Last Modified: 8/8/08

"But now what?" Here are some tips on how to help you and your puppy survive the next two months! Good luck and stay positive, because all your time and efforts will be worth it.

Keep the puppy’s bottom clean and free of mats. This can be done by keeping the bottom shaved of hair. Check to make sure your puppy is having regular bowel movements. If your puppy does not have a bowel movement within 48 hours consult a vet. Within that time gently rubbing a warm, moist cloth over the bottom may help. Another alternative is an infant suppository.

Discharge from the eye ducks is a common problem and, if your puppy will allow it, can be helped with a carrot or half a carrot a day. Keep the area around the eyes and top of the nose clean and trimmed. If you wish to grow and groom the puppy hair in the traditional long style, with a top knot, be sure that the eyes stay clear of hair. If you do not want the hassle of a top knot, yet prefer the long coat, you can completely shave over the nose to slightly past the eyes and then cut the rest of the hair over the head in layers to keep hair out of the puppy's face. Also, look for lower eyelashes growing into the eyes. These can be simply plucked, although you may feel safer having it done by a groomer. You may avoid the problem all together by keeping the lower lashes carefully cut down to the skin. Discharge from the eyes, or Tear Stains, may be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and a cotton swab. Use separate swabs for each eye so as not to spread infection. You may also buy a Tear Stain solution at any pet store but I have not noticed any of them to work.

I am talking about one very specific problem; poop eating. Very disgusting and very nerve wracking. So what do you do!?! The first thing to note is that it is not a nutritional problem, but a behavior problem. If you find your new baby eating his poop start with a leash and collar. I know your baby is tiny, that is if you own a Shih Tzu or other small breed, but there are tiny collars that you can buy for them that will fit. Make sure you are taking them potty on a leash. To learn how to train them for a leash scroll down further. When you take them out, he potties then starts after his feces give him a quick but not too harsh tug on the leash. You want to get his attention, not hurt him. Also, make sure you are not giving him enough leash to actually eat the poop, but close enough to show his interest and try. When you tug on the leash say "No" loud and sharp. He should at least act like this has got his attention. Keep standing there to see if he goes back to it and keep this up until he loses interest and walks away. Praise him highly and go from there. The next time you go out do the same thing when he gets close to new or old feces until he loses interest. If you do not get lazy you will be able to discourage the habit forever and quickly.

Shots are administered in the neck and leave behind a bubble under the skin. Sometimes it moves a little and it can cause irritation. It is normal and safe if your puppy scratches it from time to time. Also remember that even though most puppies and dogs do not even notice the needle, it is still possible for one puppy/dog to flinch or yelp in pain. This does not mean there is a problem or that the shot was administered incorrectly. It just means your puppy is sensitive.

Next I recommend you end your vaccinations after the last Dapp in the puppy series (except the rabies, this shot must be given by law) IF your dog will be a strictly at home pet. The breakdown of the shot is D- Distemper A- Adenovirus 1 & 2 P- Parvo virus P- Parainfluenza. If you are taking your dog with you everywhere you go do not revaccinate every year. Learn what antibodies will weaken over time and how long that takes, then revaccinate accordingly. Take the time to do your research before you believe what your vet and shot manufacturers have to say. There are numerous sites on the internet written by veterinarians showing how harmful normal revaccinating can be, and that is besides the fact that they can be ineffectual. I am not pushing to discredit your vet, only encouraging you to become more knowledgeable. Also keep in mind that you will need to disregard everything I say if you plan on kenneling your dog, flying, or traveling by boat or car to another country. Airlines, country officials and kennels do not care about your opinion. Laws are there for yours, others and wildlife protection and you need to respect those laws. If you are going to be vaccinating your own puppy, or having a friend do so for you, please be sure that you pay attention to the brand that is administered. I have learned that vaccines made from Fort Dodge (Duramune vaccines) are most likely to cause a serious allergic reaction in some dogs. If you are administering this shot, please be sure you give your dog a child's sized dose of Benadryl to your small dog before vaccinating, to ward off a reaction. If you have a choice I would only purchase from your vet or the brands Progard and Galaxy. These two brands are least likely to cause any reactions to a dog and are deemed safe by many veterinarians. Please do not try to vaccinate your dog alone without the help of a professional or vet. I will also warn you that your vet is very unlikely to agree to show you how to administer a shot and watching is not enough education. Never allow a sick puppy to be vaccinated. The shots can be harmful for a pup whose immune system is low. If your puppy is not feeling well it will not hurt them to have their vaccines delayed.

There are many diseases that can be passed from pest to dog, rodent to dog, cat to dog, dog to dog, etc. Luckily, there are rare to no human to dog diseases, so you cannot give your puppy the flu or cold when it circulates your home or neighborhood. Watch for the other animals and pests that can hurt your dog. Rabies is dangerous and deadly. It can be passed from any animal to any animal or human. there are precautions, including the vaccine. It is required by law for a reason. Pests can pass several diseases including, Lyme, Respiratory, and Heart diseases. There are many preventatives to keep your puppy healthy. For more information please visit Pest Control. There are other diseases that can be passed from animal to animal, like Parvo. For more information on Parvo please visit The Parvo Virus. There is one disease I want to highlight if you have rodents as pets, as well as dogs. It is recently learned that Guinea Pigs can carry a type of Upper Respiratory Disease without showing symptoms, ever. This can be passed to your dog and can be deadly. As with buying any other pet, you should be well aware of where your tiny pets are coming from to ensure the health of all in your home.

There are different types of hernia in dogs. The most common is the umbilical hernia and is caused by trauma to the umbilical cord during delivery. It is not hereditary, and cannot be passed to future pups. There seems to be debate on this hernia since many pet sites state the exact opposite of what I have said, but I have watched my pups be born and hernias have rarely occured and only in pups when the dam has pulled in trying to cut the cord or has cut the cord way too close to the pup. Since there is a debate on this subject it is best you know both sides so you may make the best decision for your dog. The chance of your dog having a problem with an umbilical hernia is 50%. Hernias are caused by an opening in the stomach muscles that allows organs to pass through. The danger a hernia poses is the possibility of organs getting caught in the opening and being kinked. If this happens it could kill your dog. It may not happen for years, regardless of activity level, or it may never happen at all. Puppies are under no danger while they wait to become old enough for spay and neuter surgeries when the hernias are repaired. It does make altering surgery more expensive because your vet is doing two surgeries in one visit. Floating hernias are not uncommon. As odd as it is, some hernias seem to heal themselves. Many puppies will have a hernia for awhile, but then it disappears. It may come and go for a time to then completely heal and never return. Nothing is wrong in this case, consider yourself lucky.

Another type of hernia is an inguinal hernia. This hernia will be located in the back leg. They can be extremely large and look really terrible. There may be one on each side of the groin or only on one side. The good news is that most of these hernias shrink as the puppy grows. They can happen in male and female puppies. t Should you wish to have it repaired the surgery would take place during spay or neuter surgery, but it is mostly recommended waiting to see if it heals itself. It can threaten the health of your puppy if the opening is big enough to allow the intestines or the uterus to be caught. It is hereditary and if a bitch produces pups with these hernias she should be retired from breeding.

The last type is diaphragmatic hernia. These form from accidents when the diaphragm tears and the abdominal muscles and organs become caught. Puppies may vomit, have labored breathing and decreased activity. This can be harmful for your dog and needs to be corrected when found.

If you plan on using a groomer please beware. I suggest you keep a close eye on your groomer. Be no less cautious then if you were sending your child to a sitter or day care. It is normal for animals to be uncooperative and a few nicks will result. It is not normal for animals to come home with serious injuries like cut nipples, black eyes, broken or cracked bones, cut tongue, etc unless you know your dog is hard to control and in that case your dog should be sedated. I do not recommend shaving your puppy’s face or tail to the skin. These are areas that are bound to bleed profusely if they are nicked.

Whining may suggest the puppy is cold and you will want to remove it from all drafts, add extra blankets, add a stuffed animal, or even try a heating pad. If you are sure of its warmth, try putting a clock in its kennel that makes a distinct ticking noise. The stuffed animal also works like the clock and it may be a good idea to use them together. Just like birds prefer a mirror your puppy may need a companion and a stuffed animal is the perfect solution. If you give the puppy something with your scent or its mother’s be sure not to wash it until the puppy is comfortable with its surroundings or you might end up right back where you started.

If you have a multiple small dog home keep in mind that other dogs will make good companions and supply plenty of warmth. My puppies are all used to having multiple companions and unless your established pets are aggressive to the new little one you may want to allow them to spend their sleeping and rest hours together. Make perfectly sure about aggression from your other pets so that you can be sure to keep them separated until they are more comfortable together. You may also have to keep the puppy separated if your other dog is not used to spending time in a crate. You do not want to upset your other pets by changing the routine and rules in which they are already adapted.

Be careful not to overdo your puppy’s exercise. Puppies can get overly excited and stressed so carefully screen it's playtime. Hold your puppy as much as you want and can as this will make it yours but remember that it is still a puppy and will need plenty of rest. I would suggest it stay in the kennel for a good three-fourths of the day. When you bring the puppy out make sure the play is more quality time than quantity. Between three and four months you may start to let the puppy have more time out as it will not get as excited as easily.

Most new owners find this pretty easy, but for those of you who don't, it can be. All puppies hate the leash when it first goes on. Keep in mind that they have to get used to being restrained and they will not always do so willingly. Training is, mostly, a few tricks that some of us have learned with time and practice. Allowing your puppy to play with the leash while it is not on them is the starting point. Make it a toy that is theirs. Let them pull it around and bark at it. Show them it is something they do not have to fear. When they no longer pay attention to it put it on while they play inside and, without holding it, let them do as they wish with it. They will run around and bark at it more, chew on it and try to rub it off. You can distract them by bringing out their toy or playing chase with them or barking with them; whatever games you and your puppy already enjoy. Once he becomes used to wearing it, take ahold of the leash and follow him around with it. Do not start leading him until he becomes used to having you hold it. Do this until he stops being interested and switch to leading him from one spot to the other, praising him when he follows willingly and without hesitation. Once he is comfortable in the house you can take him outside. Let him go where he wants, only guiding him when he goes where he is not allowed. Otherwise, let him get used to walking with it before you start on general leash commands. When he becomes comfortable with going outside on the leash you can start training him to follow you where you want him to go and then "heel" and whatever else you wish him to do. Just be patient, not all lessons are learned quickly.

Above all you must remember that animal stomachs are different from your own. I do not recommend table scraps of any kind to be given your puppy before it is one year old. A number of problems can result from this indulgence. Puppies can develop sick stomachs, allergies, loss of hair, tooth decay and many other problems; all of which can become serious and deadly. Even with adults I recommend you keep your dog on an appropriate diet with the only deviation being eggs and cheese. The eggs can be given as often as you want in any form as long as it is fully cooked and the cheese only on occasion as it dulls your dog's senses. You might as well take the safe route and only allow treats and meals that are veterinarian approved for small breed puppies and dogs to ensure your puppy lives more than 10 years which, scary enough, seems to be the new life span.

I encourage all new owners to spay/neuter their new puppies or dogs unless they are specifically planning to breed or show and are aware of the dangers and stress and have someone to help you as you learn. If you did not, previously, decided to show or breed your dog you should not be doing so in the future. Delaying the surgery in case you change your mind is not safe for your dog, far from safe for the possible puppies and very irresponsible. Breeding your pet because others tell you they would have nice puppies is not a reason to breed. If you wanted to have a litter to keep a puppy or for family, that decision should have been made before you bought your pet so that you would have the advice and opinions needed to buy the healthiest dog for breeding.

Spay and neuter surgeries are available for every income and there is usually a capable vet or clinic within a reasonable distance. Spay and neuter surgeries are not harmful unless your dog suffers from a heart condition or it is deemed dangerous for them to be put under. Spaying and neutering is encouraged by all dog and cat associations to stop the unwanted and unsupervised breeding of dogs and cats and the ever rising count of animals filling our shelters and dying in pounds. Spaying and neutering is also the best way to keep your pet as healthy as possible. Dogs not altered and not bred are prone to ulcers and cancer. It is not a promise, but it is a threat that puts many dogs at risk. If you have no desire to breed your dog, there is no point in delaying the surgery. The older your dog is, the harder and more expensive the surgery may become. Early spay and neuter is best since unaltered dogs not bred are also prone to alterations in behavior, usually for the worse. This not only applies to females, but males also. Many a male can become very aggressive even if once very sweet and well behaved. If you cannot promise that your boy will mate once a year, you should have him spayed for his own health and your sanity.

If you need one more reason to spay and neuter I have had many calls from owners who had left their unaltered pets in the hands of another person or had left their dog unattended in a back yard and came home to find a pregnant dog or their male ran when it smelled a heating female. No one is perfect enough to be able to promise this will never happen, and trained vets who do these surgeries daily will not harm your pet, in fact they may prolong their life. Spay/Neuter Clinics are usually the best way to go since they perform these surgeries several times daily and are the most experienced. As I have used them myself I can vouch for their expertise. If you are one of the unfortunate owners of a pregnant dam you did not want bred, the spay/neuter clinics are able to spay her and humanely terminate the pregnancy without hurting your dog. Many humane societies and rescues frequently terminate pregnancies to keep from bringing unwanted dogs into a world that will kill them and to maintain the health of the dam for a happy life in a good home.

I must repeat that none of this is guaranteed. I have heard of one dog that lived a long life without being spayed and it did not alter her personality in any way. The owners had been able to keep her from males while she heated and she never suffered any ill affects. No one can make you spay or neuter your dog, at least not yet (there is always some sort of legistaltion up for consideration), but I hope you will not want to risk the health of your dog or the possible puppies by leaving them unaltered. If you would like to find a spay/neuter clinic near you please visit Veterinarians & Hospitals and scroll down to your state for a list of clinics near you.

Consider supplying water to your puppy through a water bottle rather than a dish. This makes for less mess and cleanup and will keep your puppy’s nose clear. You may think this cruel and too difficult, but your puppy will not know the difference.

Puppies should be eating a good brand of puppy food for their size. Make sure that Large breed puppie are eating a large breed formula, which usually has larger kernels. Small breed puppies should be eating a small breed formula with tiny kernels so they do not choke. Puppies are eating hard dog food between the ages of 6 weeks and 9 weeks, depending on when their teeth come in. I do not recommend soft dog food ever. Hard dog food is better for their teeth, now and the ones to come, and it will also fill their bellies better than canned. If you are cooking a raw diet, then make sure thy are getting raw, hard carrots to eat to keep their teeth and eyes healthy. How ofte your puppy eats depends upon their diet, breed and health. Puppies that are eating a raw diet, soft diet, medium to large breed, or gobble their food to the point of indegestion should be put on a feeding schedule. It may be two to three times a day depending on the dog and the diet. If you have a shih tzu, maltese, yorkie or similar breed they should have constant access to their food; like a cat. They can be put on a schedule, but it tends to make their stomachs hurt, stunt their growth and make them sick because their stomachs are made to take tiny amount soft food periodically all day long. This will not make it harder to potty train if you are using the crate method explained above. There are occasions where this will not work, like with a puppy that eats more than it should and is overweight. If you need suggests for what food to feed your puppy, talk to the one you get it from.

Do not change your puppies diet for the first month and then you need to mix new with the old in equal amounts for another month before you can completely switch. If you have picked up a stray or it is impossible to purchase the food the puppy was previously eating you can switch, but be prepared for a months worth of diarrhea. If you are planning on changing the food in the future I will only use Iams all natural or I purchase from a company that make an organic brand that delivers to my door. I do not have a list of companies for every area, but if you live in Georgia you can go to my Information Page for the companies available here or you can do an interent search for "All natural dog food" and your state for a company near you. Most of these companies will not have a Puppy brand, rather they will tell you which formula will have the best protein and fat content for the age of your dog.

Watch what your puppy puts in her mouth. Because everything is new to them, puppies will eat anything. If she ingests an item that her stomach is unused to the item will become lodged in her stomach and require surgery to remove. Make sure to keep children’s toys, scouring pads, diapers, pens and pencils, soap, hair accessories, and all other small items off the floor. Also watch your puppy outside. They love to chew on grass which will also build up and become lodged in their stomach.

Do not over-stress about your puppy. Animals are like an emotional magnet. They sense everything and can easily become overloaded by the sensations. I am sure that some of you are a little intimidated or naturally stress or worry more than others but it is a very unhealthy habit for you, your family, and mostly your pet. Relax! Let your puppy enjoy the peace that comes with serenity. They will not trust you to take care of them if they know you are constantly worried. So calm down and think things through and if you need help ask for it before it becomes a problem. I am always willing to answer your questions and love that you trust me enough to ask for my opinion.

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*For questions or comments, please email me at The Georgia Shih Tzu