Learn the Right Way to Potty Train Puppy
March 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
The day you bring home your little bundle of joy can be an exciting one for the whole family. Your new puppy will be a loving friend and companion for many years to come. One of the first things you will need to do as a new parent is to teach your puppy good manners. You will need to potty train puppy and it’s not hard to do, if you know how.
Dogs are very intelligent. They love their parents and want to please them. They will try really hard to do what they are supposed to do. But just like with human children they do need to be taught the proper times and places to relieve themselves. Follow a few simple steps to potty train puppy and you will enjoy each other’s company a lot more.
The first thing you want to do when you first get home with your puppy is to take them outside to relieve themselves. When taking them out use a phrase such as ‘go potty’ or any other phrase that you feel comfortable with. Just remember to use the phrase every time you take them out. This will let them know what they are supposed to do. Once they’re done praise them and try to spend some time playing with them.
Dogs don’t like to soil their den. They won’t relieve themselves near their bed, food and water. They are very clean animals generally. It’s because of this den mentality that crate training is so effective. When you purchase a crate take into account how big your puppy will get when she grows up. Make sure to get one that will allow your grown dog to move around comfortably, stand up completely without hunching and have room for their bed and some toys.
Since the crate will probably be too big for your puppy you want to close off the back section of the crate while you potty train puppy. This will reinforce their natural dislike of soiling there den. If they have too much room in their crate they will just relive themselves in another part of the crate. Just take a board and make a partition to close off the back half of their crate. Once they get bigger you can remove the partition and give them access to the whole crate.
Remember the crate is a tool to help potty train puppy. It isn’t a punishment. You want to make it inviting and leave the door open when the puppy isn’t in it. That way they can go in whenever they want. Also, keep the crate near the family. Don’t isolate them. Even when they are in their crate they should be able to see and hear what’s going on and feel like they are part of the family.
To potty train puppy as quickly as possible keep your puppy in the crate whenever they can’t be supervised. When you go to bed, or off to work, put the puppy in the crate.
Puppies are like small children. They have small bowels and bladders and don’t have much time between the time they realize they have to relieve themselves and when they actually go. Make sure you take them out frequently throughout the day. And limit their water intake in the hour or so before you go to bed or to work.
Following these simple tips will make it easy to potty train puppy. Just remember your dog is clean by nature, very smart and she wants to please you. Give her every opportunity to succeed and she will. Enjoy your new best friend!
Simple Steps To Look After Your Dogs Teeth
February 5, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Health
Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their dog’s teeth. As dogs age, the need for dental care increases. The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog is to start while they are very young. Many dogs do not like their mouths touched. It is important for you as a dog owner to desensitize them to being handled like this at a very young age.
The veterinarian is always going to need to examine your dog’s mouth and you do not want to have problems with this.
The best way for you to get your dog used to having his mouth touched is to begin touching it when you first get your pup.
Make sure to touch the lips, open the mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled in this way.
Make this a regular part of your interaction with your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of preventive dental care.
Most veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Many manufacturers make special toothpaste and brushes for dogs.
You do not ever want to use human toothpaste on dogs as it may be harmful to them. To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, you may want to start by putting a dab of dog toothpaste on a cotton ball and rubbing it over his teeth. Toothpaste for dogs is usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn’t mind this.
You can then try a finger brush, available at your veterinarian’s office or pet supply store. Eventually, especially for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog toothbrush. Regular brushing will help prevent the buildup of calculus and debris on your dog’s teeth.
Another way to help prevent calculus and buildup on your dog’s teeth is by using rawhide chews specially formulated for dental care.
Many companies manufacture these chews. One of the best available is by C.E.T. Most veterinarians carry C.E.T. dental health products. C.E.T. chews are formulated with an enzyme that helps keep plaque from forming and prevents the buildup of bacteria.
Also, the natural abrasion of rawhide chews helps keep teeth healthy. C.E.T. also makes a chew that contains chlorhexadine which has antimicrobial properties.
Some companies also make special dental health food, which may be recommended to you by your veterinarian to help prevent dental problems.
Even with proper preventive measures, most dogs will eventually need a dental cleaning from your veterinarian. If your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, it is important that you follow through.
If your dog develops dental disease, harmful bacteria can pass through into the bloodstream causing potentially serious problems such as kidney infections and infections involving the heart valves.
A dental cleaning performed by your veterinarian is much like a human dental cleaning, however your dog will need to be sedated.
The anesthesia is light and with today’s technology is extremely safe. Many veterinarians have anesthesia monitoring systems just like those used in human medicine. A thorough exam will be performed to determine if any teeth need to be pulled or repaired.
Some veterinarians will do x-rays of the teeth to find any cracks or diseased teeth. After this, a trained member of the veterinary staff will perform a dental cleaning. First, they will scale the teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line.
This will be done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment. After this, the teeth will be polished, which will make them smooth and help prevent plaque from adhering to them.
Most veterinarians will also do a fluoride treatment. This is to help strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque from forming. If any teeth are diseased or broken, your veterinarian may pull them.
Some veterinarians who specialize in dental care will perform root canals and other intensive dental work.
Most veterinarians will put your dog on a treatment of antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.
It is very important to take good care of your dog’s teeth to keep them healthy and to prevent infections. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice and if you have further questions, consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.
10 Simple Steps to Potty Train Your Puppy
January 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
These are just ten simple ways that many people have found improve and simplify their puppy’s potty training experience.
1.) Make sure you stay optimistic while undergoing the potty training process. If your not willing to teach, your puppy won’t be willing to learn.
2.) Start potty training as soon as possible, the longer you procrastinate, the more bad habits your puppy will make.
3.) Confine your puppy in a workable area. An single room with an easy to clean floor is easier to train in than an entire house with numerous hiding places.
4.) Make sure to walk your puppy on a regular schedule. A good example is: early in the morning, shortly after meals, and before bed.
5.) Let your puppy know when it does the right thing. When it eliminates where it’s supposed, reward it with something it likes and recognizes. (for most puppies, play time is an excellent reward)
6.) Make sure to promptly and thoroughly clean up after your puppy (this includes scrubbing and deodorizing). Otherwise he will eliminate there again.
7.) Feed and play with your puppy where he previously eliminated. Animals don’t like to eliminate where they eat and play, so this will help prevent future accidents.
8.) Minimize the puppy’s water and food intake before sleeping. Just like a child, it’s more common for a puppy to have an accident when it has a full bladder.
9.) Keep your training methods constant. Changes in strategy will confuse your puppy and it will take longer to house break him.
10.) Keep and eye on your puppy. If you find he’s having too many accidents, it probably means you are leaving him unattended for too long at a time or you’re not giving it enough attention.






