Best Friends Humane Society in Worth County
Your New Best Friend
Guidelines for Care
(07-24-2013)
Congratulations!! You’ve made the decision to adopt a new Best Friend. You’ve
made a major decision, one that will bring unconditional love, unlimited smiles
and more than a few surprises into your life.
BFHS is offering a few suggestions to help ease the adjustment of your new
family member into your home. Caring for a new puppy, or an adult, is a lot
like caring for a new baby (without the diapers). Schedule and structure are
important and establishing a routine helps define expectations. Your new pet
will learn faster if you are consistent with your commands.
General Information
Introducing a new Best Friend to your home and family is a process that will
take a little time and a lot of patience. Remember, your new pet is meeting a
whole new family, a new home and yard; a new schedule, new toys and in some
cases other pets. It’s a big adjustment and it can take a few days, or even a
week or more in some cases. The one action on your part that can make the
transition easier on the entire family is to provide a lot of love offered with
large quantities of patience.
Food
If your new pet is a puppy, you’ll need to provide puppy food for the first year.
Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and the puppy food
will meet those needs to ensure healthy growth. Puppies should eat three times
each day if possible. Adult dogs should be feed twice each day.
A good mid-range dog food is all that is needed, unless your pet has special
needs. Avoid the very low cost, lower quality feeds as they are mostly filler and
do not have the same nutritional value as other brands.
To avoid allergic reaction to additives in their food, it’s a good idea to stay away
from puppy food that contains red dye. If you see red chunks in the food, it
may contain dye and may cause a reaction from your little one.
Water
Ensure plenty of clean, fresh water is available at all times.
Training
Your pet wants to please you. Your job is to communicate what you what to
teach. Always use positive reinforcement when training your pet, never
punishment. Use the same words for the same commands, consistency is very
important.
Mail: PO Box 5894, Sylvester, Georgia 31791
Location: 787 Ephesus Church Road, Poulan, Georgia 31781
www.bfhsworth.com 229.777.7774 [email protected]
Best Friends Humane Society in Worth County
Your New Best Friend
Guidelines for Care
(07-24-2013)
Exercise
All animals need exercise, but be aware of the temperature – too hot or too cold
means less time out in the elements. Remember that you have shoes and your
pets do not. Hot Asphalt is extremely hard on the pads of your pet’s paws –
and can be dangerous, and frozen concrete can also produce painful pads. If
you can’t hold your hand on the pavement for any length of time, its not going
to be comfortable for your pet.
Don’t push too hard, let your pet tell you when he/she’s tired, and again, be
sure to provide plenty of fresh water.
When your pet is outside, be sure there is adequate shade for protection from
the sun. Shelter from rain and cold weather is also necessary.
Vet Services
A visit to your vet at least once a year is very important. Annual Rabies vaccine
is required by Georgia state law. A check-up and annual vaccinations against
Bordetella, Parvo virus, Distemper and other preventable disease are the best
ways to keep your new family member healthy.
For long haired dogs, regular grooming is also very important to avoid matting.
Most all dogs also need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis,
especially small house dogs. Letting those nails grow can cause problems with
feet and walking.
Monthly home treatment to prevent heart worm and flea & tick infestation is
necessary for all dogs and can be purchased from your vet. Consultation with
your vet should be the first step prior to using any new medications.
You have brought a new family member into your home. This
animal will love you unconditionally and do his/her best to
please you.
Congratulations on finding your new Best
Friend; may you share many happy years together.
Mail: PO Box 5894, Sylvester, Georgia 31791
Location: 787 Ephesus Church Road, Poulan, Georgia 31781
www.bfhsworth.com 229.777.7774 [email protected]