QUESTION
Should I spay or neuter my puppy?
I have heard vaccines may be bad for dogs is this true?
Do I really need to brush my dog’s teeth?
What might be toxic to my puppy?
What are some things I think might be toxic but are not?
What should I do if I think my puppy might be poisoned?
How Should I train my new puppy?
ANSWERS
Should I spay or neuter my puppy?
These small dogs are hard to breed without complications and it should not be done unless you are a trained professional breeder. Some of these small dogs die trying to give birth unless they are bred and cared for by people who really know what they are doing. Even then the cost and mortality rate can be high for the very small ones especially. The research on this is very clear. Unless you breed a dog they are many times more likely to die of cancer if they are not neutered.
Please spay or neuter your pet before they mature or reach their first heat. Neutering them at a young age is still the best way to make sure your baby is happy, relaxed, and doesn't fall prey to certain cancerous tumors later in life. The longer you wait after their first 6 to 7 months the more their chance of cancer later rises. Be responsible.... Please neuter your pet unless you are a breeder intent on breeding.
I have heard vaccines may be bad for dogs is this true?
This is a matter of great debate right now. In the current veterinary research it looks like we may be harming their immune systems by vaccinating too much. I will not try to speak for your veterinarian or your own judgment but please look into it. I work very closely with my vet and I make sure your puppy has all his "puppy shots" before he gets to you.
After a puppy loses his mother's natural immunity he does need some vaccinations. But the research strongly suggests that vaccinating more than every 3 to 5 years after that may be causing some of the cancers we see. Try finding a vet who will draw blood levels (titers) instead of just vaccinating. Also try to find one who understands giving dose appropriate shots instead of one size fits all. These little dogs are 5 pounds and under. In most cases you will find that drawing yearly blood work will show that he has many times the amt of vaccine that he needs still in his system. You can save him from having extra vaccines this way. Of course you need to be aware of your area and what is likely to be a problem for your dog. If you have a good reason for certain vaccines, then that is something to discuss with your vet.
It also makes a difference if he is kenneled instead of staying home, or an indoor or outdoor dog. All I ask is that you look into the debate, discuss it with your vet, and do what you think is right. My puppies have to be vaccinated before I can ship them as I never know what they will run in to. After that it is up to you, your vet, and your research into the subject. Again, don't just stop vaccinating or just blindly vaccinate. Talk to your vet and research it yourself well.
Try these websites for one for further info on vaccines:
Do I really need to brush my dog’s teeth?
One of the most important things you can do for your pet is to give them good oral hygiene. The days when we thought that a dog didn't need his teeth brushed are gone. Dogs have been domesticated and bred to be dependent on us. They need some help cleaning the tarter from their teeth before it turns into a teeth cleaning under anesthesia or major dental surgery.
Get instructions from your veterinarian about how to brush your best friend’s teeth every day and the best dog tooth paste to use. I recommend C.E.T. toothpaste that is usually available from your Vet. C.E.T. uses enzymes to break down the tarter and food particles. They also have a rinse and chews that have enzymes in them to supplement the tooth brushing. A link to a site that sells their product is on our link page. But because it is so important I will put it here too. I am not a big fan of the chews but I am of the toothpaste and rinses.
There is also another product I highly recommend, Oxyfresh, which when put in his drinking water will help prevent plaque and tarter from forming.
There are natural toothpaste's that are also good, (for these I recommend that you ask a holistic Veterinarian) but steer away from pet store brands and over the counter tooth pastes that contain sugar to make it taste good but do not include the enzymes to break down the sugar.
Do not just rely on your vet to glance in his mouth once a year. Make sure he gets a thorough dental exam once a year. This is very important for this breed. Often slight dental problems are missed. This is especially true of these tiny tots. Their mouths are very small and it is hard to see their teeth if they squirm around. So get used to examining and brushing your baby's teeth yourself. You will be the most likely one to find a problem before it gets big.
Your dog should NEVER have bad breath that lingers on. If he has bad breath there is a reason for it. Take him to the vet immediately and to a dental specialist if you need to. If periodontal disease is present they may lose teeth and the jaw bone will start to recede. Poison from the disease may enter his bloodstream eventually and may result in a drastically reduced life span.
What might be toxic to my puppy?
Here is a list of things considered to be toxic to your pet.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
Alcoholic beverages
Avocado
Chocolate (all forms)
Coffee (all forms)
Fatty foods
Macadamia nuts
Moldy or spoiled
foods
Onions, onion powder
Raisins and grapes
Salt
Yeast dough
Garlic
Products sweetened with xylitol
Medication
Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even
in small doses, include
Pain killers
Cold medicines
Anti-cancer drugs
Antidepressants
Vitamins
Diet Pills
Common Household Hazards
Fabric softener sheets
Mothballs
Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)
Warm Weather Hazards
Animal toxins (toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions)
Blue-green algae in ponds
Citronella candles
Cocoa mulch
Compost piles Fertilizers
Flea products
Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
Swimming-pool treatment supplies
Fly
baits containing methomyl
Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde
Cold Weather Hazards
Antifreeze
Liquid potpourri
Ice melting products
Rat and mouse bait
Holiday Hazards
Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria)
Electrical cords
Ribbons
or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause obstruction)
Batteries
Glass
ornaments
Click here for the latest on poisoning dangers
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/
What are some things I think might be toxic but are not?
The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals.
Water-based paints
Toilet bowl water
Silica gel
Poinsettia
Cat litter
Glue traps
Glow jewelry
What should I do if I think my puppy might be poisoned?
In spite of your best efforts, your animal may accidentally become poisoned. Being
prepared can save your pet’s life.
Know your vet's procedures for emergency situations,
especially ones that occur after business hours. Keep phone numbers for your veterinarian,
the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a local emergency veterinary service
in a convenient location.
Click on link to right for a printable and editable Pet Poison Information Sheet.
PET POISON INFO.pdf
Keep a pet poison safety kit on hand for emergencies.
Your kit should contain
A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
Can of your pet’s favorite wet food
Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medical syringe
Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for the animal after skin contamination
Rubber gloves
Forceps to remove stingers
Muzzle (Remember, an excited animal may harm you)
Pet carrier
Click on link to the right for a printable check list. PET POISON SAFETY KIT CHECK LIST.pdf
Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hotline at
1 (888) 426-4435.
A consultation fee may apply. When you call the center, please be ready to provide
Your name, address and telephone number
If you know what substance your pet has ingested
(If possible have the product container/packaging available for reference)
Provide information, if you know it, about the amount ingested and the time since exposure
Pet’s species, breed, age, sex and weight
All symptoms your pet is experiencing
How Should I train my new puppy?
More and more trainers are getting away from the choke chain and into positive reinforcement. "Clicker Training" is big right now and we have seen it work wonders. The "Gentle Leader" is not a choke chain, but a humane and well thought out system of gentle restraint that makes sense to the dog and includes rewards for good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior.
Especially with these smaller dogs it's important to win their love and trust without hurting them. You, in turn will get a lifelong companion that’s value cannot be measured. Please take your time and be prepared to train your puppy BEFORE you get him. He will be crate trained, but he is very young and he will make some mistakes.
Many people love these little guys and like to sleep with their dogs. That's great! You can discard the crate and your "baby" can sleep with you etc. Whatever you decide is ok, but please think it over before he gets to you and be consistent and patient. He doesn't speak English. He will need some time to adjust to your house and family and to be house trained to fit your needs. You can start him on paper or start right outside, but know how you want to train him ahead of time and remember, mistakes will happen. He needs time to understand the new rules in your house. So be gentle and patient.
Consult a trainer or read up on it before you get him you will both be happier for it. Don't forget to seatbelt your puppy securely in your car. Even better is to train him to ride seat belted in a well secured padded crate. Imagine you surviving a crash with your seat belt and air bag only to have your best friend thrown through a window or killed by flying glass etc. Please give this some thought.
