~~~ On this page you will find helpful sites, and many GREAT questions I have been asked ~~~
This page is just starting, Please feel free to share sites (just email them to me) that you find helpful along with questions/answers you feel can help :)
This page is just starting, Please feel free to share sites (just email them to me) that you find helpful along with questions/answers you feel can help :)
Questions/comments from Heather - (After her visit) - Now that I've seen your grooming tools, I feel like I've got a pretty good idea what I'm looking for, and I am looking at some online today. Do you know the brands of your comb and rake? It is hard to remember if the spacing of the teeth or the sharpness of the
ends is the same on the ones I'm looking at.
I think a rake and a comb with teeth very close together are best. The rake is great for the body, the small tooth comb is great for the ears and face. I do not find that the regular looking brushes, or the brushes with several painful bristles work well or get the under coat at all. There are several brands out there and I think I have one of each. I don’t have a favorite brand, I just have favorite brushes.
I also forgot to ask if there is anything routine we'll need to do for ear health. I see drops and things all over at stores, but didn't know if that is routine care, or only if they have a problem.
I like to add EAR WASH after I give the puppies a bath. The ear wash dries out the ear in case any water got into the ear canal. I recommend always getting ear products from your vet. It is a good idea to smell your dogs ears from time to time. Most ear problems are an easy, cheap fix if they are noticed right away. Ear infections are common and always come with a smell. Some heart guard medications can now treat ear mites too. I say the more the medication can treat the better off your dog is.
I noticed the puppies like sleeping with the teddy bears and obviously they pile onto each other and cuddle up. Would you recommend putting a teddy bear or stuffed dog in the crate with Sully at night time to help her sleep? If so, would it be better to try to put the smell of us on it, or send it to you so you can get mom and her litter mates smell on it? I know you send a blanket home with their smell, so that might be enough. I am willing to send a stuffed animal for her too, but if that is too much hassle for you,
that's fine.
I have had a lot of families ask this question. I send all the puppies home with a mommy and me blanket and a small worm that smells like mom and litter mates. The things I send home are not good quality; I love the idea of everyone buying a nice size stuffed animal for the puppy to cuddle up with. You can add my stuff (with the smells) to your stuffed animal and the smell will transfer. It would be hard for everyone to send me something. However, I love how much everyone wants their puppy comfortable.
One thing I would say to the other families that aren't meeting their puppies in person is that the videos really do show so much better than the pictures what they look like. Not that the pictures aren't cute, but I think they are a bit like their mom in not photographing to show their true cuteness. They really are so much cuter in person!
Heather also told me she is going to buy wood chips and put them in her yard where she would like the puppy to go potty. This is a very smart idea if you have a certain spot you want your puppy to learn to use as a potty spot!!
ends is the same on the ones I'm looking at.
I think a rake and a comb with teeth very close together are best. The rake is great for the body, the small tooth comb is great for the ears and face. I do not find that the regular looking brushes, or the brushes with several painful bristles work well or get the under coat at all. There are several brands out there and I think I have one of each. I don’t have a favorite brand, I just have favorite brushes.
I also forgot to ask if there is anything routine we'll need to do for ear health. I see drops and things all over at stores, but didn't know if that is routine care, or only if they have a problem.
I like to add EAR WASH after I give the puppies a bath. The ear wash dries out the ear in case any water got into the ear canal. I recommend always getting ear products from your vet. It is a good idea to smell your dogs ears from time to time. Most ear problems are an easy, cheap fix if they are noticed right away. Ear infections are common and always come with a smell. Some heart guard medications can now treat ear mites too. I say the more the medication can treat the better off your dog is.
I noticed the puppies like sleeping with the teddy bears and obviously they pile onto each other and cuddle up. Would you recommend putting a teddy bear or stuffed dog in the crate with Sully at night time to help her sleep? If so, would it be better to try to put the smell of us on it, or send it to you so you can get mom and her litter mates smell on it? I know you send a blanket home with their smell, so that might be enough. I am willing to send a stuffed animal for her too, but if that is too much hassle for you,
that's fine.
I have had a lot of families ask this question. I send all the puppies home with a mommy and me blanket and a small worm that smells like mom and litter mates. The things I send home are not good quality; I love the idea of everyone buying a nice size stuffed animal for the puppy to cuddle up with. You can add my stuff (with the smells) to your stuffed animal and the smell will transfer. It would be hard for everyone to send me something. However, I love how much everyone wants their puppy comfortable.
One thing I would say to the other families that aren't meeting their puppies in person is that the videos really do show so much better than the pictures what they look like. Not that the pictures aren't cute, but I think they are a bit like their mom in not photographing to show their true cuteness. They really are so much cuter in person!
Heather also told me she is going to buy wood chips and put them in her yard where she would like the puppy to go potty. This is a very smart idea if you have a certain spot you want your puppy to learn to use as a potty spot!!
http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com/holistic-treatments-for-dogs.html - This is a great site, I have yet to find a question they couldn't answer. GREAT SITE FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR PET !!
FOOD - http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-puppy-foods/best-dry-puppy-foods-4-star/ - This is a great site to answer all you dog food questions. Dog foods are rated from 1 to 5 starts. We feed a 4 star puppy food to all our puppies and our pregnant/lactating mothers. Some vets recommend three. I find three meals a day brings on more messes, and is not always available for working families. If your puppy has an enlarged tummy after meals then he is likely over eating. I am not a fan of canned food at all ! If your puppy has loose stool for more than 2 days, there is a problem. I first cut down on the amount of food at each meal. If that does not work, I add cooked rice to the meals for 2 days. If you still have a problem, its time to call a vet. Always take a stool sample to the vet.
Puppy training tips to help those first few weeks go more smoothly
Puppy love is a wonderful thing. It can also be exhausting and frustrating, though. Here’s some sanity-saving advice: 50 puppy tips to help guide you through those first few weeks and months, to help you get and stay on the right track when it comes to training your pup.
GENERAL PUPPY TRAINING
1. Think of your puppy as a toddler who has no concept of right or wrong, and needs to be taught. Repetition and consistency are key. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
2. Have a calm, assertive energy when training. –Susan C., Boston Terrier Friendzy
3. A crate is an invaluable tool when housebreaking a puppy. It provides your young dog with a sense of security when you are busy or away. Never leave a puppy in a crate for longer than 4-5 hours. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
4. Baby gates can also serve as a great training tool to block off “restricted areas” of the house and help to teach your puppy what areas are off limits. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
5. Teach the command “watch me.” Essentially, you train the dog to look at you on command. Good for if they are too distracted by a squirrel, another dog, cars they want to chase, etc. –Katie L., Rover.com
6. Teach “Go to your spot” with a mat, crate, or rug. Useful for dogs that jump on guests at the door. –Katie L., Rover.com
7. Don’t get upset when your puppy does something wrong or has an accident. Even though you might be convinced at the time he/she is doing it just to get on your nerves, they really don’t know any better. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
8. Make sure to distract them with something you want them to do, as opposed to just telling them no. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
9. Avoid giving in to things that will be a big no-no when they’re older and bigger. Example: jumping on people might be cute and tolerable when they’re still small and tiny, but if they’re going to get bigger, it won’t be cute then. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
10. Enroll in puppy manners and home obedience! This can be one of the most valuable things you can do to get the dog’s behavior to be what you desire. –Amber C., Rover.com
11. (Corollary to 10) It’s never too early to start training. The earlier the better. –Priscilla M. & Adam W., Rover.com
12. Determine what motivates your dog–food, attention–and train him/her accordingly. –Adam W., Rover.com
13. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. –Becky C., Friendzy.com’s Beagle community
14. Puppies want nothing more than to please you, they just need to know how. Be consistent! –Joey W., Friendzy.com Rottweiler community
15. To encourage your puppy to use the crate in the beginning, a Kong toy filled with peanut butter works great. Use the command, ‘”In your crate’ and as soon as they go in on their own, and reward them with the Kong. –Amber C., Rover.com
16. Get used to them taking up the entire bed if you are not going to crate them. –Lea B., Friendzy.com
UNWANTED BEHAVIOR: CHEWING & BARKING
17. Bitter apple spray will stop your pup from chewing. –Mary S., Friendzy.com
18. Best advice to keep them from chewing stuff was to buy a variety of textures of toys and put one of their toys in their mouth literally every time they had a hold of something you didn’t want them to chew. Works well. No chewed up shoes with either of my last two schnauzers. –Deb R., Friendzy.com’s Schnauzer community
19. If you don’t want a barking puppy, take time to go out when they bark, tell them its okay and comfort them. –Lindy K., Friendzy.com
LEASHES
20. Don’t use retractable leashes. They can snap, and they actually encourage dogs to pull. –Katie L., Rover.com
21. Harnesses that connect to the leash in the front of the chest are a godsend. They help prevent pulling. –Katie L., Rover.com
SOCIALIZING
22. You want your puppy to be affectionate and well socialized, but you also want him or her to be independent enough to not be stressed when left alone. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
23. Socialize and expose your puppy to people and other dogs! Introduce your puppy to as many places as you can, and to as many people and other dogs as you can. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
24. If you get a specific breed, do some research to find local groups with that same breed. Meetup.com allows you to find and attend local meetups with other dog owners and can be a great resource if you have questions, concerns or need advice. –Amber C., Rover.com
25. Introduce your puppy to everything. All shapes and sizes so they are comfortable with their surroundings. This includes people wearing hats, backpacks, carrying things, other dogs, people of all races, children, other animals and noises. –Amber C., Rover.com
26. Introduce to all kinds of people in all kinds of clothing & appearances (including hat, beards, and glasses), and have yummy treats on hand for rewarding your pup. –Katie L., Rover.com
POTTY TRAINING
27. For the first month or so, if your puppy is small, carry them to the grass to eliminate instead of letting them walk to the grass. This prevents any accidents that may happen on the way outside and lets you place them where you’d like them to use the restroom. –Amber C., Rover.com
28. Use positive reinforcement for potty training. When they use the restroom outside, give them a ‘potty party’ which you give them a little treat, lots of scratches and pets, and say, “good boy/girl!” in a high-pitched, excited tone. –Amber C., Rover.com
29. Put a bell on the door for potty training. –Kimberly F. S., Friendzy.com
30. Make sure your dog learns to potty on leash and off leash. Working at a vet clinic you see so many dogs who don’t know how to potty on a leash because it wasn’t told to them at their puppy visits. –Megan H., Friendzy.com’s Boston Terrier community
31. For potty training, don’t scold for mistakes. It’s on you if the dog goes inside, you probably aren’t taking him or her outside frequently enough. Praise and treat every time they go outside. Associate a term with it such as, “Go potty” or “Hurry up!” as soon as the dog starts going. –Katie L., Rover.com
HEALTH, EXERCISE & GROOMING
32. Naps are important for your puppy. Be sure to give him the space and time he needs to relax. Try not to overwhelm him. Like a baby, he’ll need frequent naps during the day. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
33. Fill a Kong with food and natural peanut butter, then freeze it. This is great for teething puppies and separation anxiety. Puzzle toys are wonderful. –Katie L., Rover.com
34. Exercise your puppy regularly, but not too much too soon. Exercise can tire her out, but training can provide mental exercise which can also be tiring. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
35. When you take your puppy to puppy classes, make sure the other dogs there are up to date on vaccinations. –Katie L., Rover.com
36. Take care of their teeth!! My vet puts down so many small dogs and cats because they have heart disease, kidney disease, etc… and the issue is rotten teeth and years of painful mouth infections leaking into their bodies. Annual dentals will give your little ones a longer, less pain-filled life. –Sharona S., Friendzy.com’s
37. Please don’t let the young baby humans play with the doggie babies until they know how to hold them, put them down carefully, know to not put them in the pool, toilet, trash can, etc., and not to squeeze them, hold them up by the tail or little paw or hit them. It makes me cringe when I see that. –Elizabeth-Vickie L.G., Friendzy.com
38. A wind-up alarm clock in their bed helps [it reminds them of their mother’s heartbeat].
–Theresa R., Friendzy’s Pug community
39. Get your dog accustomed to being touched on its feet, face, legs, mouth, etc., will help when you need to bring him or her to the vet or groomer. –Poochies Grooming.
40. Keep your puppy out of large stores or public places when they’re little. The Parvo virus can live on surfaces if they’re not cleaned properly. –Amie H., Friendzy’s Schnauzer community
41. Start driving your puppy in the car early if you want them to like the car and not get car sick. –Carla C.B.
BREED-SPECIFIC ADVICE
42. Poodle Puppies aren’t naughty, they’re super smart and need lots and lots of interaction…bad behavior means they’re bored..get off your butt and get that puppy outside lol –Susan M., Friendzy
43. Training, training, training!!! Dogs act like puppies for so many years, it’s so important to get them trained early, otherwise you are in for it when they are fully grown. My boy is about 95 lbs., and still thinks he is a baby (He is a 7 year-old, 95 lb. LAP DOG!) –Joyanna C., Boxer Friendzy
44. Specific to Boxer puppies: invest in good toys- and many toys. Rotate the stash every month and they will never touch your belongings or furniture. My boxer was over 12 years old and never damaged or destroyed what wasn’t hers! –Christine C., Friendzy
45. Get two dogs [to keep each other company]. –Steve B., Boxer Friendzy
46. Be the pack leader. You don’t want a 100-pound dog walking you or running your house. –Leslie K.S., Great Dane Friendzy
47. Keep in mind that Newfoundland's can reach handles on faucets and doors. They are smart. You may need to dog-proof your home. I had one that learned how to open the oven! –Sheana H., Great Dane Friendzy
48. When you get your puppy, have him or her eat out of your hand. Then work with to help them not guard their food because a lot of small kids get hurt that way. –Eric J., Friendzy.com
TRICKS
49. When teaching tricks, work in short, 5-minute intervals. It works! I taught my dog to sit, lay down, stay, and stand in two five- minute sessions while he was only 6 weeks old. –Mandi C., Friendzy.com Boston Terrier community
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
& the tip that really sums it all up:
50. Patience, patience, patience AND make sure the whole family is using the same commands.
–Tori R., Friendzy.com’s
And many thanks to all our contributors:
–Bark Busters: David Wiley, http://www.dogtraining-seattle.com/
–Amber C. of Rover.com
–Katie L. of Rover.com; dog training volunteer
–Priscilla M. of Rover.com, owner of Atlas, a Pit Bull Terrier
–Adam W. of, Rover.com, owner of Annie, a Golden Retriever
–Friendzy contributors: Lea B., Steve B., Becky C., Christine C., Joyanna C., Mandi C., Susan C., Carla C.B., Kimberly F. S., Amie H., Sheana H., Eric J., Elizabeth-Vickie L. G., Lindy K., Leslie K.S., Poochies Grooming, Susan M., Deb R., Theresa R., Tori R., Mary S., Sharona S., and Joey W.
Puppy training tips to help those first few weeks go more smoothly
Puppy love is a wonderful thing. It can also be exhausting and frustrating, though. Here’s some sanity-saving advice: 50 puppy tips to help guide you through those first few weeks and months, to help you get and stay on the right track when it comes to training your pup.
GENERAL PUPPY TRAINING
1. Think of your puppy as a toddler who has no concept of right or wrong, and needs to be taught. Repetition and consistency are key. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
2. Have a calm, assertive energy when training. –Susan C., Boston Terrier Friendzy
3. A crate is an invaluable tool when housebreaking a puppy. It provides your young dog with a sense of security when you are busy or away. Never leave a puppy in a crate for longer than 4-5 hours. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
4. Baby gates can also serve as a great training tool to block off “restricted areas” of the house and help to teach your puppy what areas are off limits. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
5. Teach the command “watch me.” Essentially, you train the dog to look at you on command. Good for if they are too distracted by a squirrel, another dog, cars they want to chase, etc. –Katie L., Rover.com
6. Teach “Go to your spot” with a mat, crate, or rug. Useful for dogs that jump on guests at the door. –Katie L., Rover.com
7. Don’t get upset when your puppy does something wrong or has an accident. Even though you might be convinced at the time he/she is doing it just to get on your nerves, they really don’t know any better. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
8. Make sure to distract them with something you want them to do, as opposed to just telling them no. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
9. Avoid giving in to things that will be a big no-no when they’re older and bigger. Example: jumping on people might be cute and tolerable when they’re still small and tiny, but if they’re going to get bigger, it won’t be cute then. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
10. Enroll in puppy manners and home obedience! This can be one of the most valuable things you can do to get the dog’s behavior to be what you desire. –Amber C., Rover.com
11. (Corollary to 10) It’s never too early to start training. The earlier the better. –Priscilla M. & Adam W., Rover.com
12. Determine what motivates your dog–food, attention–and train him/her accordingly. –Adam W., Rover.com
13. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. –Becky C., Friendzy.com’s Beagle community
14. Puppies want nothing more than to please you, they just need to know how. Be consistent! –Joey W., Friendzy.com Rottweiler community
15. To encourage your puppy to use the crate in the beginning, a Kong toy filled with peanut butter works great. Use the command, ‘”In your crate’ and as soon as they go in on their own, and reward them with the Kong. –Amber C., Rover.com
16. Get used to them taking up the entire bed if you are not going to crate them. –Lea B., Friendzy.com
UNWANTED BEHAVIOR: CHEWING & BARKING
17. Bitter apple spray will stop your pup from chewing. –Mary S., Friendzy.com
18. Best advice to keep them from chewing stuff was to buy a variety of textures of toys and put one of their toys in their mouth literally every time they had a hold of something you didn’t want them to chew. Works well. No chewed up shoes with either of my last two schnauzers. –Deb R., Friendzy.com’s Schnauzer community
19. If you don’t want a barking puppy, take time to go out when they bark, tell them its okay and comfort them. –Lindy K., Friendzy.com
LEASHES
20. Don’t use retractable leashes. They can snap, and they actually encourage dogs to pull. –Katie L., Rover.com
21. Harnesses that connect to the leash in the front of the chest are a godsend. They help prevent pulling. –Katie L., Rover.com
SOCIALIZING
22. You want your puppy to be affectionate and well socialized, but you also want him or her to be independent enough to not be stressed when left alone. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
23. Socialize and expose your puppy to people and other dogs! Introduce your puppy to as many places as you can, and to as many people and other dogs as you can. –Priscilla M., Rover.com
24. If you get a specific breed, do some research to find local groups with that same breed. Meetup.com allows you to find and attend local meetups with other dog owners and can be a great resource if you have questions, concerns or need advice. –Amber C., Rover.com
25. Introduce your puppy to everything. All shapes and sizes so they are comfortable with their surroundings. This includes people wearing hats, backpacks, carrying things, other dogs, people of all races, children, other animals and noises. –Amber C., Rover.com
26. Introduce to all kinds of people in all kinds of clothing & appearances (including hat, beards, and glasses), and have yummy treats on hand for rewarding your pup. –Katie L., Rover.com
POTTY TRAINING
27. For the first month or so, if your puppy is small, carry them to the grass to eliminate instead of letting them walk to the grass. This prevents any accidents that may happen on the way outside and lets you place them where you’d like them to use the restroom. –Amber C., Rover.com
28. Use positive reinforcement for potty training. When they use the restroom outside, give them a ‘potty party’ which you give them a little treat, lots of scratches and pets, and say, “good boy/girl!” in a high-pitched, excited tone. –Amber C., Rover.com
29. Put a bell on the door for potty training. –Kimberly F. S., Friendzy.com
30. Make sure your dog learns to potty on leash and off leash. Working at a vet clinic you see so many dogs who don’t know how to potty on a leash because it wasn’t told to them at their puppy visits. –Megan H., Friendzy.com’s Boston Terrier community
31. For potty training, don’t scold for mistakes. It’s on you if the dog goes inside, you probably aren’t taking him or her outside frequently enough. Praise and treat every time they go outside. Associate a term with it such as, “Go potty” or “Hurry up!” as soon as the dog starts going. –Katie L., Rover.com
HEALTH, EXERCISE & GROOMING
32. Naps are important for your puppy. Be sure to give him the space and time he needs to relax. Try not to overwhelm him. Like a baby, he’ll need frequent naps during the day. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
33. Fill a Kong with food and natural peanut butter, then freeze it. This is great for teething puppies and separation anxiety. Puzzle toys are wonderful. –Katie L., Rover.com
34. Exercise your puppy regularly, but not too much too soon. Exercise can tire her out, but training can provide mental exercise which can also be tiring. –David Wiley, Bark Busters
35. When you take your puppy to puppy classes, make sure the other dogs there are up to date on vaccinations. –Katie L., Rover.com
36. Take care of their teeth!! My vet puts down so many small dogs and cats because they have heart disease, kidney disease, etc… and the issue is rotten teeth and years of painful mouth infections leaking into their bodies. Annual dentals will give your little ones a longer, less pain-filled life. –Sharona S., Friendzy.com’s
37. Please don’t let the young baby humans play with the doggie babies until they know how to hold them, put them down carefully, know to not put them in the pool, toilet, trash can, etc., and not to squeeze them, hold them up by the tail or little paw or hit them. It makes me cringe when I see that. –Elizabeth-Vickie L.G., Friendzy.com
38. A wind-up alarm clock in their bed helps [it reminds them of their mother’s heartbeat].
–Theresa R., Friendzy’s Pug community
39. Get your dog accustomed to being touched on its feet, face, legs, mouth, etc., will help when you need to bring him or her to the vet or groomer. –Poochies Grooming.
40. Keep your puppy out of large stores or public places when they’re little. The Parvo virus can live on surfaces if they’re not cleaned properly. –Amie H., Friendzy’s Schnauzer community
41. Start driving your puppy in the car early if you want them to like the car and not get car sick. –Carla C.B.
BREED-SPECIFIC ADVICE
42. Poodle Puppies aren’t naughty, they’re super smart and need lots and lots of interaction…bad behavior means they’re bored..get off your butt and get that puppy outside lol –Susan M., Friendzy
43. Training, training, training!!! Dogs act like puppies for so many years, it’s so important to get them trained early, otherwise you are in for it when they are fully grown. My boy is about 95 lbs., and still thinks he is a baby (He is a 7 year-old, 95 lb. LAP DOG!) –Joyanna C., Boxer Friendzy
44. Specific to Boxer puppies: invest in good toys- and many toys. Rotate the stash every month and they will never touch your belongings or furniture. My boxer was over 12 years old and never damaged or destroyed what wasn’t hers! –Christine C., Friendzy
45. Get two dogs [to keep each other company]. –Steve B., Boxer Friendzy
46. Be the pack leader. You don’t want a 100-pound dog walking you or running your house. –Leslie K.S., Great Dane Friendzy
47. Keep in mind that Newfoundland's can reach handles on faucets and doors. They are smart. You may need to dog-proof your home. I had one that learned how to open the oven! –Sheana H., Great Dane Friendzy
48. When you get your puppy, have him or her eat out of your hand. Then work with to help them not guard their food because a lot of small kids get hurt that way. –Eric J., Friendzy.com
TRICKS
49. When teaching tricks, work in short, 5-minute intervals. It works! I taught my dog to sit, lay down, stay, and stand in two five- minute sessions while he was only 6 weeks old. –Mandi C., Friendzy.com Boston Terrier community
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
& the tip that really sums it all up:
50. Patience, patience, patience AND make sure the whole family is using the same commands.
–Tori R., Friendzy.com’s
And many thanks to all our contributors:
–Bark Busters: David Wiley, http://www.dogtraining-seattle.com/
–Amber C. of Rover.com
–Katie L. of Rover.com; dog training volunteer
–Priscilla M. of Rover.com, owner of Atlas, a Pit Bull Terrier
–Adam W. of, Rover.com, owner of Annie, a Golden Retriever
–Friendzy contributors: Lea B., Steve B., Becky C., Christine C., Joyanna C., Mandi C., Susan C., Carla C.B., Kimberly F. S., Amie H., Sheana H., Eric J., Elizabeth-Vickie L. G., Lindy K., Leslie K.S., Poochies Grooming, Susan M., Deb R., Theresa R., Tori R., Mary S., Sharona S., and Joey W.