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Crate Training Tips

May 21

When used correctly and humanely, crate training is wonderful for both you and your dog, as it has many benefits.  When bringing home a new puppy, such as a Yorkshire Terrier puppy for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio, starting them out with a crate gives them their own personal space, their very own “den.”  This gives a dog a sense of safety and security, which can help with issues of separation anxiety.  In order to create a secure, safe environment, you should never use the crate as a punishment.   It also provides a safe place for them to be when you are away from home so that they do not engage in destructive behavior or get into anything that could be dangerous for their health, such as ingesting chemicals or chewing on electrical wires.  It is great for housebreaking because dogs are less likely to eliminate in the place where they sleep.   In addition, it can be moved to different rooms and can also double as transportation during trips, which means that their safe and secure den goes with them everywhere.

There are a few things that are beneficial to have in or with the crate for your puppy, such as a Malti Poo puppy for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  For starters, you’ll want your pet to have access to water if you’re going to be gone for more than two hours.  It’s best to use a special pet water bottle attached to the side of the crate to conserve space and so that your puppy can’t accidentally spill the water.  You’ll also want to put in some comfortable bedding, such as a towel, blanket, or a small doggie bed, if it doesn’t take up too much space.  Some pet stores even have specially designed bedding that is made for crate lining.  If your puppy likes to chew on the bedding, you may have to remove it until he’s past the chewing stage so that he can’t choke on small pieces that may get ripped off.  Make sure that he has access to and uses other chew toys and items, such as rawhide chews, Kongs, Billys, Tuffys, Nylabones, or other chew toys, instead of the bedding.

To encourage your pet to learn that his crate is his den, you may wish to feed him or her inside the crate.  If your puppy is reluctant to enter the crate to eat, you can try doing it in stages.  Start by placing the food just outside the crate, then just inside the crate, and then keep moving the bowl until it is at the back of the crate.  Another option is to randomly drop treats into the crate for your puppy to find.

When first starting crate training, it’s best to do it when you are actually around so that the puppy, such as a French Bulldog puppy for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio, gets used to you entering and leaving a room.  In addition, it won’t set up a signal that the crate means you are leaving, which can trigger an anxious response from your puppy.

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Your Puppy’s First Veterinary Exam

May 18

Now that you’ve got your new puppy, you’ll want to take him or her to the vet for the first time so that he or she can get acquainted with your selected vet, as well as, to make sure that your new puppy is as healthy as he or she should be.  Your new puppy’s first trip to your veterinarian is almost as much about educating you as examining the puppy. You’ll want to have a list of any questions or concerns that you might have.  You should also bring two things with your puppy to this first exam. One should be whatever health information the seller gave you, such as vaccine and worming records, which are included if you’ve bought a Maltese puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The second thing is less fun, but very important:  a fresh stool sample.  This is examined by the vet or other staff member for the presence of parasites, such as worms.

While answering your questions, your veterinarian will be checking out your puppy.  He or she should be doing the following things:

  • Weighing your puppy and checking temperature.  A normal temperature is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.  The puppy’s pulse and breathing rate should also be checked.
  • Listening for heart and lung abnormalities and examining other internal organs by palpitating or feeling them.
  • Giving your puppy’s ears a look over to ensure they not only look right (formed correctly and no unusual discharge) but also smell right with no infections or parasites.
  • Checking the puppy’s genitals to ensure two testicles are present in males, and there’s no sign of discharge or infection in females.
  • Going over eyes, nose, skin, and the anal region to check for abnormal discharge or other signs of disease, infection, or parasites.
  • Opening the puppy’s mouth to see that teeth and gums are growing correctly, are clean, and the proper colors.

A puppy exam is often one of the best parts of a veterinarian’s job.   Your vet should try to keep it fun for your puppy, as well. Your vet should want to set up a positive relationship with your puppy, so that he or she accommodates being handled without fear or aggression. There are several very important things that you can do to assist in this learning process for any puppy, such as a Pomeranian puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Do not encourage shyness or aggression in your puppy by soothing her.   Project a positive attitude and be matter-of-fact in all of your puppy’s social interactions with the veterinarian as well as other people and animals in order to raise a confident, secure dog with proper manners.

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Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Puppy

May 14

Just like people, puppies and dogs often need to be seen by a medical professional, in their case called a veterinarian or often just “vet.”  Besides offering services for sick animals, just like a doctor for humans, a veterinarian can offer preventative and routine care for your beloved pet to make sure they are staying healthy and to potentially avoid having them become sick.  In addition to taking direct care of your dog or puppy, a veterinarian can offer advice on choosing a dog breed, diet and nutrition, training, grooming, and any questions you might have.

So, how do you find the right veterinarian for you?  Ideally, you should shop around for a veterinarian before you purchase a pet such as a Yorkie puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  It’s best to have a veterinarian picked out first so that you can get started on puppy vaccines, as well as, so that you can build a relationship before your pet gets sick.  One of the best ways to find a veterinarian is to get recommendations from friends, neighbors, family, dog trainers, groomers, or dog sitters who have experience with the same dog breed as you are intending to purchase or one that is similar.  For example, someone with large dog using a veterinarian who specializes in large dogs might not be a good choice for someone who is purchasing a toy breed dog, such as Havanese puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as they have very different needs.   You should also look for a vet who has a membership with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  This means that they have voluntarily chosen to meet the high AAHA standards of facility, equipment, and quality care that are required for membership.

Once you’ve made a list of veterinary options, you should schedule a visit to meet the staff, tour the facility, and learn about their philosophy and policies.  Any veterinary office should be happy to schedule a meet­-the-team type visit.  You’ll want to create a list of questions, as well.  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Are appointments required?
  • How many veterinarians are in the practice?
  • Are there technicians or other professional staff members?
  • Are dog and cat cages in separate areas?
  • Do the veterinarians have special interests such as geriatrics or behavior?
  • Are X-rays, ultrasound, blood work, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
  • Which emergency services are available?

Some additional things to consider during your visit:

  • Is the facility clean, comfortable and well-organized?
  • Is the staff caring, calm, competent and courteous, and do they communicate effectively?
  • Is location and parking convenient
  • Do fees fit your budget, and are discounts for senior citizens or multi-pet households available?

Choosing your veterinarian is one of the most important things you can do for your pet and yourself, so that you have a person you can trust to help you take care of your new best friend.

If you have a problem with your puppy ask the vet and read more about tips, ideas and inspiration for making your life with dog easier and more enjoyable.

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Travel Kit for Dogs and Puppies

May 09

Whether you’re going for a long trip or just a quick jaunty, it’s a good idea to have travel kit of special items for your dog’s comfort, care, safety, and entertainment, as well as items for just in case emergencies or unexpected situations.

Firstly it’s important that you have a dog restraint system already set up in your vehicle and a sun shade as well.  In addition to this, you may want a blanket or towel to make the seat more comfortable and to keep your car’s seat safe from dog hair, scratching, drooling, or other fluids.  An extra blanket or towel might be a good idea to keep around in case your dog gets sick on the first one.   Some other standard equipment to carry along in your vehicle at all times is an extra collar and leash, dog waste removal bags, and the contact information for your vet.

No matter how long you plan to be gone, it’s a good idea to have water with you at all times.  Between excitement, nervousness, or temperature, your dog is likely to pant and drool more frequently, causing a loss in moisture.  This is of special concern with short-nosed dogs like our Pug puppies, which can overheat very quickly.  There are a number of dog water bottle options that make it easy to ensure your dog stays hydrated.  Having a supply of special treats for just car rides, can help your dog relax and look forward to trips in the car.  Also, having a special chew toy for the car ride will give him or her something to play with while being restrained.

If you know you’re going to be gone on a longer trip, especially if you are crossing state lines, you’ll want to have your dog’s shot records in case of an emergency vet trip and a recent photograph in case your dog gets lost.  Thanks to technology, you don’t necessarily have to have a hard copy photograph; instead you could also pull a photo off of a site like Facebook, Picasa, or Flickr.  You’ll also want a special blanket or travel bed, so that your dog has his or her own space in your travel lodging.  Nervous dogs tend to shed more, so you should also bring grooming equipment such as brushes and combs.  Brushing your dog during rest stops will also focus attention on him or her, which will help your dog relax.  When you know you’ll be staying at hotels and motels, it’s good to know ahead of time which chains are pet friendly and to have a list prepared so that you don’t forget.  Never try to sneak your dog into lodgings.

If you’re traveling with an especially tiny or thin furred dog such as one of our Chihuahua puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania, during the winter or to a location that is cooler than your home temperatures, you might also want to carry along an assortment of dog clothes as well as extra blankets and other bedding to keep him warm and comfortable.

 

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Car Trips with your Dog: Safety Tips

May 07

Who doesn’t smile when you’re in your car, and you see a happy canine face poking out a car window enjoying the wind?  Or how sweetly a tiny dog sits in his owners lap, looking out the window, while they are driving?  People who love their pets want to include them in more than just home life, and many dogs love traveling with their owners.  If you’ve just bought a new puppy such as one of our Yorkie or Pom puppies in Ohio and Pennsylvania, you’ll need your puppy to travel to the vet and other places such as obedience school or to the park for socialization.  However, before you take your dog for a car ride, there are some things to do to make sure everyone has a safe and fun time.

As cute as it is to have your dog in your lap or just up front with you, this is actually a very, very dangerous situation for you and your dog.  A loose dog in the car can be a distraction while driving.  A dog sitting in a driver’s lap can interfere with steering and other functions or could accidentally bump a control or the wheel while adjusting position.  In addition, in the event of an accident, caused by someone else, the loose dog could get thrown around the vehicle, get hit by an airbag, or be crushed between you and the steering wheel or between you and an airbag deploying from the steering wheel.

Now that you’re aware of the dangers, what can you do to keep your dog safe in the car?  Firstly, it’s best for your dog to be in the back seat, just like it’s safer for a small child.  In addition, there are many options for dog restraints that work similarly in concept to a child safety seat or booster seat.  The three easy solutions:  a harness and strap which connects to the car’s existing seat belt, a padded platform which is strapped in with the seat belt, and has another strap that connects to a dog harness, or a dog carrier, strapped in with a seat belt.  While your dog may be less happy about car trips if he or she is restrained, it’s much safer for both of you.

Another unfortunate danger is having an open window.  While many dogs enjoy poking their heads out to enjoy the breeze, this isn’t quite the innocent pleasure it seems.  Some obvious reasons are that your dog could jump out or be thrown out by a bump, sudden turn, or swerve.   Some less obvious, but dangerous, concerns are that that breeze can dry out their eyes or carry dirt, grit, or other debris that could damage their eyes, in addition, all that ear flapping can damage the blood vessels in their ears.  It’s best to keep windows closed or minimally cracked.  It’s also best to use the child safety features to disable the window controls so that your dog can’t accidentally trigger the window to go up or down.

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Socializing Your Puppy

May 05

Having trouble choosing a puppy?  Check out some of our more exotic breeds such as Yorkie puppies for sale, Yorkie Poo puppies for sale, Malti Pom puppies for sale, Cava Chon puppies for sale, and many more puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

One of the most important things you can do for your puppy is to make sure he or she gets socialization training.  Ideally, this occurs during their first 16 weeks of life.  Many veterinarians and professional dog trainers stress that the first 16 weeks is the crucial learning stage that sets a dog’s personality for life.  Providing socialization training while still this young exposes them to a variety of sights, sounds, people, and animals, so that they are comfortable with dealing with new situations.  An uncomfortable, unsocialized dog is more prone to being afraid and reacting poorly by barking, growling, biting, and acting in other aggressive manners.

Before a puppy has all his vaccines, around 12 weeks, it’s best if people come to him.  Invite friends of all ages and ethnicities over to meet the new puppy.  Let them know that the idea is for the puppy to interact with different kinds of people.  By introducing him to a wide variety of ages and races, he will learn that it’s ok for people to be different from what he’s used to seeing.  It’s a good idea to introduce him to other animals, but only if you know that they are up to date on their vaccines.  You also need to be sure that those animals have been properly trained and don’t have any dog aggressive tendencies.  One bad experience like that could damage your puppy’s emotional health.

Once a puppy has sufficient vaccines, particularly rabies, you can begin to expose her to other animals and people in public.  There are many ways to do this.  Firstly, by taking her to obedience training classes you will be getting behavior training and socialization training.  Many pet stores allow customers to bring their dogs with them shopping.  Walking in the park is a great way to socialize your puppy as there will be many people walking and kids playing, as well as, other people out with their dogs.  Another great way to socialize your puppy with other dogs is by finding a dog park for her to be able to play directly with other dogs.

During socialization training, never encourage aggressive or fearful behaviors like barking, growling, or running away.  If your puppy is displaying any of these behaviors, don’t cuddle them, as this will seem like a reward.  Firmly tell them no, and reward the good behavior, instead.

Socializing can seem like a lot of work at first, but in the long run you will have a well-adjusted, emotionally strong dog with a great attitude and good manners.

Don’t forget to check out our pages on Yorkie puppies for sale, Maltese puppies for sale, Havanese puppies for sale, Pug puppies for sale, and other puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

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Dog and Puppy Bathing Tips

May 03

Looking for a new puppy?  Don’t forget to check out our pages on Yorkie puppies for sale, Maltese puppies for sale, Havanese puppies for sale, Pug puppies for sale, and other puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

There are many options for having your dog or puppy groomed.  One option is to have a professional groomer take care of this for you.  There are many benefits to this.  For one thing, it can save on time to be able to just drop off and pick up your dog for service.  Some people also worry about doing it right, especially if your dog requires a haircut, nail trim, or trimming in sensitive areas like the legs, tail, or between the paw pads.  Many pet stores offer grooming services, as well as there being special places that are just for dog grooming.  In addition, if you shop around, you might even be able to find a grooming service that comes right to your home, so that you don’t even have to leave the house, which is convenient for you as well as being beneficial if your dog doesn’t do well with car rides or being in strange places.  Some people are better off with a professional service if they have a particularly large dog or one that does not cooperate for bathing.

On the other hand if you are willing and able to do the grooming yourself there are a number of benefits.  The most obvious is that it can save a lot of money to do it yourself.  But in addition to that it can be a great way to have some extra bonding time with your dog.  If you are able to start regularly bathing your dog as a young puppy, they will be less likely to have issues with it as an adult dog.

Before bathing any age dog, make sure to brush them thoroughly first to dislodge and get rid of excess loose hair, dirt, mats, or anything else stuck in the fur.  Next, wet the dog to the skin with warm, but not hot water.  Scrub well with an age appropriate shampoo.  Try and keep them from licking it off during the washing process.  Rinse well.  Shampoo residue can be harmful if ingested, and it can make the hair sticky or matted when it dries.  Towel dry any excess water and let air dry.  If it’s particularly cold, you may want to use a hair drier, but keep it set to cool or warm, never hot.  For a particularly thin coated dog, even in winter, they might be better off, and happier, with a vigorous toweling off and some time wrapped in a dry towel on your lap.

While they sell dog “conditioners” this isn’t something that you should need to use on your dog.  It might be helpful in getting out tangles, but regular brushing and a diet with enough fats and proteins, will encourage your dog to produce sufficient oils to keep the hair soft and shiny.  Keep in mind that some dogs just don’t have soft coats, so their hair should be stiff or wiry.

Having trouble choosing a puppy?  Check out some of our more unique breeds such as Morkie puppies for sale, Yorkie Poo puppies for sale, Malti Pom puppies for sale, Cava Chon puppies for sale, and many more puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

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