Nutrition Housetraining/Crate Training Teeth Behavior Bathing & Grooming
Puppies 6 weeks to 6 months of age should be fed three times a day. When puppies reach 6 months of age, they can be fed twice a day. Puppies can be fed as much as they will eat in a 20 minute period. Any uneaten food should be removed after 20 minutes. If the puppy appears thin or fat or consistently does not finish a meal or finishes a meal quickly and does not appear satisfied, then increase or decrease the amount you offer accordingly. Large breed puppies especially should not be allowed to become overweight. Occasionally diarrhea may be seen if a puppy is overeating. If this seems to be the case, try decreasing the amount of food offered.
We generally recommend staying away from generic or "bargain" foods, as most do not have a consistent formulation and are not tested by feeding trials. Premium dog food brands such as Science Diet is consistently formulated with high-quality meat ingredients rather than meat byproducts and do not contain as many fillers and beef fat as some of the cheaper diets. Because of this, some owners notice that they feed less volume and see less stool produced. This company also gives a money-back guarantee if the dog does not eat their food.
When a puppy is 5-6 months old, the food should be gradually switched from puppy food to an adult maintenance food. This is especially important in large breed dogs to help prevent orthopedic problems.
Housetraining a puppy should begin as soon as he comes home. Select an out of the way part of your yard for a bathroom area. He should not be excited or distracted when going out to the bathroom, as he will think he is going out to play and forget his task at hand. If he has not eliminated after 5-10 minutes, bring him back inside for 15 minutes. Take the puppy back out to the bathroom area and repeat the process as often as necessary until your puppy goes. A puppy should be taken out as soon as possible in the morning, before bed, before and after meals, once awake from a nap, and every two hours during the day. As the puppy becomes more trustworthy, lengthen the intervals between visits to the bathroom area. Remember to always use the same word/phase whenever you take you pup out to relieve himself. This will teach him association and repetition. Gradually allow free periods to be for longer periods of time. If you notice him sniffing and circling during one of his free periods, CARRY HIM OUTSIDE IMMEDIATELY!!
One of the best methods for housetraining, is crate training. Rather than being cruel, it takes advantage of a dog's instinct to den and keep their area clean. The crate should be just large enough for your dog to be able to stand, turn around, and lie down in it. You can buy a full-sized crate for a young puppy, but make sure to partition it so that he just fits it, and move the partition back as he grows. Place the crate where your dog will see and be a part of your family's activities. At first, leave the crate door open and put a bed or blanket, food and water dishes, and toys in it so the puppy can explore the crate and learn that it is a safe home. Introduce your puppy to his crate gradually, for short periods several times a day. If your puppy howls and barks when he is introduced to his crate, DO NOT remove him until he is quiet for a short period. Then remove and PRAISE. All meals and snacks should be served to your puppy only while he is in his crate. Gradually lengthen the time he remains in his crate. Soon he will quietly sleep there every night and while you are away from home. Be sure to take him outside to his bathroom area before crating and as soon as you let him out of the crate.
Paper training should be considered a necessary evil. By putting paper down you are telling your puppy that it is OK to use the house as a bathroom. Paper should only be used when you are away from home for long periods such as work or errands if you are not using the crate.
Your puppy will start to lose deciduous (baby) teeth some time around 4 months of age and finish losing them around 6 months of age. Usually puppies eat their baby teeth with their food. On occasion you may find one around the house. Adult teeth usually appear at the same time. Occasionally a few baby teeth will not fall out and the puppy will have two teeth in the same position. Any retained deciduous teeth need to be removed by your veterinarian to prevent serious dental disease. This procedure can be done at the same time of the spaying, neutering or after your pet's first birthday.
It is just as important to practice good dental habits with our pets as it is with our own mouths. Starting when puppies are young will help to make it more acceptable to them. Start gradually. The first week start by picking up the lip fold. It is important to do this at the same time each day to develop a routine. The second week lift the lip and rub your finger or toothbrush (soft human toothbrush, or one specifically designed for pets) gently over the teeth. The third week introduce toothpaste. Use toothpaste specifically for pets, human toothpaste can cause stomach upset if swallowed. Start by using a small amount of pet toothpaste on the brush and gently rub it across the teeth. Brush your pet's teeth once a day. Even with daily brushing some tartar buildup will occur. This will require periodic teeth cleaning and polishing at the hospital. Click here for more info on dental disease.
Puppies will show many behaviors that are a normal part of social activity with other dogs, but which can be objectionable to people. The most common of these are biting, jumping, and chewing.
Puppies will bite each other as a form of play and also to establish dominance over each other. If your puppy grabs your fingers, legs, or clothing say, "No bite", grab the muzzle firmly with your hand for a few seconds then release.
Chewing is a normal activity for dogs which alleviates boredom and stress. Also, puppies learn about the world around them by picking objects up in their mouth to "feel" them. Chewing can also alleviate the discomfort of teething. If your puppy picks up something that you don't want her to have, take it away and say, "No", then substitute one of her own toys. Remember, puppies cannot tell the difference between old clothes and new clothes, so never let a puppy have old castaway socks, sneakers, or shoes. Finally, never punish for chewing unless you catch the puppy in the act. She won't know what she's being punished for and will learn to fear you.
When meeting people, puppies jump to get to a person's face. They use the person's breath for identification. Discourage jumping by teaching the puppy to sit and stay when meeting people. Do this with the pup on a short leash, lift at the collar and push the haunches down. Pet and praise when she sits. The new person then casually greets with hand extended, palm open. If the puppy jumps, slip a hand under the collar and pull to the side placing the puppy back on four feet and praise. If you catch the puppy as she is about to jump, say "No jump". Then pull her down with the leash or push her down with a knee or your hands on her shoulders. Be persistent and consistent. Don't allow jumping on anyone at anytime. The key to successful training is consistency.
Regular grooming is essential to keep your dog's coat healthy and shiny. It is recommended to groom with a hard bristled brush or comb daily. If the dog has a long coat, a dog rake or metal comb is needed to comb out mats. Bathing should be done as infrequently as possible but as often as necessary. As a rule of thumb, it is best not to bathe a dog more often than once a week.
Before bathing, check the coat of mats or snarls and remove them. If they are not taken out, shampoo, dirt, and moisture trapped ion the mats can lead to skin irritations or infections. Pack the ears with cotton to soak up any water that gets into them. During the summer a kiddie wadding pool works well for bathing, or use a bathtub or laundry tub year round. Make sure to read the directions for the shampoo and use only shampoo specifically made for pets, human shampoo can strip their fur of their natural oils.
First wet the entire coat, then lather the shampoo. When the entire body has been lathered. rinse thoroughly getting out all traces of the soap. Leaving soap on the skin can lead to skin reactions or infections. When drying, make sure that your dog does not get chilled. First, towel dry with an old bath towel. Then use a blow dryer to completely dry the coat, or confine the dog to a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room until he is completely dry so that the moisture will not cause any damage to furniture. After the coat is dry, thoroughly brush it out.
Groton City Animal Hospital
794 Cortland Rd. (Rte. 222)
Groton, NY 13073
(607)898-4482