Responsible pet-ownership checklist

Things to consider:

Behaviour and training

• Mistakes in your puppy's education can lead to long-term behavioural problems.

Feeding

• Adapting the feeding program as your puppy grows helps to prevent developmental growth problems, particularly important in large breed dogs.

Dentition

• As your puppy ages, the deciduous teeth (milk teeth) will fall out. Any remaining milk teeth need to be removed to prevent long-term damage to the permanent teeth.

Puberty

• Generally, between 6 and 12 months your puppy will go through puberty. Desexing of both dogs and bitches at an early age may reduce their chance of having certain types of cancers later in life (i.e mammary, testicular). Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of desexing with your veterinarian.

Vaccinations

• Vaccinations usually start around 6-8 weeks of age. An initial puppy course needs to be completed (usually by around 16 weeks of age), and then booster vaccinations need to be given for ongoing protection. To keep track of your puppy's vaccinations, print out the vaccination record and take it to your veterinarian to update.

Micro-chipping

• Micro-chipping is generally done at an early age. Your pup may already be micro-chipped when you acquire it (remember to update changes such as new owner details and changes of address as soon as possible).
• Ask your veterinarian for further details regarding micro-chipping at your puppy's first check up.

External parasites

• Control fleas and ticks with FRONTLINE PLUS or FRONTLINE SPRAY. See the Complete Parasite Control Program for puppies and adult dogs for an application timing guide for FRONTLINE PLUS.

Internal parasites - worming

• Regular treatment to control heartworm and intestinal worm infections. See the Complete Parasite Control Program for puppies and adult dogs for an application timing guide for HEARTGARD³⁰, HEARTGARD³⁰ PLUS and PARAGARD.