It's that time of year again! Cuddly kittens and playful puppies are being born all over the Palouse. Who can resist a ball of fluff just purring away, or a puppy staring up at you with those precious eyes? You feel a warm twinge in your chest and before you know it you are a pet owner.  But, Wait! Before you give in to that urge to scoop them into your arms and take them home you have to ask yourself some very important questions.  1) "Am I committed to taking care of a DOG for the next 10 to 15 years?" Despite looking like an adorably puppy who can do no wrong, there is a full-grown dog waiting to come out in just a few months. You are making a decision to care for this dog for his entire life, not just the first few months.
 2) "Do I lead the right kind of lifestyle for this type of breed?" Every breed of dog comes with their own inherent behaviors. Some naturally require a lot of activity and exercise, while others tend to be aggressive and requires a firm hand in training. If you live in an apartment do you think a German Sheppard or any other large breed dog that requires ample room will do well? If you work long hours and are rarely home do you think a small dog with a small bladder will do well? Probably not. Behavior problems often occur because your lifestyle doesn't match with that type of breed. 
3) "Am I going to have the finances to take care of an animal for its entire life?" There is no such thing as FREE. If you have never had a pet before there are going to be more expenses than you probably imagined. Annual exams, vaccines, surgeries, illness, accidents, bloodwork, food, toys, leashes, etc are all going to cost money. It is now your responsibility to take care of your dog's health and well-being, so plan on spending thousands of dollars over your pet's lifetime.
 If you answered yes to all 3 of those questions then Congratulations! You have a new puppy! Giggles, unconditional love, house training, proper socialization, and beginning health care await! 
This is the time when they will be the most vulnerable to diseases and parasites. They need to be taken to their vet every 3 weeks for their appropriate vaccines and check-ups to ensure a healthy start in life. Below is a guideline of what your puppy will need. Here at Alpine Animal Hospital we offer a "Puppy package". If you purchase a package that has all the checkups and vaccines required for your puppies ages then we will give you a 10% discount AND a free AVID microchip. Age 7-8 weeks: FIRST WELL PUPPY EXAM 1ST DHPP VACCINATION DEWORMING
Age 9-11 weeks: WELL PUPPY PROGRESS EXAM 2ND DHPP VACCINATION DEWORMING
Age 12-14 weeks: WELL PUPPY PROGRESS EXAM 3RD DHPP VACCINATION 1ST LEPTO VACCINATION BORDETELLA – 1ST VACCINATION FECAL FLOATATION TEST FOR PARASITES
Age 15-17 weeks: WELL PUPPY PROGRESS EXAM
PARVO BOOSTER VACCINATION
2ND LEPTO BOOSTER VACCINATION RABIES, 1 YEAR VACCINATION  |
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Pet Care Info >
Puppy Guidelines |