Pet Guide
The first thing to remember when training your dog is that you have to find what works for YOUR dog. That may well be the first thing you try or the tenth thing you try. Don't feel defeated if you need to take three steps backwards before you go forwards, it is the end result that matters. Below are a few training tips that may work for your companion. Also for daily dog facts like our facebook page.
Puppy Toilet Training
Paralysis Tick
Accidents in the house WILL happen so do not yell at your puppy or rub their noses in the mess. Instead put your dog on a lead and take it to a designated place and encourage your dog to relieve itself there. Be patient and give lots of praise each time that they go in the right place.
You should check your dog for ticks daily, especially if you live near the coast. If you find a tick do not attempt to pull it out. Apply tick insecticide, fly spray or wart freeze spray. Wait 30 mins, if the tick's legs are not moving it should be dead and should shrivel up and drop off. Your vet should also be able to supply a tick remover.
Dental Health
Backyard Fun
Early Socialisation
It is important that your dog can amuse itself when alone in the backyard. Two clam shells, one filled with sand and the other with water will keep your dog amused. There are also various toys that are treat balls suspended on bungee ropes that will also keep them busy through the day.
It is essential that you provide your dog with chew toys or large raw bones with plenty of ligaments
to gnaw at. They will assist in scraping the plaque off your dogs teeth thus reducing the risk of gum diseases etc (and boredom).
Fear of Storms
Instead of cuddling your dog and soothingly saying that everything will be ok, get up and sing, dance, laugh and make it a happy experience. Your dog is guided by your body language and if it sees that you are not frightened with storms then it will follow your lead.
Young dogs learn their social position and make freinds through play. Don't be too quick to intervene, unless there is something clearly wrong: your pup may lose the first round but be top dog in the next, and both dogs will learn from this. Only when play is obviously one sided and escalating into a fight is it time to call it quits.