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Puppies require a lot of care and attention, similar to that of a child. According to the National Council of Pet Population and Policy, one of the top ten reasons people abandon dogs is "having no time for their pet."
Feeding
According to "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" (Liz Palika; 2002), puppies need to be fed three times a day until they are 12 weeks old, then they need two feedings per day.
Considerations
Puppies need to urinate and defecate frequently because of their small size. A rough guide is that when they are awake, they need to go out every two hours until they are about a year old.
Exercise
Puppies need hours of exercise a day, usually interspersed throughout the day with naps. "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" says that many bad habits of puppies are caused by not getting enough exercise.
Training
The National Council of Pet Population and Policy and Petfinder.com reports that 96 percent of all dogs surrendered to shelters had no training. Training needs to be done every day for a puppy or the puppy will become unruly.
Misconception
Puppies do not instinctively know what is good to eat. Puppies need constant supervision so they do not get into poisons, people food or destroy valuables.
Source:
"The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" (Liz Palika; 2002)
Milford Animal Hosital: Common Problems Associated with Your Puppy's First Year
Petfinder: Why Are Pets Relinquished to Shelters
Resource:
Michigan Humane Society: Dog Buyers Beware: Heartbreak Comes With Sale of Unhealthy Pets
List of Most Bizarre Reasons Pets Are Abandoned
The San Diego Union-Tribune: How Much Work is that Puppy in the Window?
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