How to take care of your puppy

1. Provide a Dog Bed.

We never had one before, our dogs would just sleep on rugs. But when we bought one for Meeko, she felt right at home!

We bought one so we can help her establish her place in our home. Once she claimed her space, we can more easily toilet train her.

We bought one from Pillows and More, at Php 900.00, were are able to buy a beauty. We got ours from UP Town Center.

2. Water dispenser.
As I am currently training at the National Kidney & Transplant Institute, I know that Leptospirosis is now on the rise. Tales of dogs dying within 1-2 days who had fever and jaundice sounds like Leptospirosis to me. Having a water bottle like this ensures fresh water for your pet versus having a water bowl which can be exposed to rats/cockroach and whatnots.
Brought this also at UP Town Center in the hardware store there at the 2nd floor at around Php500-600. Better safe that sorry, I say.
The thing is, Meeko can't operate it when we bought it for her. So every time we wanted to make her drink, we would operate it ourselves until enough water collects in the bottom portion, supposedly for food. Now, I just saw her drink from it! SUCCESS!

3. Shots!
5-in-1 and Rabies to protect our pets from dangerous diseases which will cost you more if your pet will have it.
I am not an expert at this, and I rely HEAVILY on my Veterinarian Aunt to remind us of her shots.
But first of all, you should get the shots record of your puppy from the owner. Then have an appointment with a friendly Vet for updates.

Flea shots can be given, too.

4. Dental hygiene
Daily Dentastix or daily brushing of teeth using a baby's toothbrush and a dog toothpaste for your canine's canines!

5. Chew Toy
Sources tell us to not give chew toys with any semblance to anything you wear s.a socks, t-shirt, etc.
Puppies need at least 20 minutes per day of play time/stimulation to dissipate their energies, otherwise they get anxious, destructive, and everything Cesar Milan so desperately tries to rehabilitate.

6.

Poodles of fun!

Last month, we received our first baby, Meeko, a 2 month-old red miniature poodle pup from my Tita.

Before, that, she lended us a male pup, Gatas since Meeko was just a few weeks old then. We rarely cook. When we do, its usually pasta, or my husband developed a destressing hobby of baking bread (good for me!). So for gatas, puppy dog food was the best! We did not have any problems with his food. Nor did he had fleas. We just made a make shift bed for him made of a top of a box filled with retaso and rugs.

Then came Meeko. We fed her same puppy food as Gatas, which she ate with gusto..for 2 days. My husband was on night duty that week, so he was home the whole day. He noticed that one morning, Meeko never barked when he went downstairs and left her. When he brought he down with him to the living area, she just stayed in place, barely touching her food and drinking water. He got alarmed and notified me.

When I went home, I examined her as I would a pedia patient - I googled signs of a sick poodle (Hehe I am an ADULT nephrologist in training, so to be thorough, yes, we do google, too BUT WE KNOW HOW TO CHECK THE SOURCES REALIABILITY).

I pinched the skin at back of her neck. Its said that it should retract fully once the skin is released. As in a child, failure to do so within 3 seconds means that the child is dehydrated. When forced to stand, her hind legs would shiver. She was so lethargic!

For more information on how to check for dog dehydration:

I tried to force Meeko to drink, but nothing did the trick. We went to My Tita, a veterinarian, conveniently and brought IV fluids. After a few drops, and seeing his brother there, brought her back to life. Apparently, because she's used to table food (rice and some shredded protein and broth), she probably had stomach upset which may the reason she refused to drink and eat. She advised us to prepare table food for now, until she's 6 months old.

I wanted to share our experience because, I took care of a puppy once, who grew into an adult dog and led a happy existence, and we were able to take care of Gatas for about a month. That experience taught us that each puppy is different. Sometimes, what's convenient for the owner is not good for the puppy.

So my husband would usually buy lutong ulam before going home especially for our Meeko.

Now, she turned 3 months! and I noticed she got significantly bigger! :D