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If you think all you have to do is play with your puppy and feed him in order to take care of him, think again.  Puppy care is a huge responsibility and it is much like taking care of a small child.If you have a full breed puppy, you have to find out how to take care of the specific breed because the protocol can be different.For example, Chihuahua puppy care requires certain types of food for optimum health and different vaccinations than other breeds.

Food Basics of Puppy Care

Choose a dry food and avoid cheap, generic brands in puppy care.  Buy only brand name dog foods to make sure you are getting a quality product.  If you have a large breed dog, choose food made for large breed dogs.  Don’t judge dog foods by their vitamin and mineral content because often times over-supplementation of vitamins and minerals can lead to hip dysplasia.  
Try not to give your puppy too many special treats like milk bone biscuits in puppy care because they are not that nutritional.  Canned dog food is okay on occasion but it is best to stick with dry food because it is inexpensive, easy, and better for your puppy’s teeth.  In puppy care it is important to avoid giving human food to your puppy because it can cause digestive problems.

In young puppy care, it is best to offer food three times a day.If your puppy doesn’t feel hungry that often, you can reduce the frequency and when he reaches around 10-12 weeks of age you can start feeding your puppy twice a day.  It’s not good to feed your puppy only once a day because he will get so hungry in between meals that he will overeat at the next meal.

In puppy care, it is best to let your puppy eat as much as he wants during a 15 minute period and then take the dish away.  It’s not good to provide freely available food.  This can lead to your puppy becoming overweight and getting hip dysplasia and other health problems later in life.When overfed, your puppy will also stop enjoying food altogether.  

The Importance of Shots in Puppy Care

Your puppy loses his natural immunity to disease somewhere between six and sixteen weeks of age.  Fortunately there are new vaccines that can protect your puppy from most diseases.It is very important to take your puppy to the vet and get vaccines but until then, make sure your puppy stays away from areas frequented by other dogs.  Also avoid letting your puppy come into contact with stray dogs and sick dogs.

So there you have it.  Puppy care may not be as easy as you thought it was but by following the right protocol your puppy will be healthy.  The most important aspects of puppy care are proper feeding and shots.  If you follow these basic steps, your puppy will be healthy and vibrant and will rarely have to see a vet.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Chihuahua puppy care, like any new puppy care, can be a hassle if you don’t make the right preparations and learn about what to do prior to bringing your puppy home.  Chihuahuas are a particularly tricky breed to take care of since they are hard to house train and are so small and fragile.

What to Buy for Your Chihuahua Prior to His Homecoming

In Chihuahua puppy care it is important to buy an exercise pen or crate where you can leave your Chihuahua when you can’t supervise him.Also have a stash of newspapers ready as well as a litter box or potty pads.House training a Chihuahua can get messy.  Purchase a collar and leash, food and water bowls, a Chihuahua care and training book, and chewing toys.  Furthermore, make sure to puppy-proof your home by not leaving any electrical cords exposed. 

The Most Difficult Part of Chihuahua Puppy Care: House Training

Small puppies frequently eliminate.  They are like babies and cannot hold it in and they will often do it without warning.  In Chihuahua puppy care, it is important to constantly supervise your puppy so he is not running around the house alone.That is what the exercise pen or crate is for. 
In Chihuahua puppy care, the more you let your dog have accidents, the more difficulty you will have housetraining your puppy.Chihuahua puppies have the desire to eliminate after a nap, after they eat, and after playing.  Chihuahuas show that they need to eliminate when they circle and sniff the ground so if you notice that kind of behavior or know it’s around time for your puppy to eliminate, take him to the potty pad or litter box.  If you see your puppy squatting, make sure to take him to the right place. 
It is important in Chihuahua puppy care not to punish your puppy for eliminating in the wrong place because it is your responsibility to constantly supervise him.  If you can’t supervise him, put him in his playpen with his food and bed on one end and the potty bad or litter box on the other.  Chihuahua puppies naturally have the desire not to eliminate where they sleep and eat so they will go to the litter box or potty pad to eliminate.  When your puppy eliminates in the right place, reward him for doing so in the correct spot!

Feeding in Chihuahua Puppy Care

Chihuahuas have higher metabolisms than other breeds so it’s important to feed only premium dog foods.  Don’t worry that you’ll have to spend a lot of money on food because Chihuahuas eat very little.Young puppies need a free supply of dry food available to prevent hypoglycemia but when they become adults, feeding twice a day is sufficient.Always provide water in a sturdy container but not large enough so that the puppy can fall in.  Avoid feeding your Chihuahua human foods because many of them can be toxic and dangerous.It is important to buy a tube of Nutri-cal before you puppy comes home to prevent hypoglycemia. 
As you can probably gather, Chihuahua puppy care is a lot of work.  If you have the kind of schedule that would force you to leave your Chihuahua alone for long periods, it is better for you not to get one.  Chihuahuas need constant supervision and to be carefully taken care of to prevent health problems and other issues.  However, if you have the time and patience for Chihuahua puppy care and you like small dogs, a Chihuahua may be your perfect companion!

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com