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my daughter (10) just got a lhpso apso for her b-day> I have never owned a dog so is there special things they need?help
first off her dad got the dog for someone so i didn't get to ask any questions. He dropped it off and said it was born 7/22/09 and it had it's first shots. it's a female and he has the akc records, also things i'm not sure about, so he says he have to get her fixed cuz so many things can go wrong, and they told him she was "papertrained" which i'm not sure how to do either! she is black and white and her white is very drty so i would like to give her a bath at least till i find out how much a groomer costs! (my husband and i are full tme students living on unemployment with 6 kids) i want to take very good care of her and we have a vet from our cat that takes payments, so what are the most important thingsto do first, and what should i do to make sure she is healthy and clean! (her eye fur is brownish) thnks for your help.... amber
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Guest 475909
on Oct 24th 2009
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When paper training a dog make sure you pick one spot in the house. Don't keep changing it around. Make sure the spot is an area where there is not too much activity go on, and there are no drafts. Usually a corner would be best. Also the spot should be an area where the dog has access to at all times. As for bathing, there are special shampoos for white coats. There is no need to worry about it doing anything to the black part of the coat. However, try to stick with one type of shampoo. Otherwise the dog could form an allergic reaction.Also, don't give her baths too often. You could dry out her skin. You can give her a bath anywheres from 3-6 months, or as needed. One of the most important things to do is, bring her to a vet for a routine check up. They'll be able to tell you if she has anything wrong with her. Also, you should know that it is important to brush her teeth if you don't want her to have problems in the future. Other than that, give her love and 2hrs of exorsize a day.
Daisy-may
answered on 10/24/09.
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You can give her a bath using puppy shampoo. If you can't afford this you can also use baby shampoo. The sooner you introduce her to baths the better. This will save you alot instead of taking her to the groomer. Bathe her no more than once a month unless she really needs it. Since she has long hair make sure that you brush her regularly. You should be able to pick up a dog brush at a retailer for under $5. Its cheaper to go to a walmart or target than a pet store. As for food its better to spend a little more and get a good quality food such as Iams, Eukenuba, Science Diet, etc. This will give her the nutrition she needs. Feed her puppy food until age 1 or 2. I also suggest that you get her a kennel to sleep in at night. This will make her feel more secure and you won't have to worry about "messes" in the home. She may cry for the first night or so until she gets used to it. Get her to the vet to get her started on her shots as soon as possible.
Guest 036909
answered on 10/24/09.
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Good advice so far. If money is an issue, there are many shot clinics in most towns for very reasonable fees. Our local SPCA also has low cost spay/nueter clinics every 2-3 months. With our state (CA) in a foreclosure meltdown, many folks donate bags of food to the local shelter, and they will give some out to folks in financial need.
The brown gunk under the eyes is common in white dogs. There is a special product for it, but the name escapes me. Just clean it off each day. After baths make sure your dog's ears are clean and dry. Fluid in the ears can cause infections.
If you have a yard, try to potty train the dog instead of paper training. It really isn't all that hard if you stay consistent. Take the pup out every 20-30 minutes, after every nap, after every meal, after every bout of playing, and praise it when it does go to the bathroom.
With six children and a pup, you're going to have your hands full. Good luck.
Dahlia
answered on 10/24/09.
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Hi Amber!
Wow, so many questions and only 1,000 characters. So, here are some good ideas:
1. Don't bother with paper-training. It's better if the puppy learns how great it is to go outside. Take her out after a meal and ignore her completely until she does her business. Then praise her, and play a fun game for at least 20 minutes. Yes, stay outside with her for at least 20 minutes! Two reasons: she might need to go a little more, and she might start associating elimination with coming inside - which could lead her to start holding it until you come inside, then doing her business! Not what you want!
2. Go to www.k9techsupport.com for some really helpful tips on training and socializing a puppy.
3. Keep the pup safe from the other children. Read The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, and teach your children the basics of dog behavior and communication.
So much more, no room left. Join Dogster and visit the forums. Good luck!
Katie
answered on 10/25/09.
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it will need quite a lot of grooming & little exercise.it can also live in a small house such as an apartment.
Guest 727909
answered on 10/25/09.
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