Tag-Archive for » dog crate training «

Adopting A Dog Tips: Puppy or Adult? Selecting a Puppy or Adult Dog to Adopt

01 Mar 2010

Everyone is surely going to get excited when trying to adopt a dog. Truly a man’s best friend, you can rely on your pet dog in giving you company, cuddling up together and some can even guard your house.

You need to review your personal lifestyle and needs when adopting a dog. It is a major decision whether or not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on which dog to adopt, here is some useful information that might help you decide.

On Puppies

  • Bringing up a puppy is an advantage because this means that you would guide its growth and well being. You would have the chance to raise it up adjusting to what you want. This means you can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog food, make sure that necessary dog shots are given and prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your puppy personally trained is also a plus since you can teach him exactly what you want.
  • You should adopt a puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers. This is a crucial stage for them. They somehow gain a psychological advantage for both puppy and for the mother dog as well.
  • A puppy can easily adapt to new surroundings as compared to an adult dog. Although most puppies may cause minimal to major damage to your personal stuff while they are in the stage of teething. They need to be housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort and patience from the owner.
  • There is no assurance of what a puppy would look like when it gets old; especially it is a mixed breed. Also, his temperament might change too when he grows up.
  • Most pet owners love how puppies can be entertaining. They are very cute and adorable pets that are a hit for both children and grown up. Puppies can be easily welcome as one of the family.

On adult dog

  • You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult dog. They already have this established behavior that you can easily adopt too. By being with the dog more often, you would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is.
  • You need to get as much information that you can when adopting an adult dog. Take note of its habits and mood swings. You can acquire these valuable data from the previous owners of the dog. Some adult dogs may have some behavior issues. It is important to take note of them.
  • It may take some time and effort for an adult dog to be completely comfortable with a new owner.
  • Take note that you need to introduce an adult dog to your children and other household members. This would help the dog be familiar with them and helps them refrain from biting or barking thinking that they maybe strangers.
  • Adult dog may not need your full attention unlike puppies need and would require lesser trips to the veterinary.
  • For a fully grown dog physique and behavior is basically not a variable anymore. Basically, what you see is what you get.
  • Most dogs are housebroken already so they would cause lesser damage to your belongings and don’t wake up at night like most puppies do. They have over grown the impulse of chewing things he has his eyes on.
  • An older dog can easily adapt to other pets, like other dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.

Adopting a dog is not an easy task and choosing which one to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet looking puppies, but not everyone can stand up to the tiresome house training. Though most would appreciate the bonding shared with them.

Adult dogs need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in mind that taking care of them needs a lot of time and effort. In return, they would always keep you company and has ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you every day.

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An Introduction To Puppy Crate Training

25 Feb 2010

One of the most common issues with dog owners is puppy crate training. Don’t feel horrible if this is you, take some credit for moving in the proper direction.   Some dog owners just feel that it is something that they have to live with, having a new puppy, and the dog will eventually “grow” out of it. I think, this is lazy behavior! If you are to take on owning a dog, then you have to educate yourself on the exact ways to care for it!

In today’s environment, especially with the internet, there are too many opportunities for you to acquire the knowledge of the exact ways to take care of your brand new puppy. Let’s try and move on in the right direction now. You might not do all things correct, but what is most important is that you are moving in the right direction. Remember when learning any new way, remaining calm is key when adding a new addition to your household.

Now, let’s get started with some basics of puppy crate training. We will start with why you should use a crate to house break your puppy. Dogs are canines like wolves and in nature rely on a den to raise their puppies. Feeling safe and protected in a den is from spending the first part of their lives raised this way. When canines grow up a little they choose a cave or tree stump to get some rest as opposed to being out in the open and exposed to predators.   Whether this be a cave or a whole in the bottom of a tree, it provides protection and security.

Not to use the den as a bathroom is the dogs natural instinct. When puppy potty training, we can use this behavior alone to our advantage. If you are 1 of the people who feel awful about placing your dog in a kennel, you are in fact going with mother nature in giving a protected den.  Puppy crate training is a safe humane way to house train your puppy quickly and effectively.

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Suggested Items To Get For Puppy Crate Training

12 Feb 2010

Now that you have your crate, the other things that I would recommend to get before you start your puppy crate training are some toys, a mat for the bottom of the crate, an odor neutralizer (available at most pet stores) and some puppy treats. You want to get some safe toys to put in the crate with your puppy so that the puppy feels more comfortable in the crate. You should never confine your puppy to the crate if it was bad because you want it to delight in being in there.

Toys in the crate should be screened to only very safe toys that your puppies will not splinter apart or swallow. A lot of the dog toys sold in the stores are fine such as the rubbery ones or bones that are hard pressed and won’t splinter. Don’t utilize stuffed animals, or plastic toys that squeak! These tear apart very easy and are a problem if your puppy chokes on them. A way to keep your puppy pre-occupied is to get a puppy toy that is made to place treats on the inside so that your puppy has to figure out how to get them out. This will help your puppy adjust to the new crate and help to keep them quiet in the beginning stages of puppy crate training.

Getting a soft mat for the crate floor is to add some comfort to the stiff floor of the crate for your puppy to rest on. You should get something that is simple to disinfect, but not something that your pup will break apart.

The odor eraser is used to clean the area of the mess should your pup have an accident. You could use this to productively clean the are of your carpet or floor that was soiled. This will remove the odor from the urine or feces so the puppy will not be attracted back to use that area again. Most common cleaners do have ammonia in them, and this isn’t great for cleaning up pee which could very well draw your puppies over to the same place.

You can utilize an array of different stuff as rewards for your pups. Most store bought treats are great and will be fine, however with organic becoming more common, I recommend going that route. Especially in your puppy’s extensive growth stage, it is just more healthy. You want to start your puppy crate training by tossing a few treats in the cage and giving your puppy a command such as “Crate” or “Kennel” as it goes in after the treats. This will attract your puppies to go in the kennel and look forward to their treats. Your puppy will begin to get excited about going in it’s crate because it will soon realize that going in the crate means “treats”.

If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. When it’s time for your puppies to go in their crates, you can say the magic word that you have selected and they will enter on their own and wait for some puppy treats.

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