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If you have a puppy, ring the surgery and tell them you want to make an appointment for a ‘new puppy visit’. You should take your puppy for an examination early in the first week you have him. Take with you any medical records your new dog might have, including any vaccination information. If your dog is on medication, take these along too. Tell the veterinarian what the puppy is being fed. You may also be asked about where the puppy was born and need to give information about its parents. The veterinarian may also ask you to bring along a fresh stool sample.

Here are some of the things the veterinarian will examine your puppy for:
* Congenital defects; many dog breeds have specific health issues and these need to be checked for and monitored.
* Internal and external parasites; dogs are born with these so need to be treated as puppies. Worming your dog is something you will need to do regularly
* Ear and mouth health
* Healthy paws
* Correct temperature

If you have any questions about your dog’s care, now is the time to ask them. The veterinarian may also give you information on vaccinations, worm treatment, nutrition, spaying and neutering.

Vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, rabies and parvovirus may need to be scheduled for your dog, depending on what vaccinations he already has and what is required by your state. Your veterinarian should be able to discuss these with you on your first visit. You should keep a vaccination card as a record of all shots your dog has had. This card will also have information about your dog’s breed and where it was born and your contact details on it. It is a useful record for your dog’s identity.

Hopefully your first visit to the veterinarian will be a positive one, so as your dog will not be adverse to any subsequent trips he may have to make.

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1. Food for your dog. If you are getting a puppy, make sure the food you have is appropriate for puppies. Talk to the pet store or veterinarian about the most appropriate food for your dog.
2. A leash for walking your dog. Once your dog is off your property, you should always have it on a leash.
3. A collar and ID tag. Your dog must always have its ID tag on its dog collar. The tag will contain information about your dog, such as its name, and how to contact the owner should your dog get lost.
4. Two dog bowls – one for water and one for food. Make sure you clean these regularly.
5. Kennel. Your dog needs warm shelter to keep out of the weather so unless you are going to have an ‘inside dog’, you need to provide your dog with a place to sleep at night, such as a dog kennel.
6. Bedding for your dog to sleep in. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be bought from the pet store or you can make up a comfortable place with old blankets and cushions for your dog to sleep on. A crate is useful for puppies to sleep in.
7. Dog toys! Dogs love to chew things and chase balls. Make sure you have a few on hand for your dog to play with. Ensure you get ones that are the right size for your dog. You don’t want ones that are too small and can be swallowed by your dog.
8. A brush and other grooming implements, especially if you have a long haired dog. Long haired dogs need extra care to keep their coats looking healthy and neat. You may need to purchase different types of combs, for untangling knots and getting at the dog’s undercoat. Make sure you know what type of grooming tools your need for your breed of dog.
9. Nail clippers to keep your dog’s nails neat. There are special dog nail clippers available.
10. Dog shampoo for when you give your dog a bath.

Once you have your basic items to care for your dog, you can safely bring it home and begin to enjoy your new family member.

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Your dog needs to have an identity tag and regular vaccinations. Check what your local laws require. The dog tag should be attached to the dog’s collar and have your name, address and contact phone number on it, in case your dog gets lost. Once you have brought your dog home, you will need to take it to the veterinarian for health check-ups and vaccinations on a regular basis.

You need to feed your dog regularly! Provide him with adequate fresh water every day and enough healthy food for his breed type. Investigate the amount and type of food required for your dog.

Grooming is important for dogs. You must bathe your dogs once a month and keep their coats brushed and free from ticks and fleas. A dog’s teeth are very important and care is required to keep them healthy. Your dog’s ears and eyes must also be cleaned often and watched for diseases. You may also need to clip your dog’s nails on a regular basis. You may not have the time to carry out these tasks or feel confident enough to do them. That’s okay – you can always hire a dog groomer to groom your dog for you.

A dog needs plenty of exercise, and generally the bigger the dog, the more exercise it will need. If you are not prepared to exercise your dog on a daily basis then perhaps you should think about getting another kind of pet. Not only is regular exercise good for your dog’s health, but it also gives him the opportunity to be with you. Dogs crave company and like to be with their ‘pack’ as much as possible. Remember when you are walking your dog he should always be on a leash.

Unless you are a dog breeder, it’s a good idea to get your dog spayed or neutered. Not only will this stop unwanted puppies arriving, it will also give your dog a longer, healthier life.

You may want to take your dog to obedience class. This will enable you to socialize your dog and give you more time together. Dogs are loyal companions and want nothing more than to be with their owner.

Caring for your dog should not be a difficult task, but an enjoyable one for both you and your loving pet.

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DogOwnerGuide.com is a Dog Training membership site. Dog Training That Allows YOU To Finally STOP All Those Annoying Dog Behavior Problems… Once And For All. Visit us at http://www.dogownerguide.com

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