The Puppy Pages

Before you get a puppy, you should be very prepared for the responsibility that you are taking on. A puppy is not disposable- you cannot just "get rid" of it if the puppy becomes a burdon on your lifestyle. You are responsible for caring of that puppy for it's entire life.

No puppy is perfect- they will all have accidents on your carpet and chew on your favorite shoes if left unattended. It is your responsiblity to watch the puppy and to properly train him or her. There is no "dumb dog", but there are inexperienced pet owners that fail their puppy by not properly training them. The puppy should not be penalized for your lacking skills.

If you are not an experienced pet owner, you should take your puppy to classes so your puppy can learn what is needed, and you can learn how to teach. Puppies cannot be taught everything in one day- training is a constant process, and it is your responsiblity.

You also need to decide where you are going to get your puppy from. If you're set on getting a purebred puppy, you should check out a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders compete with their dogs in conformation, hunting trials, etc and have titled dogs. They also do health checks on their dogs before they are bred- these health checks test for problems that may effect their offspring- hip problems, eye problems, etc. You can also go to a purebred rescue group of your breed of choice. Rescue dogs are NOT "bad dogs". They are dogs that were purchased by irresponsible owners who did not understand the kind of responsibility they were taking on. Some of these dogs were neglected, abused, or turned over to the rescue group due to their owners moving, having children, etc. Rescue groups evaluate each dog carefully and make sure they are suitable to be with you and your lifestyle. A rescue group will not allow you to adopt a dog from them unless they feel you are a perfect match with the dog. Rescue dogs will already be spayed or neutered when you get them, and have up to date shots and most likely a microchip.

Puppy Kong Starter Kit

You can also get your dog from your local shelter. Getting a dog from a shelter is very similar to getting one from a rescue group. They will either already be spayed/neutered or you will recieve a coupon to get it done for free. They will be up to date on their shots and usually have a microchip as well.

Backyard Breeder's are not good to get dogs from. A Backyard Breeder is someone who breeds their pets that have not had health screens to check for problems such as hip disorders, eyes, etc., and the dogs are not titled in anything. With a dog from this type of breeder, typically you will run into health problems during the pups life, and temperment issues. These types of dogs may be cheaper to purchase, but you will be paying more in the long run- vet bills, etc. For instance, many years ago a friend gave my brother a purebred Labrador Retriever as a gift. The dog was a product of a backyard breeder and purchased for a mere $20. That $20 dog later became my dog, and cost me a small fortune in vet bills. He was a very nice dog, but he had eyelashes that grew in towards his eyes, and even after 2 surgeries, the problem was never completely corrected. He had massive skin problems which caused him to be on medication for most of his life, as well as hip problems, which is why he had to be put to sleep.

A pet store is the absolute worst place you can get a pet. If you are at all sensitive about mistreatment of animals, please do not read any further.

Pet shops get their dogs through a puppy mill. A puppy mill is a facility that keeps their dogs in small cages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These dogs are left to lay in their own feces, they are fed sawdust mixed in with dog food as a "filler"- the sawdust sticks to their teeth like glue which causes rapid tooth decay and infection. They are bred every time they come into season (every 6 months) and recieve no vet care during their lives whatsoever. When the females are no longer able to produce puppies, they are either shot, beaten to death or drown.

Purchasing a puppy from a pet shop keeps this process going. If we can all stop buying puppies from these shops, they will no longer supply them- If no one is buying, they wont have a reason to do this. Don't even buy a toy from a store that sells dogs- give them no money, and they will go out of business.

Important Puppy Events

Age	What To Expect
3-5 Weeks	Puppy Teeth Come In
6 Weeks	First Shots Due
8 Weeks	Second Puppy Shot
12 Weeks	Third Puppy Shot
16 Weeks	Rabies Vaccine (Some States Give between 12-20 weeks of age)
16-30 Weeks	Adult Teeth Begin To Come In
5-6 Months	Puppy can be Spayed/Neuterd. (Some states allow this earlier/later)

Puppies can get into trouble, whether its eating inedible objects or exploring dangerous places it is always a good idea to have pet insurance plans. You can also purchase insurance for dogs of any age that will protect against aging health issues and unforeseeable accidents. Learn more today about health insurance for pets and choose the best plan for your dog and your budget.