Tips to make a puppy comfortable and clean

You've finally made the commitment — you have a new puppy. There's nothing cuter than the antics of a pup, but these babies need lots of love and care now that they're away from their mother. Here are some tips to make your puppy comfortable and happy.

Puppies suffer from separation anxiety when they first leave their mother. To ease the transition, ask the breeder to put an old T-shirt or other piece of clothing into the puppy's box for a few days. When you bring the puppy home, bring along the clothing with the smells it recognizes and put it into the puppy's new bed.

Along with this security blanket, add something that smells of you, so that the pup will soon get used to its new home. Another helpful transition aid is an old-fashioned ticking alarm clock, which emulates the mother's heartbeat. You can also try filling an old sock with dried beans and microwaving it for a few seconds to create a soft, warm "body" for the puppy to snuggle up to.

Burrs and chewing gum can be nearly impossible to comb or shampoo out of a pet's tangled fur. To make burrs easier to remove, coat them with vegetable or mineral oil. Allow the oil to soften the burr for a few minutes, and then comb it out. To remove chewing gum, work creamy-style peanut butter into the gum until it dissolves, then comb out.

Ear mites can lead to serious infections and problems, including hearing loss in dogs. You can head off problems — and bills — with this simple treatment. If you are too late and the problem persists, consult a veterinarian. It could be a yeast infection and not mites at all.

What you need:

• One vitamin E capsule 400 IU
• 50 ml (1/4 c) mineral oil

What to do:

1. Pierce a vitamin E capsule with a needle and squeeze the contents into a small dropper bottle. Add oil and shake. Store at room temperature.
2. To apply, hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes to warm the oil. Put two or three drops of warm oil into the dog's ear canal and massage gently for a count of 10. Allow the dog to shake its head, then carefully swab oil and dirt from the ear. Repeat in the other ear.
3. Apply every other day for a full week.

Makes 50 millilitres (1/4 cup).

Your little four-legged friend is now a part of your family for life. Starting him off feeling safe, secure and clean will ensure many years of loyalty from your loving canine companion.