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Welcome to Roswell my little furry friends. It appears that Santa was very giving in the live animal department this year! It started just a few days after Christmas...THE PUPPY SEASON! It is one of our favorite times of the year at Chattahoochee Animal Clinic. Seeing all of these adorable puppies is one of the great perks of the veterinary profession. The bonus of the ear to ear grin and excitement that the child in the family has while holding the new puppy is priceless and infectious to the staff. It truly is the best way to start the new year!

So, now that the puppy has departed from the North Pole and landed in the Roswell area, it is time to discuss some basics of puppyhood and what we should pay particular attention to for the next several months as they are growing.

Young puppies go home in a very immature and vulnerable state. Here are a few things to remember:  #1. They are used to having their mom around to tell them what they can and can't do. #2 They have a huge sleep requirement. #3 They need very frequent and regular feeding and considerably more frequent and regular toilet training.

A puppy's imprinting period is usually between 6 -16 weeks of age. This is the time when they learn fastest and integrate best into a new family. It is also when they are at their most receptive to new experiences. At this age, good experiences are learned and enjoyed for life, while bad or frightening experiences are learned and avoided or feared for life.

All this means that it is imperative to bring a puppy into a new home is when there is a routine in place that accommodates regular times for feeding, playing, teaching, socializing, grooming, toileting etc. For a few weeks someone will need to be in the house pretty much all the time, if the puppy is to become quickly house trained and bond with its new family. It also means that in the early impressionable and vulnerable weeks extra care and time is needed to make sure that a puppies experiences are managed. The goal is to keep the new puppy from bad and frightening experiences and introduced carefully to good and pleasant experiences.


A new home is full of dangers or a puppy, trailing cables, unguarded stairs, toys and shoes left lying around, unfenced garden ponds and so on... A concerted effort to address potential dangers is needed by any family especially in the first few days and weeks of puppy ownership if accidents are to be avoided. The whole family needs to be aware of the changes they need to make to accomodate a puppy, such as learning to close gates and doors, not running around carelessly, putting away toys and shoes. Parents have to make sure these new practices are enforced and adhered to, so they have a double task on their hands, minding the puppy and the children.

Children need to be taught responsibilities, even if they are quite young. They should have their allocated time to groom the puppy and help with feeding, cleaning up and general care. Children need to be encouraged to perform their duties reguarly and undertstand that they "own" certain aspects of the puppies care at predetermined times. This routine should start as soon as the puppy arrives home, if children do not get involved from the beginning they will never get involved later - that is certain.

So, are you ready to enjoy that new puppy? I hope so because at the end of the day after working, cleaning up after the kids and dog, and making dinner. You still have that sweet, adorable little furball looking up at you with no judgment and ready to play.

Happy New Year!

Chattahoochee Animal Clinic

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Our Regular Schedule

Chattahoochee Animal Clinic

Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Chattahoochee Animal Clinic

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday
Closed