Special Care Tips for Dalmatian Puppies
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Dalmatians have long been one of the most intriguing breeds of dogs. You can’t help but fall in love with a Dalmatian when you see one. Maybe it’s because we’ve seen them in films, or know they are often associated with firehouses, or it could just be their beautiful spots. Whatever it is that attracts people to these adorable dogs, they are quite popular as pets. The breed was originally bred as coach dogs, however, over the years they have made their rounds into other areas of purposeful duties, including firehouse dogs, entertainers and more. They have been around for hundreds of years and have only grown more fashionable in the canine world. As cute as this breed of dog is, it is really not a breed for everyone but if you have decided to embark on the Dalmatian journey, there are tips for caring for this type of puppy that you should be aware of. Here are some special care tips for Dalmatian puppies to help you raise a healthy and happy pup.
1. Vet check
Your breeder should make sure your puppy has all of his first shots and doctor check ups before you take your puppy home, but it will be necessary for you to take your new puppy for a full check when you get him home. Getting your new puppy established with his own doctor gets your pup off on the right track to good health. He can also give you all kinds of good tips and advice for taking care of him, such as when his next vaccinations are due, what to feed him and how often, among other breed specific tips.
2. Crate
You will want to invest in a dog crate as soon as you get your pup home. Crating your Dalmatian puppy will help encourage your dog to house train and use the bathroom outdoors. Crates also help keep your curious and mischievous puppy confined when you can’t be there to keep an eye on him and out of trouble. Because dogs are den animals, crates simulate a den and give your dog a sense of security and feeling of safety. The more you get your pup accustomed to being in a crate, he will learn to instinctively go in his crate on his own just for the comfort and security, when he wants to rest.
3. Feedings
Your breeder should give you all the information on how to feed your Dalmatian puppy; what he has been eating and how often to feed him. You should stick to what your breeder tells you about your puppy’s feedings as far as his schedule and the type of food. If you plan to change the brand of dog food, gradually make the change over a week or two in order to give his tummy time to adjust to the new food. If you want names of dog food brands your vet recommends, ask him to give you names of brands to choose from that will still give your puppy the highest nutritional value for good health and growth.
4. Exercise
Your puppy will need plenty of exercise as all puppies have a lot of energy, however, Dalmatians have an abundance of energy, even into adulthood. That being said, you don’t want to over-exercise your puppy. He will still need plenty of downtime to rest and sleep as puppies grow fast and this requires proper rest to grow healthfully. When exercising your pup, you will never want to just turn your puppy loose in a yard that isn’t properly fenced, either. Supervised exercise and play time is important because your puppy will be curious about the world and he can quickly run out of site and find trouble.
5. Leash train
Getting your puppy accustomed to walking on a lead or leash as soon as possible, is important. You want to always have control of your dog, from the time he is a puppy and especially as an adult, and the best way to have him in your control, is to get him used to walking on a lead, with you in control. There is nothing harder than trying to control a big dog on a leash who doesn’t know how to walk or behave on a leash. One of the best ways to train a Dalmatian puppy is to always have treats with you when you take your pup for a walk.
6. Obedience training
Start obedience training right away with your puppy. Dalmatians are intelligent dogs and they are trainable, however, they do have a bit of a stubborn streak, so be patient with your puppy, but stay firm. The sooner you start training your puppy, the easier it will be to keep on top of his obedience and get him used to following your commands before bad habits begin to set in. If you don’t think you have it in you to do the training yourself, you may want to enroll your puppy into obedience classes.
7. Socialize
Socializing your puppy starting from the beginning will help him to get accustomed to being in different situations, in different environments and around different people so that he is more accepting to these situations. Take him to the dog park to play with other dogs, get him used to being around young children (supervised), taking car rides, among other socializing situations. This helps to instill good behavior throughout his life, which makes for a more calm, well-behaved adult dog that will be a pleasure to be around.
The more you know about raising a Dalmatian puppy and caring for him before you bring one home, the better equipped you will be to dive in and create a healthy and happy environment for him to grow in. In the end, you will help to raise a very well-adapted, happy and healthy dog.
