Puppy’s Wellbeing Agreement


Health of Your Puppy
When bringing home your puppy, you must also consider their health and
how you will take care of them.  The best thing to do is to plan a checkup of
your new puppy within 8 hours of bringing him home. A vet will check your
puppy's weight, height, temperature and skin for any problems. The vet will
also thoroughly examine the puppy's eyes, ears, teeth and abdomen and
look for any genetic or physical abnormalities.
Your veterinarian will also begin a series of puppy vaccinations to prevent
disease. Common diseases that can be prevented are:

•        
Canine Distemper - A very serious and contagious disease that
attacks the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems and sometimes the
nervous system as well. Currently there is no medication available to kill
distemper in infected dogs. Prevention with vaccinations is the best option.
•        
Canine Parvovirus - A serious, contagious disease that affects the
gastrointestinal system. This virus is generally in the stool of infected dogs.
If your puppy steps in infected feces on a walk, then later licks his paw, he
could get this disease. Symptoms lead to dehydration and can be fatal.
Vaccinations will help prevent this disease.
•       
 Infectious Hepatitis - A contagious disease from a virus that infects
the lining of the blood vessels, liver and kidneys. (It is not the same as the
hepatitis that affects people. Dogs that have contracted this disease may
become lethargic, have a high fever, loss of appetite, bloody stool, vomiting,
and collapse. The vaccination is included in the DHPP shot (distemper,
hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus).
•       
 Leptospirosis - This disease is caused from bacteria that attacks the
liver and kidneys. It comes from contact with the urine of infected animals.
Contaminated water can trigger this disease. Symptoms are similar to other
diseases listed above, but also include jaundiced eyes (the whites of the
eyes turning yellow). The vaccine used for this disease is added to the
DHPP vaccination (DHLPP).  
•       
 Rabies - This deadly disease is easily preventable with a series of
rabies vaccines. Rabies is caused by a virus spread usually from wild
animals and attacks the nervous system. Your puppy should be vaccinated
at three months of age, with booster shots given as one or three-year
vaccinations.  
Prevention of disease is the best treatment. Make sure you take the
necessary steps recommended by your veterinarian to keep your puppy
healthy.  Your puppy will have been started on a series of vaccination that
cover these diseases stated above with the exception of Rabies.  Most
veterinarians recommend giving rabies vaccine when the pup is around 16
wks old.
Emergencies
Although you expect your puppy to live a long, healthy life, emergencies can
happen. A little preparation can save your puppy's life. First of all, know
where your closest animal emergency hospital is for after hours or
weekends when your veterinarian's office is not open! Always rush your
puppy to an emergency hospital is he is having trouble breathing, he is
continually vomiting, convulsing, whimpering in pain, or unconscious. Keep
trouble items out reach that could cause poisoning or injuries to prevent
some of these emergencies.
Other Issues
•        Allergies - Allergies are becoming increasingly more common for
puppies and older dogs alike. Allergies are triggered by several things: fleas
or biting insects, inhaling pollen, molds or other antigens, food or drugs.
Your puppy may react to one or more of these antigens. It may be difficult at
first to tell what is the cause. You will have to be patient and work with your
veterinary in determining the cause. Some allergies cause skin reactions,
such as itching, swelling or difficulty breathing. Your veterinarian will help
determine the best treatments.
•       
 Internal Parasites - The most common internal parasites include
heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms.
Heartworms are from the bite of infected mosquitoes and can be fatal. Your
vet can check for this worm through a blood sample.  All pups should be on
Heartworm preventative before they are 6 months old.  Hookworms
generally show up in warm, humid climates. They can cause weakness and
anemia. Roundworms can be passed to a puppy through the mother's
placenta before birth, through mother's milk or by ingesting worms eggs in
the soil. Roundworms are very common and usually treated by the vet early
in his life. Tapeworms can be caught by swallowing fleas that have eaten
tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms can cause some abdominal pain and anal
itching. Whipworms living in the small intestines and are more difficult to
detect than other worms. They can cause severe diarrhea, anemia and
weight loss. All the parasites can be easily treated by the vet deworming the
dog.
•       
 Fleas - Fleas can be a frustrating problem because they can spread
onto humans, into carpets, furniture and bedding. Itching is the most
prevalent problem with fleas, but with a severe infestation, they can cause
anemia or even death. Talk to your vet about the best treatment for your
pet and how to rid your home of fleas before they take over.
•        
Ticks are carriers of disease, including Lyme disease, to both animals
and humans. They tend to live in weedy, wooded or grassy areas outdoors.
Ticks can be difficult to remove because they bury their head under the
skin. The best way to remove a tick is to grab it by it's body and pull outward
slowly, steady and firm, with the head attached.
•        
Dental Issues - Just like with humans, puppies and dogs can have
dental problems if their teeth are not cared for. Gingivitis - tartar - builds up
around the teeth and causes bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums and
loose teeth. Products such as dry biscuits and Flossy Bone ropes, specially
designed to help remove plaque and tartar, can help clean the teeth of your
puppy and keep him healthy.

GOOD HOUSEBREAKING PRACTICES FOR VERY YOUNG PUPPIES
Very young puppies can't control their bladders or bowels. A puppy doesn't
gain the ability to "hold it in" until at least 12 weeks of age. Until your puppy
reaches this age, you'll need to practice a solid housebreaking routine to
avoid messes in the house.
Learn to watch for the signs that indicate your puppy needs to relieve
himself. Your new dog might seem nervous when he needs to go. He'll begin
sniffing around and may even turn in circles. Take your puppy out often;
he'll need to relieve himself about six times each day. You should take him
out immediately after he eats or drinks water.
Crate training is a good way to contain the mess of "accidents" inside the
house, especially for those who can't stay home all day with their puppies.
Crate training is a good idea because if your dog smells feces or urine
inside the house, he'll think it's okay to relieve himself in those places, even
though he may have done so initially by accident. This is especially true if
you're still in the early stages of dog house training. Crate training helps to
contain the mess, making it easier to clean up, and can also help your
puppy gradually to understand that he shouldn't relieve himself inside.
Remember be persistent and don’t give up.

The supplies you may need before bringing your puppy home:
1.        Pet food, (we use Purina One Puppy food.)
2.        Stainless steel food and water bowls
3.        A collar and leash (a harness works great, too)
4.        A travel crate
5.        Stain remover for "accidents"
6.        Brush and comb
7.        Puppy shampoo, toothbrush and paste
8.        Chew and play toys
9.        Nail clippers
10.        Treats (puppy biscuits, etc.)

A) Buyer agrees to provide for this dog’s emotional and physical care,
including annual physical examinations and recommended vaccinations by a
licensed veterinarian, nutritious food, positive-reward behavior training,
local dog licenses if required, and basic obedience training classes.

B) Buyer understands that this breed of dog needs special considerations
regarding its environment, and agrees to house the dog indoors the
majority of time. When outdoors, this dog requires fixed shade, ample safe
and clean water supply, and complete and secure fencing, especially when
a swimming pool is on premises.

C) If the Buyer lives in an apartment complex, or any other residence that
may restrict pets, Buyer affirms they have received permission from the
proper authority for this puppy.

D) Buyer agrees to keep puppy from the general public as best as possible
for 30 days, for the health of the puppy and to safeguard the puppy against
stress, environmental and communicable diseases.



If you have read and fully understand all the things that must be done for
your new puppy please sign below.

_____________________________________
Date: ____________________
This agreement MUST be
signed before you pick
up your new puppy.