The Ultimate Guide to Puppy Care and Training. Tracy J. Libby

Puppies

      Depending on where and from whom you acquired your puppy, he may be a high flight risk. Maybe he has a history of escaping, which may be how he ended up at a shelter or rescue organization. Busy, excitable puppies that are too young or lack adequate recall or obedience training can easily escape and get lost. It can take a long time for some puppies and young dogs to get used to new homes, sounds, people, routines, and so forth. If you are uncertain about your puppy’s history or training, you should always assume that he is at high risk of escaping and take precautions. Go beyond what you think is necessary, and the odds of keeping your pet off the “lost” list will increase greatly.

      Identification

      The importance of proper identification cannot be stressed enough. No one expects his or her dog to go missing, but accidents happen, and the nightmare of losing a dog happens to thousands of responsible owners every day. Dogs dig under fences, bolt out of car doors, or escape through gates or doors accidentally left open. A resourceful dog can climb up on a table or chair and escape over a fence (Yes! That happens.) Dogs can easily slip outside unnoticed as visitors are arriving or leaving. Taking preventive measures can save your dog’s life. That’s why making sure your puppy is properly identified is crucial. Be smart. Do it today!

      ID Tags: Your puppy should have an ID tag with up-to-date information, including, at the minimum, your name and telephone number. They are relatively inexpensive and well worth the investment because they are your puppy’s ticket home should he become lost or separated from you. Readily available at retail pet outlets and from mail-order catalogs and online vendors, tags come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials and easily attach to your dog’s buckle collar with an “S” clip or good-quality split ring. Nameplates that attach directly to your dog’s collar are also available and eliminate the unmistakable, not to mention frequently annoying, jingling noise produced by multiple tags dangling from a puppy’s collar.

      Check the collar and tag regularly for wear and tear, as collars often break or slip off a dog—leaving him with no identification. Some nylon collars have contact information embroidered right into them, so if the tags ever fall off, your contact information remains on the collar.

      Microchips: Next to your puppy, modern technology is your best friend because it provides the latest in identification options and a better form of permanent identification. A silicon microchip about the size of a grain of rice is painlessly inserted under a puppy’s skin. Developed in the late 1980s for the pet market, the microchip contains an unalterable identification number that is recorded in a central database along with your name, address, telephone number, and email address. The microchip is scanned and the identification number is read via a handheld electronic scanner. Most universal scanners can detect and read the frequencies of all major brands of microchips.

      Once your puppy is microchipped, you will need to register the identification number. Most registries and pet-recovery assistance programs register all brands of microchips. AVID®, Home Again®, and AKC Reunite® are among the largest providers of microchip and pet-recovery services. Smaller online registries are available, but you will need to do your due diligence. It is important you understand the assistance provided and the costs associated with each brand of microchip. Trained 24-7 pet-recovery assistance may or may not be provided with smaller registries.

      Many breeders microchip their puppies before sending them to their new homes. Many animal shelters microchip the dogs that come into their facilities. If you're uncertain whether or not your puppy is “chipped”—have your veterinarian scan for an existing microchip to eliminate the possibility of duplication.Also, get in the habit of asking your vet to scan your dog several times a year, or anytime you are at the vet’s clinic, because microchips can migrate or stop functioning.

      GPS Devices: You can track down a lost cell phone, computer, or car—so why not your dog? GPS provides this option, with several different brands available at reasonable prices. The basics remain the same: a GPS unit attaches to or is embedded in your dog's buckle collar and communicates with you via a smartphone, computer, or handheld device. The downside is that these units use GPS communication, so when GPS is not available, they don't work. Some services also require a monthly or yearly fee, which is a small price to pay for the safe return of a much-loved pet.

      When a puppy enters your home, be ready for anything…and be ten giant steps ahead of your miniature new chum.

      Toys and Treats

      Puppies like and need to chew—especially during the teething phase, when their baby teeth erupt and fall out. Chewing makes their gums feel better, but puppies don't understand that they shouldn't chew on your purse, shoes, or chairs. Few owners survive puppyhood without losing a pair of slippers, a potted plant, or even a table leg. Don't despair, though—you can seriously curb the destruction by providing your puppy with plenty of appropriate toys designed for chewing. Chew toys also provide mental stimulation, which is equally important for young dogs.A seemingly endless selection of toys is available. Google “dog toys” and you'll get about millions of hits. Pet-supply stores, feed stores, and grocery stores sell dog toys and treats in unique sizes and shapes from balls to perpetually bouncy fetch toys. Finding toys isn't difficult, but finding safe, healthy, nontoxic toys and treats that are appropriate for your dog’s size, breed, and chewing power takes a bit of effort. Some brachycephalic breeds—because of their undershot bite—cannot chew very efficiently and may choke more easily than other breeds. The chew toys you choose for a Bichon Frise will differ from what you choose for an Australian Cattle Dog or Rottweiler. Plus, some puppies are pickier than others and only like certain toys and treats.

      Some toys are virtually indestructible and designed for the most tenacious chewers. They exercise a puppy’s teeth and gums, promoting oral health while relieving the need to chew. Some of these toys are hollow and specially designed for hiding treats, such as cheese or peanut butter, inside.

      Be careful with vinyl or plush toys that contain squeakers or noisemakers. Puppies love them, and the noisier the better. However, some puppies are four-legged destroying machines and will rip right through the material in a nanosecond and even swallow the squeakers, which could become lodged in their throats. No one wants an emergency trip to the vet!

      While not designed for long-term chewing, a variety of edible chews for dogs now provide nutritional enhancement or breath fresheners. Even if they don't last too long, these chews may make enjoyable treats for your puppy. Most tough breeds, such as large working breeds and terriers, will get one or two chomps out of them before breaking them into bits that can be eaten. Again, always be on the lookout for small pieces that your puppy could choke on.

      Rawhide chews are an alternative to nylon chews—provided your puppy chews them rather than swallowing them whole. Stick with nonbleached chews, which won't stain your carpet, and beware of rawhide chews imported from other countries.

      Bully sticks are sold under various names, including beef tendons, puzzles, pizzle sticks, and steer stix. Giving them cute names doesn't hide what they are: 100-percent dehydrated bull penises. They satisfy a puppy's need to chew, and most dogs love them, but not everyone is on the bully-stick bandwagon. Many cite the possibility of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination. Therefore, look for bully sticks that are from American free-range bulls fed a healthy grass diet.

      Elk antlers are becoming increasingly popular. Dogs seem to love them, but some owners and veterinarians caution that tenacious chewing on them may result in broken teeth.

      Rope toys and tugs are often made of 100-percent cotton and frequently are flavored to make them more attractive to dogs. Some rope tuggies do double duty because they have plaque-fighting fluoride floss woven into the rope to deep-clean your puppy’s teeth and gums. Be careful that your puppy cannot shred the cotton ropes, which may be a potential choking hazard. Nylon tuggies are a haven for bacteria, so be sure to launder them regularly.

      Welcome Home!

      It seems like you have been waiting forever, but the day for picking up your puppy has finally arrived. It's an exciting time for you and your family, but it may be a scary, uncertain,