YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PUPPY FROM DAY ONE
A good breeder will tell you everything about the pup’s life since the day it was born. Details include how it was raised, if it had any health issues and how these were managed, and your potential pet’s temperament.
YOU CAN MEET THE PUPPY’S PARENTS
The pup’s parents will tell you a lot about how your new pet will turn out as far as its health, appearance and temperament.
Before starting on this, your canine should have already mastered the commands of “sit” and “stay”. These will be useful when you need to get him to focus on you should there be distractions. Leash training is described as training pooch to walk calmly without dragging you down the sidewalk.
Leash Training for Dogs
Training your canine friend to understand simple commands like “sit” and “stay” is pot about turning your pet into an obedient prop with no personality… such lessons teach the fundamental rules for our canine companion to live by and react to different situations in our human environment safely.
ISSUING COMMANDS: COME, SIT, DOWN
Dogs have relatively short memories so the timing of your rewards is important.
DOLE OUT TREATS AS REWARDS
Like children, canines love to be rewarded. Most dogs are highly food motivated and giving them treats when they behave well work to encourage desired behaviors. During the initial training sessions, rewards should be given immediately or Fido might not link it with the appropriate action. For example, giving a treat to him after he has stood up from sitting will make him think standing is the behavior you are looking for. Dogs have relatively short memories so the timing of your rewards is important.
GET THE RIGHT COLLAR
There are so many dog collars in the market that it can be confusing to any pet owner. Depending on the breed and size of your canine, collars made of nylon or leather should suffice. They should not be too loose or tight; a good measure would be to place two fingers between the neck and collar.
Puppies grow rapidly so neck sizes should be checked frequently till they are about two years old. Dogs with upper respiratory disease of the throat or trachea should use harnesses that go around the neck and shoulders instead to prevent adding unnecessary pressure to affected areas. There are also chain-slip and pronged collars but these should only be used as a last resort and only during training.
HAVEN’T WE HEARD THIS STORY ONCE too often? Pet owners put their charges up for adoption because they feel they can no longer handle them. It’s a shame that this problem happens because it can be solved or avoided altogether with the right training. Some new owners believe in the old adage that “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’: Yes, it can be challenging to train an older canine due to learned behavior that has been established for years, but with a little more patience, they can be trained just as well. Some can even be housebroken easily, picking up commands quickly due to their slightly longer attention span. Training becomes easier for canines that have already acknowledged their owners as the Alpha.
A dog’s anal glands provide him with his own individual scent. They normally secrete oils and empty every time your dog defecates, helping to lubricate the anal opening and aiding your dog to eliminate his stools smoothly. If your dog has soft stools, he may not be exerting enough pressure on the anal glands for them to be emptied. A full gland may become infected and cause discomfort to your dog as it pushes against his anus. If you notice your dog constantly licking his rear, scooting his bottom across the floor, or having difficulty sitting or standing, his anal glands may be full. Bacteria can build up when the anal glands are not expressed for over a period of time, leading to infection. A sign of a severe infection might include obvious bulges beneath the surface on either side of the anal opening. Infected anal glands may contain pus and the discharge is usually thick, and brown or grey in color, instead of the normal yellow to tan discharge that is watery in consistency.
EAR CLEANING
A healthy ear will look clean with pink shiny skin in the ear canal area. While some pets have smooth, hair-free ear canals and require only mild swabbing with ear cleansers, others may have hair that grows inside the ear canal. The extra hair should be removed to allow air to circulate and minimize the risk of infection.
It’s important to pick the right nail trimmer for the size of your dog’s nails.
GUILLOTINE style nail trimmers require that the nail be inserted through the hole in the top of the trimmer. As the handles are squeezed together, the blade comes down and cuts through the nail. Many owners find them hard to use on large breed dogs. Thicker nails can be tricky to insert into the guide hole of the clipper. Guillotine clippers have a cutting blade that must be changed frequently to maintain a nice clean cut.
Depending on your dog’s breed, your bathing routine may require different types of shampoos and conditioners. For example, white-haired dogs should use whitening or brightening shampoos, and should also be bathed more often to keep their coat in pristine condition. Pets that frequently go outdoors may require more baths than indoor pets, especially if they share the same bed as you.