FEEDING:

We personally use Purina Puppy Chow-Optimum Start and recommend it to our pup’s new owners. We strongly advise that you make no dietary changes during the first two months that you have your puppy. After that, you could change to a new food gradually should you wish. Please let us know before you make any changes to your pup’s diet so that we can be sure that you are making the right choice. Be aware of the vet who is selling their own food and recommends that you switch - they are just trying to make a sale just as the pet store who will attempt to up sell you as well.

Your new family member may have a little difficulty with home sickness at first. This is really to be expected and should not be a source of worry to you. Remember that this is the first time the pup has been separated from its littermates and his/her whole extended family. Follow our guidelines on how to crate train and you’ll never have a problem. If you are unclear on this concept, please let us know. In usually will take about a week for your pup to settle in and not cry all night! If the pup does not eat well the first day or two, try not to get concerned. Make sure that there is fresh water available morning and night. Remember, always feed in the crate ! Remove all uneaten food after 15 minutes! If all food has been eaten at the end of 15 minutes, increase amount at next feeding interval. Crate door should be closed - water left outside the crate! If the pup does not eat, take the food away until the next regular feeding and then re offer it. If you start adding things to make it taste better you will develop a picky eater and probably end up adding things for the rest of your dog’s life. Vizslas are not dumb, when they are hungry enough, they will eat; give them choices and they will insist on always having choices. Before you call and claim that your puppy doesn’t like its food, ask yourself - if the puppy didn’t like the food, how did the breeders get it to live, grow and thrive on the very same food for the last four weeks ?!? Most owners do not understand the importance of properly feeding their dog. Never get into the habit of free feeding (leaving a bowl down always full of food). This simply is not good for your dog. You cannot monitor the food consumption so there is no way of telling if your dog is sick and has lost its appetite. Also, feeding in the crate helps reinforce the idea that the crate is a “good” place as well as prevents possible confrontations between your dog and children regarding the food bowl!

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to supervise your children with your puppy. Accidents can happen that can permanently damage your pup. A drop can result in brain damage, internal bleeding or hip and bone problems! Although puppies appear rough and hardy, they are in fact very fragile. A broken bone may never heal correctly if it occurs on a growth plate! Remember, puppies should never be thought of as a toy for the children. They are a responsibility of the adults of the family! We have a rule at our house for all visiting children (under 10 years of age) that perhaps you should use at your house. We NEVER allow children to carry our puppies. While young children may well be able to handle a 10 lbs pup, they often do not realize that the pup the very next week is 15 lbs and simply too strong for them. Start your puppy and children off respecting one another and you’ll avoid many potential hazards. Lastly, just because your children are good to puppies, do not assume that all children are. Vizslas are particular intelligent dogs. If a neighbourhood child mistreats them, they will remember and become fearful or mistrusting of all children - even yours! Also, be sure to have your children use to picking up all small toys. Your puppy will chew on these toys and small pieces could choke it! A puppy is a transition for the whole family!

 

GROOMING OF YOUR ONPOINT PUPPY...

Your pup is used to being bathed regularly and we use a light/baby shampoo on him/her. DO NOT use a flea shampoo or flea collar on your puppy until after he/she is at least eight months old! This will severely irritate your puppy.

TOE NAILS...

Your pup is used to having his/her toe nails cut regularly. This should be done about once a week! If you continue this habit, your dog will not mind this as he/she gets older. Vizslas’ nails should be kept short so that you don’t hear them clicking on the floor. Do not become stressed if the nail bleeds after being cut the first few times. The quick bleeding will cease. This will become easier as the dog matures and the quick develops further. Long toenails weaken the foot and puts unnecessary strain on your dog! Do not be intimidated; this is simply something you are going to have to do to properly care for your dog!

 

Your puppy has been checked for worms and has been cleared by our vet DR. Paul O’ Neil. We ask that you keep your puppy away from all other dogs, and parks frequented by other dogs, until at least it has had its second set of shots. Your pup’s immune system has not fully developed and he/she is vulnerable to many airborne bacteria. Although he/she currently does not have worms, he/she can pick them up rather quickly simply by smelling an area infected. I will give you/send you a complete vaccination schedule when you get your puppy that will outline what shots are due when.

 

We at Onpoint Perm. Reg'd Vizslas absolutely insist that every puppy we sell be crate trained. This is the very most important step that we can take to ensure that you and your new family member start out on the right foot. In fact, we INSIST that you have a crate before we will ever release the pup into your care. We are completely inflexible about this issue! It doesn't matter if this is your first Vizsla or if you have had them for forty years, everyone must agree and understand how to crate train. We strongly recommend a crate such as the Vari Kennel model 400/ Pet Porter Intermediate or large size. This is the perfect size and style of crate for your pup. Costs will vary so shop around; contact us for retailers. We do not like the wire crates as these crates do not provide your puppy the security it needs. Crate training is not a new concept but is one that is rapidly increasing in popularity. A crate trained pup is reflective of a well informed and responsible owner. There is nothing cruel about crate training. What is cruel is NOT crate training. You are leaving your puppy open for serious injuries from unattended children, household items, poisons and toxic house plants. We as responsible breeders cannot release a puppy into such a dangerous environment! Provided that you are giving your dog sufficient daily exercise, your pup can stay in its crate from the moment you leave to go to work until you return at night. Your puppy will be happy to see you and you happy it. Your house will still be in the same condition as you left in the morning and you can immediately spend happy quality time with your pup. Your pup needs a crate as a safe zone away where it can rest and sleep undisturbed by young children & other household pets. Remember, every fox, wolf, or coyote has a den in which it can retire to feel safe and secure. You must provide the same area for your new pup. You will find that your pup will continue to naturally rest in its crate even as a senior dog. Crate training is the best thing you can do for your dog. It is not punishment and should never be used as such. Even when you are at home, your pup should be placed in its crate when you are unable to give it your undivided attention. Do not leave your pup unattended even for 5 minutes as you are asking for trouble. Puppies can be very destructive as they do not know any better. You can not correct negative behaviour if you have not witnessed this in progress. By crate training, you are guaranteeing that you will be able to train your pup faster and more effectively. Your pup should always sleep in the crate at night. Feeding should always occur in the crate. This prevents your pup from ever being put in the situation were it might snap at a child or another household pet. Furthermore, feeding in the crate allows you to monitor what your pup (and not the other animals in the household) has eaten. This enables you to judge whether or not your pup is ill. We recommend that owners use their crate religiously until the pup is 3 years of age. By that time, the pup has been trained and all destructive tendencies are gone. Don't be tricked into leaving your pup out because he has been just perfect for the last six months. This will get you every time! If you are unsure or uncomfortable about crate training, please call us. Take the time to further learn about crate training, it is worth it!

 

 

Should you have any additional questions about this important concept, please feel free to contact anytime.

John Reid

phone/fax: 613-659-4888