Yes, it is. Just like old people, elderly dogs need more rest in order to function as well as possible when they are active. Your dog should be allowed to rest undisturbed as and when he feels the need. Make sure that his bed is in a quiet spot in the house. old dogs can rest and/or sleep for up to 20 hours per day.

Make a non-slip and comfortable sling to place under your dog’s tummy using a towel. As he pulls himself along with his forelegs, you can support his hindquarters easily and without straining your back. Lower the sling slightly to allow him to relieve himself when required.
On tiled and wooden floors, put down a non-slip floor covering such as carpet to help prevent your dog slipping on them-such flooring surfaces are a major cause of limb and back injury suffered by elderly dogs.

Yes, for two main reasons. The first is to prevent unwanted pregnancies in females, the second to help prevent both sexes wandering off in search of mates. A bitch is in season (receptive to mating) twice a year in most cases and can have up to eight or more pups per litter. With unplanned pregnancies presenting so many pups to find homes for it’s small wonder that rescue centres are full to capacity. Few inmates are lucky enough to find homes and the destruction figure to find homes and the destruction figure worldwide is simply straggering. Having escaped to find mates, dogs put themselves at risk of getting lost, catching or passing on disease, or being involved in an accident-many road accidents per year are attributed to wandering dogs. For further information on neutering, see below and opposite.

Play expercise is a high priority for puppies, along with sleeping and eating. Short, energetic bursts of play are interspersed with meals and longer bouts of sleeping. Because they are so lively when awake, it’s tempting to sustain play, but such activity in excess can have a detrimental effect on soft, growing bones and joints-especially in large and gaint breeds-and can cause problems in later life. Maintain your puppy’s natural sleep-play pattern and let him retire when he wants to, otherwise his body and mind will be stressed.

By far the best option is to buy, rent or borrow a suitable-sized dog crate. This can be used to transport your puppy in the car. With a crate, the driver is reassured that the puppy is safely enclosed, so is better able to concentrate on driving. Moreover, in the event of an accident, the puppy will (hopefully) be kept safely enclosed in the crate. Never put a puppy in the boot of the car, as he may be traumatized by the experience or even suffocate.

The number of afterbirths (placentas) expelled should correspond with the number of puppies born. If one is retained it can cause a fatal infection. If your bitch appears to become off-colour within a few days of whelping. Then seek immwdiate veterinary assistance. It is doubtful that the bitch will accept food until all the pups have been born, but water (with glucose added for energy) should be available to her. The bitch will bite the umbilical cord to separate each puppy from its placenta (which she will eat), and then clean the baby. Once delivery is complete, the bitch will appreciate a light meal of egg and milk, or cereal and meat broth, and may want to go outside bedding and replace it with her puppies. Check that they are all feeding.

Keep him away from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. It is wise to exercise him only in your enclosed garden or yard until he is protected against canine diseases. You will also have to train your puppy to the collar and leash before you can take him out, and make sure he’ll come back to you when you call him. Be careful not to expect too much of your puppy too soon and expose him to situations he cannot cope with, as this will create a nervous individual. It is better to gradually introduce him to sights and sounds outside the safe and familiar confines of your home, such as people, vehicles and other dogs.

• Protein, carbohydrates and fats.
• Vitamins – A, B-group, D and E; vitamin C is produces in the body.
• Minerals – the most important being calcium, phosphorus and sodium chloride. These and other essential minerals, such as copper and zinc, occur naturally in meat, cereals and other food ingredients.
• Fibre and water in balanced proportions.

Start recognizing your puppy’s normal behaviour as soon as you get him. Then you will know when all is not well. Note any unusual behaviour, altered appetite or demeanour, distressed whining, increased or decreased thirst, staraining on defecation or urination, vomiting or diarrhoea. You will be able to inform your vet of the symptoms.
Puppies with digestive upsets can soon become dehydrated, as the body loses moisture and essential salt and sugars (electrolytes), so it is imperative they are seen by a vet within a couple of hours it an ailment has not cleared up. If the condition worsens during this time, consult a vet sooner.

Before buying a puppy, take time to research preferred breeds carefully to check what, if any, ailment they are prone to. Having done this, you will be aware of what to watch out for, and what to ask breeders regarding health screening of the parents before they were bred from.