Adopting or buying a puppy is no fly-by-night decision. You hopefully spent a lot of time deciding on the best dog breed for your family, settled on your veterinary and/or pet insurance budget, and of course, agonized over the most magnificent moniker for your precious pup.

From puppy breath and snuggle seshes to silly selfies and watching them fall asleep right in their food bowls, puppies are, quite frankly, perfection. As veterinarians, however, we always want to make sure that anyone considering taking the puppy plunge understands that, along with all of the good stuff, taking care of puppies can be a lot of work. Not only that, but they are itty bitty balls of energy that require a lot of time and dedication.

It’s puppy season, people! Tiny paws that smell like Frito’s (why we’ll never know), playful behavior, soft fur, so many snuggles, and the piece de resistance - puppy breath! Let’s face it, though. As time goes on, the puppy breath typically changes to something, well, a bit more ominous.

Is your fur baby destined to turn into a fur giant? If you own a large-breed puppy, they may be a lap dog now, but before you know it, they’ll be way too big for cuddles on the couch. Of course, your colossal canine will still be just as lovable, but you’ll need to know a few things about taking care of a large-breed puppy.

Appropriate socialization in the first few months of life is critical for healthy social development of puppies. Proper exposure to new places and people can reduce the incidence of fear-based behavior problems later in the dog’s life. Let’s look at how and why you should socialize your new puppy!

Getting a new puppy is exciting but can come with a lot of questions. We are only a phone call away and are happy to help answer any and all questions you may have regarding

When it comes to pet pregnancy, we believe Bob Barker said it best: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” HOWEVER, if your dog IS pregnant, we also believe you should provide the very best care to her possible, from the moment you know she’s pregnant up until the big birth day, as well as post-pregnancy.

When choosing the right dog for you and your family, there are many considerations to weigh. Which dog could be the right fit for your lifestyle? One of the more difficult issues is the question of whether to get a mixed breed (mutt) or a purebred dog. There are pros and cons to each, as well as differing opinions. There are also some misconceptions about what is available to the potential dog owner and some information out there that may not be completely accurate.