New NYC Dog Owners

First Trip to the Vet's Office!

It's important to make sure your NYC puppy is fit, healthy and happy before you do anything else. If they have any physical issues at all it's best in the long run to identify and deal with them right away. Knowing that your puppy has a clean bill of health will of course do wonders for your peace of mind and enable you to relax and enjoy your new addition to the family. New York City law states that all NYC dogs must be licensed and wear their tags outside - and a requirement for licensing is that they have up to date rabies shots. It is also slightly cheaper to renew an NYC dog license if your dog is neutered or spayed, so you might want to talk to your vet about that. While neutering and spaying is entirely up to you, it does eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancies and enables your dog to socialize with other dogs with less chance of friction. This is especially important if you intend to take them to dog parks or dog runs in the city - many dog runs ban unneutered dogs because of potential conflict. Neutering your dog also has certain health benfits that are worth reading up on. You might also want to think about having your dog micro-chipped; they're about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted into the back of the neck with a needle. Your dog's information is then stored on a database. It's a perfectly safe and painless procedure that you'll thank yourself for doing should they ever become lost.

Preparing your home

Preparing your home for the arrival of a new puppy is much like preparing for the arrival of a baby - it pays to think ahead and to anticipate any potential dangers or problems. It's even a good idea to get down onto the floor and see things from the perspective of a puppy - you may notice something that you would have missed otherwise!

• It's on the floor? It's going to get chewed!

  Socks, shoes, magazines, books, TV remote, cables, cushions, children's toys, tax returns...if you leave it on the floor, it's a chew toy to your puppy. It's a good idea to clear anything chewable into drawers, cabinets and closets, unless of course you don't mind them being destroyed by puppy teeth. And check under sofas and tables for small coins a puppy might swallow!

• Keep doors closed

  Decide on the areas you wish to confine your puppy to and get used to keeping those doors closed! You'll probably want to keep them out of your bedroom (they'll hide under the bed) and out of the bathroom (they'll re-carpet your apartment with toilet paper).

• Move toxins out of reach

  This includes cleaning fluids, rat and roach poisons and even cigarette butts in ashtrays. Remember chocolate is also a toxin for dogs - it can kill them! It's also a good idea to child-proof floor level cabinets in the kitchen because curious pups can sometimes open them with a paw - especially if that's where you keep their food!

• Prepare wires

  If you can't find a way to block off access to the areas behind the TV set, stereo or computer then look toward taking alternative measures to deter your dog from chewing wires. Wrap them in PVC tubing or something similar. Most pet stores sell a variety of sprays which make things taste bitter and nasty to dogs and they're perfectly harmless. Use the spray on anything else you'd like to keep unchewed, like furniture legs.

• Check windows

  If you open windows in your apartment then be sure there are no ways in which a puppy could climb up to or jump through them. Be aware that an open window with a screen is not as safe as a closed window.

• Consider buying a puppy pen

  Setting up a puppy pen allows you to confine your pooch to a small, safe area without having to worry too much about danger and destruction. They are available from pet stores as well as online. If your puppy has springs on their feet then make sure it's high enough! Alternatively, keep them in the kitchen with a gate blocking the door. Cover the floor with newspaper in case of indoor accidents - once your puppy is used to going on the paper you can take away one sheet at a time until they're used to using just one sheet. Then, move that sheet gradually over days to the place you'd prefer it to be.

• Tie up window blind drawstrings

  Puppies love to play with drawstrings and chew the plastic on the ends. If they can reach the sill then make sure drawstrings on blinds are tied up out of reach because they'll destroy them and even worse, become entangled (it happens!)

• Make sure plants are non-toxic

  Puppies love to chew plants but be very aware that some are toxic to animals in varying degrees. See the links to the right for a page containing more information about poisonous plants.

• Buy a good quality, chew-proof bed

  It's important to make sure your puppy is comfortable and relaxed at night, otherwise they'll keep you awake too! Get a bed that's soft, supportive, chew-proof and easy to clean. It also helps to make their sleeping area as relaxing as possible - if your puppy is very young, putting a tough hot water bottle in with them helps recreate the security they felt in the litter from the warmth of other puppies, and a ticking clock nearby can exert a calming influence as it reminds them of their mother's heartbeat.

NYC Dog Laws and Licensing

Responsible NYC dog ownership involves adhering to and respecting NYC dog laws. There are seven you should immediately be aware of to avoid fines (or worse):

• Your NYC dog must be licensed

  Section 161.04 of the NYC Health Code requires that all dogs be licensed and must have their license tags attached to their collar at all times when in public.

• Your NYC dog must have rabies shots

  Section 11.66 of the NYC Health Code requires that all dogs over 3 months of age must be immunized against rabies.

• You must keep your NYC dog leashed in public

  Section 161.05 of the NYC Health Code requires that all dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6ft when in public, except in designated off-leash areas.

• You must pick up after your NYC dog

  Section 161.03 of the NYC Health Code (and basic common decency) requires that you pick up your dog's waste and dispose of it appropriately. Ideally, this means scooping into a plastic bag, sealing it and throwing it into a trash can.

• Control your NYC dog to prevent nuisance

  Section 161.03 of the NYC Health Code requires that you prevent your dog from being a nuisance in any public place. This one is self-explanatory!

• Your NYC dog must be quiet

  NYC's noise code prohibits dogs from making any unreasonable noise that can be heard from within a residential property, and anyone who is bothered by such noise is within their rights to call 311 to complain. This means no infernal yapping! In practice, boundaries are usually decided upon by neighbors and what they are prepared to excuse. As a rule of thumb, you should strive to prevent your dog from barking continually.

• Your NYC dog must not attack others

  Again this is self explanatory and basically says that your dog must not attack or assault people or other animals. There are circumstances of self-defence in which such behavior can be excused and these are set down in section 17.347 of the Administrative Code.