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Health
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Owning a new Puppy
There
are so many to choose from.
By now you’ve probably
decided on the breed and sex
and how you want your new
friend to behave. Be
careful not to place
unrealistic expectations on
your new dog. If you can
only dedicate 30 minutes a
day to your dog how can you
expect it to be a good
family pet? Dogs left alone
long for long periods at a
time are going to bark –
they’re lonely and bored.
Most problems dogs have
problem owners – so learn to
spend time, be patient and
play games together – you’d
be surprised how much a dog
learns when it plays. If
you are an inexperienced
owner a bitch may easier
than a dog.
Housetraining
This is
actually very easy as long
as you do it right. Decide
on the area you want your
pup to use as his toilet and
learn to recognize the signs
that he needs to pee or poo
(sniffing and turning in
circles)Puppies generally
need “to go” after eating or
drinking, when they wake up
and after playing. At these
times, gently pick up your
pup, take him to your chosen
spot and wait. When he
goes, say the word that you
want to be your toilet
command and then give him a
treat and let him know you
are really happy. As for
night times give him a small
area (yes you can use a
crate) to sleep in. A Crate
must be introduced slowly –
start by feeding him there
and putting him in there
with the door open) when he
is sleepy. Make sure he as
toys to play with and lots
of soft bedding. His mum as
already taught him to keep
the bed clean, and so by
reducing the space he has to
sleep in, you will encourage
him to hold on. Take him
outside last thing at night,
during the night if he wakes
and then very early in the
morning. Always reward him
when he gets it right. You
will be surprised how soon
he will easily make it
through the night without
accidents. There will of
course be a few slip ups
along the way – he’s only a
baby after all. You should
ignore him, clean up (with a
non-ammonia based cleaner)
and forget about it.
Lead training
Without some degree of
training, most dogs pull on
the lead. They
naturally move at a faster
pace than humans (about 3
miles an hour quicker in
fact). Go to some good
training classes or get
yourself a good head collar
such as the Halti. It
will give you dog’s neck and
your arms a break. If
you find a training class
nearby go and watch before
you book in – Do the puppies
and people look relaxed?
Ensure that punitive methods
of equipment are not used,
Choke/check chains and tight
slip collars are unnecessary
and totally inappropriate.
Noise should be kept to a
minimum – shouting is not
necessary and lots of
barking can indicate that
the dogs are stressed.
You
may also find these topics
of interested.
If you
require any information then
please don't hesitate
to contact DELTA on 0800 191
917
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