New Puppy Dakoda's Journey with Small Friends

Dakoda

Hi there, my name is Dakoda and I would like to welcome you to “Koda-Cam”. Dr Matt asked if he could document my journey with Small Friends Veterinary Hospital so other parents of pups can learn what is in store for their new puppies. I am happy to oblige – I am not at all camera shy!

I am a Japanese Spitz and I live in Amaroo with a little Moodle (Maltese X Poodle) named Peanut (who I play Tug-O-War with daily), two Ragdoll cats, Ziggy and Pebbles (who just love it when I jump on their backs and go for a ride), and a senior citizen tabby cat, Mindy.

I am only very new to Canberra but so far I love it, I have made some new and exciting friends at home and also out and about, you may have seen me walking to the oval with my mum, Chanel, we both like to wear a lot of pink.

Have you seen our New Puppy Information Page?

Chanel with Dakoda and Peanut

Puppy School
I have attended Small Friends Veterinary Hospital’s Puppy School with Kristine and Dr Matt. The other pups in my class were: Poppy, a Mini Labradoodle, Mia, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Buffy, a Maltese and Monty, a Border Collie X. Some of the pups were bigger than me but that didn’t stop us from having a great playtime together. Now I know big dogs are just as much fun as us little dogs! Buffy is my best friend at Puppy School we sometimes play hide and seek between the chair legs. 

Playing with Mia and Poppy at Puppy School Playing with Buffy at Puppy School     Buffy and I hiding from Mia and Poppy at Puppy School With Kristine at Puppy School

Puppy School is not all fun and games - we have been learning some very important lessons such as toilet training, grooming, healthcare, lead control, basic obedience such as ‘Sit’, ‘Drop’ and ‘Stay’. My Mum and I have been practicing every night and I think I’m getting pretty good.

Toilet training has been a bit tricky but I think I’m getting the hang of it, every now and again I will have a slip up but that’s OK it is early days. My mum has learn to pick up on my hints that I need to go to the toilet, she calls it my “circle work”.

Have you seen our Small Friends Puppy School Information Page?

Health Check and Vaccinations
My first official veterinary visit to Small Friends was fun. I saw Dr. Hao for my health check, vaccinations, worming and microchip. Mum was nervous when I had to have my needle but Dr Hao gave her some yummy liver treats to feed me so I didn’t even really notice the needle! It was all over quite quickly. The main things I remember were all the cuddles and attention I got from Dr. Hao.

Have you seen our Vaccinations Information Page and our Annual Health Check Information Page?

Dr Hao giving me my vaccination

Worming
Dr Hao gave me my worming tablet as Mum had had some trouble (I was tricky and would spit them out after she popped them in!). Dr Hao taught Mum how to pop the tablet straight down my throat and then give my neck a lovely gentle rub. I loved that rub. Dr Hao told Mum that I could also be wormed using a chewy wormer treat. I have to be wormed a lot at the moment because I am so young but as I get older I will need it less often.

Have you seen our Worming Information Page?

Mum holding me tight ready for my worming tablet Dr Hao giving me a gentle rub after my worming tablet

Microchip
Now that I am microchipped hopefully my mum can relax a little bit and stop stressing about losing me and me not being able to find her. Dr Hao popped my microchip in just the same way as giving me my vaccination, and whilst she did that Mum fed me those yummy liver treats again!

Have you seen our Microchip Information Page?

Being Microchipped	Dr Hao scanning my new microchip

Grooming
Being such a little ball of fluff it is important for me to be tangle free so I am looking my best at all times. My Mum also says that grooming is important as tangles can lead to matted hair, skin infections, pain and even fly strike. In the past grooming wasn’t my favorite time of day but it is something I have learnt to enjoy and a nice time with my Mum.

Mum brushing me

Desexing
I have turned 6 months old so today I went to work with my mum to have my special operation.  I was so excited when I got to the front door of Small Friends that I forgot that I hadn’t had my breakfast. It had been so long since I had seen the Small Friends team, who have taken such good care of me in the past.

At the beginning of the day Dr Matt checked me all over to make sure I was in perfect health. I passed this physical examination with flying colours which was a big relief for my mum. Dr Matt had a chat with my Mum about my health and to explain everything that I would do today and to answer my Mum’s questions.

I was then put into my bed which I settled into nicely. A little while later Dr Matt and Kristine took a tiny sample of my blood - this was so they could run some tests before my operation. I was then popped back into my lovely bed and I closely watched what the nurses around me were doing until I began to get very sleepy and nodded off into a light sleep. I remember being carried into the surgery but I was so sleepy that I just relaxed and let Dr. Matt and Kristine take care of me as I knew they would.

Next thing I woke up back in my bed. I relaxed while Tara gave me a manicure, pedicure and a good brush. She even gave me some doggy perfume - talk about a pampered pooch!

Dakoda resting after desexing surgery

That afternoon my mum took me home and because I wouldn’t leave my stitches alone I had to wear an Elizabethan collar for the next ten days, which was a little embarrassing but it took care of my wound. I soon got use to the collar and with the exception of running into the occasional door frame we were pretty functional - the bucket and I. Apparently most dogs don’t need these Elizabethan collars, so I guess I am pretty special!

After ten days it was time to have my stitches removed, so Mum and I went back to Small Friends. It only took a minute to take out my stitches and check my wound and then I was free to run around. However my mum had different plans as whilst my stitches were in place I was unable to have a bath and she thought I desperately needed one now they were out. Home we went and I got that bath!

Dr Hao taking Dakoda's stitches out after her desexing surgery