Before You Acquire a Bichon Frise
Puppy
There are several key things that should be taken into
consideration before you go out and get a Bichon Frise puppy. While they
may seem like common sense, they are commonly overlooked in the
excitement and worthy of note. If you haven’t acquired your
puppy already, be sure to think over the decision carefully.
Make sure that the decision to get a new pet is a family
decision. A new puppy should never be brought into the home
unless everyone in the home is in agreement. Sadly, there are a
large number of people in the world who have allergies and have
to avoid certain pets; be sure to be considerate and talk it
over with everyone first.
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Bringing Your Bichon Frise
Puppy Home
So the big day is here and it’s time to bring your Bichon Frise puppy
home. Congratulations! By now, the puppy panic might be setting
in, but never fear - these important steps and reminders should
help to ensure that nothing is forgotten and that the transition
should be as easy as possible for both you and your puppy.
First, you need to figure out transportation for your Bichon Frise
puppy. Please don’t think that you can take a new puppy and just
set him down beside you on the car seat, as this can be very
dangerous, not only for you but also for the puppy. Remember
that this is probably one of his first car rides and he’s bound
to be frightened and curious. Leaving him free roam of the car
puts him at risk from tumbling off the seats or, worse, crawling
under the driver’s legs and risking an accident. Of course, it’s
not a good idea to have someone hold your puppy either -
remember that, when puppies get scared, it’s not uncommon for
them to piddle or get sick to their stomach. For your puppy’s
safety, as well as your own, be sure that you have a good
quality crate to transport him properly. You'll need a crate for
future transportation to the veterinarian, trips, and, if you
plan to crate train your puppy, for his "den". Choose a dog
crate that will accomodate your Bichon Frise puppy as he grows into
adulthood and beyond.
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Before you bring your puppy into your home, you will want to
swing by the veterinarian’s office first. While you may be able
to tell great deal from your puppy’s appearance, a vet can check
him for more serious conditions, as well as administer any
vaccinations that your four-legged friend may require. Do this
right away, especially if you have other pets in the home.
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Feeding Your Bichon Frise Puppy
Speak with your veterinarian or your Puppy's breeder
regarding feeding your puppy; how much should he be eating and
how often. Usually puppies are fed twice per day, in the morning
and the evening - at the same times each day. It's extremely
important to choose a top quality puppy food filled with
healthy, natural ingredients, and to stick to the same food at
all times. Your veterinarian can recommend a good quality dog
food, or you can make your own home-cooked puppy chow.
In the aftermath of the tainted dog food tragedy where
thousands of dogs died from toxins in commercially prepared dog
and puppy foods, this is something which many dog owners,
including myself, have turned to. Making your own dog food is
quite simple, reasonably inexpensive, and very rewarding. There
are a number of dog food and puppy food recipe books available
to help you create your own puppy food, but always check with
your veterinarian to ensure that your recipe will provide the
nutrition your puppy needs, in the correct ratio. It's a good
idea to supplement your puppy's diet with a vitamin supplement
if you plan to make homemade food.
A supply of clean water should always be available to your
puppy. Make sure you keep your puppy's water dish clean and
filled, in a place where he can access it when he needs a drink.
Be careful to check the water dish several times a day to ensure
puppy has not knocked it over (as puppies do!)
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Introducing Your
Puppy to Other Family Pets
Once you get home, carry out introductions with any other
pets carefully and with constant close supervision. It’s easy
for other pets to feel apprehensive or jealous towards the Bichon Frise
puppy, so it’s important that you take the time to introduce him
to the other pets. Some breeders will even allow you to carry
out introductions before you even adopt your new pet, giving you
the chance to see how both animals will react together when on
neutral ground. This is the ideal way of introducing the two, as
it prevents the established pet from feeling that he has to
defend his territory, but whether you perform introductions at
home or not, be sure to take it slow and be patient. Always
praise your existing pet and make just a big a fuss over him as
you do the newcomer.
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Puppy-proofing your home and yard is also essential. Take the
time to get down to Bichon Frise puppy level and look your home over, top
to bottom. Tape down any electrical cords to ensure he cannot
chew on them or apply a product, such as Bitter Apple, to
discourage chewing. Check your home for toxic houseplants and
any chemicals that puppies may get into (anti-freeze is
especially tasty to pets and very deadly). Also be sure to block
off any stairs that a puppy can climb up or tumble down, as Bichon Frise
puppies tend to be very clumsy for the first few months of life.
Even once your house is puppy-proofed, however, remember that
puppies are like children and should have constant supervision.
Always be watchful when your Bichon Frise puppy is on the prowl.
And speaking of children, be sure that your children are
aware of the do's and don'ts when it comes to handling your Bichon Frise
puppy. Many a puppy has been injured by the well-meaning but
rough handling inflicted by toddlers and young children. Be sure
that your children know that puppy is not a toy, should not be
picked up, poked at, hit with toy hammers, put in doll
carriages, dropped over stair railings, etc. Let your children
play with your puppy only under very close supervision. When you
can't watch the interaction closely (ie within 2 inches of the
puppy), be sure to confine your puppy - or your kids (just
kidding :-) to a crate.
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Housebreaking is always a major concern and, in
truth, there is only one way to housetrain a puppy: through
observation and patience. Puppies are creatures of habit and so,
by feeding him at the same time every day and by observing your
puppy, you will learn when he needs to be taken outside. Most
puppies need to go outside after eating or drinking, when they
first wake up from a nap, or right after vigorously playing. Do
not yell at your puppy, if he does have an accident, as this
just teaches him to be sneaky. Instead, calmly take your puppy
outside every two hours and spend time with him, telling him to
“go potty,” regularly, until he learns what it is that you
expect of him. Read more...
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What Your Bichon Frise Puppy Will Need
Important items to have on hand for your new Bichon Frise puppy should
include at least a week’s supply of the food that he was
originally being fed at his old home (mix it in with his new
food gradually, if you plan to change him over), some teething
and chew toys (rubber bones and rope pulls are much safer than
rawhide, which is hard for them to digest), and your new puppy
should have a crate that is large enough to accommodate him
comfortably as an adult dog.
Welcoming an adorable Bichon Frise puppy into your home is an exciting
event. If done properly, you and your puppy are sure to make the
necessary transitions with ease and will soon be on the path to
enjoying a long and happy life together. Hopefully these tips
will help keep everyone smiling and tails wagging.
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