Posts Tagged ‘puppy’

A Couple Of Thoughts On Giving A Puppy A New Home

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Going a new puppy for your house is going to be one of the most wonderful decisions you will ever make. The joy and pleasure that a puppy can bring to a new household, especially one with children in it, is something that cannot be understated. However, it is also true to say that you need to be aware of all of the problems that a puppy can bring along with it. I puppy is going to really cause you a lot of stress in many ways, and they will take years in some cases to gain maturity. As such it is a decision that cannot be taken lightly, and some people will want to simply adopt a adult dog instead. However, if you have your heart set on a puppy, here are a couple of thoughts on giving a puppy a new home.

There are lots of things that you have to consider before you do bring a puppy into your household. Never say that you have not been warned, and that you are not aware of the effort that you are going to have to put in.

The first consideration that you will need to make ears whether the puppy is entirely healthy when you go and get it. It is not uncommon to find puppies in kennels that have certain physical problems associated with them, and if this is not what you want then you should look elsewhere.

The next thing to do will be to make sure that the puppy is socialised. The natural traits of any puppy are to be very playful and friendly. However, it can sometimes be difficult for a puppy to show the signs if they are indeed somewhat restricted confines of a dog shelter. As such you should definitely make sure that you take a few minutes at least play with the puppy as much as possible and to try to drag its personality out.

You really need to check on the puppy’s personality in order to make sure that it is not too aggressive. It is okay to find a puppy that is a little bit reserved and shy, as this is perfectly natural in a shelter. However, finding a puppy that is overly aggressive is not going to be the best thing to do.

The last thing that you really need to look into is the breed of the puppy. In many cases you will already know exactly what sort of breed you are after, and the breed is also going to be a serious indication of how the puppy will behave and act as they get older.

These are just some thoughts on adopting a new puppy.

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How To Take Care Of A Puppy: 5 Things You Should Know

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

You are getting a dog for the first time and you are excited. There’s just one thing. You don’t know how to take care of a puppy. What do you do with a puppy? What are its needs?

She will need some sort of protection since she is so small, but how do you do that?

And then there are health concerns. How do you make sure she stays healthy? What things do you have to worry about? Can you take precautions?

You probably never thought of these issues when you fell in love with that bundle of joy.

The first step is to understand what dangers lurk and what you can do to ensure she stays protected and well.

Here are 5 tips to get you started.

1. Make her comfortable. Make a special place for her to sleep. Gather up some safe toys designed for puppies. Soft toys will help to provide the comfort that her littermates would have given her. She also will need tough toys to ease her when she is teething. Yes, puppies teethe, just like babies do.

2. Watch out for potentially hazardous situations throughout your home where she is allowed to go. Puppies are adventurous. They want to check things out. They instinctively test things they don’t understand.

Put all wiring, chemicals, cleaning fluids and the like out of her way. Thoroughly inspect the yard to make sure there are no holes and broken fence parts where she can escape. Get rid of all plants in and around your home that present a danger to dogs. You’ll have to ask your vet or dog expert for a list of what those plants are. One is poinsettias, but there are others that seem innocent but are not.

3. Take time to visit the vet regularly. As a puppy, she will need vaccinations against major diseases like rabies and distemper. Ask your vet what she needs and when. She must remain isolated from other animals until she has completed her series of shots. As well as keeping her vaccinations up to date, the vet can check your puppy to make sure there are no developmental problems as she grows into an adult.

4. Your puppy will need puppy formula. Her body needs more nutrients than she will get from adult dog food. This is vitally important. If she does not get the right food, she can have growth problems, such as deformed joints, and other health issues that can affect her entire future. Speak to your vet to find out what he would suggest you feed your puppy at different stages of development.

5. Always use the right tools, gear and products for your puppy. For example, a rope collar is no guarantee that she can’t be harmed. Choose a proper collar from your local pet store, one that fits properly without choking or slipping off. You will need to upgrade the collar as she grows and becomes stronger. Keep her bed in a warm location, free of drafts. Prolonged exposure to cold can leave her with arthritis as an adult.

We’ve only had time to cover 5 tips on how to take care of a puppy, but there is so much more to know. You will soon discover that your learning will be an ongoing process, especially during her puppy years. What you do now can have a significant impact on your puppy’s life.

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Housebreaking A Puppy : A Short Guide

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

It takes time and patience to housebreak a puppy. You need to understand that the learning skills of your puppy can be very different from the skills of another; therefore, training should not be rushed.

It is thought that the best approach to housebreaking a puppy is to set a routine and stick to it. This routine should consist of habits that your puppy can be familiarized with. If you are consistent with your training, you will find that your puppy will learn faster; soon enough he will defecate and urinate on his own.

The next step you need to take to housebreak your puppy is to determine the area of your yard that will become the dogs potty area. Your chosen place will become your puppy’s outdoors comfort zone, and is where the actual training will take place.

What you should do is take your little dog to the potty area every so often. Wait around in the area until it begins to defecate or urinate, and then give the puppy a treat. This is necessary to give your pet the cue that it is doing what you want and that you are pleased with its behavior.

Talk to your puppy as much as you can whilst its in the potty area, using phrases like ‘go pee’ and ‘go poo’. Keep the phrases short and simple, and use a consistent tone, and your puppy will quickly learn to recognize what you are saying.

Another consideration you should commit to memory is the puppy’s feeding schedule. Housebreaking a puppy can definitely be made easier if he has a consistent feeding schedule.

By feeding your puppy at consistent times each day, you can start to learn its bowel and urine habits. You decrease the likelihood of your puppy defecating or urinating inside the house if you know about what times of day it normally needs to relieve itself.

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How You Can Successfully House Train Your Dog

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

Widely recognized as the most popular and effective way to house train puppies the crate method utilizes your dog’s natural instincts. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will not by nature relieve themselves in the area where they sleep.

Knowing how to communicate properly with your dog lies at the heart of the house training process. Lecturing, yelling or other forms of punishment will not achieve the desired result. The key is to reward good behavior. Puppies are like babies, much too young to be held responsible for their bowel movements. Punishments are not the way to get through to your puppy. If you are going to use the crate method it’s vital that you learn about the proper, humane method to house train your dog.

Choosing the right crate

This is very important when it comes to the humane treatment of your puppy. A crate that is too small is very cruel. The puppy should have enough room to maneuver around and be comfortable inside. If the crate is much too large – the puppy might even relieve himself inside the crate.

The plastic varieties of crates are much easier to clean, durable and easier to carry around than the metal varieties.
It is also cruel to leave your puppy inside the crate for too long. Night time is crate time and often even very young puppies can go the entire night without soiling their crates.

You will want to slowly get the puppy used to the crate. The idea here is to create a positive feeling about the crate. Put a nice soft blanket inside and your puppy’s favorite toys too. You can also put some yummy treats inside to entice your dog.
Never, ever force your dog inside the crate. It is his sanctuary within your home.

Tips for house training

- Prepare the area that your puppy will spend most of its time in with a layer of newspaper.
- Designate an official toilet area for your puppy
- Supervise (or have the children do it) until the puppy has relieved himself.
- If your puppy starts sniffing or circling pick him up and get him outside fast!

Golden rules for house training your dog using the crate method:

- Take your puppy out first thing in the morning
- Take your puppy out directly after meals
- If your puppy has had an accident be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use a product that will remove the odor.
- Never punish your puppy for accidents. You would never yell at your baby and put her nose in her mess. Rather use positive reinforcement when your puppy does her business outside.
- Take your puppy out just before bedtime and make sure he does his business.
- Give praise freely where it is due. Treats, walks and positive reinforcement will go a long way toward getting your puppy to understand that eliminating outside is the goal.

Housetraining your puppy will take time and patience. The kind of dog and your methods will greatly influence how long it takes for your puppy to be fully house trained.

There is a reason that the crate method is the most widely used house training method. It works well. Of course house training your puppy isn’t your only concern when it comes to raising a well behaved dog. You will also want to set some distinct boundaries. Puppies should not be allowed free reign of the house; at least not until they are fully house trained. Your puppy is a sponge and above all – keen to please you. You are the pack leader and the puppy will look to you to figure out what is and isn’t acceptable in your home.

By deciding early what your puppy may chew on and what furniture he is allowed on you can eliminate confusion and behavioral problems later in life.

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Toilet Training for Dogs – Tips from Animal Behaviorists

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

Generally, dogs are very clean animals – they won’t soil close to where they eat, or where they sleep. But living in a house is unnatural for an animal whose instincts would be to roam wherever she wants to go, so you will have to help her learn where and when she can relieve herself.

It is essential that you form good toilet habits for your dog as early on as possible. Trying to break the habit of a dog is quite difficult and it can be very frustrating. You need to use guidance and encouragement to help the pet. Animal behaviorists have some helpful tips that you can use to help with the housebreaking of your pet.

Believe it or not, dogs are sanitary creatures. If a dog does soil accidentally in the wrong place, it is likely that it will be far from his dog dish, at least six to ten feet. This is true for the place where the dog sleeps as well. But, unless you find a good place for her to go and train her in that manner, the rest of your house is okay to them.

The process for housebreaking a dog is the same if he is a puppy or an adult dog new to your home. You’ll need to take him outside every few hours and also 30 minutes after he eats. Take your pet to the designated bathroom spot. Stay with the pet until she goes, and then praise her when she does. If she does not go, bring her back inside and try again in fifteen minutes. Watch her though. If the dog starts sniffing and circling take them out right away as this is a sign that she is about to go. Pay attention to her signs and take her out. Soon, she will relate to going outside to going to the bathroom.

Some dogs are housebroken much faster than others. Some dog’s personality will cause her to go one way or the other. But, if you take her outside at the right time, it will go smoother. A puppy of less than four months old will need to go out during the night. Older puppies can hold it that long. A dog that cries to be let out has an urgent need. Get up and take her out, she needs every chance to succeed that she can get. Positive reinforcement is necessary for success.

How you treat accidents will affect your dog’s overall learning curve. If you catch your dog going in the act, distract her with a clap or call her name. Take her outside calmly at that time and praise her for finishing outside. Clean up any accident that you find on the floor. If the dog approaches during this time, ignore her. Don’t talk to or punish her at this point. The worst thing that you can do is to yell at her or physically punish her. This will cause her to fear you and to not bond as well to you. She won’t connect it to the accident at all. Ignoring her is the best course of action here.

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10 Top Tips for Looking After Your Dog

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Cats and dogs are very different in the way they show a human affection. A dog is a lot more loyal than a cat. Many people treat their dog the same as they would treat a child.

Tip 1 ” When you first get your dog, it is a good idea to attach an identification tag to their collar. Many owners do this so if the dog goes missing or runs away the dog can be easily returned.

Tip 2 ” Different countries have different laws regarding registering your dog. You will be required to register your dog in most countries. The general practice is to insert a microchip into the shoulder blade of the dog. By doing this, the dog is then registered so if lost will be returned.

Tip 3 ” Whenever youre taking your dog for a walk, make sure that the dog is on a lead and it obeys you. Some dogs are classed to be dangerous by some authorities and may need to be muzzled when out in public.

Tip 4 ” If you tend to leave your dog outside for long periods of time, then it is a good idea to make sure that your garden has adequate shelter to protect the dog from the cold and rain.

Tip 5 ” Make sure that you take your dog to vets regularly this is always a good idea so the dog get a regular check up. If you tend not to take your dog to the vets, then if you dog had a serious illness it could cost you a lot more.

Tip 6 ” Unless you are intending to use your dog as stud, then it is quite important that you have them spayed or neutered. Most dogs tend to live longer and healthier after this simple surgery.

Tip 7 – It is important that you provide your dog with a well balanced nutritional diet and make sure that they can easily get to fresh water when they need. This is especially important if you intend to feed your dog only dried food. When it comes to which food to give your dog as there are so many different kinds available it may be advisable to discuss the issue with your vet first. Certainly many owners today prefer to feed dried dog food simply because it is must easier and also contains the right balance of nutrients, minerals and vitamins that dogs need. The other choice you have and if you have the time is actually to prepare fresh meals for your dog which you can then freeze and give to them each day.

Tip 8 ” It is always good for you and your dog to attend obedience training classes. This is so you and your dog are on the same level, by taking them to classes your dog will start to respect you more.

Tip 9 ” You should always allow time for your dog; take them for walks around once or twice a day. Dogs love open space so a trip to the park is ideal.

Tip 10 ” It is important to look after your dogs appearance, make sure you regularly groom the dog so that their coat is clean and shinny. You can also buy dog teeth brushes to make sure your dog has nice clean teeth.

Above we have given you 10 top ways to keep your dog in shape. If you follow the guidelines you and your dog will soon be on your way to a great partnership.

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Take The Time To Train Your Puppy – It’s Worth It!

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Dogs make wonderful pets and the key factor to having a well behaved dog that the whole family will enjoy, is by using proper dog training techniques. Dogs are kind-of like kids, especially puppies; they need to understand the rules of the household and they must respect the authority of their owners. Many new pet owners fall in love with cute puppies or even adult dogs that they purchase or adopt before they bring them home, only to become upset and frustrated when that adorable fur-ball chews up the furniture or makes messes on the carpet. While all puppies will find their share of trouble, a responsible dog owner must be patient and utilize plenty of time to raise that pup into a well behaved dog that is a joy to all. This article will provide some basic but very important dog training tips to help you and your puppy develop a happy relationship. I have learned over 50 years of owning and dogs and these tips are a great start.

Establish The Rules

The first step in dog training is to establish the rules of the household, and do not waste any time here! This means that if you don’t want your 100 pound Labrador Retriever jumping up on your bed at night, don’t let him do it when he’s a puppy at 5 pounds! Never let him do it. I know it’s tough because I am guilty, but take it from my lesson leaned. Never; not even once. Good news: it is never too early to teach your pup to stay off the furniture or avoid jumping on you or your guests. Oh, and don’t forget, before you bring your puppy home, make sure the whole family understands and is prepared to enforce the rules consistently.

Be Consistent With The Rules

Once your learn and establish rules, it is up to you and the rest of thre family to makes sure you live by them.Every time your puppy breaks a house rule, he should be reprimanded with a quick and firm “No!” and then shown the proper behavior. This applies to all aspects of your puppy’s training, such as house breaking and chewing on his toys instead of your shoes (they seem to love to chew up the shoes!). Just like kids, dogs learn the rules quickest when they are enforced consistently. This means that the dog owner(s) must be disciplined in their enforcement of the “rules.” With time, the rules become second nature to your dog and enforcement is rarely required.

Reward Your Puppy For Good Behavior!

This is a key tip. When your puppy follows the rules appropriately, reward him for his good behavior. Effective dog training requires positive reinforcement more often than punishment to produce great dog behavior. At the beginning of your dog training, make a big deal about his good behavior and give him a healthy edible treat. Within a short period of time, your puppy will understand what he’s supposed to do and you will be able to “wean” him off treats to praise and positive attention. Trust me on this, they are smart and learn quick.

I am not a “pro” at dog training but I have read a lot of books and of course have owned dogs for years. What I have found is that dog training is not particularly difficult, it just takes some reading, some patience, and definitely some consistency to gain success with these wonderful animals. The time you put in to training your puppy is well worth the years of enjoyment you, your family, and your guests will have with this new member of the tribe!

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How to Raise a Well-Behaved Puppy

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Getting a puppy is always exciting. They’re adorable, they’re fun and no matter what they do, they’re cute. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for owners to let their puppy get away with things they shouldn’t because, as a puppy, it is cute. Or, the owners just don’t know what they shouldn’t and should let their puppy do. Here are the crucial things you need to make sure to do when you get a new puppy.

First, don’t take your puppy from its litter mates and mother before its eight weeks old. Those first eight weeks are important for their development. Taking a puppy too soon often leads to behavior problems in the long run.

Second, begin housebreaking your puppy right away. Don’t wait. Even if it’s only for a few days, your puppy can develop some bad potty habits that are hard to break. Also, avoid paper training if possible. I recommend teaching them to go potty outside right from the start (if that’s where they’ll be going potty in the long run.)

Third, don’t allow your puppy to playfully nip at you. This mistake is fairly common, and one you will regret. Puppies should not ever be allowed to bite hands or feet, even if it’s just playing. This includes playing underneath blankets or pillows.

Fourth, recognize that dogs still have their natural instincts, and your dog expects there to be a leader of the pack. You need to establish yourself as what is called the ‘alpha dog’.

Your puppy expects to have a pack leader. If you don’t establish yourself as the leader, they will, and it’ll cause numerous behavior problems down the road. Do a search online for more information on this if you don’t know what it is. It’s important to know and use this information.

Lastly (but definitely not least), your puppy needs to be gradually and carefully exposed to new, unfamiliar people, sounds, things, people, and so on. Do whatever you can to ensure these experiences are good ones. Bring along delicious treats and be prepare to give them lots of enthusiastic praise during the process.

I hope this article has given you some valuable insight on how to raise your puppy. Follow the advice provided and I know you’ll do a great job of raising a happy, well-behaved dog that will be a loyal companion for years.

Get more tips and tricks to train a dog at DogBehaviorExpert.com, where I provide information to solve all types of dog behavior problems.

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Puppy Training Tips For House Training

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Puppies are so cute; everybody loves them. They are cuddly, fun, playful and curious and we tend to love every part of owning a new puppy until they go potty in the house and then we have to contend with the biggest problem and difficulty of having a new puppy, house training.

House training a puppy can be frustrating and difficult sometimes. But we all need to remember that a puppy is still just a baby. He has not yet learned how to control himself and until he gets older to where he has some of the restraint he will need you to be patient and loving as you spend quality time with him teaching him what is acceptable.

At 12 weeks of age a puppy will have to go outside as often as every 15-20 minutes and even more if he is actively playing. A resting puppy will not have to potty quite as often so during the night you can have more time usually if he is sound asleep. Do not awaken a sleeping puppy just make sure to take him out to potty as soon as he wakes up.

The important thing to remind yourself of when you are potty training your puppy is to be consistent. Make sure and use a leash and take him to the same designated spot every outing. Use consistent commands such as “potty now” and repeat the commands as required. Consistency is what it important when completing house training.

As you are housetraining your puppy you will need to make sure that the experience is as positive as possible for your puppy. If he ever develops any fear of your reactions or if he ever feels fear that he is doing it wrong your house training efforts will take more time. Your puppy wants to please you and if he does not know how to do that it will take more time for him to learn about potty training.

It is doubtful that you will be able to be with your puppy all the time so when you need to be away from your puppy you should put him in a crate. Puppies and dogs are natural den animals and they crave a small home of their own. Also, puppies will rarely dirty their own space so a crate will help to teach your puppy how to control himself.

A positive atmosphere and consistency will be the most important aspects of your puppy house training. Make sure that you consistently take your puppy outside, that you always take him to the same spot and that you consistently give him praise and treats for doing his duty. If you make the whole potty training experience a positive one for your puppy you will have success more quickly and it will be more effective.

House training is the most crucial part of owning a new puppy and you can train your puppy in just a few short weeks if you are consistent and positive about the training. You will then be able to enjoy your puppy more as he grows and you will never have to worry about accidents in the house again.

If you would like more information about dog training then you can get dog training videos online that will teach you every thing you need to know.

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How to Housebreak a Puppy Part 2

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Puppy Housebreaking Rule #1: Want to know the key to housebreaking a puppy fast? Here it is: supervision. Supervising your puppy means you are watching them ALL the time. You know exactly what your puppy is doing at all times, and can prevent them from ever going potty inside. Each time your dog does their business inside, you’ve moved a step back instead of a step forward.

Puppy Housebreaking Rule #2: You’ll never get anywhere by punishing your puppy after they’ve already gone potty in the house. The only way for them to ever learn that anything is wrong is if you catch them while they are IN THE ACT of doing it! No dog has the mental capacity to be able to put two events together and understand them. Even if it’s only been a few minutes since the act, they’ve already forgotten about it and will interpret any punishment you give them as punishment for what they are CURRENTLY doing.

If you find a mess on the floor when you get home, you need to resist the urge to scold your puppy, because they’re not going to get it. They’ll believe it’s their current action that’s being punished. If they’re asleep in their bed and you yell at them, they’ll assume sleeping in their bed is wrong.

Puppy Housebreaking Rule #3: Sooner or later, your puppy will probably have an accident. It’s very likely even if you’re doing everything right. When this happens, don’t yell at your puppy.

Making a big deal out of your puppy going potty in the house by punishing them unfortunately will not teach them that peeing/pooping inside is wrong. It will however, teach them that going potty is wrong. They’ll believe you will punish them for going potty, so you’ll have a very hard time ever getting them to go potty in front of you when you take them outside. Instead, they’ll try to hide from you and go potty under end tables or in corners when you aren’t looking.

Instead, pick up your puppy while sternly saying “no”, and take them outside (or to wherever it is you want them to go potty).

The best method is prevention. Watch your puppy closely for signals of needing to go to the bathroom, such as sniffing the floor or turning in circles.

Keep in mind that puppies will need to go to the bathroom about 30-40 minutes after eating or drinking anything.

By following the housetraining rules in this article, your puppy will be housebroken in no time.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: you must never correct a puppy for something you didn’t catch them in the act of doing. If they’re not in your line of sight, you can’t catch them doing it. So be sure to supervise your puppy at all times, and if you can’t supervise them, crate them.

Visit my website for more tips and tricks! I cover everything from paper training your dog to solving dog chewing problems at DogBehaviorExpert.com

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