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This is the Puppy Training Podcast , episode 177

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, bringing Home a New Dog Questions

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to Ask your Vet . This

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podcast is designed to help you on your

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journey of becoming best friends through love and

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learning , as you train your own dog from

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home , and I'm here to help you every

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step of the way . This is the Puppy Training

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Podcast and I'm your host , amy Jensen

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. Welcome

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to the puppy training podcast . We

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explore everything you need to know about

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welcoming a new dog into your family . Today

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let's talk about the important questions to

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ask your vet when bringing home a new

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dog . But first I hope you're having a good

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week . I taught week three of our basic

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training course with Bella just the other day

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. We are working currently with

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her on settling the basics

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like sit , touch down and come

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. We started leave it in class this

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week , as well as leash walking , and

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we will continue throughout the rest of that course

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to progress each of those . As

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I mentioned , I'm training Bella right along with the

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rest of you who have a new dog , and I understand

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the ups and downs you're experiencing

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. While it's a fabulous journey to be

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on , it does take time , patience

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and consistency If

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you're looking for help training your new dog or have issues

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with an older resident dog , we

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are happy to help you . Our Baxter and Bella

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program helps dogs of all ages and we focus

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on teaching you how to build the best relationship

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possible with your dog . I

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would love to see you in class so if you haven't joined

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yet , check it out . It doesn't matter where you

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live in the world . We are completely virtual and

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can help you reach your dog training goals . So

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you finally decided to add a

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furry member to your family . Congratulations

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. That is so exciting . But before

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you bring home your new pup , it's important to ensure

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their health and wellbeing are taken

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care of . That's where your veterinarian

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comes in . Now , as trainers , we always

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rule out medical first . So anytime a client comes

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to us with an issue they're having , if

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we have a thought that maybe some medical issues

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are involved , we always rule

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that out first . Before we attempt to change any

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behavior , we want to make sure there isn't any

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health concern or issue that needs addressed which may

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be causing the difference or change

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in our dog's behavior . Let's jump

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right into it . It is a good idea to contact

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your vet as soon as you know you'll be bringing

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a dog home . We want to find out their

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hours of operation and what services

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they offer . I like to inquire

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about emergency contacts . What

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options are available to me if my puppy gets into a situation needing medical help on , say , a Friday night

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at 10 PM , after the office is closed , what do I do ? Ask

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your vet also about common signs of illness

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or injury to watch out for and what

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to do , as I mentioned , in case

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of emergencies . Also

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, ask your vet about vaccinations . What

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vaccinations does your new dog need

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and what is the recommended vaccination schedule

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? It's a good idea to bring health records

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from your breeder or rescue organization that

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can give your veterinarian helpful

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information as to the care that your puppy has already

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had . Between your breeder , the

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rescue organization and or your vet , you can

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set your puppy up for success by

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following their recommended vaccination schedule

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for your pup . In our program , you will hear

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me say that a lot . We are always trying to set

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our dogs up for success

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, and contacting your veterinarian and asking some of

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these initial questions can be instrumental

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in doing that . Next up , it's all

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about preventative care . Make sure

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that you ask your vet what risks there are

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in your local area for your puppy or

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dog . What are the things that you

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need to be aware of . I like to

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ask about flea tick and heartworm

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prevention methods as well . These pesky

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parasites can pose serious health

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risks to your dog , so it's really

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important to stay ahead of them . Ask

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your vet about spay and neuter options . When

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is the best time to have your dog spayed or neutered

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? Knowing this can help you plan ahead . Ask

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about your female dog's first cycle and what

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to expect . Ask any questions

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you may have about growth and development , any

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behavioral changes and when to expect them

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. Next , let's talk about nutrition

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. It is a good idea to keep your dog

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or puppy on the same diet they ate

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before they came to you , so long

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as everything is going well , meaning their stools

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look normal . If you have questions or

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concerns , your vet can recommend the best diet

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for your dog's breed , age and activity

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level . They can also provide guidance

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on portion sizes and any dietary

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restrictions your pup may have or develop

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over time . Moving on

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to grooming and hygiene , ask your vet

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about the best practices for grooming , including

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bathing , brushing and nail trimming . If

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you're nervous about clipping your dog's nails , ask

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your vet to show you how it is done properly

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. They can also advise you on dental

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care and how to keep your dog's teeth clean

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and healthy . Dental hygiene is important

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to your dog's overall health and something that is

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often overlooked . Be sure to find

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out what your vet recommends for keeping those teeth

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in the best condition possible . I

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also like to ask about my dog's ears and

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any signs or possibilities of ear infections

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, as well as what to do if you suspect

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one . How would you know if your dog has one

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? Also , it is somewhat common for puppies

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to get an upset stomach in the first few weeks

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. Home Feeding them only their food

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and introducing any new food rewards one

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at a time with several days in between

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new ones , can help eliminate this and

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let you know if something doesn't agree with their

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little tummies . But your dog may get

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into something they shouldn't early on . Hopefully your

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management and training are going hand in hand . However

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, I know life happens . What

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does your vet recommend doing in this case ? What

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if your puppy has an upset stomach or loose stools

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? What can you do to help your puppy feel better

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? Another

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important topic is behavior and training . Your

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vet can offer valuable insights into your dog's

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behavior and answer questions you may have about

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behaviors your dog is exhibiting . Is it

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normal that my dog pees so often ? My

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dog is growling when they play . Is this okay

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? Don't be shy at your vet visit . Ask

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the questions you have , pick their professional

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brains and benefit from their expertise

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. Finally , find out

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how often you should bring your dog in for a checkup

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. What does your veterinarian recommend or

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advise ? Much like people , it is

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suggested that your dog be seen by a veterinarian

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regularly to check their overall

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health . And there you have it . By

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asking these essential questions to your vet , you'll be

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well-prepared to provide the best possible

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care for your new friend . So , to

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recap , make sure you schedule a vet visit

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for your new dog , make sure you find

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out all of these important details

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from your veterinarian , make sure you know their hours

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of operation , make sure you know what services they

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provide . And then , don't be shy

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, ask those questions . That's what they're

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there for . They're here to help you and they also

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want the best for both you and

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your puppy or your new dog , whatever

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the case may be . And , of course , when it comes to

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training , we would love to help you out . Thanks

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for tuning in kind of short and sweet today , but that's

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all right . I hope you guys have a great rest

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of your week , happy training , and I'll talk to you

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soon . If

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you have a question about anything you heard on this podcast or any other puppy

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training question , visit my site , baxter and

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Bellacom to contact me .