Puppy Class

This Sunday I went to a puppy class at the SF SPCA for two hours. I learned a lot and got really informed about how to deal with puppies. When puppies are 2-4 months this is considered their "golden time" because this is when they become adjusted to an environment. This is when they should be introduced to new noises and sights and sounds and anything outside really. From a slight breeze to shadows to building and even the leaves rattling from the wind. They should be carried not allowed to walk because puppies immune systems are weak and they can easily catch diseases that may or may not be life threatening. They can catch parvo which is life threatening or they can have giardia which is less serious. The teacher also taught us that if a puppy is being too aggressive we should yelp like a puppy no matter how embarrassing that sounds. It helps show the puppy that they should not be doing that. A lot of puppies that come to the shelter come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are horrible environments for both the mother and her pups because they are often crammed into crates or cages with little to no space to roam free. They are surrounded by their feces and are not fed the nutrients that are required for their immunity to be well. Puppies should also learn to be socialized because if not then when they grow they will be scared of people, objects, even the slightest noise. It is better to broaden their horizon and teach them as much as possible in these short months where they learn the most. The shelter has music playing and sometimes they also have traffic noises so they can become adjusted to city life so it can make their transition into being adjusted easier. My first puppy that I got to carry in the shelter was a black terrier mix named Dante. He had a fur on his chin that was styled into a beard and he was extremely adorable. He snuggled into my neck and was really calm. Puppy volunteers help to feed the puppies and help introduce them to new things. This class helped me learn a lot more about puppies that I didn't know before.

New Techniques

This week I went to my mentor's every day after school which totaled eight hours. In those four days I saw a pit bull who had his left ear completely removed because of an ear disease. He seemed to be in a lot of pain but was taking it like a champ, his name was Blue. I also saw a cat who had kidney failure and he was hooked on an IV and was given fluids. I also helped the technicians to set up for x-rays which was difficult because even though the large Labrador was sedated, he still put up a fight. I also helped take blood samples for a dog. The vet twisted the dogs fur to be able to reach the vein and it seemed pretty simple. When the vet got a blood sample from a cat she had to get the blood from it's neck. I also helped new clients get settled into the clinic and saw a dog get an ultrasound for kidney stones. The vet sprayed some alcohol on it's abdomen before using the ultrasound. There was also a sad case when a feral cat had it's kitties aborted because she could not care for them. It was sad and it was even more sad to see the owner because she seemed really down. It was a long week but I learned a lot.