Choosing your Puppy

We understand that choosing a new puppy is exciting and also a big decision therefore it is important to
understand the breed, its needs and pet ownership requirements. To assist with this we have elaborated
Breeds and Breed needs in our Breed Profiles.
 
Please take time to browse through our website and feel free to contact us,
as we are more than happy to Accommodate your family's needs.
 
If you require any assistance, please feel free to email us at admin@murrayriverpuppies.com.au
or Phone us during business hours on (03) 58735348
 
Murray River Puppies Pty Ltd.
 
​The Good Guide for Buying a Puppy
 
Finding a Good breeder Tips:
Be sure the breeder is legally allowed to breed and that they are registered with their State Government and Local Council
Be sure the breeder is prepared to discuss your needs and your puppies needs and they are able to answer your questions such as-
Are they acting within the laws required in their state?
      Do they offer health guarantees?
  Do they provide Vaccination, micro-chipping and more?
Are they  willing to have you visit their premises?
Will they allow you to meet the parents and see the environment that your puppy has been raised in?
Are they breeding for the right reasons- to provide a happy, healthy, socialized family pet?
Are they happy to provide support after the puppy has been purchased and happy to have the puppy/dog returned if required at any time throughout its life time for any reason?
Are they encouraging you to have the dog de-sexed, or is the puppy de-sexed prior to purchase?
Are the parents DNA tested prior to breeding?
Will you receive guidelines / instructions/ notes to assist you with your puppy’s transitions?

All these guideline questions combined -contribute to a good ethical breeder
and ensure you are on your way to purchasing a good healthy puppy.
 
Your new pet will require tender loving care.
Below is a list of things you need to know and do, so that you can develop a great relationship with your new friend.
 
What you will need in the beginning:
Feeding bowl, water bowl, collar, leash, ID tag, bed, kennel and bedding, toys for stimulation, quality dog food-(use breeders recommendation at first), parasite treatments (see below), chews/ bones, water, training treats. 
 
Ongoing Costs:
Buying the puppy/dog is often the least cost part of owning a dog – you should also allow up to $1,500 per year for food, registration, veterinary costs,
and other costs in your budget for the 1st year. 
The purchase price of the puppy is additional.   
 
Feeding:
Puppies bred correctly have to be weaned when you buy them and
will require 3-4 meals per day, reducing to 1-2 meals per day as an adult.
Feed a balanced diet – buy a “complete food”
and you can blend with raw mince, leftovers, and occasional treats.
Don’t feed cooked bones, fatty foods, chocolate or corn cobs to your dog.
Give puppies the widest variety of quality foods as they grow
(without changing the whole diet too suddenly) to avoid fussiness later.
DO NOT let your pet become “over weight” – it is hard to “remove” and can damage your pet’s health.
 
Managing common diseases:
Your puppy should be vaccinated as follows:
• 6 to 8 weeks of age (C-3: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Para influenza & Boretella)
• 12 to 14 weeks of age (C-5: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo,  Corona Virus, Para influenza & Bordetella)
• 16 to 18 weeks of age (C-5: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Corona Virus,Para influenza & Bordetella)
Then annually or according to the advice of your veterinarian. C-4 is also used by some veterinarians.
​
De-sexing:
De-sexing makes for a better family pet.
If you are not a registered breeder, we suggest you de-sex both dogs and bitches asap.
Talk to your vet about early de-sexing.
 
Toilet Training:
Puppies are not reliably toilet trained until after 4 months of age.
This involves consistency and being persistent! 
Housing: Your dog will need a strong, safe shelter to keep out wind and rain, keep him warm in winter and sheltered in summer.
Place the kennel facing north (to keep the southerlies out) and out of the sun if possible,
in a sheltered place
(perhaps against a wall).
In the beginning the laundry is a good safe “kennel”. 
Give your dog good bedding to “call their own”. 
 
Security:
Protect your dog from danger (and you the cost and heartache of searching)
with a strong fence and self closing gates,
an  ID tag on their collar, as well as the microchip updated into your name.

Some plants are toxic, and puppies get into everything –
inspect your house and garden and remove any dangers.   
 
Normal behavior:
Puppies and Dogs are active and playful animals.
They will play, run, jump, dig, bite (mouth) and chew.
Dogs usually don’t like being disturbed while eating.
There are strict rules in dog packs about who is the boss.
Your dog will/must learn all  “dog laws” by socializing widely with other dogs from an early age and being trained by you as to what is acceptable  and  non-acceptable behavior.
There are plenty of guides to help– trainers, puppy pre-schools and behavior books/pod casts.
Don’t be afraid to use your voice to praise (“good dog!”) and reprimand (“NO!”). Your
our dog is sensitive to your mood, “body language” and tone of voice - you can use these to train your dog. 
Your dog is part of your “pack” and wants to be “good” - praise good behavior as often as possible.
 
Social Contact:
Your puppy/dog is a social animal who will not do as well locked in a backyard alone.
They need regular contact with people and other dogs. Get out and enjoy life with your dog! ( once fully vaccinated.
 
Exercise/ Enrichment's:
Your puppy/dog should be exercised at least daily and the amount of exercise will depend on the breed, age and the individual. 
Go for a walk together, attend obedience classes, play ball, run on a beach, play with other dogs – all these will keep both you and your pet naturally healthy. 
Prevent boredom and minimize destructive behavior enrichment such as bones,
toys, sand pits and “treasure hunts”.
 
Managing parasites:
Intestinal Worms:
Use a recommended intestinal worming treatment
-       Every 2 weeks from 6 weeks to 12 weeks of age, then
-       Every month from 3-6 months old, then
-       Every 3 months for the rest of the dog’s life.
 
Weigh your dog so you use the right dose.
Dogs that have access to offal from farm animals or kangaroos
may also require hydatid tapeworm treatment.
Talk to your vet about this when you visit for vaccinations.

Heart worm:
Heart worm this is an issue for dogs in all states of Australia.
Prevention may be weekly, monthly or yearly.
This is best discussed with your vet.
Recommended treatment
- 6weeks of age,
- 12 weeks of age,
- 6 months of age,
- 12 Months of age, then yearly.
 
Fleas and other external parasites:
Use a recommended flea treatment  preferably from a vet and according to label directions
to ensure that your dog has no fleas/ parasites.
Remember that juvenile fleas live off the dog in your soil, so don’t forget to treat the environment.
 
Leaving your pet unattended:
Dogs are social animals that normally live in groups. Ie with other dogs or humans.
Damaging behaviors (barking, scratching, and chewing)
can result in dogs left for long periods alone and not enriched. 
Never leave your dog alone in an unsafe environment as harm might result
(e.g. from chewing electrical cords) and
NEVER leave your puppy/dog alone in a car as car temperatures can rise rapidly.


Remember, the more time spent with your puppy or dog, the better the dog!
BUT- you also need to train your dog that they can be alone in a safe environment with enrichment's. This will reduce puppy anxiety.
 
Life span:
With good care, small dogs can live up to around 18 years of age, with a shorter lifespan for larger dogs (to about 10 years for giant breeds).
Lifespan  depends on individual genetics, health, exercise and just plain statistics.
 
Legal issues:
By law, your dog must be registered with your local council
Micro-chipped at point of sale.
Must be vaccinated at point of sale.
All dogs should be sold with a breeders source number.
They must be contained to your own property.
And on a leash in public unless in a sign posted “off leash” area.
Other legal issues may apply according to where you live such as de-sexing, your local council can assist you  here.
 
In an emergency:
Contact your local veterinarian.
Keep their number in your file or look in the yellow pages.
If your dog becomes lost, call your local council, pound or animal shelter.
Develop some knowledge of first aid for cuts, heatstroke or other minor emergencies.
In poisoning cases the Poisons Information Center can also assist. 
 
WHAT IS YOUR SITUATION?
 
This information has been supplied by K.Schoeffel BSc(Hons) BVSc - www.family-pets.com
 
Every person or family is different and there are different breeds to suit each situation.
In your situation consider:
Are you strong willed or gentle, preferring reason to force? 
Only strong minded people with a good understanding of dog behavior should own a large guard or hunting breed -  dogs don't reason and some animals must be dominated to be safe.
A smaller, gentle, easily trained breed is more likely to suit gentle people.
How old are your children?
Babies and toddlers don't handle bouncy or delicate puppies well - perhaps you should wait a bit.

Do you want an inside or outside dog?
If you don't like dogs in the house and you're working all day you won't get to spend much time with your dog - get an "independent" dog.
If thinking of an inside dog, think of hair shedding, size and activity level.
Do you have a large car and a very large back yard?
You should have no worries with an active dog or a dog over 25 kg.
If not look at a smaller or less active breed.
Do you have time for/enjoy grooming?
If not can you afford someone else to do it for you or should you get a short haired dog?
Do you have the time or interest to train your dog? 
Intelligent trainable dogs can be rewarding but they are more likely to become destructive or neurotic if left alone for long periods.
"Independent" is usually a euphemism for "totally un-trainable" but breeds that bear this label can still be affectionate and loyal and make great kids companions - if your back yard is secure.