A birth, whether human or canine, brings joy, though the celebration varies by species. A puppy’s arrival—especially if not a stray—sparks delight, warming the hearts of owners, whether for companionship, commercial purposes, or genuine affection. The mother dog vigilantly cares for her pups, who, immobile in their early days, rely on her milk for nourishment. This milk, rich in essential nutrients, fuels their physical growth during this budding stage.

Gestation and Early Care

The gestation period for puppies lasts about nine weeks before they enter the world. Multiple births, like triplets or quadruplets, are common and unremarkable in the canine world. Post-birth, the mother’s licking is vital, shaping the pups physically and providing warmth against harsh weather. In this neonatal phase, the mother handles all their needs, as pups lack control over their bodily functions.

Puppies are born blind, deaf, but not mute, as their early vocalizations suggest. Their eyelids, initially sealed, begin to open around day 12, revealing blue eyes that perceive only shades. Bright light can harm their delicate, newly opened eyes, which take time to recognize objects. By this stage, pups double their body weight and start crawling, entering a transitional period. Here, they respond to human interaction, making it an ideal time to begin taming with consistent effort.

The post When do Puppies Open their Eyes appeared first on .

Female Dogs: The Pros

• Generally, female dogs are easier to train than males and are more likely to listen to all household members, not just the person they consider the head of the house.
• Most dog experts believe female dogs are more affectionate than their male counterparts, although many male dogs also enjoy belly rubs and snuggling with their owners.
• Female dogs tend to be more docile and less aggressive towards strangers and other dogs. This can be a major consideration for those living in urban areas, having children around, or seeking a dog with a specific breed predisposition to aggression.
• Female dogs are often better at forming friendships with other animals or small children in the house.
• Female dogs are easier to housetrain and can hold their bladders longer.
• Like humans, female dogs are usually smaller than males within the same breed.
• Female dogs do not tend to ‘mark’ their territory; they usually void their bladders entirely in one go.

Female Dogs: The Cons

• Female dogs can be more nervous and high-strung than males.
• The cost of spaying a female dog is generally higher than neutering a male.
• Female dog urine can ‘burn’ or kill grass, leading to a patchwork of yellow rings in your yard.

Male Dogs: The Pros

• Male dogs tend to be more protective of their belongings and families. This can be both a pro and a con, depending on circumstances. While a large dog can deter intruders, some male breeds may exhibit protective temperaments that could be challenging to manage daily.
• Male dogs are usually larger and more robust, with a higher endurance level than females, making them appealing as working dogs and canine athletes.
• Male dogs typically have more energy and enjoy playful activities more than females.
• Neutering a male dog is usually less expensive than spaying a female.

Male Dogs: The Cons

• Early training is necessary to prevent guarding behavior over food and objects.
• Male dogs lift their legs to urinate, marking their territory, which can damage bushes, flowers, and buildings.
• Male dogs can be harder to housetrain and are more prone to ‘accidents.’
• Males are larger and require more calories, meaning they eat more food.

The Two-Dog Family

While many pairs of the same gender can be the best of friends, this is often due to special circumstances, such as being littermates or raised together since puppyhood. If you already have a dog, consider adopting or purchasing the opposite gender for better compatibility. Most trainers agree that a male and a female combination is preferable.

Always Spay or Neuter Your Pets

Spaying and neutering not only help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis, but they also minimize many pros and cons associated with each gender. After these procedures, pets can focus more on their owners rather than their innate desire to reproduce. Neutered male dogs are often less aggressive and territorial, making them easier to train. Both spaying and neutering can be done as early as eight weeks old without side effects. The old wives’ tale suggesting that it’s better for a female to go through a heat cycle or have a litter is just that—an old wives’ tale. Getting your pet ‘fixed’ before six months old almost guarantees they will not suffer from mammary, prostate, or testicular cancer, respectively.

Should Which Should You Choose?

Before purchasing or adopting a dog, take time to consider which traits fit best with your lifestyle. Are you a hunter? A male dog may be a better choice due to their higher endurance. Want a dog that will be patient with your children? A female dog is often more tolerant of misbehavior, helping to teach children appropriate behavior. Remember, your decision is significant and will last the lifetime of your new four-legged family member. Make sure it’s a good one!

The post Should I Get a Male or Female Dog appeared first on .

As hard as it is to resist those soulful puppy-dog eyes, it’s important to remember that giving in to his begging isn’t always in your puppy’s best interest.

Aside from the fact that feeding your dog from the table reinforces negative behavior (begging), some human food can be harmful to your dog, even in small quantities.

While the simplest and safest solution is to avoid giving your dog any table food, there are some foods that are safe in small amounts. Table food should never make up the majority of your puppy’s diet. Dog food is specially formulated with the nutrients and vitamins that dogs need, making it very difficult to meet your dog’s nutritional needs by feeding him only table scraps. However, as an occasional treat or to break up the monotony of his diet, giving him some of your leftovers is acceptable.

Some owners think that trimming the fat from a roast or other meats makes a perfect treat for their pet. However, fat trimmings should not be given to dogs, as they can lead to pancreatitis. Table scraps of meat should always have the fat trimmed and should never contain any bones.

Don’t Give Your Dog Poultry or Fish Bones

Poultry and fish bones are particularly hazardous, as they are brittle and easy for a dog—especially a small dog—to choke on. Even other bones should be avoided because they can cause damage to the intestines. Additionally, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to the bone marrow, which can lead to severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Many foods pose a danger because they can cause an obstruction in the puppy’s throat or digestive tract. Pits from peaches and plums are one example of such a hazard.

Also to be avoided are chocolate, certain types of nuts, and grapes and raisins—these all contain toxins that can be very dangerous to a puppy.

It may be difficult to resist the urge to treat your puppy with the same foods you enjoy, but it’s important to remember that dogs have a different metabolism than humans.

There are safer ways to treat your puppy than with table scraps. Several companies offer products that can be used like gravy, which you can pour over their food to provide new textures and flavors. Some of these products can even be heated, allowing your puppy to enjoy a warm meal.

If you want to share YOUR dinner with your puppy, trim the fat off a small piece of chicken or beef as an occasional treat. However, to keep your dog in top shape, it’s best to stick to the food that is specifically made to meet his needs.

The post Feeding a Puppy Table Scraps appeared first on .

Many experts offer differing — and often conflicting — ideas about how to discipline a puppy. It can be difficult to decide which method is best. However, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind when disciplining your new best friend.

Some Methods Instill Fear in Puppies

Hitting or shaking your puppy is never a good idea. While it may stop the unwanted behavior temporarily, it will also teach your puppy to be afraid of people. In addition to causing your puppy to avoid you, it can also teach your puppy to be aggressive toward humans in general.

If you hit your puppy and then later reach out to pet him, all he will associate with your hand coming toward him is fear. Instead, choose a method of discipline that encourages proper behavior through rewards and discourages unwanted behavior by startling your puppy with a loud noise, such as shaking a can full of pennies.

Caught in the Act

If you walk up on a mess made by your puppy and your puppy is not in sight, this is not the time to try and teach him a lesson. Unless you can correct the unwanted behavior AS IT IS TAKING PLACE, your efforts will be in vain.

If you drag your puppy over to a mess he made earlier and tell him “NO,” he will likely not understand what he did wrong.

Instead, reserve discipline for when you catch him in the act. Keep some type of noisemaker handy. Pet stores and online pet supply sites sell special whistles for this purpose. Equally effective is the aforementioned can of pennies, a shrill whistle, or simply a loud “NO” from you.

The noise should startle your puppy enough to stop the behavior. Then, after he’s distracted, redirect his attention to a more acceptable behavior.

Accentuate the Positive

Enforcing the behavior you want is just as important as discouraging unwanted behavior. When drawing your puppy away from unacceptable actions and pointing him toward acceptable behavior, reward him when he acts appropriately. If you catch him mauling his chew toy instead of your favorite chair, reward him verbally and, perhaps, with a treat.

By reinforcing the behavior you want, you’re giving your dog an additional reason to behave appropriately.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

It’s much harder for your puppy to misbehave if he’s not left alone in tempting situations. Until your puppy has learned what is acceptable, supervision is key. Keep an eye on your puppy when he is roaming free around the house. Work on crate training, so that when you are away, your pet has a safe place to rest while awaiting your return. This not only provides limits for your pup but also protects your belongings!

Another reason supervision is important was discussed earlier: For discipline to be effective, you must catch your puppy in the act of misbehaving.

What will work depends largely on your puppy’s personality. Some methods that work well for one puppy may not be as effective for another. Keep experimenting with different techniques until you find one that works for you.

The post Disciplining a Puppy – How to Change their Behavior appeared first on .

Then, without warning and in the midst of this exciting play session, he suddenly squats and pees on the carpet before galloping on in what he considers just Part Two of the exciting game. Meanwhile, all the fun seems to have evaporated on your end of the game and it is now time to clean the carpet.

The most common question posed from a new pet owner is how to train a puppy to pee outside. Part of the process is learning to read your puppy’s body language and anticipating his needs and the other part is setting and adhering to a consistent household training routine.

The Don’ts of Training a Puppy to Pee Outside

‘Don’t’ Number One – Never punish a puppy for eliminating in the house. It is not an effective means of training and only confuses the pup. Learn to praise good behavior and ignore bad behavior.

‘Don’t’ Number Two – Although many people believe in paper training a puppy, it can actually substantially slow down the process. Why teach him where to pee inside the house and then slowly move the paper out of doors? Unless you live in an apartment building where getting outside could prove a challenge, teach your puppy to pee outside from the start and save yourself a step.

The Do’s of Training a Puppy to Pee Outside

‘Do’ Number One – Consistency is a must! Before you bring your puppy home, make a household pact that everyone involved in the training of the new family member must follow the same rules. One of the worst culprits for slowing up the training of a puppy is when every person in the household tries different means to teach the same thing – wouldn’t you be confused too?

‘Do’ Number Two – Crate Training is the next must! No one can have eyes in the back of their head or stay awake 24/7 and the best way to know your pup isn’t have an accident (or chewing on something he shouldn’t…) is to crate him when you cannot monitor his behavior. On a phone call with your daughter’s teacher about her F in algebra? Crate the pup and focus your attention on the call without the distraction of watching the pup. Making dinner for the in-laws? Crate the pup when you are stirring the gravy. Need a good night’s sleep? Crate the pup and rest in peace knowing the carpet will stay dry and your slippers intact.

‘Do’ Number Three – Puppies have a routine to their elimination – learn it! Pups are consistent in their habits. They must pee every time they wake up so be proactive and carry them outside first thing in the morning, after every nap, and when you first come home and let them out of their crate. Pups tend to forget to ‘ask’ to go pee when they are excited so every ten or fifteen minutes throughout the play session, take them outside for a pee. About to have a nap yourself, take them outside for a pee and then pop your pup into his crate so you can relax while you sleep.

‘Do’ Number Four – Praise good behavior. This applies to all training, not just training your puppy to pee outside. Dog owners are great at letting their pet’s know when they have done something wrong but in general, aside from the odd ‘good dog’ and a pat on the head, they never tell them when they are doing something right. Think about it, if you were only ever told not to do something but never told what you should do instead, wouldn’t you get confused too? So, when he does his business outside, throw him a party! Make him feel like the smartest, bestest, most wonderful puppy in the entire world because, well, he is!

‘Do’ Number Five – What if the worst happens and there is an accident? Ignore it! Take the pup outside to make sure he is now empty and then take him inside and crate him in another room while you clean up the mess.

‘Do’ Number Six – Keep up the routine and consistency until the pup is at least a year old. Often we start to slack on the house training routine as soon as the pup seems to understand the rules. However, just because they start to figure it out does not mean stop the training and the happy dance when he pees outside. Keep it up until the pup is at least a year old and you will have clean floors for life!

Training your puppy to pee outside is not difficult or rocket science, even for the pooch. You must learn to be consistent, proactive and read his body language – all easy if you and your family make a plan and stick to it.

The post Training a Puppy to Pee Outside appeared first on .

Most puppies go to a new home when they are between seven and 12 weeks of age. This is the ideal time for them to leave their mother and littermates, as they can start bonding with their new human family. However, at this age, they don’t know much about house training. During the first few weeks of their lives, their mother took care of washing them and cleaning up after them. Later, they learned to leave their sleeping area when they needed to go to the bathroom, but they are not yet house trained. On top of this, puppies at this age have very small bladders and need to potty frequently, which makes it clear why they have little control over where they go at first.

It will be up to you to teach your puppy what he needs to know. You’ll need to do so with lots of patience and kindness. Puppies learn best with praise and rewards, not punishment or anger. Remember, your puppy is just a baby at this stage. He doesn’t always understand what you’re trying to teach him. If he makes a mistake, it might be because he doesn’t understand yet, or because he simply can’t physically do what you want him to do at this age. He will eventually be house trained, so just hang in there and keep working on the process of “house training my puppy.”

Put Your Puppy on a Schedule

Start by putting your puppy on a consistent schedule. If you get your puppy used to eating, going outside, and pottying at certain times, it will go a long way toward helping him avoid accidents. Take your puppy outside to relieve himself as soon as he wakes up in the morning and after every meal. Take him outside after every major play session too. Exercise often makes puppies need to potty, so if you and your puppy have a big wrestling match on the floor, plan on taking him outside shortly afterward. You’ll also need to take your puppy outside to potty before bedtime.

Even if you have a fenced yard, it’s best to take your puppy outside to potty during the first few weeks. Accompany him when he goes to relieve himself. This way, you can ensure he’s actually doing his business and not just sniffing the grass or chasing bugs. You can also be there to praise him and even give him a treat when he potties. Many people get upset when their puppy has an accident but forget to praise and reward their puppy when he does the right thing and relieves himself outside. Go outside with your puppy, and let him know he’s being a good puppy by pottying outside. If you don’t have a yard and walk your puppy, make sure to praise him and give him a reward when he relieves himself during walks.

No matter how well your puppy’s house training progresses or how diligent you are about sticking to a schedule, it’s likely that your puppy will have a few accidents. Virtually every puppy has accidents at some point. If your puppy has an accident, try not to be too hard on him. Unless you actually catch your puppy in the act, avoid scolding him. Your puppy has a very short memory and attention span at this age—once he does something, he’s forgotten it within two minutes. Yelling at him or rubbing his nose in the mess would only confuse and upset him. It would harm your relationship with him.

If you find a mess that your puppy has made, clean it up thoroughly. Make sure no odor remains. You can use an enzymatic cleaner or a product like Nature’s Miracle to remove any odor. Vinegar and water also make an effective cleaner. The odor from the accident could cause your puppy to return to the spot and repeat the act, so make sure the area is completely cleaned.

If you catch your puppy in the act of having an accident, make a noise—like clapping your hands or shouting—to get his attention and stop him from going further. Then, scoop him up and take him outside. Don’t waste time scolding him. Wait until he’s outside, and then praise him for finishing up out there. Always focus on praising the positive rather than punishing the negative.

Watch for signs that your puppy is looking for a place to potty inside, especially if he’s had a previous accident.

Watch for these signs that your puppy needs to potty:

• Your puppy may return to the spot of a previous accident.
• He may sniff the floor.
• He may look for a private, secluded spot, such as behind furniture.
• He may glance at the door.
• He may give you looks, trying to let you know he needs to go outside.

If you notice any of these behaviors, take your puppy outside immediately. It might be a false alarm, but it’s also likely that your puppy really needs to relieve himself and doesn’t know how to signal you yet. As he gets older, he will improve at communicating when he needs to go out.

You can help your puppy through the night by feeding him his final meal no later than 7 p.m. He should be ready to potty for the night by 10 or 11 p.m. Also, remove his water by around 9 p.m. Otherwise, he may need to go outside during the night or have an accident in the house. You might also want to consider crate training your puppy to assist with his house training.

“House training my puppy” won’t feel so overwhelming if you follow these simple suggestions. Most puppies are relatively easy to house train. It usually just takes a few weeks. You may feel frustrated at times, but if you stick with it—taking your puppy outside and giving him praise and rewards for pottying correctly—your puppy will be house trained in no time.

The post House Training my Puppy appeared first on .

You know you have a little while to go before he is completely housebroken, but you don’t have time to keep cleaning the floor three or four times a day. Consider paper training your puppy. Not only will it make cleanup a lot easier, but paper training can also help simplify the process of housebreaking your new pet.

Puppy training pads can be purchased at most pet supply stores. These pads are great because they absorb the mess along with much of the unpleasant odor. Messes cannot soak through the pads, so your floors or carpets are completely protected. The only downside is that the pads are not reusable, so you’ll need to continue purchasing pads until the puppy is housebroken.

There are premium pads available, but they come at a premium price. Store-brand pads are much cheaper and work just as well as the more expensive ones. If puppy pads are not in your budget, you can accomplish pretty much the same thing by using plain old newspaper.

While newspaper is better for your budget, there is a downside. It is possible for messes to soak through the paper and get on your floor or carpet. Additionally, cleanup will be a bit more challenging with newspaper compared to puppy pads.

Other than these differences, paper training is the same whether you use newspaper or puppy pads. Below is a quick guide on how to paper train your puppy.

Steps to Paper Train Your Puppy

Placement of the Paper/Pads
You should place the pad in one spot (until you begin moving it as described in Step 3). This helps the puppy learn exactly where to go when he needs to eliminate.

Show Him What the Paper/Pads Are For
Some puppy pads are already scented to attract your dog to them as a spot to eliminate. If you’re using unscented pads or newspaper, you can achieve the same effect by placing feces from the puppy on the paper or pad. When he eliminates in other parts of the house, gently pick him up and place him on the paper/pad.

Give Frequent Potty Breaks
Ideally, you should let your puppy outside every 2-3 hours. This isn’t always possible, but you should let him outside as often as possible. As he gets older, he will be able to ‘hold it’ longer, but puppies are not yet able to do so.

Confine the Puppy While You Are Away
Do not let your puppy have free run of the house while you’re away. Instead, confine him in a crate that is big enough for him to stand up and turn around in, but not much bigger. Puppies generally do not like to eliminate in the place where they sleep, so if you give them too big of a crate, they may sleep at one end and eliminate at the other. By putting your puppy in a smaller crate, he is more likely to wait to be let outside to go potty. If you choose not to crate train your puppy, use baby gates to confine him to the room where the paper/pads are located. That way, he will at least have the option of using the paper while you’re away. As soon as you come home, the first thing you should do is let the puppy outside.

Begin to Move the Paper/Pad
Once you see that your puppy is using the paper/pads consistently, you can begin moving the pad closer to the door that you use when you let your dog outside. Every few days, move the pad a little closer to the door. Eventually, you can move the pad outside.

Dealing with Mistakes
Don’t expect perfection, and don’t be surprised if your puppy makes a few mistakes, even after several days of doing great. Don’t yell at, hit, or otherwise punish your puppy when he makes a mistake. Instead, say “no” in a firm voice and move the puppy to the paper/pad. This is only effective if you catch the puppy in the act. If you find the mess after the puppy has moved on, simply clean it up and continue with the training.

Rewards
While you are training, you shouldn’t just let your puppy outside by himself. Always go outside with him and make a big deal out of it anytime he goes to the bathroom outside. Lots of verbal praise and some treats should do the trick. Also, when you let the puppy outside, use a verbal cue such as “Go potty.” Be consistent with whatever phrase you choose, and the puppy will begin to associate that cue with going potty.

Before long, your new puppy will be completely housebroken. But there’s another benefit to paper training. For dogs that must be alone at home for long periods of time, paper training provides a designated spot for them to eliminate. Once properly trained to use the paper or pads, they will not eliminate on the floor. When you’re home, simply remove the pad or paper from the floor, and they will wait for you to let them outside to do their business.

Paper training and housebreaking your puppy may not be the most pleasant aspects of dog ownership, but with consistency and lots of praise, you and your puppy can master it in no time!

The post Paper Training Puppies appeared first on .

One critical aspect often overlooked by those caring for orphaned pups is the importance of colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother dog after birth. Rich in antibodies, colostrum protects puppies from diseases but must be ingested within the first 12 hours of life to be effective. Without it, a puppy’s ability to fight illnesses is compromised.

If colostrum is unavailable, hand-feeding oral doses of blood plasma from a healthy dog can compensate. If this isn’t possible, maintain extremely sanitary conditions when handling the puppy to minimize disease risk.

Selecting and Preparing Puppy Formula

Several brands of puppy milk formula are available. Consult your veterinarian or a knowledgeable pet supply store employee to choose the best option for your puppy. Mix the formula just before feeding, stirring or shaking thoroughly to eliminate lumps. The formula should be slightly warmer than room temperature. Most nursing bottles hold up to 4 ounces, but ensure the nipple has appropriately sized holes to prevent a flow that’s too fast, which could overwhelm the puppy.

Avoid cradling a puppy like a human infant during feeding. Instead, mimic their natural nursing position by placing them on their stomach. Gently insert the nipple into the puppy’s mouth. For very small puppies, if the nipple seems too large, use a syringe temporarily, switching to a bottle as they grow. Sterilize bottles and syringes by boiling between uses.

Feeding Guidelines and Care

Refer to the formula’s instructions for feeding amounts, which are based on the puppy’s body weight. Overfeeding can cause diarrhea or vomiting, so avoid giving too much. If unsure about the correct amount, consult a veterinarian or animal care specialist.

Feed puppies every 3–4 hours, responding promptly to their cries, even if it’s slightly before the scheduled time. After feeding, burp the puppy by holding it upright against your body and gently patting until it burps, similar to burping a human infant.

Newborn puppies can dehydrate quickly, so if a puppy refuses milk or fails to suck on its own, seek veterinary attention immediately, as this may indicate a serious issue. By providing proper care, you give an orphaned puppy the best chance for a long, healthy life.

The post Bottle Feeding Puppies – What You Need to Know appeared first on .

Before you rush off to the shelter or breeder to bring home your new furry friend, take a look around your home. Chances are, there are plenty of places where your new addition could get into trouble. Puppies are notorious for finding mischief in the most unlikely places, so let’s take a moment and look around from their perspective.

Plants can be hazardous both to your clean house and your puppy’s health. House plants, especially those in large pots with plenty of potting soil, are an instant favorite for puppies. To them, it’s the perfect indoor toy that you left in the most surprising places. They can satisfy both their love of digging and their need to chew all in one convenient package. However, some plants can be poisonous to dogs. In addition to making a mess, your new little bundle of joy could end up ill—or worse.

Tassels are another common temptation that we often overlook until we catch Little Rex tearing apart your bedspread or tablecloth. The tight construction of tassels feels great on a puppy’s little teeth, and the soft fabric is easy for them to destroy. Until your puppy learns to only chew on his toys, it’s best to keep the tassels out of reach and stored away in the closet.

Stairs are a hazard we often take for granted. We recognize that small children are susceptible to falling down stairs, but unsupervised puppies are likely to take a nasty tumble too. While it’s important for your puppy to learn to navigate stairs, a gate is still a good idea for times when you can’t fully supervise their activities.

As you continue to look around, pay attention to items on the floor that might tempt your puppy or that would be a loss if destroyed. Baskets containing sewing items, magazines, decorative artifacts, and even throw rugs can easily end up in your puppy’s mouth. Children’s bedrooms are a goldmine of chewable treasures. It’s best to have children keep their doors closed. While it would be ideal to remind them to clean up and keep their belongings safe from the new puppy, children tend to lapse into moments of forgetfulness and messiness.

Limit Where Your Puppy Can Go

It’s wise to start by confining your puppy to a portion of the house—the area where the family spends most of their time—and block off the rest of the house, except when under supervised access. Limiting their movement makes it easier to keep that area puppy-proofed, rather than the entire house. Just because you’ve puppy-proofed once doesn’t mean you won’t miss something, life won’t get messy, or that children won’t leave something behind. Puppy-proofing is an ongoing task.

Once you’re confident that everything you can see has been picked up or put out of Fido’s reach, lie down on the floor and take another look. The change in perspective can be quite surprising. One of the first things you’ll notice is the network of wires that becomes visible from this angle. Even if you think your puppy can’t reach them all, puppies have a way of surprising us. Wires should be contained and lifted as far out of reach as possible.

While you’re on the floor, take note of the small things that may have made their way under furniture. It’s a good time to do a thorough cleaning. You don’t need a sterile living room, but it’s important that your puppy learn what is acceptable to touch and what is not. The goal of puppy-proofing is to provide a safe space where your puppy can learn, while also allowing for human error—like not being able to give constant attention.

As your puppy grows, he’ll reach higher places and find himself in more trouble. If you have a large breed, he will grow quickly and reach new heights, requiring you to stay on top of his changing abilities. Smaller breeds aren’t as challenging, but a bored puppy will still look for trouble if not properly stimulated.

If you brought home a dog that will eventually weigh thirty pounds or more, he will likely discover the treasures you leave in the trash. Unfortunately, some things we throw away are not safe for puppy mischief. Regardless of your puppy’s size, never throw used razors in the bathroom trash. Bathroom trash can be just as tempting to your puppy, and for some breeds, it’s the only garbage delicacy they’ll ever have access to. Soap can make your dog sick, but a razor can kill him.

Similarly, be cautious about throwing away cleaning products or any form of hazardous waste. Used oil, bleach, bait salt, antifreeze, and detergents can all be lethal. Properly disposing of them and keeping them out of reach is one of the most overlooked yet important steps in puppy-proofing.

If by chance your little one manages to get into something dangerous and you’re unsure of the health effects, call your vet immediately. You’re not bothering them with unimportant questions. It’s always better to consult a professional than wait and see. Similarly, if your puppy experiences sudden changes in behavior—such as lethargy, extreme anxiety, pacing, or listlessness—call your vet right away. Chances are, he found something you overlooked. The same is true if your puppy develops sudden diarrhea or vomiting.

Give your puppy time. The dramatic changes you make in your home won’t last forever. Eventually, your puppy will learn what he can and cannot touch, and hopefully, he will grow into a trustworthy dog. In the meantime, take great care to ensure his safety and enjoy his company. He won’t stay this little and boisterous for long!

The post Puppy Proofing a Home appeared first on .

However, some dogs do not gain this confidence. They may have been left alone too long as puppies and were traumatized by it, or they were neglected or abused and are insecure. These dogs often wreak havoc on a house—chewing on doorways, destroying furniture, barking, and scratching incessantly at the door. As a result, they end up in shelters. Well-meaning people adopt them, but these dogs still carry low self-esteem and continue to exhibit their learned behavior of separation anxiety.

How to Choose the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle

One of the first questions you need to ask yourself is: how athletic is your lifestyle? If you have young children under the age of five, you might not be able to commit to running three miles a day. Therefore, you’ll want to avoid breeds that require a lot of exercise. These include most sporting breeds, such as Pointers, Weimaraners, Vizslas, water dogs, some spaniels, and herding breeds like Australian Shepherds or Border Collies. Labradors and retrievers are also sporting breeds and need exercise, but they can be excellent family dogs, which is why they are so popular. They can be happy with a moderate amount of exercise and can tire themselves out by playing fetch—retrieving is the skill for which they were originally bred. You know how toddlers want to do things again and again, so just give your child a ball, set the kindred spirits out in the backyard, and everyone will have a better nap afterward.

The process of teaching dogs with separation anxiety to be alone requires time, patience, and positive reinforcement.

To start, change your routine before you leave. Try to make it less drawn out. For example, put your keys in your purse ahead of time and have your shoes ready by the door. Dogs quickly pick up on the routine of leaving, and if it’s drawn out, they become increasingly anxious.

Leave the house promptly and don’t make a big deal out of it. Emotional comings and goings cause more anxiety. If you make leaving a big deal by excessively petting your dog and cooing to it, this reinforces the idea that leaving is a big deal. Instead, ignore your dog ten minutes before you leave. When you leave, simply say “take care of the house”—a phrase that signals “I am leaving, but I’ll be back.” Then, turn around and come back after thirty seconds to a minute and go about your day, ignoring your dog again for ten minutes.

Leave and come back about a dozen times on the first day, increasing the time each time you leave. If you come home and your dog is exhibiting anxious behavior, cut the time in half, then increase it again once the anxious behavior disappears.

Make sure to take all factors of your lifestyle into account before making a decision. Then, visit your local shelter to find the dog that’s right for you. Don’t feel pressured to adopt a purebred dog. There are many wonderful mixed-breed dogs in shelters that just need the right home.

It’s best to work on these exercises during a vacation or weekend, as it takes a lot of time and commitment. As you begin to see success, start varying the time you are gone. Leave for thirty minutes, then two minutes, then an hour.

In addition to this program, there are other things you can do to build your dog’s confidence. A basic obedience class can be beneficial, even if your dog is already trained. It helps him learn how to handle new situations and gain confidence in you as the “leader.” Also, spending quality time with your dog each day is essential—not to baby or cuddle, but to engage in activities that build a strong leader/dog relationship, such as agility, playing fetch, or playing hide and seek. These activities are all beneficial for your dog’s psychological well-being.

Doggy daycares are great resources for people who work full-time. If your dog spends two to three days a week in the company of other dogs, chances are she’ll be more tolerant of being left alone on the other days. For some dogs, it may be too much to expect them to stay alone all day, five days a week. Even if your dog doesn’t have separation anxiety, I recommend finding a way to provide company for your dog during long days. Another great option is finding playmates to spend the day at your house—other dogs who would also be left alone. The last option is adopting another dog, but this requires a commitment you may not be ready for.

Another suggestion is to keep your dog occupied while you’re away by having him work for his food. Buster cubes, which dispense kibble as your dog rolls them around, are great for keeping your dog busy. You can feed your dog exclusively from one of these when you leave so that she’ll actually look forward to your departure! Kongs or shank bones filled with frozen wet food or other treats will also keep her busy while you’re gone. Avoid leaving your dog with rawhide or other chew objects that disintegrate, as they can cause blockages. If your dog is busy with safe chew toys, she will be less likely to chew on the sofa or a doorway. Separation anxiety varies in severity. I’ve had cases where all it took was providing chew toys and following the ten-minute ignoring rule to solve the problem. In other cases, extensive desensitization to the leaving routine was required. More severe cases needed doggy daycare five days a week. A veterinarian can prescribe medication, and Bach flower remedies like Heather or Chicory can help, but these must be accompanied by behavior modification. Every solution will be different. For some dogs, distractions like toys work. My own dog does well when he has a job. I tell him to “guard the house” when I leave, so when I’m gone, he has a purpose. The key is to take the time to find what works best for you and your dog. Remember, dogs are different from humans—they’re pack animals, and being left alone is hard for them.

The post Separation Anxiety – How to Teach Your Dog to be Alone appeared first on .