BAGPIPER BEAGLES

1.  Your puppy should be fed ¾ cup 3-4 times a day up until 16 weeks and then twice daily and follow the feeding instructions on the bag.  We feed and recommend premiums dog foods, Bil-Jac and Eukanuba-Premium Performance are excellent examples. We serve Bil-Jac - Puppy, this is what your puppy has been eating, however if you wish to change foods please do so over a 7 day period and mix in the Bil-Jac with the new food to avoid stomach and intestinal upset.  Whatever food you use it should be a premium grade that has meat as its first or second item on the ingredients, avoid those that list grains first.
2.  We recommend that your dog is fed in his crate and left alone with food undisturbed for 15 to 20 minutes at which time you remove the food if any is left.  This method will help to prevent a picky eater, and stabilize bowel habits.  You will also notice a change in eating habits, in case your puppy becomes ill you will be able to tell your vet exactly when the change occurred.  Do not free feed, ie. leave the food out for the dog to eat whenever it feels like it .  You will have an obese beagle and a picky eater.  Picky eaters are made not born.
3.  Do not feed chicken bones or chocolate at any times.  Table food may, but really shouldn’t, be given occasionally with a meal as treats but do not substitute as regular feeding.  
4.  Fresh water should be available at all times, even when they are in their crate.
5.  Never leave a choke collar on an unattended dog. Choke collars should only be used when training your dog.
6.  When traveling we strongly recommend that the dog rides inside the vehicle in his or her crate.  It is best to have your name and address with an emergency number on the crate in case of accidents this keeps your dog from going to the pound.  Also, it is best to take a container of the water your dogs is used to drinking as tap water from other areas can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. 

Grooming:  Beagles are very easy to keep groomed.  The only regular grooming that must be done is nails need to be clipped with a set of dog clippers, clip just in front of the pink inside the nail, and they need to have their ears wiped out daily and use an ear cleaner once a week for deep cleaning. (This can be obtained by your vet. We use and recommend ADL Foaming Ear Cleaner.)  Teeth should be cleaned on a regular basis with a canine tooth brush and we recommend an annual cleaning if your vet so advises.

Vaccinations: FOLLOW VET ADVICE.  Your puppy has already received the beginning sets of vaccinations and you have been provided with a list of them.  The puppy receives a set of shots every four weeks, at 6, 10, 14 and 18weeks.  The 6, 10 and 14 week shots should be DHPP and the 18 week shot will include Lepto, DHLPP.  He will also receive rabies at 16 weeks/4mos.  We highly recommend that you split up the last puppy shot the will include Lepto from the Rabies about a week apart.

We recommend that you ask your vet about a Heartworm prevent program. We use HEARTGARD Plus.  Your puppy has already started this program and it should be continued on a monthly basis.  You will also want have a flea prevention program.  We use FRONTLINE.  When you go in for your annual vaccinations I recommend a stool sample to be checked for worms.  

Crate training:  We firmly believe in crate training and all of our dogs are crate trained.  Crate training takes time and patience.  Your dog will be approximately 13-15 inches tall at the shoulder as an adult so purchase one in which they can stand upright easily.  I recommend the plastic type crates over the wire type. We use and recommend Pet Porter, 2oo series or Medium, which can be found for the best price at Wal-Mart.

House Breaking: Beagles are somewhat difficult to house train.  Crate training is an absolute requirement to achieve this goal.  When you get home place the crate in a quiet place and allow the puppy to adjust to its new home.  Basic house training consists of  frequent trips outside (about once an hour), always provide potty breaks after a puppy eats, and if the puppy has been in its crate, always take it outside to relieve itself before allowing it to romp and play in the house.  Puppies generally become somewhat reliable by 6 months of age.  Please remember that a puppy that has an accident will not understand why you are scolding it for something done 5 or 10 minutes ago.  I praise a dog every time I see it potty outside and tell it bad dog every time I see it do it inside and take it outside. 

These are a few simple guidelines and are certainly not the answer to every thing so please feel free to call us with any question.  We also recommend that you find a vet that you can have an open and honest relationship so that they can be a source of good information.  

Our phone # is 210-654-3388 call any time, we’re always available,Kevin & Larissa Alexander San Antonio, TX 78233

  
  
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