BEST CARE PRACTICES FOR NEW PUPPY

  1. A Good Vet: First and foremost always seek competent veterinarian advice. There is available on the internet an excellent resource www.ahvma.org. To find a vet in your area, select "The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Directory" from choose your state to obtain a member in your area. You will find that most holistic vets do incorporate conventional treatment in their practices but offer alternative options for immunizations and other specialized fields. Most holistic vets will also follow the shot protocol as recommended by the Weimaraner Club of America and other well renowned veterinarians for vaccinating young puppies and elderly adults.

  2. Vaccinations: For questions in general regarding the versatility of weimaraners, the standards of the breed, and questions concerning the general health, suggestions for vaccinations, we ask that you visit the Weimaraner Club of America and suggest that you preview under "Weim Health Issues", the National Weimaraner Club of America’s Policy on Vaccinations. We subscribe to this recommendation regarding vaccinations, and believe that other breeds may also benefit.

  3. Decision to Buy: After having done your research and selecting the best breed for you and your family it is recommended that you attend an AKC all breed show. There you will see all breeds and have an opportunity to visit with many breeders and owners enabling you to ask more direct questions both pro and con. A reputable breeder will let you know the negative side as well as all the positives of the breed.

  4. Getting Ready: Assuming that you have taken the final step and have purchased your puppy, it is recommended that you have all your items purchased ahead a time (crate, blankets, toys) and that you have taken the necessary steps to puppy proofing your home. Puppy proofing includes removing items that could be toxic such as the certain houseplants, poinsettas found in homes at Christmas time, chocolates, onions, cleaning agents, soap, and other small items.

  5. What to Buy: Having everything setup ahead of time will give you more time to acquaint him to his new home. Items you will need will be a crate, lambskin blankets, bowl (stainless steel), bucket for water, and safe toys. We only use the original nylabone and kongs. Cute toys with bells and floss types that can be easily chew and, if swallowed can be harmful. Young children within the household need to be monitor as well so that they do not frighten the young puppy whom has just left behind his mother and littermates. There are many adjustments to be made within the next days to come for everyone.

  6. Security: Hopefully your backyard is fenced in and there you can take him outside to relieve him self from the drive to your home. Walk the outer perimeters assuring him with words of praise for his good behavior. Take him back inside and, we would limit him to the family room or main room of the home at this time, so that his ‘housebreaking’ will be easier. Having a crate ready with a nice lambskin blanket will give him the security of his own home within your home. We additionally purchase a 1-2quart hanging bucket w/clip to keep fresh clean water available at all times. This does not interfere with training the puppy as he will only drink what his body needs to function properly. Water must be made available at all times for good health and growth.

  7. Toys: We have always used the ORIGINAL not the gumabone nylabone as puppy’s favorite chew toy to help with his teething. Whether you are aware of it teething can go on through his first year. Some dogs resist having their mouths handled so we do it gently and daily so puppy will not object when he gets older. A wet-frozen washcloth makes a great toy for the teething puppy. Make sure you are there when he plays with that.

  8. Early Training: We have found it easy to start obedience training at a very young age by just having little 10 minute "fun school" using bits of treats. Puppies can be taught "sit", "down" and "stay" with just praise and treats. You can check with local pet stores or your vet to see if there is any local breed clubs in your area offering "puppy kindergartens". The earlier you socialize your puppy the better citizen he will become. The key is always, patients and lots of praise. Remember "hands" only love. Never, strike your pet with your hands or any object. Puppies bore very easy, so keep your sessions short and always end on a happy note of praise.

  9. A GOOD DIET is important in order to give the body the necessary nutrients the body needs in order to grow and mature. We feed a super premium food that is nutritionally complete and balance which contains NO POULTRY BYPRODUCTS, NO OTHER products like chicken feet, heads, beaks or feathers, no soy, no colors or flavors, no chemicals. In short, we want the best for our dogs. All of our dogs have beautiful coats and receive no supplements to their diets. We also feed our puppy in his crate with a stainless steel bowl that has a removal hook. He will associate this as a pleasant experience as well as establishing a good eating habit. Always remove the bowl within 10 minutes whether empty or not. Puppies can be distracted easy and if fed in the kitchen etc. may become distracted, wander off and learn bad habits. This can be avoided by establishing a regular feeding time and in a designated area you can control. Control early on is the key.

  10. REMOVE collar from puppy when he is put into his crate for naptime or bedtime.

 

 

Vaccines and the Weimaraner

A small percentage of Weimaraner puppies manifest an autoimmune reaction following vaccination with combination MLV (modified live virus) vaccines. When the immune system of susceptible individuals is challenged by multiple antigens it becomes hyperreactive and responds in the same way it would to fight an infection, fever, elevated WBC (white blood count) and inflammatory reaction of tissues and joints.

Although many puppies can be vaccinated with the combination MLV vaccines, there is no way at the present time to determine which pups are going to adversely react. Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Weimaraner Club of America recommends that when vaccinating puppies the Distemper and Parvo vaccines be administered separately, a two week interval between each vaccine. Any other vaccines should be administered separately as well.

While this vaccine protocol helps in preventing autoimmune reactions, it does not prevent it in all susceptible individuals.

Excerpt from "The Weimaraner Magazine", Weimaraner Club of America.

PLEASE VISIT THE WEIMARANER CLUB OF AMERICA SITE LINK IN PARAGRAPH 2 ABOVE