(with Expert Advice from Bernadine Cruz, DVM, American Kennel Club Spokesperson Lisa Peterson and Kevin Michalowski, dog trainer and author of 15 Minutes to a Great Puppy)

Immunizations are one the most important ways to protect your new puppy. Shots keep your puppy from developing common diseases and can even save your puppy’s life. However, veterinarians have several different philosophies about shots schedules. Some vets feel that your puppy should be immunized once every two weeks with a combination shot that protects your puppy from seven different diseases. Others feel that puppy should be immunized every four weeks. Still other veterinarians believe that puppies should not be given combination shots.

Dr Bernadine Cruz, DVM, says, “Which vaccines are needed by a puppy depends on their life style and the part of the United States in which they live. A puppy that is going to be very sheltered and not travel with the owner will need different vaccines than the one that goes hiking and biking with the owner. Vaccines are normally started around 6 to 8 weeks of age. They are usually repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the pet is 4 months of age. There can be exceptions, so the final vaccine schedule should be determined by the attending veterinarian on a case by case basis.”

American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson has very similar advice for new puppy owners. “There are three major boosters, given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Based on where you live, your puppy may also need Lyme disease or corona vaccines. This is especially important in the northeast region of the United States . Your puppy will also need a Rabies shot after 16 weeks and before six months.”

Kevin Michalowski, author of the new book 15 MINUTES TO A GREAT PUPPY, explains why vaccines are so important. “While nursing, puppies receive valuable antibodies from their mother’s milk, but that natural immunity begins to disappear early on and may be completely gone by weaning. Consequently, by 8 to 10 weeks of age, puppies are susceptible to a number of diseases. It’s vital to take young dogs to the vet early for check-ups and initial shots.

Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for at what age you should vaccinate against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza, bordatella, Lyme disease and rabies. In some cases the vaccinations will require more than one visit to the vet.”

Finally, before you selected immunization schedule for your puppy, talk to your vet about the pros and cons of all the different immunization schedules. Some dog breeds are more sensitive to vaccinations than other dog breeds. You also may want to discuss leaving your puppy with your vet for a few hours when he receives his first immunizations in case he has a reaction.

In Lesson 4, you will learn about preventative medications that puppies should take.

Until then, don’t forget to give your puppy plenty of hugs and kisses,
Katelyn

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(with Expert Advice from Bernadine Cruz, DVM, American Kennel Club Spokesperson Lisa Peterson and Anyes Van Volkenburgh, DVM )

I asked our dog care experts what the first thing new owners should do when it comes to veterinary care. Surprisingly enough, they didn’t say “Get your puppy vaccinated.” Although puppy immunizations are incredibly important, there are a few things you should consider before getting those puppy shots.

Dr. Bernadine D. Cruz, a companion animal veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital , in California , said, “Establish a partnership with your veterinarian. Both of you are responsible for ensuring that the pet experiences the best quality of life. The veterinarian is the family’s ‘puppi-atrician’. The pet parent needs to be comfortable with this person. They need to feel that they can speak freely with the doctor and that the doctor understands their needs and those of the pet. Pet parents may need to interview several vets before they find the one that they click with.

The cost of maintaining a healthy life for a puppy can be unexpectedly more than a person has budgeted for. I always recommend that people invest in veterinary medical insurance, especially one that offers a rider for ‘wellness.’ These riders can help to offset the fees incurred for vaccines, deworming, heartworm medications, neutering and other routine medical costs.”

American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson has a different concern. She said that people need to be sure that the new puppy is healthy before they become attached. She recommends taking the new puppy, whether it is purchased from a breeder or adopted from a local animal shelter, to the veterinarian within 72 hours of purchase.

Lisa Peterson said, “Do not go to the vet recommended by your puppy store. You need an independent opinion to make sure the puppy is as healthy as the seller says it is. This way, if there is a problem, you can take it back before you are emotionally attached.”

While most veterinarians are concerned about the overall health of a dog, Dr Anyes Van Volkenburgh, DVM is especially concerned with treating the whole dog, including mind, body and soul as a holistic veterinarian. Dr. Van Volkenburgh said, “It is essential to choose a progressive veterinarian who is willing to provide cutting edge, state of the art medical care, from puppy vaccines to geriatric patient care. Old school vaccine protocols have no place in modern veterinary medicine.”

Now that you know what to do to make your first trip to the veterinarian a success, it is time to find out how to keep your puppy strong and healthy. In Lesson 3, you will learn about puppy immunizations and preventative medications that are important for the new puppy.

Until then, don’t forget to give your puppy plenty of hugs and kisses,
Katelyn

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With expert advice from AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson & obedience instructor Maralyn Redford

Many people think that crate training a puppy is mean. However, crate training your puppy is a fast and effective way to housebreak him and the kennel will keep him safe when you aren’t able to supervise him. In fact, according to American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson, “The biggest mistake a new puppy owner can make is not using a crate. People who don’t know better think its cruel, but its the best way to build confidence in the puppy.”

You should purchase your kennel before your puppy arrives. Don’t buy the biggest crate you can find. Your puppy will feel more secure in a crate that is just big enough for him to stand up and turn around. Also, a crate that is too big makes your puppy more prone to having accidents in the crate, since he can choose a potty corner and still stay clean.

Follow these simple steps to quickly crate train your new puppy:

* Put a fleece pad or a towel in the crate.
* Add a favorite toy so the puppy can amuse himself.
* Take your puppy for a walk.
* Place your puppy in the crate and praise him. Give him a treat.
* Leave him in the crate and ignore him if he fusses.
* Take him out after fifteen or twenty minutes, but do not make a big deal about it.
* Immediately, take him for a walk and praise him. Play with him for fifteen minutes to a half hour.
* Put him back in the crate and make a big fuss over him.
* Leave him in the crate a few minutes longer than the last time.
* Repeat these steps, gradually increasing the time he spends inside the crate.
* Eventually, you will be able to leave your puppy in the crate for several hours.

Remember not to make a fuss over your little guy when you let him out, but do make a big deal about him going into the crate. This keeps him from crying and whining when he is crated.

Finally, if you aren’t convinced you should crate train your puppy, there is another important reason for crate training - travel. According to obedience trainer Maralyn Redford, “A crate can become a puppy’s portable home and keep him safe when you can’t watch him. A dog that is comfortable in a crate has a portable home, and you can take him anywhere safely.”

In lesson two, we will cover taking your new puppy to the veterinarian.

Until then, don’t forget to give your puppy plenty of hugs and kisses,
Katelyn

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