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Pup
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Monday, 23 June 2008 02:01 |
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One of the things you may, or may not, be prepared for when getting a new puppy is its desire to chew. Often this can be quite destructive depending on exactly how you handle this situation.
Instinctively puppies often chew because they need to- not because they want to destroy your personal items. As puppies begin to loose their “milk teeth” and get their 42 adult teeth they chew to help alleviate some of the discomfort they are experiencing. Overall, the best thing you can do is protect your puppy from potentially harmful situations and help set him up to be successful.
Below you’ll find several ideas to help your puppy from being “bad” and to help it through this stage of development.
- Give plenty of exercise and attention to relieve boredom which often leads to chewing
- Crate the puppy if you cannot watch it
- Use commercial sprays to alleviate chewing of household items- Listerine is also good
- Do not give the puppy old shoes or socks to chew on- it cannot differentiate old ones from your brand new ones
- Give your puppy toys of its own to chew on- it is also good to give these to your pup when he begins to teeth on you
- Give your puppy one of its toys when it acts as though it may chew something it should not
- Move items you do not want the puppy to get out of its reach- cover all power cords, remove pens/ pencils, plants (many are poisonous), books, etc.
With a little bit of planning, patience and caring, you can help your puppy through this stage.
Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/
Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Debbie Ray
http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a website offering the best purebred dog breed information, online resources and high-quality dog content for all dog owners, dog lovers and those considering dog ownership. Debbie is the owner of pedigreedpups.com, a dog lover, owner and dog breeder of many years.
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Saturday, 29 March 2008 10:00 |
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy, if she chews on everything in sight--including you--she will not be cute to you for very long. Puppies that are left to their own devices can destroy a home quickly. Just as training is required to housebreak your little fur ball, training is also necessary to teach them appropriate chewing behaviors.
Many believe the longer a pup is allowed to stay with her mother and siblings, the better she will behave. It seems that puppies younger than eight weeks--who are taken from their mother--exhibit a more aggressive form of chewing and biting over those pups which are separated after the two-month mark.
Pups learn from the day they are born what is expected of them. Most pups find their mother is very tolerant of being chewed and gnawed on. However, as the pup grows and those sharp little teeth start coming in, the mother dog starts setting the limit on how much nipping she will tolerate, especially if she has a large litter using her for a chew toy! The mother dog will usually get up and leave the area which will eventually teach the little squirts to be gentle with her.
This is usually when the pups start rough housing and playing with their litter mates. Nothing is more enjoyable than watching a pile of pups roll, tumble, and clumsily play with each other. Nevertheless, it is important to understand what is taking place during this time. What looks like good old puppy fun to us is truly a necessary part to a dog’s development. During this time with siblings, puppies are learning their place in the “pack.” They are figuring out who is the boss, and they are testing their limits with each other.
When a puppy nips or chews on their sibling too hard, they are shocked when their sibling lets out a yelp. One of two things usually occurs at this point. The hurt sibling will either fight back and nip their sibling in return even harder, or the hurt pup will refuse to play with the biter any longer. Both of these approaches work to teach pups how to interact. When pups are taken from their mother and litter mates too soon, they miss out on this much needed character and personality training.
If your puppy is chewing everything in site, it can be very frustrating. Who wants to come home to find an expensive pair of shoes torn apart or feathers from pillows floating in the air? I know of one particular couple who came home to find their entire couch shredded down to the springs. Their two pups were snoozing in the midst of all the mess oblivious to their naughty deed. Also, it is hard for children and adults to be around a puppy who thinks that fingers, toes and pant legs are an invitation for teething and biting. Situations like this are why many pups find themselves banned to the outdoors, or locked in a crate for hours on end, while their owners are at work.
It is important to understand that teething is as natural to a puppy as teething is to a human infant. It is just a fact of life. You cannot expect your puppy to not want to chew. It helps her teeth come through the gums, and it also promotes the development of her adult teeth under the gums. Puppies see no differentiation between a bone and a hairbrush. Both serve the purpose to a puppy. In fact, most puppies will sometimes seek out items that have their owners scent if they are having separation anxiety. So, it is important that you teach your pup from day one proper chewing behaviors. If not, your puppy will assume everything in the home is at her disposal whenever it suits her.
The best advice is to go out and purchase your puppy some chew toys. These toys should be mentally stimulating to your pup. If not, your pup will soon tire of them and return to the piano leg! Some chew toys can even be purchased which have treats inside. These treats take some work to get to. Your pup can spend hours figuring out how to chew on these toys in the right manner to reach the yummy inside. Once your puppy has learned there are items in her home which provide her with a snack, she will tire of your shoes, furniture and clothing. It is good to stock up on the chew toys which seem to stimulate your pup and occupy her time the most. You should only leave one or two of these out at a time. You should also rotate the toys to ensure she doesn’t get bored.
The important thing to remember about chew toys is that you should not purchase ones that have a hidden bell or other device which can pose as a choking hazard. You should also avoid toys that have been chemically treated.
When your pup gets overly rambunctious and starts nipping and chewing on you, you should handle the situation like her mother and litter mates would. This is especially important if you have a pup which was taken from its mother and siblings rather early. When your pup starts nibbling on your person, or clothing, you should let out a noise that lets her know it hurt. This is not a problem if she has actually nipped at your skin! But, you should also put on your acting hat and let out a yelp if she is pulling on your shoe laces or pant leg. When you do this, it will usually startle her. You should immediately walk away from your dog, or leave her in the area alone.
It will take consistency and repetition for your puppy to get the message that what she is doing is wrong. However, if she is a slow learner, you can let out your “yelp” and put her in her crate. You shouldn’t be harsh about the manner, as this will only confuse her. Once she is in her crate, she may turn on the tears and start trying to manipulate you with her whiney groans of dissatisfaction. When this occurs, you should never take her out. Wait until she has stopped her tantrum and then release her. When you let her out, be affectionate with her and let her know all is well. You should not hold a grudge, as your dog is incapable of understanding why you are angry. Also, when you place her in her crate, it should only be for a few minutes . . . unless she is having a full-blown tantrum. Then you should wait until she quiets. If you are consistent with this approach, your pup will soon learn that when she nips, chews or bites she will have to go to time out.
Puppies love to be handled and may affectionately want to play with you like she would her litter mates. It is perfectly fine for a pup to want to lick or even playfully hold your fingers in her mouth as you play. This is normal, and a form of bonding. However, any form of aggression or pressure should be promptly discouraged. Puppies usually learn by four months what is appropriate in regards to chewing . . . if their owners are consistent with training.
About the Author
Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with dog wanted entries, with daily email notifications.
Dog lovers and breeders can find more information on the website
at: http://www.dog-breeders.biz |
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Friday, 07 March 2008 06:01 |
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures are cuddly and white furry balls, at least 12-15 inches tall, possessing a pair of coal black eyes and snubbed nose. They look fragile and needful of your protection and care. This is deceiving, for they were initially bred to hunt vermin and are intelligent hunters.
Historically the “Westies” or West Highland White Terriers were bred in the high mountains of west Scotland and claims ancestry to the Scotch Terrier.
While many dog owners who own Westie puppies know they don’t come cheap, the joy, loyalty and love these dogs have give are worth it.
Is it easy to acquire any of the Westies’ puppies? No, you’ll need to be mindful that Westies puppies’ breeders are selective with whom they’ll place their puppies. Only dog lovers with an extensive understanding of this breed’s need for extensive grooming and exercise are considered.
Here are useful facts about Westies puppies, for dog lovers.
When and how should you teach your Westies’ puppy to socialize? The ideal time, would be when the puppy is between eight and 16 weeks of age, they’re rapidly maturing during this period.
Make sure the pup is exposed to every stimulus he’ll have during his lifetime, while he/she is very young. Or else you’ll get a fearful dog.
Choose food specially formulated for puppies. Don’t feed them people food.
At first offer food to these young puppies three times a day. After 5-6 months, feed the puppy twice a day. To avoid the puppy getting obese, let the puppy eat for only fifteen minutes, then remove the food dish. Check your Westie’s puppy’s paws and nails on a weekly basis.
Trim the hairs between the paws and nails.
Make sure the house is warm, before you bathe your pup, as puppies can lose body temperature quickly. Avoid getting shampoo in their eyes and keep water out of the ears. Wash the pup’s face last. Towel dry your pup as soon as his bath is done. You can use a hair dryer, but regulate the heat, or you might burn your pup.
Puppies normally lose the disease protection they’ve received from their mothers, when they are around six and sixteen weeks of age. To avoid their getting sick, keep your pup away from sick dogs. Check with the vet when to schedule the puppy’s shots.
Lastly, here’s one way to keep your Westie puppy’s fur white. Use a white grooming chalk and sprinkle it into the coat once a week or as needed.
Take care of your Westie puppy, and you’ll be rewarded with an intelligent dog that’s loving and delightful.
(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)
I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.
Good health and happiness
Jeff Cuckson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of! Then Visit NOW!
http://www.madaboutwesties.com
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About the Author
Jeff Cuckson
Author of....
”Mad About Westies!” .. How You Can Have The Healthiest, Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie You Have Ever Dreamed Of!
"101 Kind and Positive Thoughts For Westie Owners On Rough Days!” - How to put a ray of sunshine into a Westie Owner’s dull grey day
”100 Top Westie Sites!”
”115 Travel Tips For Having a Successful Trip With Your Westie!”
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