By Joe Spoo DVM

In the last article we talked about the steps to take in preparing to get a new puppy; in this article, we will look at what to do once you get the little bundle home.

The most important thing to do once you acquire your new hunting partner is to have him checked out by your veterinarian. At the first visit be sure to bring along any of the paperwork the breeder sent with you, especially those indicating the shots that have been given. Also be aware of the food being fed and make sure to bring in a fresh stool sample.

Unfortunately puppies and parasites go hand-in-hand, and if your pup is carrying any guests in his intestinal tract, you’ll want to deal with them immediately. Some parasites are able to be transmitted to people, particularly young children, and so it is important to ensure every one is practicing good hygiene. While puppies are cute to hug and kiss, it’s best to hold off on such intimate affection until the pup gets the “all clear” from your veterinarian.

Many people want to give their dogs a “wormer” and think everything will be ok. While this may take care of some parasites, there are a number of parasites and most require different types of medications, which means there is not just one catch-all wormer. This is why it is necessary to bring the stool sample. Many parasites also require multiple- timed wormings in order to break a cycle, and this also varies depending on the parasite.

Recently there has been a lot of attention given to the frequency of vaccinations for our pets. While there may be some changes on the horizon for adult dogs, the one thing we do know is that puppies need multiple vaccines in order to be protected against many of the diseases we vaccinate. Typically the schedule will be to vaccinate every 3-4 weeks until your pup is around 15 weeks of age…it is important to note these are just rough guidelines, and the protocol your veterinarian uses may be slightly different.

The reason for the multiple shots is that when puppies are born they receive antibodies (protection against disease) from mom in their first milk. These maternal antibodies slowly decrease over time, and as they decrease, the puppy’s body is able to make its own antibodies in response to the vaccine. The hope is that with the multiple shots, at least one of the series will stimulate the immune system, and the final shot in the series will “boost” the immune system to protective levels.

Depending on the time of year, you will also want to talk with your veterinarian about protecting your pup from other parasites, like fleas, ticks and heartworms. There are monthly preventatives for each of these, and the first visit is often a good time to get educated about these diseases and to start the medication for protection against them.

Not only do you need to start the health care of your new hunting buddy upon arrival, but it is also important to start very basic training, or more appropriately, rule setting. I think most of us have advanced beyond the old wives’ tales that good hunting dogs need to be full-time kennel dogs, and while some dogs may spend a portion of their time in a kennel, it is important to get your dog plenty of socialization with you and your family, as well as setting guidelines for behavior in the house. These dogs are not only our great hunting companions, they are also often the best ambassadors for our sports. The better behaved they are, the better image they project.

I am a big believer in using a dog crate in a lot of the early training. A couple of things about dogs in general: first it is important to never use the crate as a means of punishment. The crate needs to be a place of comfort and security for your pup. Secondly there are only two secrets to dog training and they are consistency and timing…and these apply to simple things like house training, as well as more complicated situations out in the field.

While I do not expect a dog to really start learning until they are 4-6 months old, by being consistent in rules (i.e. no biting, chewing on only toys, etc.) and timing (only correct if the dog is caught in the act) you can start laying the groundwork for training very early in your pup’s life.

Puppies are a lot of work, something we always seem to forget when undertaking the challenge, but by being prepared and having a plan, you can spend your time enjoying your new addition instead of struggling to find anything cute about the little bundle of teeth and destruction.