the following links before you offer your dog anything from your plate. *And always keep your compost, garbage and food in a secure place, so that your pets are prevented from ingesting something fatal.

*Dangerous Foods:

Click to access Toxic_Food_Guide_for_Pet.pdf

Regarding safety measures for raw diets:

https://www.rawpawspetfood.com/raw-feeding-safety-s/413.htm

Dangerous Plants for Dogs

Before purchasing or planting any herb, plant or tree for your home and garden, make sure it’s safe for dogs. Here are some great sites to make checking easier:

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/poisons-in-your-garden/
https://be.chewy.com/complete-guide-to-poisonous-plants-for-dogs/
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants