Pet care: How to raise the greatest dog for your life
Most people want a peaceful life for themselves and their pets. Sadly, some of the problems I treat are avoidable. Nothing is for sure, but if you spend the time to observe and quietly interact with the applicants for the job as your best friend, you may never need a veterinary behaviorist.
The Nichol pets are highly valued for who they are and what they bring to our lives. If you start a family, I encourage you to raise your kiddos with a dog. Children can learn kindness and empathy toward creatures who are different. We adults have a strong influence on those developing brains. We can demonstrate healthy guidance and then get out of the way so those lives can flourish. A reliable structure helps make life predictable and safe.
Puppy parents should understand the "sensitive" periods along the path of the maturing canine brain. Ages 3 to 8 weeks are for hanging with mamma and siblings. Plenty of gentle handling from a variety of people and play with other pets should start well before 12 weeks. Exploring new environments becomes essential from 10 to 12 weeks and again around 16 to 20 weeks. If any of these age-related opportunities are missed, well, we can work with the fear and reactivity later but an ounce of prevention鈥�
Aren't other puppies and locations risky? The research is strong. Start vaccinations around 6 to 8 weeks, booster every three weeks until 16 to 18 weeks, and no one gets sick 鈥� as long as everyone in a well-run puppy socialization group is also protected. When my dog "Mick" was a baby, we attended class at the Aztec Animal Clinic in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. We had good fun. As a grown-up Border collie he gets along with every person, dog and cat he meets.
You want a guarantee? Sorry, we don't have that. There are no ironclad rules. Scientific conclusions are based on the weight of evidence. But if we follow the research, our chances of success improve. Like everything in life, pet picking and adapting to a home with humans can be fraught with hazards and adventures. I've shared joy and heartache with my pets. Life without them wouldn't be the same. I'd do it all over again.
鈥� For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com.
Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or mail to 4000 Montgomery NE, sa国际传媒官网网页入口, NM, 87109.
