Pugs For Dummies Cheat Sheet

How to pick a pug puppy for a pet

Before you select a Pug to share your household, do some research into the breed and know what to look for in a healthy puppy. Pugs can live 12-15 years, so you’ll want to choose carefully before making a commitment to your new family member.

Here are some general guidelines you can use when choosing your pet Pug:

• Check out Pugs from a reputable rescue organization or visit a breeder referred by the Pug Dog Club of America, your veterinarian, or other Pug owner. These breeders have a good reputation; otherwise, they wouldn’t be referred.

• Ask to see the puppy’s parents or at least the mother and other relatives. They should be friendly and healthy-looking.

• Look at the conditions the puppy is being raised in. They should be clean, cheerful, and well lit.

• Observe the litter playing. Don’t pick the shyest puppy or the bully. The best one is somewhere in the middle of these two types, because (s)he’ll be the most agreeable.

• Check the puppy’s eyes. They should be bright and shining and clear of any discharges.

• Look at the Pug’s nose. It should be free from discharge, and breathing should be easy.

• Feel the coat. It should be silky and smooth without any bald patches.

• Watch how the puppy moves. (S)he should walk or run without limping.

Supplies you'll need to welcome your new pet pug

Prepare your Pug’s homecoming by having the right supplies on hand. Your new pet’s transition to your family and your household will be happier and healthier if you’ve stocked up on these items:

• A wire pet carrier for your Pug to ride safely in the car or to sleep inside the house.

• Bedding for the carrier to make it comfy. A clean old blanket will do just fine.

• Exercise pen or baby gates to keep your Pug puppy from getting into trouble.

• Collar and leashes to take your Pug on outings. Your dog should be on a leash every time you take him away from home.

• Identification to make sure that your Pug is returned to you if he ever gets separated from you.

• Two stainless steel bowls — one for food and one for water.

• Nail clippers for dogs or a cordless hobby grinder to keep your Pug’s feet in good condition.

• Brush and comb to keep your Pug’s coat looking healthy.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain good Pug dental health.

• Shampoo and conditioner to keep your Pug clean and smelling fresh.

• Premium food recommended by your breeder, veterinarian, or folks at a shelter or breed rescue group.

• Toys, toys, and more toys to keep your Pug happy and having fun.

• Clean-up scooper to pick up your yard.

• Pet odor remover or carpet cleaner to deal with those housetraining accidents.

When to get urgent care for your pug

If you are unsure whether your Pug’s health problem requires emergency veterinary care, it’s always a good idea to call your veterinarian. Here are some health issues that require immediate medical attention:

• Antifreeze ingestion: If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze and shows these symptoms — convulsions or diarrhea, excessive urination, weakness or vomiting, or loss of coordination — take him to your veterinarian immediately.

• Cardiac arrest: If your Pug is unconscious, stops breathing, has dilated pupils or white gums, or if you can’t detect a heartbeat, your Pug may be in cardiac arrest.

• Coma: If your dog has irregular breathing but doesn’t respond and won’t get up, he may be in a coma.

• Drowning: If your Pug stops breathing, tip your Pug’s head down and thump the chest a few times to drain the water from the airways.

• Overheating: Too much exercise on a hot or humid day or being left in a hot car can cause overheating. Your Pug may collapse or have severe muscle cramps, vomiting, seizure-like tremors, or rapid breathing.

• Penetrating chest wounds: Your Pug needs immediate care if he has had an accident that leaves an opening in the chest wall.

• Poisoning: Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tremors, excessive salivation, and nosebleeds.

• Seizures: Your dog will experience uncontrollable shaking of the head, legs, or body and have a strange faraway look in his eyes.

• Smoke inhalation and burns: You often can’t determine the severity of the damage from smoke inhalation and burns, so get emergency help as soon as possible.

• Steady bleeding: Hold a clean towel against the wound until you can transport your dog to the vet.

• Wheezing: If your dog has trouble breathing and sounds like a person with severe asthma, get him to the vet as soon as possible.

How to housetrain your pug

Housetraining a Pug takes time and patience. You need to let your Pug know where his personal potty space is outside so you are not cleaning up messes throughout the interior of your home. Here are some simple day-to-day-rules for housetraining your pet Pug.

In the morning, follow these steps:

1. First thing, take your Pug outside and stay there several minutes and tell him, “Go Potty Puggy!” or “Hurry, Puggy, Hurry!” until he does the deed.

   When he’s done, tell him that he’s a great puppy.

2. Give him breakfast.

3. Take your Pug back outside for potty again. When he’s done, bring him indoors.

4. If you can’t watch him, put him into his carrier.

5. Take your Pug outdoors every 20 minutes if you’re home.

In the afternoon, here’s what to do:

1. Feed Puggy lunch.

2. Take him outside.

3. Bring him back indoors and return him to his carrier if you’re busy and can’t watch him.

4. If you can watch him inside the house, notice whether he keeps walking around and sniffing the floor for a few minutes. If he does, take him back outside.

Here’s your Pug’s evening schedule:

1. As soon as you get home, take your Pug outside.

2. Bring him in for dinner.

3. Take him back outside.

4. Right before you’re ready for bed, take Puggy outside again for the last time.

5. Tell him “night-night” and put him in his carrier for the night.