A well-mannered dog is a pleasure to be with and a terrific companion. You can literally set yourself up to be successful in raising a puppy that will be obedient. Throughout the first year of your dog's life with you, take the time and effort to plan your dog's training and exercise patience and persistence. Here are some strategies to get you started on the right path.
Plan the physical space that your puppy will be living in. Consider safety issues such as a fenced-in yard or a crate or gated space inside where your puppy can be kept when you cannot actively monitor it. Puppy-proof your living space to ensure that dangerous items like household cleaners and electrical cords are secured. Close off areas that you do not want your dog to enter. Keep your tables and countertops clear of food so that your pet doesn't develop a counter surfing habit.
Crates should be used when you cannot watch your puppy or when you and/or your puppy just simply need a break. The crate should be a place where your puppy feels safe and comfortable. Remember that dogs like den-like places and the crate will serve this purpose. Crates are very useful for house-breaking dogs.
Choose a crate that your puppy can grow into. Dogs will never eliminate where they sleep so make sure that when your puppy is small that they aren't urinating in one area of the crate and sleeping in another. If this happens, block off part of the crate and make the area inhabited by your puppy too small for them to find a place to go to the bathroom.
If you are crating your puppy at night, make sure that he is tired and well exercised before putting him in. Dogs are social animals and don't like to be alone at night so place the crate near your bed at night. When placing your puppy in the crate, if he whines or cries, ignore it. You must wait them out or it will just get worse.
It is a good idea to make your puppy feel comfortable in the crate by putting some of his favourite toys inside. Here is a great trick: show your puppy a special treat and place it inside the crate and shut the door. Your puppy will literally be dying top get inside and have his treat. When you let him in to get it, gently close the door behind him and praise him.
Dogs must become accustomed to being left on their own. This way they will not suffer stress when left alone and then engage in destructive behaviour. Again, it is imperative to leave them in a safe and comfortable environment. To help them be alone do not fuss over them before you leave. Just be casual and even ignore them when you leave and return. This keeps these times unemotional for you and your dog.
It is a great idea to exercise your dog to tucker him out before you are going to leave him for a long period of time. You should also leave your dog with something to keep him busy. Chew toys, Kongs stuffed with treats, marrow bones and so on work very well here. Leave your stereo on with some relaxing classical music to keep your dog company while you are out.
Good management on your part is required for effective house training. It is important to know that puppies under four months have little bladder control but they can often hold it through the night as their metabolism slows down. A dogs' instinct is to move away from their sleeping area to go and the difference between inside and outside must be taught to them.
A regular feeding and sleeping schedule is vital to house training. Make sure to take your puppy outside after meals and upon awakening from sleeping. If they don't go right away, keep an eye on them. Encourage them to go and while they are going say something like "do your business" so that they associate that phrase with eliminating. Soon you can use phrases such as "do your business" almost as commands and your dog will follow your direction. Remember to praise your dog lavishly after they go where you want them to.
Set yourself up for success by being attentive to all the things you can do to provide an optimal environment for your puppy to learn and grow. Combine this with daily exercise, discipline and affection and you will have a fabulous companion.
There's no question that parents child proof their house. Should you puppy proof as well? Yes you should. Puppies can get into all sorts of trouble even if you're just around the corner in the next room. Even well behaved puppies are curious about their surroundings. They explore with their mouths.
If you aren't crating your puppy or dog when you leave, make sure the area where they're confined has fresh water. Don't put water in a crate. It can easily spill and make a sloppy mess. Use a bottle with a spout that can be licked to distribute water.
Get down to puppy level to see what might be tempting. Look for dangling electrical cords which may be an attractive plaything for a puppy. Dogs have been known to chew cords severely burning their mouths if not worse. Dangling blind cords can be wrapped around necks and lead to choking. The dog can chew the cord and have it get caught in their throat.
The kitchen and bathroom are favorite rooms to leave a dog confined when you leave the house. Use baby proof locks that prevent the dog from opening the drawers and cabinets. You may think it funny when you come home and find Fido covered in flour from nose to tail, but inhaled flour can lead to lung problems. Dogs eat first and decide later whether it's food or not. Even with substances that aren't poisonous, too much of a good thing can mean trouble. For example: the puppy might decide that loaf of bread is just the perfect morning snack. If he eats the entire loaf and then drinks water, the loaf will expand in his tummy causing trouble.
Small dogs and puppies can get caught behind the refrigerator. Block off access if possible.
Dogs have a different threshold for taste than humans do. You might not think that the dog will drink or eat something that smells bad to you. To the dog, it just smells, there is no bad or good about it. Keep the garbage securely covered or remove the garbage when you leave.
The bathroom holds cosmetics and cleaning products, neither of which are meant for puppies. Secure these products where the dog can't get at them. Close the toilet lid. You don't want the puppy falling in. It just takes a few inches of water for a drowning to take place. If the puppy falls in head first he may not be able to get out before he drowns.
If your dog is big and can reach the kitchen counters, clear off whatever might be a problem. Some dogs are tall enough to reach the kitchen sink so don't leave dirty dishes in the sink. Rose, our Irish Setter, is notorious for "helping" to clean dirty plates, cups, and pans.
Puppies don't like messing where they sleep. They are taught at an early age by their mother and siblings that going potty where the pack sleeps is a no-no. As a general rule a puppy can hold their urine an hour for every month old they are. So a 2 month old puppy needs to go potty every 2 hours during the day. Keep that in mind when you leave.
Every dog needs a place where he feels safe and secure. Provide a blanket or bed, and a few non breakable toys where he's being left.
Both Michael Russell & Dee Power are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael Russell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Celebrities, Dieting and Diabetes Treatment. Michael RussellYour Independent guide to . Michael Russell's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.
Dee Power has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Sales and Negotiation and Business Plan. Dee Power is the two legged companion of Rose, the Irish Setter, and Kate, the English Springer Spaniel. Read their . Visit their website for more tip. Dee Power's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.