Q&A for How to Take Care of Puppies

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  • Question
    At what point should I transition my puppy to solid food?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    It's really only during the transition from weaning that you might soften the food, as puppies don't have the teeth development they need yet. By the time they are eight weeks old, most dogs have proper teeth for puppy food, which is going to be smaller in size and easier to chew. As they get older, know that variety is a good idea when feeding your dog.You want to be giving them canned food and dry food so they can experience both and get used to it.
  • Question
    How can I care for my dog after they have been spayed or neutered?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    The recommendation still is being neutered at six months for the average dog, especially in an urban environment. The aftercare for a sterile procedure really depends most on keeping them quiet during the initial recovery period. While they are healing, you don't want your dog jumping around or running off leash playing. It's also important they wear a collar or no-lick shirt to keep from licking.
  • Question
    How many times a day should you feed a puppy?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Puppies need to be fed three times a day. Often this is combined with training treats and stuff like that in between. You want to be really careful to not feed them too much extra stuff.
  • Question
    How do you maintain a puppy?
    David Levin
    David Levin
    Professional Dog Walker & Trainer
    David Levin is the Owner of Citizen Hound, a professional dog walking business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 9 years of professional dog walking and training experience, David's business has been voted the "Best Dog Walker SF" by Beast of the Bay for 2019, 2018, and 2017. Citizen Hound has also been ranked #1 Dog Walker by the SF Examiner and A-List in 2017, 2016, 2015. Citizen Hound prides themselves on their customer service, care, skill, and reputation.
    David Levin
    Professional Dog Walker & Trainer
    Expert Answer
    A puppy will need plenty of attention and play time. Additionally, make sure you increase your dog's exercise as it grows. Older puppies need a much higher energy output than younger puppies. They crave constant stimulation, and they tend to be very exploratory.
  • Question
    My puppy (a male papllion/border collie, nine months old ) keeps pooping on the floor when we leave him unattended for about 10 seconds. What do I do?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Go back to basics and crate train him. Then whenever you leave the room pop him in the crate so that he's less likely to soil his own den. When you return take him straight outside and watch him for 10 minutes. When he poops give him lots of praise. Also, thoroughly deordorize any places where he has pooped indoors.
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