About my Cockapoos
My cockapoo puppies are first generation and are wormed and vaccinated. They come with supporting AKC/America’s Pet Registry documents on the dam and sire. All my adult dogs are AKC/America’s Pet Registry registered and have a certified third generation pedigree.
My puppies are raised in a clean & nurturing home environment with lots of love and care. I pay special attention to breeding for excellent temperament, health and a beautiful coat. Socialization is started at an early age through ample exposure to children of all ages as well as adults. Many of my puppies over the years have gone on to be used as therapy dogs in their new homes.
Puppy Proofing
Puppy Proofing your home is much like preparing to have a toddler in your home. Many new puppies are injured or harmed because their owners are not aware of their habits or how curious they are. If you imagine your home through the eyes of a puppy, you may notice many seemingly harmless household items that can cause unfortunate problems. An ounce of safety is worth a pound of cure. Here are some suggestions to help you puppy-proof your home:
- Don’t leave cigarette butts in ash trays where the puppy can get to them. If eaten, cigarette butts can lead to nicotine poisoning.
- Secure electrical cords to baseboards or make them inaccessible. If your puppy chews on them, it can suffer electric shock burns and may even die.
- Keep Christmas decorations out of the dog’s reach. Crushed glass Christmas balls can result in nasty cuts.
- Never burn candles where they’re accessible to pups. The flame will attract them.
- Keep medication bottles out of the puppy’s way. Childproof containers are not enough where puppies are concerned. Aspirin is highly toxic in dogs and can lead to kidney failure and possibly death if enough is eaten. Call your veterinarian or poison control immediately at 1-800-876-4766 if you suspect your puppy may have ingested any medication.
- Always keep the toilet lid down if you use toilet bowl cleaners. They are often strongly alkaline and tempting for a puppy to drink.
- Keep cellar doors and upper story windows closed. A curious puppy is as vulnerable as a young child.
- Don’t invite other pets to your house until your puppy is fully vaccinated. A puppy’s resistance to infection is lower than an adult dog’s until about 16 weeks of age.
- Dispose of chicken or turkey bones in a puppy-proof manner. Puppies like these bones and will search through the trash to get them. Bones can be life threatening.
- Don’t leave needles or pins out where the puppy can get to them. They often swallow them.
- Be certain anti-freeze is out of reach and any drippings are cleaned up completely. All dogs are attracted to its scent. Anti-freeze is highly toxic.
- Use pesticides and rodent poisons with caution. Hanging strips, fly paper and other exposed toxins must be kept out of reach.
- Avoid using flea collars, flea dips and certain other preparations until your puppy is at least 15 weeks old. Find out the limitations of these products before applying them.
- Keep your puppy away from toxic plants. Rhododendron, Japanese yew, and lily of the valley, as well as peach and cherry pits, can all cause problems if eaten.
- Purchase Bitter Apple cream from a pet supply store and apply it to items the puppy is attracted to to discourage him/her from chewing on table legs or electric cords.
Recopied in part, with permission from Desert Care Animal Hospital, Hesperia, CA