By Dr. I Elizabeth Borgmann. Maybe you are thinking about getting a puppy. Or perhaps you have already added one to your family. What do you need to know to raise a healthy happy dog that will fit into your lifestyle and be a wonderful addition to your home? A lot. [Click On Image]

This next series of articles is designed to help you wade through the decision making process and ensure you know what you are getting yourself into.

And you thought it was going to be easy! Or maybe you got surprised with a puppy! Welcome to puppy parenthood!

Is a puppy the right decision for you? Will your lifestyle allow you to raise and train a puppy? Would you be better off with an adult or older dog? What changes do you see coming up in the next few years? Is this a commitment you can realistically fulfill?

If you can raise a puppy, which breed should you get? Consider temperament, lifestyle limitations (exercise, time left alone etc.), housing, health problems and grooming requirements.

Where do you get a puppy? How do you choose a breeder? Or should you get a puppy from a rescue organization? Or maybe from a pet store? Or perhaps from the paper?

What is involved in house training? What are your options for the apartment dog? What do you do with the poop?

What training does a puppy and dog need? Which training method works the best? Should you get a collar, a halti, a Martingale collar or a harness? Do you train by yourself, get one on one lessons or go to classes? How do you choose a trainer?

What about socialization – with people and other pets? What developmental phases will it go through? How do you prevent your dog from being dominant and aggressive, or shy and reclusive? How do you prevent or reduce separation anxiety?

Should you crate train your dog?

How do you puppy proof your home? What are common puppy hazards?

What do you feed your dog? How often do you feed? How much do you feed?

And what about exercise? How much is too much? What can they do? What can’t they do? When can you start agility training or flyball?

How do you travel safely with dogs? How do you get them used to the car? What about motion sickness?

Should you use doggy daycare and boarding kennels? What do you look for in daycare or kennel? What questions do you ask?

What kind of veterinary care do they need? Flea control? Parasite control? What about vaccines? Which one does your dog need? When do you neuter and spay your dog? Should you microchip or tattoo your pet? Or should you do both?

What is involved in basic puppy grooming…or in adult dog grooming?

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How do you get them used to the groomer?

And you thought it was going to be easy! Or maybe you got surprised with a puppy! Welcome to puppy parenthood! And watch for the articles that are coming soon to answer these questions for you!!

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Dr. Borgmann has been practicing in the Fraser Valley for over 11 years and can be reached at the Whatcom Road Veterinary Clinic