Raising a Puppy? 4 Tips for Healthy, Happy Dogs

In addition to being amazing additions to the family, dogs are also a lot of work. They need everything from leash training, to healthy diets, to daily walks. For example, did you know that many dogs kept as pets suffer from malnutrition and obesity? Also, behavior problems like aggression, barking, and chewing on or tearing up furniture are related to not getting enough exercise.

These problems go on to affect your pet's quality of life, their behavior, energy levels, and even longevity. If you want to ensure that your new family member is as healthy and happy as possible, you'll have to take extra steps to care for your dog.

Building good habits, socializing your dog, and being mindful about his or her diet will help you care for a healthy dog who is comfortable well into old age. We've compiled 4 keys to raising a puppy that all dog owners should be mindful of.

4 necessities for raising a puppy

Make Regular Visits to the Vet

No matter what breed or age your dog is, regular vet checkups can be life-saving. You probably already know that your dog has to go regularly, but how often depends on their age, medical history, and size.

Here's a general schedule based on age:

0-4 Months - Every 3 Weeks. Your puppy will get important vaccines for rabies, distemper, and parvo, alongside prevention for Lyme disease, kennel cough, and other health problems.

4-12 Months - Every 2-3 months. Here, your vet will ensure that your puppy is growing well and shows no signs of health problems. If it's recommended for your area, your vet will start a heartworm and flea prevention schedule, and your puppy will likely be spayed or neutered.

1-7 Years - At 1 year, most dog breeds are considered adult. If you have a large dog breed, you may have to wait 6-12 months longer to reach this stage. Your dog should go to the vet for a yearly checkup, even when not sick. They should get distemper-parvo and rabies booster shots during the first yearly checkup, and then every 1-3 years depending on your local laws. Your vet will also recommend changes to diet, additional checkups, and a heartworm and deworming schedule based on your dog and your area.

7+ Years - After 7 years, most dogs are seniors and will need extra care. You should take your dog to the vet at least twice yearly, and be extra conscious of any changes in behavior that may indicate health problems, such as a change in water consumption.

Prevention is better than a cure for both dogs and humans. Don't wait until your dog is sick to invest in preventive measures like vaccinations and deworming.

Tip: Ask your vet about natural treatments to prevent allergies and kennel cough while at the vet, and talk about nutritious treats and snacks to keep them healthy.

Invest in Behavioral Training

When you think of your dog's health, it's common to jump immediately to physical health. However, mental health is equally as important for your dog. A study from Animal Cognition showed that dogs can smell humans' emotions, and when exposed to sweat produced from a fearful human, dogs showed more signs of distress and sought out more comfort from their owners. Alternatively, when exposed to odor samples from happy humans, dogs were more willing to interact with strangers and were generally friendlier.

Training plays a large part in keeping your dog safe and social. A well-trained dog is typically more engaged and less bored with his or her surroundings. Training allows your dog to learn how to react in different situations and helps them stay calm and friendly despite any triggers such as a fearful human nearby.

A well-trained dog is also generally safer since you can tell him or her to sit instead of crossing the road, teach your dog not to go in dangerous areas, and build up good habits (like walking) that will benefit your dog's health for years to come.

Promote a Healthy Diet

Obesity and nutrient deficiency are among the most common health problems for domesticated dogs. These issues affect your dog's quality of life and longevity, but it's an easy fix. Combine quality food with portion control and the occasional snack, and you'll have a healthy dog.

Don't assume that cheap dog food provides the nutrition your dog needs. Most store-brand dog foods are primarily made up of flour and water with added nutrients and flavor. These can eventually lead to malnutrition, tooth decay, gastrointestinal problems, and obesity.

You don't have to choose all-organic or raw-meat based diets, as there isn't enough evidence to show that these are beneficial to your dog. Instead, you should invest in high-quality dog food with a high percentage of meat. For example, you can feed your dog a high-quality canned food supplemented by quality kibble, and have a healthy dog. Avoid human food, as many of the seasonings used aren't good for your dogs.

Don't leave food out all day. Puppies should be fed 3-4 times per day, but adult dogs only have to be fed twice per day. If you leave food out too long, some dogs tend to overeat, which will eventually lead to weight gain and obesity.

Tip: Be mindful about the snacks you give your dog. Most dog treats are about as healthy as human candy. Instead, opt for nutritious alternatives that your dogs will love just as much. For example, dogs 6 months and older can have raw honey for dogs, and not only do they love it, it's great for their overall health, digestion, and allergies.

Finally, clean water is an important part of a healthy diet. Clean your dog's water dish and replace his or her water daily, ensuring it's always full. To prevent bacteria and tooth decay, set your dog's water away from his or her food bowl.

Exercise (A Lot)

Dogs need a lot of exercise. No matter what the age or breed, your dog has a lot of energy. Most dogs, even small breeds, can benefit from approximately two hours of walking every day.

While it is crucial to pay attention to your environment (for example, no dog will benefit from being forced to run in the middle of the day in very hot weather), dogs need exercise. If you can plan four 30-minute walks each day, you are giving your dog the best chance of being healthy, happy, and well-adjusted to living inside a home.

Owning a dog is a lot of work, but after you and your dog build up good habits, it'll be much easier to live healthily for both of you. By taking small steps to keep your dog healthy, you will ensure that your new best friend lives as long and as well as possible.

Article Source: Joe_Harwell

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Puppy Training - Tips Reducing Bad Habits

A puppy can be prone to whining, barking and, in particular, chewing its way around the house as it explores the world around it and wants to learn what tastes nice and what does not.

The whining, barking and chewing is going to happen. Make no mistake.

Though by training your puppy in the right way from the outset, you can take positive action to train away the whining, barking and chewing to a large extent.

Bear in mind that every puppy is different and will lean right and wrong at different rates. Patience is the key with the time and effort you put in also helping to build that unbreakable bond between puppy and owner.

The barking and whining is entirely normal. It's how dogs communicate. However if the barking and whining becomes regular and prolonged it can quickly become an issue and difficult to do anything about. So start to build in to your puppy training routine steps aimed to cut down on unnecessary barking and whining.

There are a number of steps you can try here. For example:

The whining could be a sign that your puppy wants to toilet. Learn to recognise the signs and take puppy to their toilet spot.

It could be that puppy is hungry, thirsty or otherwise distressed. Again - learn to read the signs and act accordingly. Puppy should always have access to fresh, clean water and be fed regularly. If distressed, look for indications of illness and think about a trip to the vet if necessary.

It could be boredom and attention seeking. Make sure puppy has toys to play with and of course give them attention yourself.

If puppy is whining or barking just to be "naughty" then that's not what you want. I'd suggest not giving in to such behaviour and instead teaching puppy that it's not a good idea to try it on by taking them to their bed to sit and stew for a while or simply ignoring them. Yes, I know it's hard but a bit of "tough love" is necessary from time to time.

When it comes to chewing stuff up - it's going to happen. Puppies are inquisitive things and they explore with their mouths. Hmmmm, I wonder what that tastes like?" they say to themselves when eyeing up your favourite pair of shoes or favourite chair.

Unless you do something about it, that puppy will grow in to a dog which will keep chewing your stuff up because they think it's OK. It's not...

When you do find your favourite shoes destroyed, do not punish puppy. Clear up the mess and act normally. No fuss. Of course if you see puppy shaping up to take a bite out of anything, divert them on to something else before it happens.

Distract by giving them their favourite chew toy for example. And make a big fuss of them for doing the "right" thing. Teach them that when they are "good" they get a rewarded by with your affection.

Also look around your home and try to anticipate what puppy might fancy getting their teeth around and put those things out of puppy's reach.

The simple steps outlined may seem straightforward - and they are - however they are also effective in puppy training to help with reducing their tendency to whine and chew.

I hope you have found this of use should you have, or be thinking about, getting a puppy. If either do apply to you, then you may like to check out this online course on puppy training tips for beginners. Separation anxiety is something to be aware of also. Here's some useful information on dealing with dog separation anxiety which you may like to check out.

Article Source: Andy_Machin

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Puppy Training Tips: Stop Puppy Nipping

Puppies have sharp teeth. And as they instinctively use their mouths to explore and taste things (including you) and when playing, those sharp teeth hurt when puppy takes a nip at you with them. You are going to get nipped by your new puppy. Accept that as a fact. However there are steps you can take to discourage them from doing so and protect yourself from scratches and cuts from those sharp little teeth at the same time.

Given that nipping is natural for puppy to do - for example they do it to their siblings as part of growing up and developing - so one step to take is to try to socialise your puppy with other dogs.

Let them do what comes naturally to them if possible. You may then find that they are calmer when back in your company as they've had their fun with the other dogs and are them less inclined to take a nip at you when they think they are playing and see you as a dog substitute.

There's another beneficial by-product of mixing your puppy with other dogs. Puppy will learn how to interact with their fellow canines which can help when out for a walk for example because puppy has picked up essential doggy social skills.

Just as you and I played with other children in the area when we were young and learned at the same time, you can allow your puppy to do the doggy equivalent.

Another method you might use to help reduce puppy's tendency to take a nip at you is to build correct behaviour in to your regular training routine and general interaction with your puppy. Basically, encourage and reward good behaviour but do not punish bad behaviour.

Whilst that may sound like a contradiction, it's really not.

If you do punish puppy for bad behaviour, expect retaliation. Puppy does not know why they are being punished and they will (forgive me a slight pun) bite back - quite literally - with those sharp teeth and take a nip at you because they see it as an attack and it is their instinct to fight back. Well, wouldn't you?

When puppy decides it's time to take a nip at you, instead of getting yourself worked up, shouting at them or (even worse) hitting them (please don't do that) try ignoring them until they stop, gently but firmly put them back on the carpet or even in their bed.

Then when they do stop, are back on the floor, in their bed etc. give them lots and lots of praise.

By doing this, you are teaching puppy that when they nip they do not get your attention until they have stopped.

And when they do stop they get your praise. Much more fun for puppy. Taking these simple steps should help to reduce puppy's nipping instinct and you will have a better trained, better behaved puppy as a result.

I hope you have found this of use should you have, or be thinking about, getting a puppy. If either do apply to you, then you may like to check out this online course on puppy training tips for beginners. Separation anxiety is something to be aware of also. Here's some useful information on dealing with dog separation anxiety which you may like to check out.

Article Source: Andy_Machin

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Puppy Training Tips: Walking on the Lead and Reducing Jumping

Whilst jumping up at people may be cute, not everyone enjoys a dog leaping up all around them. Indeed, with a big, powerful dog it can be dangerous and harmful. In a similar way, puppy pulling you around all over the place when out for a walk may be natural for the puppy but is behaviour to train them out of as unless you do so, that pulling will become harder and harder for you to control as puppy grows in to an adult dog.

Therefore - it is important that you train your new puppy properly from the outset how to walk nicely on their lead and also not to jump up at people. Teach your puppy how to behave the "right" way.

An easy way to discourage jumping is every time they do it (jump up at you or someone else) is to put their paws back on to the floor, so they are back in a standing position, and give them plenty of positive praise. The general idea being to teach puppy that if he or she doesn't jump up then nice things happen and they get fussed instead.

The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy's feet back on the floor. When the dog remains standing there, be sure to praise it extensively.

Another technique is to simply ignore their attention seeking (I know, it's difficult) until they realise it is not going to get them what they are after. Then when puppy has calmed down - then you give them positive praise and a bit of a fuss. In a similar way to the paws back on the floor approach, you are teaching puppy that nothing good happens until they stop jumping. When they do, they get a nice fuss as a reward.

Teaching puppy to walk well on the lead and not pull is another essential early skill to teach them.

You will (obviously) need a good collar and lead. Different breeds of dog may have particular needs here (greyhounds for example need a specific style of collar to support their necks). I suggest taking some advice from your local pet store as to the best collar and lead for your puppy.

Also, for example, if you opt for a body harness-style affair, put it on to puppy and allow them to wander around the house getting used to wearing it before venturing outside.

Then it's time to start training puppy in how to walk nicely at your side. Start small. I suggest nipping out in to the garden or back yard to begin with. Give puppy a little slack on the lead, but no too much. When they start to pull and want to go have a look around, quickly change the direction and give a gentle tug on the lead to get puppy back at your side then give them back that bit of slack on the lead.

Repeat every time puppy starts to pull or want to go explore. The idea here is that you are in control and not subject to following the whim of your puppy to go anywhere they please. If you do allow puppy to do that, you are encouraging it to happen and it will get worse.

By simple correction you are teaching puppy how to walk calmly at your side. A much better behaved and easier to handle dog when you are out for "walkies".

Consistency is key with puppy training to instil the "right" behaviour. A well-trained, well behaved puppy will develop in to a well-trained, well behaved adult dog who is credit to you as the owner and your training skills.

I hope you have found this of use should you have, or be thinking about, getting a puppy. If either do apply to you, then you may like to check out this online course on puppy training tips for beginners. Separation anxiety is something to be aware of also. Here's some useful information on dealing with dog separation anxiety which you may like to check out.

Article Source: Andy_Machin

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