Some tips on looking after your dog or puppy.

Diet

Puppies (from 8 weeks to 5 months)

• Breakfast: Small amount of dry puppy food.
• Lunch: Dry puppy food & a little canned food especially marketed for puppies.
• Dinner: Dry puppy food, a little chicken, some boiled brown rice+ peas + carrots.

Puppies 5/6 months to 9/12 months

• 2 meals a day

Adult Dogs

• 1 meal a day or as necessary

One meal a day can consist of a variety of cooked and canned meats, dry food or some rice & vegetables. Most dogs enjoy a bone, but make sure you give a LARGE, RAW MARROW BONE.

NEVER GIVE SMALL BONES SUCH AS RABBIT OR CHICKEN BONES AND NEVER GIVE A COOKED BONE.

A dog biscuit is also a healthy treat for good behaviour.

Fleas

Flea control will make you and your dog happy and healthy. Advantage & Frontline are excellent alternative flea treatments to flea collars. They are are available from your veterinarian.

General Health

Illness:

Take your dog or puppy to the veterinarian urgently if:

• Off his/her food
• Lacking in energy
• Vomiting or has diarrhoea
• Has a nasal discharge &/or running eyes
• Has a cough or is sneezing

If you have any concerns regarding your dog's health or behaviour you should consult your vet.

Bedding:

Provide your dog or puppy with a draught free bed and wash bedding regularly.

Registration

It is now a legal requirement to register each animal over 3 months of age (formerly 6 months).

Please contact your local council or visit their website for current prices and information.

Training

A well behaved dog is a happy dog and a wonderful companion. We strongly recommend taking your dog to obedience classes, regardless of age. Most dogs and puppies respond well to training.

Vaccinations

You should always take a new puppy to a veterinarian for a check up and for its vaccinations.

Vaccination schedule:

* Includes Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo Virus & Kennel Cough vaccine
** If the second vaccine is not a Protech vaccine then there should be a parvo booster at 16 weeks.

An annual booster is essential for continued protection. It is also advisable to isolate your pup from other dogs for two weeks after vaccination, in order to avoid infections from other animals.

It is important to keep your dog's vaccination record as this may be required by your vet at a later date, or when boarding your pet in our kennels.

Worming

Worms can effect the health of your dog. A broad spectrum worming preparation is best obtained from your veterinarian. He/she will advise you on the frequency and dosage for the best protection.

Worming should begin at 2 weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 3 months of age. Then monthly until 6 months of age, then every 3 months.