Tag: puppyhood

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Toilet Training Tips for New Puppy Owners

This article was written by Edlyn Cotaco of Instasize

Having a new puppy can be a really exciting time in your life. Whether you’ve wanted one for a while, or this is something you’ve done on a whim, you’re going to love your new puppy. She or he will keep you very busy and very active during the first year or so, as they learn and adapt to their new environment, so will you.

Having a puppy is said to be a lot like having a kid – you’re having to be the one to teach the pup all the things. This becomes more and more true, the younger the puppy. One of the biggest things that your new pup will learn is to use the toilet, initially (probably) indoors, before venturing out into the big wide world, with lots of things to smell and lots of things to pee on.

For now, though, you’ll want to acquaint your new puppy with where they are to pee in the house. Here are a few tips on how best to acquaint your pup with their ‘pee place’ and how to keep them going back there until such time as they venture outside and the outside world becomes their bathroom.

Be patient 

One of the best things you can be to your new puppy is patient. Like a toddler, they don’t know anything until you teach them. Accidents will happen, and you should be prepared for them and ensure that you don’t take those accidents out on your pup. Getting angry about the ruined carpet will not help your dog adapt. You must exercise extreme patience with your pup and let them know that it’s okay that the accident happened and you’re not mad. They can’t learn that way.

Know your dog’s bladder

Something to bear in mind is that smaller dogs have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms. If you make sure that you feed your puppy regularly, but don’t overfeed them – say, once in the morning, once in the afternoon and then perhaps again in the evening – this will train them over time to expect these meals, but not rely on them. It is also important that you take away their food between meals to not overeat and risk an accident. Generally, the smaller the dog, the less time you’ll have between them going to the toilet.

Don’t start too early

Ideally, you want to start toilet training your puppy between 12 and 16 weeks. Before this period, they won’t be able to process what’s happening and learn appropriately. Essentially, they won’t be able to learn.

Exercise is Important

One of the important aspects of puppy ablutions is the presence of regular exercise. Try and take your puppy out first thing in the morning and then once every half an hour. This will get their body and bowels moving to ensure that they have plenty of opportunities to use the bathroom. It will also create a memory pathway in the dog’s brain that outside = bathroom, which they will remember as they age. Eventually, they will learn where they go to (say, the front door), when they want to let you know that they need to go outside.

Repetition, repetition, repetition

The establishment of a routine is one of the most important parts of training any animal. This routine also extends to puppies and potty training. Make sure that your dog goes out for a walk and does its business at roughly the same time(s) in the day. If they’re going in the backyard, then ensure that they go in roughly the same spot. This will make poop-scooping easier and also establish a definite ‘bathroom area’, as the puppies’ sense of smell will guide them.

Make sure they’re properly groomed

Another all-too-important aspect of a well-potty-trained pup is also a well-groomed pup. Maybe you just got your new pup, and they have some matted fur around their nether regions. Be sure you take them to a professional dog groomer in order to get those mats taken care of. This is critical to the health of your pup and their ability to properly have bowel movements. 

Potty training puppies is a lot like potty training humans. It requires patience, persistence, repetition and time. Let your new pup explore the outside world as much as possible so that they’ll know that outdoors means bathroom time and don’t be too worried about accidents happening – clean-up is usually pretty quick and painless.

Image Credit: Pixabay

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I was separated from my puppy for months due to the Pandemic!

In Singapore, a mandated lockdown occurred mid-2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown, often referred to as Circuit Breaker (CB), saw citizens staying at home for a prolonged period of time.

Kelly, the owner of a newly acquired puppy named Pork Chop, saw herself separated from her furkid as a result of this restriction. We reached out to her to learn more about her experience.

Hi there! Tell us more about yourself and your relationship with Pork.

Hello! My name is Kelly and I got Porkchop with my partner about 2 years ago back in Nov 2019. Our original plan was to get a dog after we got married and moved into our BTO but Porkchop was too cute to resist. 

Since we got our dog earlier than intended (+not married = living separately) we had to find a way to make it work. My family is pretty strict with pets and we have family members with a history of asthma so they were quite against having a pet around the house. 

Hence, we decided to have Porkchop live with my partner and his family. Luckily, they are dog lovers so it worked out pretty well. I would then visit them pretty often, about 2-3x a week to help with tasks such as grooming and walking him so it would be less taxing for the family. Sometimes when I end work early on weekdays I would drive down so I could see him for a couple of hours.

What caused you to be separated from Pork during Circuit Breaker (CB)?

Since we lived in separate households, I could no longer visit him when CB was announced.

How did you feel knowing that you would be seperated from Pork during this time?

I was immediately devastated!

Porkchop was still a puppy so I was very bummed out that I would not be able to witness his growth for a long time. Perhaps the main challenge was having to readjust to the new normal. Afterwards, the government announced a lockdown extension for another 4 weeks. 

That was really tough.

How did you maintain your relationship with Pork, despite not seeing each other for 4 weeks?

My partner would send me videos/photos of Porkchop every day.  We met through video call as well. However, it wasn’t as successful because dogs don’t seem to care about technology.  Other than that I don’t think he missed me much, it was mostly just me missing him LOL. 

Do you have any advice for pet owners who might be undergoing the same experience?

Hang in there, safety is still very important. And hopefully, we can all do our part to ensure this will not happen to anyone else hehe.

Kelly and Porkchop have been reunited since writing this article. Porkchop continues to grow into an adorable, healthy boy and has recently celebrated his 2nd birthday. Follow him on his Instagram and to keep updated on his antics.

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5 Puppy Behaviors to Nip in the Bud (And Other Pertinent Puppy Tips!)

This content was originally found on lombardvet.com, and the original article can be found here.

From puppy breath and snuggle seshes to silly selfies and watching them fall asleep right in their food bowls, puppies are, quite frankly, perfection. As veterinarians, however, we always want to make sure that anyone considering taking the puppy plunge understands that, along with all of the good stuff, taking care of puppies can be a lot of work. Not only that, but they are itty bitty balls of energy that require a lot of time and dedication.

It’s not that we don’t want you to enjoy your PuppyPalooza, but we hate when we see them get rehomed for being, well, puppies. But if you’re new to the game, you might not know what’s normal puppy behavior and what’s not. Along with a discussion on that below, we’ll share five puppy behaviors you want to nip in the bud…for your sake and your bitty ball of fur, too!

How can I tell if my puppy has behavior issues?

Your expectations and lifestyle define behavior issues. A behavior that is a problem in one household – such as getting on the furniture – may be welcomed in another. If your pup is practicing behavior that is not ideal in your circumstance, find a way to redirect that energy or reinforce an alternative behavior. Reach out to your veterinarian for help with this.

How much puppy biting is considered normal?

Mouthing and nipping behavior is normal in all puppies….so is peeing wherever they want, unfortunately! The critical question is, what do you want to consider normal in your household? In most situations, we want essentially no mouthing or nipping behavior long-term. The management of the mouthing habit in puppies is vital to a healthy relationship long-term and may be a matter of life and death in some dogs’ lives. Teaching a puppy bite inhibition (or having a soft mouth) is relatively straightforward in most situations. Many veterinarians have helpful handouts on this with guidelines on this process, so be sure to ask.

Why is teaching your puppy how to have a soft mouth so important?

Any dog has the potential to bite in certain situations; for example, if their tail gets closed in the door, if they have an injury out in the woods, or they get startled by a toddler. If a dog has learned bite inhibition as a puppy, they instinctively know how to “pull their punches.” Dogs with good bite inhibition will cause less damage in situations where they reflexively bite.

This bite inhibition is important from a human safety standpoint, but it can become a crucial factor if the dog needs to be rehomed at some point in life. The idea of rehoming your precious pup may be unthinkable right now, but sometimes life changes. A very happy dog with a quiet couple may not adjust well if a baby comes along. We need to set our dogs up for success as much as possible. Dogs that have poor bite inhibition will cause much more severe bites when scared or injured. A serious bite history can be a death sentence for a dog in rescue. It may seem silly to worry about those puppy nibbles, but having a soft mouth is a lesson every puppy needs!

Do all puppies have what’s considered to be a rebellious phase?

The adolescent phase can be a trial in just about any species. This is true for dogs as well. The adolescent phase starts around six months and can last until 2-3 years of age in some dogs. Dog adolescence is a time of testing boundaries, lots of hormonal changes, and often a bit of fear. This mix can lead to many challenges with training and behavior. Surviving the adolescent phase without too much stress can be done with a good training routine, a lot of enrichment, and patience.

How should I discipline my puppy for behaviors that I don’t want to continue?

Discipline or punishment is NEVER the answer. We need to cue and reinforce the behaviors we WANT to see in our pups. Dogs only continue behaviors that work. If we stop (inadvertently, in most cases) reinforcing unwanted behaviors, they will cease eventually. By redirecting to and reinforcing behaviors we want, this extinction of unwanted behaviors will often go away more quickly.

5 Puppy Behaviors to Nip in the Bud

“Good” versus “bad” dog behaviors are a bit of a gray area because, as we mentioned earlier, some behaviors are acceptable in certain families while others are not. There are some puppy behaviors that can be downright dangerous, however, and those are the ones that we want to nip in the bud. Perspectives on this may vary depending on the size and the breed of your puppy.

1. Jumping

Why do puppies and dogs jump on us? In most cases, they want attention and interaction. When we push them away or tell them “No” or “Off”, we’re fulfilling those desires, whether we like it or not. If we want to stop the jumping, we need to give them an alternative. Teach a default sit. This is a foundational behavior that has a million uses – this is just one of them.

When your pup jumps – ignore them. Turn your face or even your whole body away and stay silent until they have all four feet on the floor or even sit. In many cases, a dog with a default sit cue will eventually sit in an attempt to get attention. The MOMENT those feet or the bum hit the ground and stay there for more than a second or so, reinforce!!! (This is why we always need cookies in our pockets.) It’s not going to be pretty or perfect, but in many cases, this is all it takes. Don’t allow your dog to jump up on others, even if they say it is OK. Ask them to turn to the side and ignore the dog. For dogs with a longstanding jumping problem or those that are a bit more stubborn, additional steps may be helpful. Just check in with us or your trainer for some other techniques to build the habit you want. And remember: Punishment never works long-term and will damage your relationship with your pup!

2. Poor Leash Manners

Poor leash manners isn’t a life or death situation, per se, but it can actually be dangerous if your puppy grows into a huge dog and you’re just a tiny human! In general, having an impolite walker is more of a nuisance but, as you can imagine, as dogs get big, bigger, and possibly biggest, this could make for a perilous circumstance if your dog pulls you or, worse, gets off-leash to pursue another dog or a squirrel. Having good leash manners will also help if you are out to keep your dog from jumping up on others. Have your dog sit, you can even step on the leash to keep your dog from jumping up, this will keep them in place for you to either get in front of them to get their attention or to free up your hand so you can have treats ready.

3. Nipping/Mouthing

We’ve covered a bit of this in other topics, but the most dangerous behaviors in puppies are those that can or will affect your relationship long-term, if left unmanaged. The biggest of those would be nipping/mouthing behavior. Early management and intervention is the best thing we can do with any behavior concern. You absolutely cannot check-in enough. Please let us help with anything that comes up!

4. Guarding Behavior

It’s important to understand the difference between guarding and aggression. Guarding is when your dog feels the need to hide or protect what they have, the most common of which are toys and food. They may growl when a person or another pet is near. If left unchecked your dog could develop aggression (lunging and biting) and that is a lot harder to overcome, as it will take professional guidance and a lot of patience.

Avoid tug-o-war with dogs that have guarding behaviors. Have a lot of toys and treats when you are first working with them on guarding. They need to feel comfortable that you won’t take away their toys, and if you do, they need to know that they will get them back. Start off by having the toys close to you, try to stay in the same place, and move slowly. When they drop the toy, give them another toy or a treat, and then give them the toy back. Keep repeating with different toys until your dog becomes comfortable.

If you have another dog in the home, keep the other dog away as you are working with them one on one. Reward your dog when they are allowing the other dog to chew on a toy by either giving them rubs or yummy treats. The message is that they receive good things when their furry sibling is enjoying time with a toy. This is a similar technique to food guarding as well. You can feed them straight from your hand or place handfuls of food in the bowl once they finish and back away, have them wait, and add more food. Having them wait for your OK or release to eat teaches them good manners. If you ever suspect your dog has aggressive behavior, speak to your veterinarian about ways that they can help.

5. Barking

Dogs communicate with you by barking, and letting your puppy know that you are listening is an important part of training and behavior. Letting them know when to be quiet is also part of being a well-behaved dog. This doesn’t mean that you should never let your dog bark, but they should know when it is OK to bark and when it isn’t. Just like with kids, if you let them get away with it, they will continue to do it. You may become immune to the barking but this could be an issue down the road with family, friends, or neighbors.

How soon should I get my puppy into behavior training?

Behavior training such as basic obedience (sit, down, stay) is vital to developing a good line of communication for your puppy, as well as setting clear expectations. Behavior training should start as soon as your pup settles in at home. The much more important aspect of most early training programs is socialization. Any good puppy class will focus most of their time on environmental socialization. Training will also help you and your puppy bond.

The socialization period in puppies lasts from about 3 weeks to 3 months of age. This period is vital for creating a well-rounded and resilient dog. This means that early environmental socialization should be starting while the pup is still with their breeder or foster parent. Early socialization can take place in the form of noises, smells, and textures as well as gentle handling intended to produce very low levels of stress to the pup to help them develop healthy coping mechanisms. As puppies grow and begin entering their adoptive homes, it’s still important to continue this socialization. 70-80% of socialization should be environmental. That means that you should not spend most of your time introducing your pup to other dogs and people. Focus on the world and all the noise, texture, and movement that takes place there. Your payback will be a less fearful, more resilient pup!

The only things most veterinarians would consider truly abnormal behaviors are extreme fear and/or anxiety, signs of aggression (not just playing), or anything that may indicate a medical issue in your puppy such as lethargy, inappetence, circling behavior, pressing their head against a wall, or any sort of vomiting or diarrhea. There’s no way we could list every possible sign of a problem, so never hesitate to call your vet if you have concerns. We’d rather hear from you frequently than have you wait too long when something’s wrong!

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Raising Your Puppy: 6 Tips To Help With Housetraining

This content was found on dogtime.com, and the original article can be found here.

Few things can put a damper on the joy of bringing a new puppy into your home than unwanted accidents. If you are looking for ways to housetrain your puppy, you are not alone.

There are lots of ways to potty train your new puppy, and the good news is your puppy definitely wants to learn! Before you let your pooch get full run of the house, make sure to teach them the house rules and avoid accidents.https://27e34e16f580062fadce6db47bb2a679.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

Training a puppy to do tricks, to not chew up your things, and not to have accidents isn’t as difficult as it may feel. Yes, it can be a daunting task, but you can do it!

Here are all the things you need to think about as you start housetraining your new puppy.

1. Confinement May Seem Like A Punishment, But It Will Help

Healthy Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies for sale in outdoor playpen

(Picture Credit: Laura Fay/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

For many, the thought of restricting a brand new puppy to a certain area of the house or a crate may feel awful. Hearing your pup cry out can definitely put your willpower to the test, but keeping your dog in a small enough area will quickly teach them not to relieve themselves inside.

Confinement training is effective for a multitude of reasons. Your puppy will not want to relieve themselves in a small space they can’t leave.

Crate or confinement training also helps keep your puppy safe. For example, if you are not home and let your puppy get free reign of the house, they could get into something toxic or get stuck somewhere.

Eventually, with proper training, your pup will come to consider that space as their own, personal territory. It will be a safe place for them to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed or just want some peace and quiet.

You may find them taking a nap there by choice before long, and they may even prefer it to your human furniture when looking for a resting spot.

2. As Soon As You Let Your Pup Out Of Confinement, Take Them Outside

Lovely smart puppy Border Collie nature, training, agility.

(Picture Credit: Levente Bodo/Moment/Getty Images)

When you first start crate or confinement training your puppy, you may want to play with them as soon as you let them out. Before introducing your puppy to their new favorite toy, take them outside and have them relieve themselves.

Use a command word, like “potty,” “outside,” or whatever works for you to signal to your puppy that it’s time to go out and relieve themselves. Even if you have a gated backyard, you should start with your puppy on a leash so they know it is time to eliminate and not to play.

If you’re home with your puppy throughout the day, you should still keep them in either a doggy playpen or a crate unless you are able to keep all of your attention on them. Let your puppy out every one to two hours to make sure they aren’t sitting in their confined space with a full bladder or bowels.

3. Reward Them Generously

A woman is training her puppy on a field at sunset.

(Picture Credit: Paula Danielse/Moment/Getty Images)

Keep some small treats on you whenever you let your puppy outside to go to the bathroom.

Once they successfully eliminate, be sure to heavily praise and reward them. Your puppy will quickly associate the positive reinforcement they get with relieving themselves outside, and they’ll get the idea that they’re supposed to go potty there.

4. Avoid Yelling At Them If You Find An Accident

Golden retriever puppy looking guilty from his punishment

(Picture Credit: Alex Sokolov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

If you leave your puppy in their crate and you return home to a soiled situation, resist the urge to shove your pup’s nose in it or yell at them.

Your puppy will not associate the punishment with the act of soiling, as you did not catch them in the act. Yelling at your puppy could actually lead to the opposite effect of housetraining–they could start submissive urination to prove to you that they aren’t a threat.

They could also develop neurotic behavior, like hiding or even eating their poop to avoid punishment.

5. You Can Use Turf To Train Your Puppy Indoors

Puppy makes for the first time in the garden

(Picture Credit: Dieter Meyrl/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

If you live in a five-story walk-up or you get a puppy when it is freezing cold outside, it may be difficult to let your puppy out every couple hours. This doesn’t mean you can’t still successfully train your puppy how to relieve themselves outside.

Set up a space–be it in a mudroom, in the corner of their playpen, or near the back door–that you can designate for your puppy to use the restroom. There are pee pads made of turf that can help your puppy transition from relieving themselves inside to doing so outside.

6. Putting Your Puppy On A Sleep Schedule Can Help, Too

Dalmatian puppy is peeing on the tiled floor of its owners home.

(Picture Credit:SolStock/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Now, you won’t be able to magically dictate when your puppy falls asleep and wakes up, but in order to make sure your puppy is able to grow into a dog who can relieve themselves on your schedule, you’re going to want to set up a routine for your pup.

For example, puppies usually need to urinate within half a minute or so of waking up. If you want to get some things done in the morning before walking your pup, perhaps they should sleep in their confined space–not in your room–so they don’t wake up as soon as you do.

Conversely, many people find that walking their puppies first thing in the morning helps keep them from hitting the snooze button half a dozen times, so you may want your pup to sleep in the same room as you.

It may take some trial and error, but you and your pup will find a groove in terms of relieving themselves in the proper manner. By taking your puppy out at the same times throughout the day–moreso at first, and then slowly weening them to every four to six hours instead of every hour–they will know when they can expect to go outside and relieve themselves.

Dogs thrive on structure, and this will help stabilize your relationship with your puppy as well.

Do you have any tips or tricks on how to housetrain a puppy? Any frustrations you encountered? Let us know in the comments below!

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Did I make the right choice?

3 months ago, we made the decision to get Oolong thinking that we are prepared mentally and financially to be pet owners (whilst running a start-up). ☺

Rather than being informative, this is more of a #thoughtcatalogue kind of article.

?: “Can we get a dog, please?”
?: “No dogs! I’m busy enough taking care of you and cleaning the house. A dog is going to make it worst. You want your mother to die is it”

Does this sound familiar to you? #AsianMums

Just gotta add this in

I’ve always wanted a dog since young. I could never understand why my mum refused to let me own a dog even though she say that she is a “dog lover”. Now that I’m a dog owner, i kinda understand where she is coming from. Owning a pet is a huge commitment — and at that point she was right that we weren’t ready for that sorta commitment.

There are lots of sacrifices you have to made — mainly changing your lifestyle depending on the breed you got. This is why it is so important to get a dog that aligns with your lifestyle vs. getting something that is “popular” or “cute”.

Getting Oolong, the Siberian Husky

When we got Oolong, we thought we were ready (mentally & financially). We had all the boxes ticked — we are 28 years old and our house is arriving soon. We run a start-up so we can bring Oolong to the office every day; we are not exactly rich but yes, we can definitely afford a dog with our combined income.

Yes, granted that we were still staying at our parent’s house but we are moving out soon. We also had “the chat” to make sure they are okay with a new dog around the house (at least for the next 6 months max).

What could possibly go wrong?

We overestimated our financials. Theoretically, we are already spending $1,000 on taxi fare since we often work till 3-4am in the office (so cannot wake up in the morning, and no more train/buses after midnight).

We use telegram hitch a lot to get private hires, but we aren’t always that lucky. Grabpet would mean $50/day (to & fro) and that’s on top of his medical bills, food expenses and grooming.

Oolong was proving to be expensive. Eventually, we decided to keep him at home and only bring him to the office 2-3x a week — it would make a lot more sense financially and my husband’s parents were okay.

All good, till last month.

Oolong started getting jumpy and pushing boundaries with my PIL when we are not at home — jumping on guests, chewing on shoes/decor items, mouthing, etc. My PIL doesn’t know how to discipline a growing puppy — on top of that, having a dog around the house can also mean a “messier” house.

They had to make a few shifts around – meeting their friends outside of the home, cleaning up after him (he loves to stick his tongue out on the floor) and eventually, the pressure got to them. I understand — having a pet around (especially a puppy) wears you down. They were also scared of Oolong as he is growing exceptionally fast / big for a 5 months old puppy.

They started having 2nd thoughts and decided that they aren’t comfortable having him in the house whilst we were at the office.

Oolong is larger than a full-sized Singapore Special now.

Everything started to derail

Our initial plan was to do alternate weeks at my house and my husband’s house — but my mum backed out when she saw the “mess” and how dirty the house was after the first 2 weeks.

It’s not my house. It’s not their dog. I started getting really stressed because i needed to make sure Oolong wasn’t being naughty.

I cannot stress enough how important it is that when you welcome a dog into your family, your entire household needs to be EXCITED and AGREES to the plan.

Key takeaway

Lucky for us, we have our own office and we can bring him here everyday. That solves bulk of the problem — and we also got a long-term hitch driver to drive the cost down on transportation.

Oolong’s “work”

We were (kinda) lucky.

But what if you are working a 9-5 job and your office is not pet-friendly? What are you going to do?

Are you going to give up your dog?

Are you going to return home to angry parents?

Key takeaway

I’m slightly embarrassed that this seems to be a useless article HAHA but i think the point here is that with COVID, i’m seeing a huge trend of people owning a pet (adopt/buy). I’m happy to see more pet owners around because i believe that this helps to push the country in a progressive way (more pet owners, more demand, increase supply for pet-friendly related F&Bs, malls etc)

BUT

  1. If you are still living with your parents and works/study, MAKE SURE that you have 100% buy-in from the other household members. If they are hesitant, DON’T. It’s going to be painful.
  2. No, owning a pet is not just “it’s going to pass”. It’s a daily thing. It’s a 365 thing. It gets easier after puppyhood but they won’t magically be independent like your 12 years old sister. Throw them a phone and they will be fine. They going to get sick, bored, naughty and you are responsible for that. You CONTROL their life. It’s on you.
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How to Puppy Proof Your Home

puppy

Article originally published on The Spruce Pets. Written by Adrienne Kruzer. Refer to the original article here.

Just like a new kitten, puppies love to explore, but they also need to be protected while they learn about their new environments, especially for the vital first 30 days in their new homes. Puppy-proofing your home is a necessary and simple step you can take to help keep your puppy safe.

Why You Should Puppy Proof Your Home

Puppies do not know what is safe or what is dangerous, so it is up to you to teach them the difference and prevent them from being exposed to harmful things. While a puppy is still learning, it will test different items, reactions, and ways of doing things to see what happens, and sometimes these tests put the puppy in danger.

By proofing your home before your puppy arrives, you can help prevent these awful things from ever occurring and instead focus on other things with your new furry friend.

Steps to Puppy Proof Your Home

There are some key things you should do when puppy-proofing your home. Start by making a list of any obvious dangers you spy in your home. Don’t be afraid to get down on all fours and crawl around to see your home from a puppy’s point of view.

  • Coffee tables, low shelves, and items on the ground in your home are all within reach of a puppy. Check these areas for decorative things that can be knocked down by a wagging tail or that are able to be chewed on. You will want to remove any items you don’t want to be chewed or that could be swallowed or broken by a puppy. This may include plants, sculptures or vases, food on pantry shelves, television remotes, tchotchkes, and more.
  • Wires on the ground are at risk for being chewed on and could cause serious harm to a puppy. Oral burns and electrocution are potential risks of chewing on electrical cords. If possible, elevate these wires so that they are out of reach of your puppy, hide them behind items, such as furniture that your puppy is unable to get behind, or cover them with wire protectors from the home improvement store if the wires aren’t able to be moved.
  • Make sure any trash cans that are out in the open are heavy enough so that they can’t be knocked over and have a secure lid on them. You don’t want your puppy getting into any garbage because items can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, vomiting, diarrhea, and can even be toxic to a dog.
  • If you have a fence outside for your puppy, check it closely for any holes or openings that need to be fixed. Puppies are very curious and if they see an opening, they will try to wiggle through it. If you don’t have a fence, make sure your tie-out stake is secure and you have a secure collar and leash to attach to your puppy so it doesn’t run off and get hurt.
  • Remove any rodent traps or insect bait stations that are on the ground and accessible to a puppy both indoors and outdoors. These items often contain toxins that can be deadly to any pet.
  • If you have long window blind cords, you should tie them up so they are out of reach of your puppy. Damage to the blinds and cord may occur if your puppy decides to play with the strings but worse yet, getting tangled in the string or eating the strings can be life-threatening.
  • Close doors to rooms that do not need to be open. This will make it easier for your puppy to stay out of trouble and for you to keep an eye on your puppy.
  • Keep your toilet lid closed if your puppy is tall enough to get into the bowl. No one wants to get kisses from someone who has been drinking from the toilet.
  • Have a variety of chew toys ready to be chewed on by your puppy. These will deter your puppy from wanting to chew on other items, such as furniture legs, while it is teething.
  • Regularly sweep your floor to make sure there aren’t any random items on the ground that your puppy will try to eat. 

Once your home has been puppy-proofed, you’ll be able to enjoy your time with your new puppy and be able to worry less about its safety.

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How to Care for a Puppy

puppy
cute puppy of cavalier spaniel sleeping

Article originally published on The Spruce Pets. Written by Jenna Stregrowski. Refer to the original article here.

Bringing a new puppy into your home will change your life forever. Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but they also bring plenty of joy to your world. Whether you are ​getting your first puppy or just need a refresher course, here’s what you’ll need to know to get your puppy on the right track to adulthood.

Choosing the Right Puppy

If the time is right for getting a puppy, you will now have to choose the best match. Perhaps your future companion will find you. A puppy can come into your life by chance and you can feel an instant connection and know it is the right one, but it doesn’t always happen like that. Often, you must take on the important task of going out and finding the right kind of puppy for you.

First, examine your lifestyle and consider what you are looking for in a puppy. Purebred or mixed-breed dog? Big or small? There are even more factors to consider, such as grooming and exercise needs, temperament, and potential health issues.

Next, you need to decide where to look for your new puppy. Will you visit an animal shelter to adopt your new dog? Perhaps you will seek out a responsible breeder. Research and patience are essential throughout this process. When you have finally found the right puppy, you’ll have a friend for life.

Getting Your Home Ready for Puppy

Before you bring home your cute little furball, you need to ensure that your home is as safe as possible, both for your new puppy and your belongings. The puppy-proofing process is similar to toddler-proofing a home, but there are differences.

First, get an idea of the puppy-eye-view of your home. Electrical cords, potential toxins, and breakable items should be placed completely out of reach. Remember that your puppy can jump, climb, chew, and scratch, so place what you can very high up or in a locked cabinet.

Be aware that “child-safe” latches do not tend to work on curious and determined puppies. It’s best to secure lower cabinets and drawers with locks or metal hardware. These should be chew-proof and require opposable thumbs to operate.

Install durable baby gates or pet gates if needed to keep your puppy away from certain rooms of your home. It’s a good idea to keep your dog away from the kitchen (especially the trash can) and the stairs. Proper puppy-proofing not only keeps your puppy safe but also gives you peace of mind.

Essential Puppy Supplies

Your new puppy will need certain items from the very start. Some are essential for your pup’s well-being, while others are quite helpful. Most important items include a leash and collar with identification, food and water bowls, and chew toys. You should also get a comfortable dog bed and, preferably, a crate or kennel.

Some of these items can last as your puppy ages but many of them will need to be replaced as your puppy grows. Collars may be adjustable up to a certain point. A kennel can be purchased in a larger size for the future but should be blocked off with boxes or other objects to make it the right size for the puppy.

It’s also important to properly prepare for the expenses associated with dog ownership. Create a budget and try to stick to it. Be sure to allow extra money in your budget for unexpected costs.

Choosing Your Puppy’s Food

Your puppy’s diet can make all the difference in its future health and well-being. Before you decide on puppy food, do your research. Talk to your vet, other pet professionals, and fellow dog owners. Remember that if the food you initially choose does not meet your expectations, you can gradually switch to another food.

In today’s dog-friendly world, the choices of diet seem endless. Some owners like to feed premium foods, while many feel that holistic/natural diets are best. Homemade and raw diets are also becoming increasingly popular.

While researching puppy food, consider the quality of ingredients, inclusion of proper nutrients, and taste. Make sure to choose a food that is appropriate for growth—not adult dog food or “maintenance” formulas. The food should be healthy for your puppy and your dog should enjoy eating it.

Keeping Your Puppy Healthy

Preferably, you will find a veterinarian before you get a puppy. Within a few days of taking your new puppy home, you should bring it to your vet for a general exam. Take steps to make it a good experience so your puppy will be less likely to fear the vet’s office.

Over the course of your puppy’s first six months, you will see a lot of your vet. This begins with puppy vaccines and usually leads to spaying or neutering. Typically, puppies should be spayed or neutered at around six months of age.

Your vet can help identify any potential health problems early on, and advise you on caring for your dog long-term. The initial visit also opens the doors of communication with you and your vet. To help keep your puppy’s expenses down, you may consider purchasing pet health insurance, which could cover up to 80 percent of your dog’s health care costs.

Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccines protect your puppy and other dogs from potentially fatal illnesses. Just like human babies, puppies (and kittens) need basic immunizations to take over when maternal antibodies fade. The puppy vaccination series is one of the most important aspects of your dog’s early life.

Unfortunately, pet vaccination has become controversial for those who fear vaccines in general. That’s part of the reason many vets are moving towards a three-year protocol (rather than annual) for adult dogs. However, when it comes to puppies, there is a different set of rules as the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases is extremely high for dogs. Not only may your new puppy die from these illnesses, but some of them can also be spread to humans.

Routine vaccine visits also allow your vet’s office to see your puppy every few weeks and monitor its growth and overall health. Talk to your vet about the best immunization plan for your puppy.

House Training Your New Puppy

House training is one of the first things you will teach your new puppy. This process can sometimes be quite arduous, though some puppies catch on earlier than others.

You should begin house-training as soon as you bring your puppy home, but it takes patience. Puppies are generally not able to control their bladders and bowels until about 12 weeks of age. If your puppy is younger than this, just be patient.

Starting early can help get your puppy into a routine. As your dog grows and develops control over its bodily functions, it will already know what to do. As a general rule, you should take your puppy to the designated “potty spot” immediately after eating or drinking. However, accidents happen, so be prepared, consistent, and patient.

Basic Puppy Training and Socialization

Beyond housebreaking, there are many more things you will need to teach your dog. Start by working on socialization. Next, leash training will set the stage for teaching basic commands, like sit, come, and stay. Teaching various basic commands can help you curb some behavior problems.

Just remember that puppies are curious, active, and teething. They put everything in their mouths, including your hands. Work with this by replacing the inappropriate object with an acceptable toy or safe chew. Distract your dog from mischievous behavior by offering something more pleasing, like a game, walk, or other activity. Reward your puppy with treats or praise for shifting his attention.

While puppy training can be a challenge, the outcome will make your efforts worthwhile. A solid foundation of training provides structure and gives your dog confidence. Well-trained dogs are happier dogs.

Bonding With Your Puppy

The bond you have with your puppy begins the moment it comes into your life and never stops growing. You can nurture this bond through affection, training, grooming, playtime, general exercise, and participation in various activities. You may want to join an obedience class, start training in dog sports like agility and flyball, or participate in dog shows.

One of the kindest ways to bond with your dog and allow your dog to bond with others is to get involved with animal-assisted therapy. If your puppy is right for therapy, it can begin training to visit people in hospitals and nursing homes or help children to read and learn. Strengthening and preserving the human-canine bond benefits the health and well-being of both you and your puppy.

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Essentials for puppy owners

Henlo, its me again! After my last article on puppyhood blues, I’m here with another article on what are some of the stuff you should get prior to the arrival of your pup!

MAIN FOOD FOR YOUR PUPPY

Information nugget

  • You definitely need to get food for your puppy – but with all the choices out there, what exactly should you be feeding?
  • Most pet shops have partnerships with certain pet food brands where they get sponsored free kibbles to feed their puppies. Since most peeps who buy from pet shops are first-time owners, the pet shop will advise the owners to continue feeding the same pet food brand (and continue to buy from them), which is a win-win situation for the supplier and pet shop since they get themselves a long-term customer.

My 2 cents:

  • Do your research. Whilst it can be confusing, do your research and try to find a pet food brand that fits your pup’s lifestyle and budget. For smaller breeds, you might want to choose kibbles which are designed to be smaller in size to help with eating. If your pup is mostly indoors and has a low to moderate exercise regime, you can consider feeling brands that cater to low-energy or indoor pets to prevent obesity.

The general rule for food transition (even between kibbles – kibbles), do so slowly over a period of about 7–10 days, mixing an increasing amount of new food with old food each day:

Start with 75% old food mixed with 25% new food for approximately three days. Then mix 50% old with 50% new for approximately three days. (credit @petco.com)

  • Buy online. With the push to go digital, many brands are selling on marketplaces like Shopee, Lazada and there are tons of online pet shops sprouting up every single day. Take advantage of this.
    • Use discount codes, do price comparison,s and get the food delivered to you for free!
    • We like to buy from Shopee because we get coins and there are lots of discount codes from fellow pet ambassadors on Instagram.

ENDING NOTE;

  1. Main food. You might want to buy a smaller packet to make sure your dogs love it before buying more. For us, we are feeding Taste of the wild Puppy Prairie.
  2. Slowly, you can start exploring more food to add to your pup’s bowl. For us, we are feeding Zeal Goat Milk, Kin+Kind Supplements & Truffleruffle customized homecooked food on top of TOTW kibbles.

FOOD BOWL & PET ACCESSORIES

Of course, food bowl and accessories! There will never be enough :”)

ESSENTIALS OPTIONAL
Food bowlPee Pad Trays
Water bowlCrate
(if you do crate training)
Pee PadsDog cologne
Chew ToysDog bed
Training BagDog cooling blanket
Leash + Collar / Harness(Interactive) Toys
Nail GrinderGrooming brush (Ikea)
Shampoo (PLC)Baby gates

I have hyper-link all the products which we have gotten for Oolong over time in the table above, with some additional notes:

  • Pee Pad Trays. I put pee pad trays as optional because I didn’t particularly felt that it helped in any way, given that he would still step on the trays which have his pee. There’s also a constant odor since we only wash it once a week.
  • Crate. Initially, I wanted to do crate training but eventually realized that Oolong is not as destructive even when he is home alone and has free roam. We did buy a cage but it’s too weak to contain him so we are looking to sell it away.
  • Multi-way cruiser leash. I was hesitant at first but eventually invested in a multi-way cruiser leash and omg, I love itttttt. We have been using it so much because it just gives us a lot of freedom when we bring Oolong for walks. It’s also harder for him to “drag us” because we will layer the leash over our body and he can’t overcome our body weight.
  • Interactive toys. I placed this under optional because some dogs doesnt need the mental stimulation, like Milky. He doesn’t play with toys and rather sleep the afternoon away. For Oolong, he has bursts of energy throughout the afternoon and gets restless when is unable to release them. I got a snuffle toy and some interactive ones for him from Shopee and so far, the snuffle mat has been doing its job to keep him VERY busy. If you have meetings and need 30mins of quiet time, it might be worthwhile to invest in these.
  • Dog cologne. I put this as optional since I don’t think everyone needs one, but OMG I loveeee the one from Doggie balm. In fact, everyone in the office loves it so much that we all bought it for our dogs. Bath times can be crazy and chaotic and not something you look forward to because you get wet and your puppy might struggle to escape. So whilst it is not a long-term solution, we use the dog perfume to neutralize the odor of Oolong and it lasts for 1 full day. YES, we highly recommend the one from Doggie Balm!!

ENDING NOTE;

  1. Consider buying preloved items. For the cage & pee pad trays, I bought them from carousel because I didn’t feel the need to buy brand new ones. These are stuff that your puppy will outgrow, so there’s no point to invest (in my opinion). I also checked out this telegram chat to see what’s out there.
  2. Buy as you go along. You will feel the urge to buy everything (crazy pet parent alert). I bought the cooling mat and dog bed for Oolong but he rather sleeps on the floor since it’s much cooling for him. I eventually sell it away hahahahha.

TRAINING TREATS

Photo credit: dogtime.com

You are going to need A LOT of training treats. So it’s super important to buy a dog training bag (which I included above). It’s important to train your dog from puppyhood to avoid bad behaviors that might be harder to rectify in the future. Some people train with kibbles (to avoid calorie-overdose or diarrhea) but I hate the feeling of kibbles because it’s very sticky when their saliva touches the food.

My top recommendation for training treats. My criteria is on the texture, quality as well as the size.

  • Instinct Pet Raw Food Meal
    • It’s high-quality products that I know I can trust, and the shape is just nice for training treats!
    • Dry + Clean, so won’t have the sticky feeling after feeding your dog.
  • Iti Biti Air Dried Meat — PLC Exclusive
    • Love this from PLC. It’s $10+ for the 100g packet, and members get a 30% discount.
    • It’s the same price online and offline so I recommend that you buy from the stores and get the small one to avoid food boredom.
  • Ziwi Peak Good Rewards Dog Treats
    • I recently got to try this from this dog treat box which I bought from Perromart at $48 (which is a bad deal in my honest opinion) but I do like this because the dog treat is long and I think Ziwi Peak is not a bad brand (though comparably expensive and there are other alternatives out there).
    • But HMM, it is 5 calories per treat so ration accordingly since usually you will feed A LOT during training to enforce positive reinforcement.
  • Wagg puppy treats (biscuit) — PLC Exclusive
    • Okay, I bought this because I got sucked into the packaging (SO NICE?!?!) and the price cause it’s very affordable. But we have stopped buying this because Oolong is picky now and doesn’t like this as much.
    • Again, get this from PLC stores since it’s the same price online and offline.

ENDING NOTE;

  1. Don’t buy too much of the same food at the same time. Your dog will get bored. So don’t buy too much of the same food; try to interchange and keep things interesting because there’s a direct correlation between how tasty the food is vs. the attentiveness he is going to give you.
  2. Not all treats will be suitable for your pup. We fed Oolong duck wings from Absolute Holistic and he had very bad diarrhea. Same with chicken feet and lobsters. So we cut those off from his treats’ stash. So observe as you go along and there will be trial and error.

So many things to buy, so little time to save money ?

Expect to spend $200 – $500 for the first month of your puppy’s arrival since there are going to be trial and error as well as purchasing big ticket items such as crate, bowls and accessories. We keep a separate bank account for the dogs so that we are able to track our spending expenditure with him, and we also try not to go too crazy.

It’s fun shopping for your dog because there are so many options out there! If not, you can also redeem free samples to try from pawjourr.com before you commit to the full-sized items.

Have fun!!

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The ugly truth about getting a puppy. #Puppyblues

Are you planning to get yourself a puppy in 2021? Perfect! Because you’ll need all the advice you can get before taking on such a responsibility. Much like any other purchase or product, getting a puppy isn’t just about plopping down some cash and taking it home. It takes research, preparation, and consideration.

#Puppyblues IS true. I know this sounds crazy but I cried the first weekend when I brought Oolong back from all the stress. My husband was very concerned about my mental health because I was looking visibly stress and couldn’t sleep well at all.

It’s been around a month since Oolong is with us – so let’s break it down week by week on what you should expect when you bring home that bundle of joy… or poop machine ?

Week 01: The calm before the storm

First night with us

The first night Oolong came to our house — to be fair to him, he didn’t give us as much issue as his siblings since he wasn’t too “homesick”. In a way, he is a pretty confident and independent kid who can be bounced around different homes and sleeps through the night.

Issues you might face with your puppy for the first 1-2 weeks

  1. Whining / crying through the entire night
  2. Waking up every 2 hours to pee/poop
  3. Sleeping on the floor with him/her

These are all actual anecdote we hear from other pet owners around us.

It is very important to note that puppies should stay with their mum until they are AT LEAST 8 WEEKS OLD. Oolong is approx. 3 months old before he left his litter.

I can’t emphasize this enough – this is SO SO SO SO IMPORTANT and I only realize it after getting Oolong! When a puppy is 5 – 8 weeks old, they get feedback from their siblings on bites/mouthing because the other pups will yelp when it’s too hard — this helps the puppy to understand when a bite is too painful and is not pleasant for the recipient.

DON’T WORRY – YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

During Oolong’s first week, I was so overwhelmed that I cried. I stay with my parents and my mum can be very iffy about cleanliness around the house so it added on to the stress. Not helpful that I like to sleep in on weekends and with a dog around, that’s gone.

WEEK O2: The REAL shit starts

Literally. Oolong IS pee pad trained and for the first 2 weeks, there were no potty accidents at all (he sleeps with us in the room). Well guess what, he decided that it’s not going to be that case anymore! 😀

It might also be because he had his last jab and wasn’t feeling too good.

Waking up to the surprise Oolong prepared for us – thanks, son!

So yes, potty training is going to take a while. I was literally on my knees (PG13 please!) 80% of the time, cleaning up after him. I’ve read online to ignore and not to chide him but seriously, I’m not Guan Yin Ma okay. So the morning this happened, I was really livid and gave Oolong a good “beating” and by beating, I meant rolled up newspaper hitting the floor.

Another huge round of applause for Oolong, who’s poop aim is spectacular
(RIP to @lokithetoast hooman’s wire)

General rule of thumb for potty training

  • 2 months old puppy can hold their bladder for 2 hours
  • 3 months old puppy can hold their bladder for 3 hours

It will be helpful to keep a poop journal (yes, motherhood indeed) to track his poop timing across a few weeks. Oolong is still very sporadic with his poop time but we know that he poops every morning when he wakes up, and after meals. So he poops 3 – 4x a day.

This WILL change. Milky poops twice a day and he is outdoor-trained.

WEEK 03: So you think you can leave me alone at home

SA. SA. SA. You are going to hear SA a lot. SA stands for separation anxiety, which is loosely defined as your dog screaming like he lost a limb when you leave him alone in the house.

We used Google hangouts so that different people could join the call and look at Oolong like a specimen. ? Okay lah, everyone is concerned about Oolong.

Pro Tip that works for us!

  • Start off with 5 – 10 – 15mins before increasing it to longer hours.
  • When you leave the house, give the doggo a treat (we like to give chews)
  • When you reach home, don’t be overly excited. Be normal and don’t get all excited and give him attention.

Oolong can be at home for a long period of time now (4 hours+). We don’t put the pee pads in his crate because we don’t want him to encourage him to pee in his crate. Now, he gets free access to the house since he is toilet-trained and will pee/poop in the toilet (without pee pads!!)

Most of the time, there are still peeps in the house so he is usually with peeps around. We bring him to the office for 2-3 days every week so that he gets to mingle with other people, dogs and socialize well.

Week 04: It WILL get better.

We brought Oolong home on 8 Dec, when he is exactly 3 months old (he is born on 9 Sep). It’s been a little more than a month now and yes, things are definitely getting better.

It feels like a long time that he has been with us — but he is toilet-trained now and growing up healthily. He still poops and pee at the wrong places, but he kinda gets an idea of what’s right and what’s wrong.

His mouthing is still an issue and we are correcting his food aggression (for high-value food) and learning to share and be nice with other doggos — be it his water bowl or toys.

Find someone who looks at you the way Oolong looks at his bowl.

He is extremely food-motivated so it’s easier to train him, but that also meant lots of trips to Pet Lovers Centre and spending tons of money on treats and toys to keep him busy.

He is also learning commands like SIT, DOWN, STAY, LEAVE IT & GENTLE (puppies are so excited when it comes to food!!).

He is learning how to behave during walks, how he gets treats when he poops and pees outdoor (or on pee pads), and will run to me to get his “reward”. The clever boy will actually “ration” his pee so that he gets more treats whuttttt.

#PUPPYBLUES ARE REAL

Yes, puppy blues are real. During the first few weeks, I was constantly bogged down by negativity and just wondering if things will ever get better.

I had thoughts of sending him back to his parents because I wasn’t sure if this is something I can handle. I felt so guilty for even having such thoughts that I just cried and felt like a useless mum. I felt that I’m useless because other peeps seem to be able to “do it” but I can’t seem to, and these are people who were working a 9-6 job or juggling a child and a pet and a job and their own mental health. HOW?

The irony is that I know it’s hard to take care of a dog, and I was mentally prepared. But the thing is — it REALLY wears you down over time. There are no off days, MCs, or short-cuts. It’s step-by-step and you don’t expect instant gratification.

There is also no “nursery” to send your kids to for a couple of hours (yes there are daycares, but there are so many horror stories when it comes to dogs dying or getting infected with ticks/flea and eventually died).

But yes, it is worth it. A dog will always love you more than he loves himself, and the feeling when he wags his tail to welcome us home :”)

Hic – Hic!

If you are thinking to get a puppy, these might be helpful:

  • Adopt or buy from a reputable breeder. When you buy from pet shops, you might unknowingly be supporting puppy mills. There are also other issues like:
    • Health problems from inbreeding or unhealthy parents.
    • Potty training is going to be an ass because they pee and shit in their cage.
    • Crate training will be an ass too because puppies in pet shops are constantly locked up.
    • You might face huge behavioral issues like mouthing/teething because of what I mentioned earlier — there was no chance for the puppy to get feedback on bites.
  • Why adoption might be better for you
    • Most of the time, you won’t face potty training issues because the dogs are grass-trained.
    • No puppy blues because most dogs should be in their adulthood already, meaning a much calmer demeanor.

It is important to note that PET SHOPS and REPUTABLE & ETHICAL BREEDERS shouldn’t be seen as the same thing. The latter takes pride in what they do and are very transparent & responsible with how they breed and who they sell.

With pet shops, many are in it for the $$ (despite the claims they put on how they love animals) and I see lots of health problems and issues because of the way the dogs were handled. It’s also extremely suspicious that when pet shop A has a Shiba Inu, pet shop B C D also has Shiba Inus for sale (much coincidence?)

End of day, a pet is a commitment for life. Make sure you are ready (financially and mentally) and yes — your family members are OKAY with the new family member. It is very tough for you to bring up a dog if your family members are NOT okay. It is also being respectful to the other family members living in the household because it really takes a village to raise a dog.

All the best! x