Newborn puppies are totally dependent on their mother for the first three weeks of their lives. They need her for food, to keep them clean by licking, and to help them urinate and defecate and if the mother does not have enough milk, rejects her litter, or has died, you will need to learn how to properly rear the puppies.

* When bottle feeding the puppies, you must give them the milk formula initially every two hours. Consult a vet for guidance on the exact amounts to feed.

* After you have finished feeding the puppies, wipe away any spilled milk and clean each of their anogenital region with damp cotton. This process mimics maternal licking, which stimulates them to urinate and defecate.

* Clean each of the puppy’s eyes, ears, and mouth daily with cotton moistened in warm water. You may still handle them frequently even if their mother is around; just make sure that you do not upset her.

* You may have to trim their nails to prevent them from scratching their mother and one another.

* To properly keep track of their weight gain, carefully weigh each one daily. This will determine weak puppies and those that are not sufficiently getting enough milk. You can help puppies that cannot gain weight by helping them gain access to the most productive teats.

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Big breeds such as the Labrador Retriever produces large litters of small puppies and have fewer whelping problems than small breeds such as terriers, which produce smaller litters of large puppies. Also, breeds with a large head such as Bulldogs usually have more difficulty giving birth than do other breeds.

To prepare for labor, you will need to gather the necessary supplies such as towels, threads for tying off the umbilical cord, and a non-toxic disinfectant for your hands. Once the mother starts to go into labor, call the vet so he can be prepared for any possible problem. Do not interfere with the process unless you absolutely have to in order to help the mother if she is having difficulty giving birth. In this case, she may need some assistance.

The mother should produce a puppy within 2 hours after her water breaks. The puppies come out at intervals ranging from just a few minutes to 2 hours at a time. You need to contact a vet if the mother has been straining unproductively for more than half an hour because the puppies may be too large for her to deliver. The vet may have to perform a cesarean section to where an incision is made in the abdomen so the puppies can be removed by hand.

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Dandruff mostly occurs when the dog’s skin cells naturally form, die, and flake off at a very fast rate. The following are seven suggestions on how to keep your dog’s coat clean and dandruff free:

1. Because dandruff is a sign of flaky skin, you need to give your dog regular baths to wash away the flakes before they start to accumulate. Giving your dog a bath once a month during the winter season and twice a month in the summer time will help clear up the problem for good. Always use warm (not very hot) water to bathe your dog. Use a mild shampoo like regular baby shampoo and massage it thoroughly into his skin. Make sure that you rinse and dry well.

2. If using a regular baby shampoo does not get rid of the dandruff, try using a pet dandruff shampoo that contains sulfur or salicylic acid. Leave the lather on for about 5 minutes to give the active ingredients time to work. Medicated shampoos are available online and in pet stores. Do not use medicated shampoos intended for humans since they can be harmful to your dog. In addition, to prevent the dandruff from getting worse, do not use shampoos that contain insecticide such as most flea shampoos. These shampoos leave your dog’s skin very dry, even those with added moisturizers.

3. You may use the same colloidal oatmeal soap that people use for dry skin to help relieve flaking. Oatmeal soap is great for dogs with dandruff because it moisturizes dry skin.

4. You can spray your dog’s coat with an oil rinse, available online and in pet stores. Spraying him with an oil rinse helps lubricate the skin and lock in moisture. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate.

5. You can also rub your dog’s coat with the same moisturizing lotion or cream that you use on your hands; this gets the moisture down really deep.

6. Regular grooming is also necessary in order to help distribute natural oils evenly over your pet’s dry skin, which helps keep dandruff down. You need to choose a brush that is not too harsh. Test the softness of the brush by rubbing it on the back of your hand to see if it hurts. If it is soft enough to use on your own head, then it is going to feel good for your dog.

7. Some generic foods do not provide the full amount of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs in order to maintain a healthy skin. Switching to a high quality name brand food will help eliminate the problem. Sometimes, dandruff occurs because dogs are not getting enough fat in their diets. You need to consult with a vet before giving your dog any kind of supplement.

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