Average Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 2.80 (1=lowest, 5=highest)Last Updated: 12/24/2006
Main Category:
Non-Reptile/Amphibian
Sub Category:
Dogs
Care Sheet Submitted By:
Ylrebmik
Years Experience:
Under 1 Year
Species:
Puppies
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover:
Puppies in general.
Sexing and Characteristics:
Each breed has it’s own characteristics to point out which breed they are but to tell the gender is simple. If the puppy has a penis.. it is a boy. If the puppy has a vagina.. it is a female.
Mostly Active During:
Both
Substrate and Water Needs:
Substrate- puppies are not "tanked" but instead they can be crated. This helps a lot with potty training.
Water- like all living things..this is an essential. During potty training days- it helps to take away the water an hour or two before bedtime or crate time. That will help reduce accident in the night.
Lighting and UVB:
Puppies do not need UVB. They get nutrients from their food. Puppies can live under the same conditions of lighting as a human can.
Temperatures and Humidity:
This really does depend on the breed of dog. "Lap puppies" such as a pug and chihuahua need to kept under certain temperatures. Both breeds are known to get colds and get sick often so avoiding extremely cold and hot weather would benefit the puppy.
Heating and Equipment:
Equipment for getting a puppy would include: a bed or crate, food, dishes, stain remover, toys, water supply, leash, collar, tags, pooper scooper, shampoo, brush. It is also suggested to take puppy classes to train the puppy better.
Caging Provided:
This depends on your personal level. Most people decide to crate train their puppy. If you crate the puppy- make sure the puppy only has enough room to lay down. If the puppy can lay in one end and poop in the other..the potty training process will become more difficult. Some people move on and leave the crate behind after potty training days and some do not.
Diet:
Omnivorous
Description of Diet:
Puppies should have a very healthy diet. This is important because they are growing and they need good nutrition. A lot of dog food presented these days are actually low in nutrition. Do research on the type of food before you buy. Visiting a forum such as this or a more specific dog forum would help. We feed our puppy Science Diet. Be sure to follow the amount a puppy should have. A lot of times they have it posted on the bag. DO NOT OVERFEED the puppy..especially breeds like dachshunds or hounds. They tend to eat more than they should.
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage:
When you buy puppy food, vitamins and nutrients are provided within- just like human food. You can get treats that also have nutrients in it.
Maintenance:
Puppies are a lot of work so think before you buy one. They will need to be taken out every hour at the beginning and gradually later and later. You will have to be very PATIENT while potty training. A lot of dogs start behavior problems at puppy ages and you have to nip that before it gets out of hand. For behavior problems..read books or visit a dog forum and ask. There are some things you should never do for a puppy- encourage your puppy-don’t discourage.
Some Words on this Species:
Like any species- you have to do a lot of research before you buy. Puppies are adorable but you have to really know what you are doing to have an adult dog that is well training and maintained. Most puppies are advised to go to puppy classes to help. Just remember to be patient, ask for help, and do your research. If you do that.. you may have a new best friend who will follow you and lick your toes.
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