Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: An Owner’s Guide. Nick Mays

Чтение книги онлайн.

       These Cavalier puppies are happy in a secure outdoor pen in the garden, equipped with a water bowl, where they can play in safety while you are busy doing other things.

      Ask the breeder what arrangements they have made, if any, about your puppy’s vaccinations (see page 103). If he is being sold at over nine weeks of age, then the breeder should have initiated at least one of the two essential inoculations against infectious diseases. The puppy will need his second inoculation at around 11 weeks, which, most likely, will be your responsibility. Similarly, he should have been ‘wormed’, i.e. treated against worms and other parasites (see page 106), at least once or twice before coming to live with you. You should also ask the breeder about tests carried out for genetic problems within the breed (see page 100).

      A good breeder should include puppy insurance as part of the sale package. This usually provides cover for any health problems and other eventualities covered in the policy during the first six weeks from point of sale. After this you must make your own arrangements, either with the same pet insurance company or another of your choice.

       Preparing for your puppy

      You now need to give some thought to preparing for your new puppy’s arrival. You will need to buy some essential items, including the following:

      • A bed or basket

      • Bedding or blankets

      • Food and water bowls

      • Suitable food (which the breeder will advise you about)

      • A collar and lead

      • Some suitable toys, with no small parts that can be swallowed

      • Some chews (puppy-sized) to help prevent damage to furniture or slippers

      • A dog pen, or crate, can be a useful investment and will be your dog’s ‘own place’, not so much for confinement as a safe area where he can reside and not get under your feet if you are busy and moving things around. Equally, it’s a place of solitude for him.

       Puppy-friendly home

      You will also need to make sure that your house and garden are puppy-friendly.

      In the house, check the following:

      • There are no small areas into which a puppy could crawl and get stuck

      • No electrical wires are lying around – puppies like chewing them, so invest in some cable protectors (available from DIY and electrical stores) to tidy away TV and other electrical appliance wires

      • Children’s toys and small ornaments are out of reach, as a puppy likes nothing better than to chew things, and they could cause severe health problems if swallowed

      • Cupboard doors should always shut securely, especially those containing sharp items or cleaning materials

      • Child gates or special dog gates should be fitted in doorways or at the top or bottom of stairs; attach some strong wire mesh to the gate to prevent the puppy sticking his head between the bars and getting stuck.

      You also need to survey your garden and make it escape proof. Check for the following:

      • There should be no holes or obvious gaps in fences

      • Garden gates shut properly and there is not sufficient space underneath for a puppy to squeeze through and escape

      • If you have a garden pond, put a stout wire fence around it or strong netting over the top to prevent a puppy falling in

      • There are no poisonous plants that your puppy could eat

      • Weedkillers, slug pellets and other chemicals are securely locked away out of reach.

       Contact the vet

      Book an appointment for your puppy’s vaccinations and health check. You may also wish to check out puppy training classes, which are organized by local clubs. Some veterinary surgeries also organize ‘puppy parties’ where puppies can meet each other and get used to other dogs and people.