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Puppy management for new owners

By

Pawsitive Solutions Craig

A few tips to help toilet train a puppy

Unfortunately unlike children we can’t put nappies on our puppies so need to put certain measures in place to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to a fully house trained dog.

1. Puppies have 5 key times they need to toilet:

a) First thing in the morning
b) After any daytime naps
c) After boisterous play sessions
d) After food
e) Before going to bed at night

2. I would highly recommend a dog crate for your puppy…it not only gives you a bit of peace when the puppy is sleeping both during the day and at night but it helps greatly with toilet training. Dogs are basically clean animals and do not like to mess their sleeping area so using the crate encourages the puppy to hold onto its toilet until let outside.

3. The crate should only be big enough for the puppy to stretch out and turn round When you take your puppy outside as it toilets repeatedly say a word like ‘pee pee’ or ‘quick quick’. This will get the puppy to associate the sound with toileting.

4. NEVER correct your puppy for toileting in the house. Be patient some pups can take a bit longer than others.

5. When they are very young i.e. under 14 weeks, it is good to give a bit of praise when they toilet outside. A simple good boy/girl is enough. Try not to get them over excited.

6. Contrary to some advice on the Internet I would not suggest giving a food treat when they toilet outside Dogs learn through repetition and association and I know of many cases when the puppy simply comes into the house, looks at the owner and toilets. He/she has associated toileting with food and not with doing it outside!

Please contact us if you or someone you know is looking for help with their dog via our enquiries page.

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A few tips to keep your dog safe and happy over the Xmas holidays

By

Pawsitive Solutions Lorna

Dogs really like consistency in their lives especially if he/she has a more nervous or timid temperament. Sometimes our pets can be overwhelmed by all the noise and celebrations.

1. Make sure your dog has a quiet safe place to escape to when the activity is at its loudest for example, its own crate or room.

2. Teach young children to respect the dogs space and let it rest.

3. Be wary of feeding the dog turkey (or any other meat) with the gravy and avoid rich puddings. Both can be too heavy and cause upset tummies (In the dog that is!) Keep any scraps plain and simple.

4. Keep all chocolate away from your dog. Excess human chocolate has been known to kill dogs in the past.

5. NEVER EVER feed your dog the bone of a cooked turkey or any other animal. Bones become brittle during the cooking process and can cause horrendous damage if they splinter inside.

Please contact us if you or someone you know is looking for help with their dog via our enquiries page.

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Tips to help children and dogs live happily together

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Dogs and Children

Dogs and Children

In the clear majority of cases dogs and children co-exist happily together. We are however two different species and parents have a duty to educate their children on the do’s and don’ts of how to behave with a dog whether it is their own family pet or any other dog.

Sadly, we are hearing too many horrific stories of dogs attacking children. People then react AFTER the event and usually the answer is to ban the breed, ban dogs from parks and all public places, keep all dogs on a lead etc.

It is understandable that after any dog attack people react in this way however the attacks keep happening and always blaming the dog is not the answer. The answer MUST lie in educating both the adults AND the children how to behave with ANY dog whether it is their own or not.

Dogs are pack animals with an inner wolf mindset, they are NOT little humans. In a pack environment dogs are taught about hierarchy, and respect for boundaries from a very young age. If you have ever watched the interaction of young puppies in their formative first weeks with their mother and siblings, you will see this in action.

When we bring dogs into our families because we are NOT pack animals we blur or stop altogether the discipline which the dog expects. All dogs NEED rules and boundaries from the pack leader and If they aren’t given these then many dogs make their own. Some temperaments of dog e.g the nervous or fearful need this leadership more than others.

Much though we love our own or dogs in general it’s important to realise they do see life differently to us. Dogs see young children in the same way as they see a puppy so while many dogs are very tolerant of children as they are with puppies it’s not the case with all dogs so it makes sense to EDUCATE our children in some basic safety rules.

Adult Rules

  • NEVER leave a dog alone with a child or baby
  • Children (under 12 years of age) should not be allowed to walk a dog without adult supervision
  • Never allow a young child (under 10 years) to feed a dog unsupervised. (Some dogs can be very protective over food and a small child can easily be seen as a threat to the dogs food supply This is particularly relevant when the dog is under 2years of age and or a rescue dog that MAY have been hungry in the past.)
  • Do not allow your child to pull on the dog’s collar to lead it outside –It could snap or bite them
  • Never allow a child to discipline or correct a dog’s behaviour
  • When visiting friends or family who have a dog Do not allow your child to play in the garden with the dog unsupervised (Young children can unwittingly play far too rough with a dog and SOME dogs cannot take being poked or their tail or ears being pulled so it’s wise to supervise at all times)

Children’s Rules

  • Never pat a strange dog even if it’s owner is present
  • Never go up to a dog that is sleeping or eating (allow it some space)
  • Stay away from a dog that is tied up outside a shop etc.
  • Never ever pull a dogs tail or ears Dogs feel pain as well as us!
  • If a dog runs at you barking stand completely still and put your hands in your pocket
  • Stay away from a dog that has puppies

6 tips for coping with fireworks

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help your dog handle fireworks

Fireworks – or anything really which creates a loud noise – can be very unsettling to a dog’s sensitive hearing. I have friends with dogs who are terrified of loud bangs and often retreat to a corner of the house far away from any windows. That’s why it’s important to take precautions during this time of year to ensure your dog is at its safest and happiest. Here are 6 sensible tips for dealing with dog’s who are sensitive to these colourful, but very loud, explosions

1. If leaving the house, ensure your dog is in a secure and comfortable place – in particular, if you’re leaving to go to see a fireworks display then keep your dog inside close the windows and perhaps leave the television or radio on to create some familiar noise and detract from the sounds. Anxious dogs will search for a safe place to hide when frightened . A dog crate is ideal but if you don’t have one clear out the bottom of a large cupboard and put the dogs bed in there . You can also make a dark cosy den for your pet by throwing blankets over a couple of chairs to make a den.

2. If your dog has bad reactions to weather/fireworks then safe-proof an area for them – make sure it is completely secure and comfortable so they can’t run away and leave them plenty of fresh water. This is particularly important for outside dogs that use a kennel. Dogs which are easily distressed can get a fright and might run away if they’re terrified of the noise.

3. Kennels – to create a more comfortable outside area for your dog, put a kennel in a secure and dark area near the house. You can also line its kennel with carpet which has a calming effect as it’s warmer and minimises noise levels.

4. Identification tags/chips – this is essential if you have a dog that is prone to running away. Particularly if a loud noise unsettles it, a dog might try to escape in order to retreat from the noise. Make sure your contact details are on your pet’s tags so you can be contacted. All dogs should now be chipped.

5. Medication – medication is particularly effective if you have a dog that is deeply distressed by the noise. I’ve known some dogs to soil the carpet and shake because of their anxiety so it’s definitely something to consider if your dog’s behaviour is affected. You can get medications prescribed from your vet but there are some highly effective natural remedies such as sprays and plug-in diffusers that are available for reasonable prices and which aren’t riddled with needless chemicals. The only drawback about medication and natural remedies is that you must begin them early enough to take effect. Usually 2-3 weeks before you expect firework season/anxiety.

6. How to deal with a distressed dog – this is extremely difficult to do but when you see your dog upset but it’s important not to comfort or fuss your dog when he/she is displaying fear. Stay calm as your behaviour is mirrored by your dog and if you’re harmonious about the situation (whether it’s fireworks or a really bad storm) then your dog will be too as he/she will know through its pack leader that there is nothing to be concerned about!

Dogs and Autumn

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dogs-and-autumn

Saying goodbye to Summer doesn’t necessarily mean saying goodbye to clear skies, sunshine or even seasonal allergies! With Autumn also comes cooler days, darker mornings/evenings and lovely changing landscapes – all which can disrupt you and your dog’s routine. Here are some handy tips and tricks for tackling the new season with your dog!

Daylight – Autumn means less daylight and therefore darker mornings and evenings. This will likely mean that your daily dog walks take place in darkness which can be a safety hazard for both you and your dog. If possible, stay in well lit areas so you can see where you’re walking and if needed, take a torch to highlight paths. Reflective materials will keep you and your dog visible to cars – reflective jackets, collars and flashing lights are all available for a reasonable price and I’ve even used a cat bell on my dog’s collar so I can hear her in the dark! This is particularly handy for dogs with dark coats like mine. Also watch out for broken class and tree roots – I have tripped over a fair few roots myself when out walking during a dark morning!

Cooler Weather – As it’s getting colder in the mornings and evenings, this can affect how you choose to groom your dog. Long hair will be better in keeping your dog warm as opposed to a close trimmed coat during the warmer seasons. It may be an idea to invest in dog clothing such as a coat if your dog is comfortable with it. There are even coats available for long haired dogs (who have shorter legs) that wrap right around the body! This is ideal for keeping your dog’s coat clean too.

Allergies – Often when summer ends, allergies can crop up considerably due to the harvest months and change of season. Look out for any unusual skin conditions and breathing issues such as coughing or snorting. Seek Veterinary guidance if needed as many allergies can be remedied by antihistamines (these work really well for my dog who often develops irritating skin conditions/scratching).

Exercise – You may find that it’s difficult to get out and about with your dog due to bad weather conditions. If you worry that you’re dog isn’t getting enough exercise then please see more of our blog for how to exercise your dog during a spell of bad weather. Keeping your dog active and healthy during the winter months is essential so if an indoor obstacle course needs to be set up then it should be. Even in the cold and bad weather, you’re dog still needs exercise!

Halloween Treats – Needless to say, dogs should not be given any sweeties or chocolate during this season – even if it is Halloween! Keep your dog’s food to meat and veg and make sure they drink plenty of water. When out with your dog, also beware of rotting twigs/leaves which they might pick up. Upset tummies aren’t pleasant for either party!

 

 

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