Checklist
Electrical sockets, plugs and trailing wires present an almost irresistible temptation to most inquisitive puppies, so cover the wires, unplug appliances that are not in use and switch off the sockets. You could even place a piece of furniture over the socket.
With a puppy around, children have to learn to live on a higher level. Their habit of leaving their favourite toys on the floor will tempt the puppy, which will pick up and chew any small plastic toy. This can be very dangerous, as small pieces may become lodged in the dog’s stomach and even tear the lining, resulting in death or, at best, some very expensive veterinary treatment. Puppies also tend to mark their territory with urine frequently and clothes left on the floor are often targets.
Indoor Kennels and Travel Boxes
One of the great training aids is an indoor kennel, which can be a wooden box with a wire front, a plastic travel box or a simple wire cage. These are all available from good pet stores and also from specialist traders. It is easy to train your puppy to go into it happily by feeding him inside the box; he will very soon enter willingly and the door can then be closed for a short while. This will prove of inestimable value if you want some peace to vacuum the carpet or to go to the shops for an hour. However, do not keep him locked up for long. It is not cruel to box a dog for short periods as they like the security they experience inside it, but make sure that the container is of an adequate size. The dog should be able to stand up, stretch out and lie on his side easily.
A travel box is especially good in the car, where a wild young puppy leaping around while you are going at seventy miles an hour is not conducive to safe driving. It also offers security if your car is ever involved in an accident, as the car doors can fly open, releasing a frightened, loose dog that can become a danger to himself and to traffic.
A plastic travelling box is ideal for most car journeys. (Monika Wisniewska)
At the vet’s
Tell your vet that you are going to acquire a dog and make sure he knows which breed so that he can find out in advance about any potential health problems before you take your new puppy along for his first visit. When the puppy has settled down after a couple of days you will need to introduce them to each other. However, do not place the puppy down on the pavement between your home and the veterinary surgery and, above all, do not set him down on the floor of the surgery. There may be other dogs waiting and because yours is a puppy they are likely to be interested. Keep him well away from their inquisitive noses as there is a danger of infection, and most dogs visiting the veterinary surgery are there because there is something wrong with them.
Vaccinations
The vet will give your puppy a general examination and if he considers he is old enough he will vaccinate him. Several diseases are a threat to your dog’s life, parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis being the three main ones, and it is essential that your dog is inoculated against these. Most vets will perform the initial vaccination between ten and twelve weeks, with the booster following two weeks later. If the puppy is deemed not old enough for vaccinations, make an appointment at the first opportunity.
Puppies should not go out into a public place until about ten days after the vaccinations are complete. Your vet will be able to advise you whether there are any potentially dangerous places locally, and, in particular, never make the mistake of putting your puppy out of the car in a roadside lay-by as these are hotbeds of infection.
Now is also the time to ask the vet any questions that might be bothering you about your dog’s diet, behaviour or health, and also about matters such as insurance. Puppies are vulnerable to disease and it is always a wise move to take out insurance because of the ever-escalating costs of veterinary services. There are several reputable companies that offer different levels of cover, so ask your vet for advice.
Your dog needs good social skills if he is to become a well-behaved member of canine and human society. Thus it is very important to socialize and train your puppy from the earliest age. This will help to prevent any behaviour problems occurring later on and make your dog more socially acceptable. Your dog must always be under complete control in any public place.
Lead Training
The first essential accessories that you need are a collar and lead; in fact, two of each. Some trainers recommend that the first collar should be very light, like a cat collar, so that it will not irritate the puppy. The lead can be made of light cloth, which is hardly noticeable. Thus the puppy will learn to wear a collar without being aware of it. The second collar should be more substantial, probably made of leather, with a supple leather lead. An identification disc engraved with your name and telephone number must be attached to your dog’s collar whenever he is outside your home. Do not engrave your dog’s name on it; that would make it too easy for thieves.
When a young puppy is old enough to take out after vaccinations, keep him on a lead in public places as there are always many distractions to tempt him away from you. (Daisy Daisy)
You can begin lead training almost as soon as the puppy arrives in the house. Let him run about wearing the collar for a little while and then add the light lead – he will quickly get accustomed to it trailing after him. Pick it up and follow him without applying any pressure to the lead. After a little while, assert some light pressure and try to guide him but not so forcefully that he stops to fight it. Talk to him all the time in an encouraging way to boost his confidence.
Collars
A young puppy will need a lightweight collar made of nylon, soft leather or fabric. He will grow out of it quite quickly so don’t bother buying an expensive one.
Did you know?
A traditional and most polite greeting in China when entering someone’s home was to ask, ‘What is the honourable name of your dog?’ This applied even where, as in most cases, the householder didn’t own a dog. The old habit of keeping house-dogs had declined and, instead, pottery figures of dogs were used to ‘guard’ the dwelling. Nevertheless, the genteel etiquette of enquiring after the substitute pet continued up until recent years.
Make certain that the collar is sufficiently tight that he cannot pull out of it, but at the same time it should not strangle him. Continue the exercise outside in the garden. Make it fun and train in short bursts as puppies become easily bored, like young children. If the teaching period lasts for too long, most puppies will think of something better to do.
When your puppy is ready to go out for a proper walk, remember that all cars and lorries appear as huge, smelly, noisy monsters to him and he may be afraid. Carry him in your arms around the block two or three times for a day or two before you put him down. Speak to him gently all the while; it will help