Tips to Stop Puppy from Chewing

Puppies love to chew – on anything.  Chewing can cost you thousands of dollars in damaged furniture and household goods.  Follow a few simple tips to keep puppy’s teeth free of your valuables.

Puppies are so lovable.  People are entertained when puppy chews on a sock as if it were a snake in the brush.  He wags his tail at it, pounces, and then chews until it lies in tatters on the floor.  Puppy suddenly becomes less lovable when it is your Italian leather couch he is munching on.  A lot of the expense incurred by pet owners comes as a result of chewing.  Puppies chew the most when you either aren’t home or aren’t looking.

The first step to curbing the chewing habit is to puppy proof your home.  Keep puppy confined to areas of the house where you have no valuables.  Don’t leave your puppy alone even when you are in the house.  When puppy is in the room with you, use a baby gate to prevent him from wandering around.

Use a curio cabinet for collectibles and other trinkets.  Coffee tables need to be free of vases, flowers, and other things.  Store these things in higher places where puppy can’t reach or knock them over.  If puppy gets a hold of marbles, coins, or small kid’s toys, he could choke while chewing on them, so be sure these small things are picked up and out of puppy’s reach at all times.

Puppies chew when they are excited.  It is a way of releasing pent up energy.  He doesn’t know that he has done anything wrong unless you tell him so.  If puppy does chew on stuff in the house, don’t spank him.  He may be responding to your behavior.  Leaving and entering the house showing a lot of emotion (waving wildly at puppy) will get puppy hyped up.  Not knowing what to do with his heightened emotional level, he will begin chewing on stuff. 

Give puppy a chew toy.  When he must chew, he will chew on something that is meant to be used for chewing.  Nylafloss is a piece of nylon rope that helps to clean puppy’s teeth while he is releasing his emotional energy.

Another way to help puppy stay calm is to be calm.  Resist the urge to broadcast to puppy that you are leaving for work.  When you come in forget the fanfare and be as quiet as possible. 

Puppies are excitable creatures.  This excitement can cause them to chew everything in sight.  To avoid destruction and mayhem, stay calm around your puppy and remember; this too shall pass.  With a bit of consistency and forethought, training your puppy to only chew on his chew toys will pay off.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:20:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Does Your Dog Make the Grade? – Six Basic Dog Obedience Commands You Should Know?

As your kids load up their back-packs and head off to school, you might take a minute to see if your dog makes the grade when it comes to these basic obedience commands.

As an avid 4-H member in my youth, I was active in dog obedience training for my dogs (a 55 lb mutt and Cocker Spaniel). I had great fun spending time with my dogs and after the training, they were even more delightful to be around.

Personally I highly recommend obedience training, especially for large dogs.

Here are some of the basic commands:

SIT - The sit command is one of the easiest to master. Anytime you see him in the act of sitting, say, “SIT,” and reward him with a treat when his bottom hits the ground. You can also gently push down on his bottom as you say the command “SIT.”

STAY - How long can your dog sit or lie in a stay? I remember the days of walking around the neighborhood and practicing this command. Your dog should be able to maintain the position until you release him with another command such as free dog. When your dog is tired, have him in a sit or down position and command, “stay.” If he maintains it for one to two seconds, reward him. Gradually increase the time, add distance and distractions to the equation as you continue your training.

COME - Your dog should come when you call his name and command, “come,” despite distractions. Incorporate this command daily, and never punish your dog when he comes to you.

DOWN - The down position is lying down, belly to the ground and front legs extended. To train this position, put a treat right in front of your dog’s nose and lower it straight down to the ground. Praise the behavior by offering a treat.

LEAVE IT - A leave it command will keep your dog from eating unwanted food or taking others’ today. Practice by holding a treat in your extended hand. As your dog reaches for it, say, “leave it,” and reward with praise when he draws back from or inattention to the treat.

GO TO YOUR SPOT – Your dog should be able to go to a designated spot on command. Point to the spot and give a verbal command. Leave treats on the designated spot as reinforcement.

How does your dog do with these commands? I’ve found some great dog obedience training guides that will help you train your dog to be the best behaving dog on the block.

Tips to Help Your Dog Get Along with Other Pets

Let’s assume you have a Bichon Friz at home and have decided to adopt another one as a companion.  Here are some tips to help your dog get along with other pets.

Before we get into the whys and wherefores, it is important to remember that any new member of the pet family will encounter a rigorous and sometimes jealous stance when a new pet arrives.  If you think about it, some children who are presented with a newborn baby tend to become upset because they have to compete for attention for the first time.

Dogs are very territorial.  Some even resent other pets being around their masters.  When a new pet is brought into the home, whether it’s a parakeet, cat, or turtle; the dog asserts his dominance and after awhile all is well.  However, when another dog is brought into the home – you may experience the following behavior:

Your dog not only asserts his dominance as the alpha male, but may fight with the new dog; eat his food; and generally play in a rough manner.  This is normal and should not be interfered with.  The new dog will have to play a subordinate role until he is fully accepted by the alpha male.

In order to keep things from getting out of hand, you might want to separate the dogs for a period of time.  Your pet will know there is another dog in the home by his scent.  Create an atmosphere that is conducive to them getting to know each other.

When they finally meet, try not to favor your pet over the new dog.  Treat them both equally.  It will take time for the new dog to acclimate to his new surroundings, and it will take your pet time to acclimate to the new arrival.  If necessary, keep the new pup in a kennel until they both become comfortable with each other.  The same holds true for cats as well.

Take your pet out for a walk.  Let him know that you are still there for him and you have not changed his routine simply because there is another dog in the house.  If he acts out against the new pup, call to him to come to another room.  Play and interact with him.  Use constant praise when he listens and offer a treat when he obeys your commands.

Put out dishes of food and water for each dog, always giving preference to your older pet.  Remember, he is the alpha male and deserves respect.  This is more for the young pup that for you.

Establish a routine that involves both pets.  Try not to favor one over the other but treat them equally.  If you give one dog a treat, ensure you give the other dog a treat.  If you buy dog toys, they may fight over them for awhile until the new pup gives up.  They’ll work it out.  Do not feel you have to intercede in everything they do.

The only time you should become involved is if they constantly fight.  Eventually, a bond will form and they will become the best of friends.  However, try not to leave them along for long periods of time, especially in the beginning.

No matter what other pets you may introduce to your dog, remember that it will take time, patience, love, attention, and a lot of aspirin – (for you, not the dogs!)