Taking care of a new puppy

'A dog is for life, not just for Christmas' It's an old saying but it's very true. it's a hard fact but thousands of puppies every year are handed to rescue centres or worse, due to the fact that the owners haven't thought through the time and cost implications and have only thought about it's cuteness Animal Rescue Centres shouldn't be the place that pets are taken to in January this is why the charities that we work with, close their doors to people wanting to adopt and this time of year.

Apart from time and commitment a new puppy needs several things apart from love; it requires vaccinations, puppy toys to play with and many other things!

Our Puppy Guide is aimed at educating and helping beginners to seasoned dog breeders. Before you take the plunge, make sure you've read through everything. Caring for new Puppies

Caring for a new puppy is a full time job, owners need to be on hand at all times to ensure your puppies health when the Mother is not present, If you're tasked with bringing up a new born puppy here are some things that you need to take into consideration.

Bottle Feeding Puppies

The mother of a puppy usually supplies him or her with all of the food they need from birth to six weeks old You will need to feed the puppy yourself from a bottle, like you would a baby. There is specifically designed puppy formula available from a whole host of retailers You should also take them to see a qualified veterinarian. The vet will be able to tell you everything you need to do, from how to feed your new pup to what vaccinations need to be administered.

A newborn puppy requires feeding every few hours As you reach the six week period, this is the time to extend the periods between feeding as the puppy gets older

Cleaning

Cleaning a puppy not only does the obvious but it's also an education as the puppy will learn from what you do They'll quickly pick up on what they have to do in order to keep themselves clean A sponge or a damp towel is the best way of cleaning them and you should always make sure that you dry them as well.

Vet Care

It's time to take your puppy to the vets once you're they're two weeks old. The vet will offer advice on a range of things, like solid foods and vaccinations. Don't forget to get your pet microchipped.