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A
puppy can be a wonderful addition to your household.
They are playful and quickly become a very important
member of your family.
When selecting your pet, remember your local animal
shelter has a large selection of puppies & dogs available
for adoption.Once
you have chosen your new addition the most important thing
to do for your puppy or dog is to take it to a veterinarian
for a check-up and shots.
This is important for the future health of your new
pet. Click on
our Events button for a listing of low cost vaccination clinics
at your neighborhood Petland Discounts or consult with a veterinarian
in your area.
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is a list of suggested items for the care of your new
pet.
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Petland
Discounts offers a variety of premium pet
food to meet your dog's nutritional requirements from
puppy hood through adulthood.
You may choose from Hills Science Diet, Triumph,
Iams, Eukanuba or Nutro. Ask your sales person to assist
you in selecting the proper food for your pet. |
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A
necessary item that attaches to your pets collar for identification
should you and your pet become separated. |
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A
wide variety collars, harnesses and matching leashes are
available. Select
a collar with enough room for growth but not so large
as to allow your puppy to chew on it while he is wearing
it. When a
collar is adjusted properly, you should be able to slip
2 fingers easily between the dog and the collar, but the
collar should not be able to slip over the head unless
unbuckled. Chocker
collars, which are made to slip over a dog's head, should
only be used for training purposes while walking your
dog. When
there is no pressure applied on this type of collar it
is loose enough for a dog to remove.
Getting your puppy used to a collar and leash early
will ease the training process later. |
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Pet
bowls are made to facilitate easy cleaning.
You may choose from plastic, ceramic or stainless
steel, individual dishes or double diners.
While choosing your pets dish is a personal preference,
take into consideration your lifestyle.
If giving your new pet water is going to be your
child's responsibility stay away from ceramic, which will
break if, dropped.
Non-tip dishes are designed to make it harder for
your playful new pet to tip his dish over while pet placemats
are available to contain any dish overflow.
Remember to wash your dog's bowl daily to prevent
bacteria from forming. |
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Whether
your new dog is a puppy or an adult, you will need to
provide it with chew toys.
While puppies may be teething, chewing also provides
entertainment for your pet as well as exercise and a way
to relieve frustration.
Select a variety of toys with different surfaces
to supplement your pets chewing needs and provide mental
stimulation. Choose
from tug toys, balls, stuffed toys, ropes, vinyl toys,
latex, rawhide or natural products, dental toys; such
as sterilized bones or chew hooves. |
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Treats
are a great way to supplement your pet's diet.
Choices include: bones, jerky snacks, cookies or
nuggets in different shapes and sizes both vitamin enriched
and regular. You
may also use treats in the training process as a reward
for a job well done. |
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Food
supplements containing additives as linoleic acid and
vitamins provide the essential fatty acids and other ingredients
that will help to make your dog's coat shiny and reduce
shedding. For
breeds that are prone to skin problems a supplement added
to the food can help to alleviate dry, flaky skin that
causes excess scratching. |
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Because
the pH level in a dog's skin is different from ours, it
is important to use shampoos designed specifically for
use on puppies or dogs.
Conditioners will reduce matting and tangles, especially
in longhair breeds and make brushing easier.
Slicker brushes, pin brushes, soft bristle brushes,
combs and shedding blades
are just some of your options.
Consult your Petland Discounts representative for
assistance in selecting the proper brush.
Dental
brushes and pastes are available to care for your dog's
teeth. Brushing
your dog's teeth on a regular basis will prevent future
problems. |
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Flea
and ticks can make your dogs life miserable, as
well as being a health risk.
The traditional flea sprays, powders and collars
are available as well as newer drops
and flea pills. Whatever
method of flea control you select remember to also treat
the environment using home sprays and outdoor yard and
kennel sprays. |
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House
training is essential to making your puppy an accepted
member of the family.
Dog-training crates are the key to making this
happen quickly and effectively.
Dogs are den animals by nature and will feel more
secure (especially in a new environment) if they have
a place that's just for them.
Pick a crate that is big enough so the dog can
stand and lie down in comfortably but also grow with your
pet. Too much
room will allow your puppy to eliminate in one end of
the crate and sleep in the other end thus making training
more difficult. To
prevent this, optional crate dividers are available allowing
you to expand your pet's space as he grows. |
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There
are various pet stain removers and deodorizers that will
help remove puppy stains from your carpet if an accident
should occur while training is in progress.
It is important to not only remove the stain but
also the odor since the odor is what will attract your
dog back to that same spot. |
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Once
trained a bed provides your pet with a place to call his
own. Most
dog beds are open on the top and available in wicker or
fabric to match your décor. |
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A
book will go into greater detail regarding all of the
topics mentioned above and is an invaluable tool for the
new dog owner. |
Remember:
that a dog is a man's best friend and like any good friendship
requires trust, love, patience and understanding.
You
can print this page out, or download the entire page
on .pdf here.
If
you do not have Adobe Acrobat get it here.
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