Puppy and Dog Care

Puppy Training

Puppies are extremely impressionable. How you manage him or her will have dramatic and long lasting effects. You can make your puppy a better pet and prevent behavior problems by taking a few precautionary steps.

Crate Training

Pups tend to become highly emotional and destructive if left alone. Plan to spend a lot of time with your new puppy. Try to be home for a long weekend. During this time gradually accustom your pup to a puppy crate. Feed him or her in the crate and put toys in the crate. If crates are used properly, pups enjoy the security and privacy of their own "den". Your pup can be placed in the crate at times when you are gone or too busy to supervise (place near a family member). At bedtime, place the crate next to your bed.


Housebreaking

Establish a routine. Keep the pup's meal regularly scheduled to encourage more predictable elimination patterns. Take you pup out every two hours during the day and as needed at night. Select ONE toilet area. Take your pup to the toilet area five minutes after feeding, awakening, riding in a car, greeting new people or chewing on toys. Also when you see him circling or sniffing around. When your pup relieves himself in the appropriate spot, immediately reward him with a food treat or verbal praise. If you see the pup eliminate in the house clap your hands and shout in order to distract him. Then take the pup to the toilet area and reinforce for eliminating in the correct area. Never punish the pup after the fact. Never push the dog's nose into the stool or urine and hit the dog. Not only are these methods ineffective but may encourage aggression and fear-related problems. Use products which neutralize the urine odor when cleaning up accidents. (club soda. FON, Outright). Avoid products with ammonia.

Socialization

Dogs, like their wolf ancestors are pack hunters. Efficient hunting in a a pack requires a high degree of social organization. Dogs relate to people as pack members. It's up to your family to become "pack leaders" by performing simple exercises and stopping aggressive play. Failure to do so may predispose to problems. Introduce your pup to a variety of positive experiences. Visit three new places a week and introduce him or her to five new people at each place (find a variety of people). Take your pup on regular car rides-use a carrier to insure safer driving. Brush your pup daily. At the same time, handle your pup's feet and ears and open his mouth for inspection. Massage him all over. If the pup fusses, say "no" firmly. When he is quiet, talk to him in a soft voice. Expose your pup to various types of people, places and experiences. Take care he has a good experience. Gradually acquaint him to every loud noises, like that of a vacuum cleaner--turn it on and off from a distance.

Prevent Bad Habits

Provide appropriate object for chewing (nylabone, rawhides) and praise the puppy for chewing on these objects. It is best to rotate the toys every week so the pup doesn't get bored. Gently punish inappropriate chewing (clap hands, shout) while directing the puppy to appropriate objects. Put your pup in his crate when you're not supervising. Don't allow aggressive behavior: Mouthing hands, tug-a-war, jumping up, growling, guarding food and nipping. Competition between dog and owner should never be developed, even when it is playful. To handle aggressive play, stand perfectly still, cross your arms and close your eyes to tell your puppy you are not interesting in his playing "rough". When the puppy gives up, go and get an appropriate toy and praise your puppy for playing with it. Don't allow jumping up. Never pet or talk sweetly to a dog that has only two feet on the ground. Turn away and ignore him! Kneeing, hitting the dog under the chin and squeezing the dog's paws may actually lead to increased jumping. Make definite decisions about manners. Will the new dog be allowed on the furniture? Are any rooms off-limits? When you tell your dog "no" you must be prepared to enforce your decision immediately.


Nothing is Free

The "nothing is free" technique helps you establish leadership. The concept is to teach your dog that "nothing in life is free". Your pup must obey a command before he or she gets anything he or she likes. No food rewards are used. The reward is what the dog wants in the particular situation, be it love, praise, pats, going out, etc. Don't allow your pup to be demanding in obnoxious ways. The only way your dog should get what he wants is by behaving.

Additional Training

The preceding ideas will help you lay a good foundation. In addition, your dog should learn to: Sit and stay on command; come when called; and walk on a leash. Eight weeks of age is a good time to begin teaching the sit-stay command.