Puppies

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting, life–changing decision. Here are some puppy–specific tips to make your new friend's welcome warm and lasting.

Selecting Your Puppy

A puppy's adult personality is fairly well defined as early as seven weeks of age, so it’s an excellent age to "test" a prospective pet. There are some distinct qualities to look for when picking out a new pooch.

• Look for the puppy that's willing to relax when cradled in your arms for a minute or two. Puppies that fight, bite or struggle may not be able to handle stressful situations or restraints such as leashes.

• Try to startle the puppy with a loud noise, like dropping your keys during a quiet moment. A puppy that runs and hides may always fear loud noises and eventually may display destructive behavior or soil the house.

• If you're selecting a puppy from a litter, the attraction test is instructive and fun. Get on your hands and knees, and call to the puppies as a group. A curious puppy that responds immediately is likely to be people oriented as an adult.

Protecting Your Puppy

As your new puppy grows, it faces a variety of parasites and infectious organisms, some of which pose a threat to humans. A preventive health–care program is the foundation of a long and healthy life, so it is important to take your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you don't already have a veterinarian, click here to sign up for Veterinarian Locator service, free from Merial.com. While the list does not cover every threat to the health of your puppy or replace veterinary care, it is an excellent place to start discussions with your veterinarian.

Your Puppy's Vaccination Schedule

No matter what kind of puppy you've selected, its vaccination schedule should begin at six to eight weeks of age. After that, revaccinations are necessary to keep your dog healthy. See your veterinarian to establish a vaccination and revaccination schedule.