In addition, there are many diseases that can affect, sicken, or even kill your lovely dogs.  Vaccinations are extremely important to yours and your dog’s health and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to have regular visits with the vet. Although your new puppy will likely squirm and maybe even cry when getting his shots, it is just as important for your dog as it is for your children or yourself. Don’t feel bad about it because you have a good hope for them.

Photo: Sew In Time

After vaccinations are given, your dog’s immune system will recognize the presence of a disease and will then create barriers or reinforcements to fight it of. These barriers only last from six months to a year, which makes regular appointments extremely important for your dog. Therefore, it’s your duty to check whenever the vet makes an appointment especially for the puppy which has to take vaccination frequently.

Canine Distemper, it is caused by a virus that attacks the body and can be damaging to the dogs central nervous system.  50 percent of dogs who contract this disease will have a fatal outcome.  It mainly affects middle aged dogs.  Puppies and older dogs are usually safe from contracting it. Regular vaccinations can prevent your dog from contracting these diseases; however you should still be aware of what they are.

Photo: dvanvliet

Infectious Hepatitis, it is important to your dog’s health and should not be confused with the human disease, Hepatitis which is a life threatening viral disease. All ages of dogs are at risk for this disease.  Luckily, it’s not contagious to humans.  It is transmitted through urine, saliva and feces.  

It will teach you patience and leave you with a better understanding of what your puppy wants once he has learned. Although it doesn’t sound like the most appealing job in the world, housebreaking a new puppy will play an important part in bonding with the newest member of your family.

Photo: Lynn

In addition, he will learn acceptable behaviors and exactly what is expected of him to live happily and comfortably in his new home. It’s important to remember that, just like a small child, a puppy’s attention span is very short. When you teach a young child not to hit, he likely won’t learn the lesson the first time, but instead, gradually after you’ve shown him repeatedly that it’s not okay.

Similarly, you will have to be consistent with your dog when training him. Also, when housebreaking your puppy, keep in mind that he is not intentionally being a bad dog; he just has not yet learned what behaviors are acceptable! Start housebreaking your puppy with a simple feeding schedule.

Give him breakfast, lunch and dinner, just as you would yourself. By doing this you will be helping him become regular with his bowel movements. Once he has eaten, wait 20-30 minutes and then take him outside. Watch how long it takes before he is able to void. This will give you an idea of how long to wait the next time you take him out.

Try to never let him eat at free will, leaving food in his bowl all day, because it will cause him to have accidents and make housetraining all that much more difficult. Despite the old rules of training a puppy, you should never hit, rub his nose in his messes, or yell at your puppy. By doing this, you are telling him it is bad to relieve himself at all!

 
Photo: Anthony Albert

In addition, most dogs respond negatively to aggressive and mean behavior and it has the opposite effect, they regress in their training rather than advance. Instead, while housebreaking your puppy take him straight outside when he has an accident. In addition, don’t forget the praise! Every time he “goes” where he’s supposed to, praise him lavishly, and soon he will begin to understand exactly what brings praise, and what brings that disappointed face.

During the process, don’t forget that full control of the bladder and bowels won’t happen until 16 weeks of age, so don’t expect too much from your puppy in the beginning. Also helpful in housebreaking a new puppy is to buy a stain remover/ odor relief spray. Household cleaners and sprays cannot be smelled by dogs; only those made for animals will work. When an accident happens, clean the mess and spray immediately.

This will cover the odor left and your puppy will not try to mark his territory there again. Giving encouragement and lots of love will make all the time spent worth your while. Remember that housebreaking a puppy is a big responsibility that can lead to you and your puppy sharing a special bond.

Before you start preparing your home for a puppy, Just as you would need to prepare a home when you have a baby, pet owners also need to take special precautions when "puppy-proofing." You should take into consideration the yard and garden. First, check fences and gates to be sure there are no holes large enough for him to get his head stuck in.

Photo: wright.edu

Watch for litter and/or trash cans, which can be tipped over, giving your new puppy the chance to eat things that he shouldn’t. And finally, know where you are treating your lawn and garden with pesticides, and then forbid your puppy from going there. In addition, make sure that all chemicals and other harmful products are put away out of your new friend’s reach.

Next, you will need to investigate your home and pretend that a small toddler is coming to live with you! Like toddlers, puppies will find everything new and exciting. They don’t know when something is dangerous or can’t tell if that "interesting" remote control will get them into trouble. In addition, when preparing your home for the new puppy, you should keep these tips in mind:

• Just like a toddler, your puppy will explore every element, including low cupboards. Just when you thought having a puppy was easier than a child, he will learn to nudge those cupboard doors open! Consider installing locks or sort through them and only keep safe objects in low areas.
• Be sure all electrical and cable wires are either in a space your puppy will not be or hide them under rugs or carpets. Do not keep wires where your puppy could chew and gnaw on them.

Well, that’s only if you remember that in reality your puppy has the mind of a small child. Soon you’ll be getting ready for afternoon walks to the park, 3 a.m. trips to the bathroom and lots of cuddling. So, while preparing your home for your puppy, think of him as a member of your family.

Buy him a bed made from plastic, which is more resistant to chewing. Line it with comfortable bedding, washable of course and then place it in a special place just for him. Make sure it is somewhere he will be safe and comfortable. Arrange your home for your new puppy is a lot of work, so you may consider buying a puppy pen until everything is taken care of. Just like a baby’s playpen, a puppy pen will offer an area for him to play without roaming the house.

By doing this, you are also saving your furniture and other objects from being chewed on. Another important thing to think about when preparing your home for your puppy is any stairs that you may have in the house. If you have an open basement or second floor, use baby gates to confine his run area to prevent harm.

Babies and puppies alike are not aware of danger and don’t realize that they could fall down steps and hurt themselves. The most important thing to think about while preparing your home for the new puppy is just like a child, they will need cuddling, attention and there will definitely be a lot of wet kisses!

Dogs basically carry around their toys to areas they feel comfortable playing in. They bite and chew these toys, and very squeaky toys tend to scare them off. If you are to purchase a dog toy, just make sure that it is practical, safe and entertaining for your pet. A good selection of toys is essential to keep your dog happy, stop him chewing on the wrong things and to help him exercise when the two of you are out for a walk. 

Photo: dog-pawlor.com

There are many advantages in getting dog toys, to name a few, they help to keep your dog away from destructive behaviors, keep them from becoming bored, thereby keeping them out of trouble, relieves stress, and provides physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Materials Matter For Small Dog Toys

No matter how carefully constructed, most dog toys are capable of splitting or crumbling at some point, and being ingested by your dog. This poses two problems. Most dog toy materials are naturally not meant to be eaten, and some can cause digestive trouble. Worse, if the piece in question is sharp, it can even puncture the dog internally. So it makes sense to select non-toxic small dog toys that don’t contain any brittle materials. The safest route is to stick to high quality latex and vinyl toys crafted specifically for use with dogs. The manufacturers of higher-end products, such as Kongs, have gone to great lengths to eliminate these kinds of risks.

No matter what small dog toys you select for your pet, keeping these main safety points in mind should help you choose appropriate toys for your small dog that leave him happy and entertained — and safe. by: Blake Kritzberg

The most important reasons for dog toys are good for the promotion of the game to prevent boredom and keep your dog malice. The dog lets the dog chew toys for a topic, so you do not chew, which is at home and spoil the place. It is always better when different types of toys for your pet to choose, because it is a good way to deflect all the destructive behavior. Dog toys also offer your dog something safe to play with. Without dog toys, a bored pooch will find anything to chew, including poisonous and toxic household items, and can lead to serious health problems.

Find more information and Contests at DogToys.com Enter to win prizes for you and your dog!

Upscale Pup are for many dog owners, their pooches and puppies aren’t simply pets or just members of the family, they are family, as they embody love and more attention to their puppies.   

What is an Upscale Pup?
By Manny M. Manuel