A Collection of Pet Parenting Tips from Woof Dah! Staff and Friends!

1.)  Get your male puppy neutered early for the best chances at raising a friendly, social dog who won't lift his leg on your furniture.  While most dogs traditionally get neutered around 6-7 months of age, there is lots of new research out there promoting the benefits of spaying & neutering early.  Onyx, our mascot dog, was neutered at 12 weeks of age - before he came home from the breeder. 

2.)  Be sure your new puppy gets to meet as many other healthy dogs and people he can.  Be sure that each new dog and new person experience is a positive one to develop confidence. 

3.)  Provide lots of exercise and mental stimulation for your dog such as walks in a new place, interactive toys such as stuffed "Kongs," learning new tricks and going to obedience and/or agility classes.  When a lack of time prevents you from keeping your dog busy, a trip to doggie daycare will do the trick for a few days. 

4.)  Get pet insurance for your dog BEFORE something goes wrong.  For most breeds, it's not very expensive and it protects you from unexpectedly large bills from an injury, illness or hereditary condition that your dog develops.

5.)  If you have a giant breed (Great Dane, Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard, Giant Schnauzer etc.) or other breed prone to Bloat, speak to your vet about the benefits of getting your dog gastroplexy surgery to greatly reduce the chance of him dying from this terrible condition.  (Gastroplexy surgery attaches your dogs stomach to his chest wall thereby preventing it from twisting and cutting off circulation if it fills up with gas.)