Training | Your Puppy Care

Puppy Independence: 3 Steps to Make Your Puppy More Independent

Your Puppy Care Training October 18, 2022October 18, 2022Puppy Care, Puppy Independence

Do you have a puppy that constantly follows you around the home? Does it get anxious every time you leave your home? Puppies are dependent beings, and when it comes to puppy independence, it is something that takes time. So, before you bring a puppy home, you must understand that it will require attention initially.

Individuals that work full-time may need to take some time off after bringing a puppy home. A puppy, like a baby, will not be independent at first. You must work on developing puppy independence and that requires training the puppy to be alone. We recommend you take around two weeks off if you can. During that period, here are some things you can do to promote puppy independence.

Crate training my puppy, Puppy independence

Step 1: Create a space for your puppy in your home for alone time

Like humans, puppies need a space to call their own. Somewhere they can go, relax, and do as they please. You should allocate such a space within your home for your pup. You don’t necessarily need to allocate a whole room, it can be a cordoned-off corner within a room.

The space will also ensure that the puppy is not following you around all day long. The time a puppy spends in its space will generally be on its own, building your pup’s independence. But it will take some time for the pup to understand that the space is his or hers. It will also require you to make an effort and take it to the area until it develops an understanding that the space is his or her’s.

Step 2: Spend time away from the puppy but in intervals

A new pup will likely always want to be around you. It needs love and attention. Most new dog owners provide their pup with all the attention it wants, which makes it difficult for the puppy to become independent.

You need to find the right mix of attention and independence. When you spend some time with the pup, spend an equal time away from it. This may seem hard, and it will be at first because the pup will likely not want to leave your side. But, within a few days, it will get easier as the puppy starts to develop its independence.

For those that have trouble leaving their puppy alone during the day, crate training at night is another option. This means you have the dog sleep in a crate at night on its own. Don’t think of this as imprisoning your dog, think of this as creating a boundary so it understands that it can be okay on its own. Just make sure you buy a crate that is big and comfortable enough for your pup.

Step 3: Buy toys to keep it entertained during alone time

A puppy will have no problem being on its own if you have the right toys to keep it entertained. Toys will keep it busy and there will be no need for them to follow you around for entertainment. Something as simple as a durable chew toy or a ball works. You also have the option of getting an interactive toy or something that moves. The puppy will chase the toy around the house while having a lot of fun.

With time the puppy will automatically play with the toy during alone time. So, you may go out and do as you please without worrying about the pup being anxious and waiting for you to come home.

Enjoy Your Puppy Independence

There is no one sure way toward puppy independence. However, the three steps mentioned above are tried and tested. Many puppies have become more independent when their owners adopted these methods.

The road to puppy independence is not the same for every dog. Some tend to be more stubborn and dependent than others. But as an owner, you need to give it time and stick to the routine. With time your puppy will learn to be independent.

5 Essential Tips On How To Stop Your Puppy’s Biting Habit

Your Puppy Care Training September 5, 2022September 2, 2022Getting A Puppy, Puppy Biting

One of the most common questions new puppy owners have is, how to stop puppy biting. Puppies are playful and for most of them biting starts when they have nothing better to do.

Biting is a way that most dogs interact with the world. It helps them discover what is around them. Unlike humans, they can’t pick up items with their paws. So, they use their mouths instead. Puppy biting is normal and all dogs do it.

You don’t need to be a dog whisperer when it comes to how to stop puppy biting. There are simple tips all dog owners can use and we have them for you.

Tip 1: Train It

It is common for puppies to start biting when they are bored. As soon as you notice the puppy biting something, take the opportunity to train it. By training we mean work on its behavior and give the pup commands such as sit, stay, lay down, and so on. You will need some treats to offer the puppy as a form of incentive when they act correctly on a command.

Training is great for mental stimulation, keeping your pup busy and preventing it from biting things. Training should be the first step when it comes to how to stop puppy biting.

Tip 2: Keep It Active

Dogs of all ages love to go out and exercise. Keeping a puppy active and busy through exercise helps eliminate all types of bad behavior, including biting. By taking it out for a jog, playing fetch, or tug, you provide mental and physical stimulation. Ultimately, making the puppy happy.

The amount of exercise per day depends on the breed and age of the puppy. We recommend you take it out twice a day for about 10-20 minutes for the first 12 months. Don’t overdo it though because excess exercise may result in joint problems later on.

Tip 3: Introduce Tug Of War

Tug of war is a simple yet effective game when you want to stop puppy biting. It essentially teaches your dog what it can and can’t bite on. You can take any thick rope for the puppy to bite and pull while you tug at the other end.

If you can’t find a rope, you can make use of a chew toy. If in the process of the game the puppy starts to bite you or something else, give it a firm “no” command. This will help them understand what they can bite and what they can’t, which is important when it comes to how to stop puppy biting.

Tip 4: Stop Playing When They Bite

There will be times when the puppy bites you during playtime. If this ever happens let them know that the behavior is not acceptable and stop playing with them altogether. Consider this as positive punishment, since it aids in changing unwanted, bad behavior in the puppy.

Tip 5: Give It A Timeout

Similar to giving your puppy a treat for good behavior, you can give it a timeout for bad. You don’t have to shout or scold it, just leave it in a room for 5 to 10 minutes when it starts so bite. This will help it understand that biting is bad behavior.

You have to be consistent with timeouts. The moment the puppy bites, you need to take action. Inconsistency will send a mixed message and your puppy will likely not learn to stop biting.

When Do Puppies Stop Biting?

Puppies usually bite between the age of 3 to 6 months. It can be longer if you don’t take the right measures to curb the behavior. At times puppy owners do all they can to stop them from biting but to no avail. Remember that behaviors vary from breed to breed and also depend on the environment. So, keep at it, and your dog will stop biting.

Conclusion On How To Stop Puppy Biting

As puppies grow, they all go through a “biting” phase. So, you don’t need to be alarmed when you notice your puppy doing it. You do need to take action to stop the behavior before it is too late. The tips we’ve mentioned on how to stop puppy biting should help you do that. Just remember to be patient throughout the process. Your puppy won’t change in a day, it will take a lot of time and effort from your end.

Why Mental and Physical Stimulation is Important for a Pup That Goes to Puppy Daycare

Your Puppy Care Training July 1, 2022July 1, 2022Puppy Daycare, Puppy Mental and Physical Stimulation, Puppy training

The phenomenon of puppy daycare has caught on. You find tons of daycares in cities around the U.S. The purpose of such facilities is to allow dog owners to go to work and do other daily activities knowing that their puppy is in good hands.

While daycares may provide surveillance and care for your dog while you are away, they may also have negative effects on them, such as:

Being around too many dogs can stress a puppy out. Socializing with other dogs is good, however, for a puppy that isn’t typically around other dogs all the time, the presence of so many is stressful.
Puppies require maternal sensitivity and attention as they develop. Most puppy daycares provide neither. The facilities are overcrowded which limits one-on-one time spent with caregivers, resulting in developing insecurity within the puppy.
Dogs brought up in daycare tend to have behavioral issues such as impulsiveness and aggression.

Puppies require quality time rather than quantity. Now, there are amazing daycares out there that ensure comfort and quality time for your puppies. But you have to do thorough research before you find them.

So, if you are wary of your puppy developing behavioral problems at daycare, you can help their development with brain games for puppies. There are games specifically designed to play with your puppy that ensure you spend quality time with them, helping them with mental and physical development.

Games to play with puppies that go to puppy daycare

You should play the following games with your puppy to encourage their development.

Find the treat

This particular game helps your dog scavenge through your home giving them a chance to get acquainted with it while also getting a treat in the process. To play you need to:

Grab treats in front of your puppy and have him/her stay in position.
Drop a few treats in front of the puppy and hide the rest around the home.
Encourage your puppy to eat the treat and go with them to find the others you’ve hidden.

As your puppy progresses in the game, you can hide the treats in more challenging places. The game helps develop their mental and physical skills.

Food dispensing toy

Food dispensing toys are all the rave. Dogs love them and owners have a way for their puppy to stay active while they are away. These toys provide mental stimulation to dogs as they have to scavenge their way to a treat and the best part is you don’t need to be around them. It gives them a chance to develop instincts and have a yummy treat at the same time.

Puzzles

There are puzzles designed specifically for dogs. They come in different difficulties, shapes, and sizes and are a popular brain game for puppies. They mentally stimulate your puppy and keep them entertained for some time. You don’t necessarily have to be with them as they work the puzzles. So, you can leave it out and let them enjoy it while you are gone.

Parkour

Puppies need both mental and physical stimulation for development. Parkour gives them a chance to develop both their mind and body. You can incorporate it into your daily walks, be it out in the park or neighborhood. Look for small obstacles for your puppy to jump over or run around. As he or she grows, you can look for more challenging obstacles, this way they don’t get bored of going through the same routine every day.

Hide and seek

There will be days when you won’t be able to take your dog out. Hide and seek is perfect for such days. It takes a bit of training for your puppy to understand the game, so be patient with them. Have them sit and stay in one place and have another family member go hide. Then, encourage the puppy to go find them.

If it is just you and your puppy then you can play hide and seek with a toy. Hide the toy and have your puppy find it. Make sure you pick different hiding spots each time.

Final thought

Keeping your puppy active and mentally stimulated is important for their growth. You need to dedicate time every day to play brain games with your puppy. It will keep them entertained and happy while encouraging their development. For puppies that go to puppy daycare brain games can help counter behavioral issues learned from the facility. Which ensures they only pick up good habits from puppy daycare.

The Benefits Of Use A Puppy Grass Pad At Your Home

Your Puppy Care Training April 14, 2021March 26, 2021Puppy Grass Pad, Puppy training, Toilet Training

Getting a new puppy is fun and exciting. You’ll get a lot of licks and laughs, but there’s a lot of work to be done as well. If you want to set your puppy up for success, house training and potty training are fundamental steps. When it comes to potty training, a puppy grass pad is a popular approach.

A well-behaved pup starts with potty training. Moreover, there are many methods to do this, but one of the best is by using a puppy grass pad. These square potty pads have layers of absorbent material that will make your life easier.

Although every pup is different, and their preferences will vary, with the right guidance and consistent training, you can set up your pup for success by using a puppy grass pad. That said, let’s take a look at the 5 best benefits of using a grass pee pad.

Benefits of Using a Puppy Grass Pad

Prevents Odor

Whether you live in a house or an apartment, the smell of dog urine can make your home a very uncomfortable place to live. That is why indoor and outdoor grass pads are perfect to avoid the undesirable smell. The artificial grass pads come with odor-eliminating scents that can reduce urine odors.

Easy to Maintain

Not only do they prevent odor, but puppy grass pads are also very easy to clean and maintain. You can clean these pads with regular soap and warm water. Moreover, if you use disposable grass pads, you can simply throw away the used one, and place a new one.

Great for Younger and Senior Dogs

Both young and old dogs have problems with going outside to the bathroom. While young pups are still training, senior dogs with health and mobility issues can also benefit by using these grass pee pads.

Indoor and Outdoor

These grass pads are great for indoor training. But equally, they are great for outdoor use as well. If you don’t want your puppy to pee all over the yard, a grass pad can be the designated place for a bathroom break.

Safe

Every time your pup goes outside for a toilet run, the areas that it uses the most are filled with potentially dangerous bacteria. The more often it uses the same spot, the risk of bacteria growth is higher. With synthetic grass pads, the disposable pee-pad and the grass pad can be removed and cleaned on a daily basis, making these grass pee pads a lot safer for a young pup.

PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor/Outdoor Puppy Grass Pad

Generally speaking, potty pads can be used by all pet parents, but they are especially handy to people that live in apartments and want to train their pups to use the restroom indoor. This is where a puppy grass pad comes in handy.

The Pet Loo portable puppy pad comes in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. Depending on how big your pup is and it’s going to grow, choose the appropriate size. Furthermore, some pups want more space to circle around until they find the right spot, so choosing a larger size is always recommended.

The Pet Loo grass pad is not only great for indoors but outdoors as well. Because it resembles a patch of grass, it’s ideal for apartments, homes without a yard, or when you are traveling, and you don’t want your pup to wander around. It’s perfect for small places such as campers, RV’s, and patios.

Included in the Pet Loo Box:

Pet Loo Base
Grass Pad
Waste Container
Disposable Pee Pod
Trial Size Wee Sponge

Puppies can be easily trained with the Pet Loo because it feels like real grass. However, cleanup is so much easier. Remove the synthetic grass mat from the base, and simply rinse with warm water. Moreover, the disposable Pee-Pod slides out of the base where the Wee Sponge powder works wonders. The powder not only absorbs the urine but also solidifies your pet’s urine for disposal. The now solid waste is odor-free.

The PetSafe Pet Loo works well for small puppies, senior dogs, and even cats. If you want to avoid those early morning toilet runs, or if you are too busy in the evening, this puppy grass pad is the perfect solution for you.

Conclusion

When you potty training your pup, stay positive and consistent. It will take time for your pup to learn how to use the potty pad properly. In addition to this, try having daily walks and exercise in the fresh air.

Overall, there are many benefits to purchasing a puppy grass pad for your dog. They are low maintenance, can eliminate odor, and you can also reinforce outside training by incorporating the same grass pad into the process.

A guide for the best treats for puppies

Your Puppy Care Training July 10, 2020January 29, 2021Best treats, Puppy, Puppy training

If you are welcoming a new puppy to your home, you will need the best treats for puppies. Treats are something pet owners use on a daily basis. Treats can often encourage good behavior and captivate your dog’s curiosity. If used properly, treats can also help a dog work out its frustration, excessive energy, and overcome fear while developing good habits.

If you walk into any pet store, you will find an overwhelming amount of dog treats. There are several types of dog treats and they can vary depending on their purpose. If you want to find some we recommend, see our puppy supply list.

The Best Treats for Puppies

1. Treats for Training

Treats are most commonly used during training. You can incorporate many different types of techniques and methods of training like vocal praise and clicker training, but using treat-based training with these are a great way to let your puppies know they are executing and accomplishing the correct behavior.

2. Treats for Bonding

We love bonding with our dogs, and we often do this by giving them the best treats for puppies. Not every treat needs to be a reward for a specific action, sometimes we just like to spoil them and show our love and affection.

3. Slower Eating Treats

If you are at work and your pup is left home alone, knowing that your furniture will not be destroyed can give some peace of mind. This is where slower eating treats come in handy. You can also use these treats when you have to do your daily chores and you need a treat that can occupy your pup’s time. Slower eating treats are great for relaxation.

4. Treats for Cleaning Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a difficult routine to maintain. The best treats for puppies include treats that are designed for this purpose. Just like humans, a dog’s dental hygiene is important if you want to avoid bad breath and dental problems.

5. Treats as Supplements

You can use treats as a way to provide your dog with a specific dietary supplement when treating a condition or if your dog is a picky eater. Treats may be the best way to keep your dog healthy.

The Difference Between a High-value Treat and an Everyday Treat

The best treats for puppies can also be divided into high-value and low-value. So what is the difference between high-value and low-value training treats? Understanding this will help you a lot when it comes to training your pup.

High-value treats are treats that your dog doesn’t get regularly, but absolutely loves, and will do anything to get them. These treats are exciting each and every time. On the other hand, low-value treats are treats that your dog is used to and gets every day for his normal routine. And while your dog will still work for them, he won’t show the same motivation and interest.

You should use a high-value treat when introducing a new behavior, in highly distracting environments like the park or any crowded place, when rewarding your pup for a quick response to a cue, or when it’s aggressive, anxious, or scared.

Examples of high-value and low-value treats:

High value: sausages or chicken meat, freeze-dried meat, dehydrated meat.
Low-value: dried dog food, chunks of fruit and vegetable, dog biscuits.

You can even perform a quick experiment, simply put a piece of meat in one hand, and a dog biscuit in the other, and see which one your puppy chooses. In most cases, the pup always goes for the high-value treats first.

Some high-value treats might be a low value treats for some dogs, and vice versa, so you need to decide from the start what kind of treats you are going to present to your pup and identify what your dog considers a low or high value treats so you can reward them appropriately.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for training treats or regular tasty snacks just to show your puppy how much you adore it, don’t be afraid to test out different brands and flavors to find out the best treats for puppies and which ones your dog will love the most. It’s also a good idea to change it up now and then and surprise your pup with exciting new treats. Soft treats, crunchy treats, homemade treats, it’s best to let your puppy be your guide.

To find out more tips and tricks for your puppy, have a read of our blog posts.

How To Do Puppy Socialization While Social Distancing

Your Puppy Care Training April 5, 2020January 29, 2021Covid-19, Puppy Socialization, Training at home

If you have recently brought home a new puppy, then you will know the first few months are crucial when introducing new environments, people and other animals (puppy socialization). But due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, you may not be allowed to see other people, due to social distancing, to help this socialization process.

However, according to some experienced and famous dog coaches, you can still socialize your puppy even in the present restricted circumstances! I have done some research gathering these tips from trusted professionals so you can do these from your own home (make sure to puppy proof your house first), so your puppy grows up to be well socialized and okay in new environments and changes! Even while respecting self-isolation.

What is puppy socialization?

While socializing your puppy, it is a good idea to make her familiar to new sights, smells and sounds around her, as well as introduce her to other dogs and people, so she can learn how to behave around new things in their lives.

The current lockdown period due to the outbreak of Coronavirus can be the golden opportunity for you as well as your puppy to get socialized and for training new skills and behaviors. You can use this time to make your puppy familiar with various new things around her so that she can enjoy many new experiences without getting nervous, which will follow her into adulthood. You can safely use puppy socialization tips provided here below to introduce your fur baby to the changes in the world as soon as possible.

Socializing puppy during lockdown period

While socializing your puppy at the time of social distancing, your focus should be on building his trust and relationship with you so that he can meet different new things more confidently. You can easily prepare your puppy for the changes after getting back to normal circumstances, if your puppy is happy and confident with you. You can combine a few treats and games with your attention and praise to take your puppy out of nervousness, if he is potentially scared of certain objects.

Tips for puppy socialization during social distancing

Introduce some domestic sounds: You might be using a washing machine, vacuum cleaner and various other appliances in your home even during the lockdown period. You should familiarize your puppy with these domestic sounds.

Bring in sounds of the outside world: There can be various sounds which your puppy has to experience after lifting off the lockdown. It can be the sound of trains, fireworks, thunderstorms or traffic, etc. You can download these sounds through some app or some online videos to introduce them to your puppy in a gradual manner so that later on he can ignore them easily instead of getting scared. Start the music audio small and do regular things around the house, and gradually raise the sound to be loud, so your puppy ignores the sounds.

Take him to different places: You can take your puppy to different places, if you can go for a walk in these circumstances (if it is safe to do so). It will not only give exposure to your puppy to different environments and smells but also allow him to learn not to attract every person when you are keeping a distance from them. If you go for a walk, maintain social distancing by crossing the road if you see new people or go early in the morning/late at night to avoid large amounts of people. This should be done regardless when they are a puppy, as they aren’t fully vaccinated nor trained on how to behave with others.

Introduction with different terrains: Puppy socialization can be made more effective by making him walk as well as play on different types of surfaces like slippery floors, wood floors, grass, bath tub and carpets in your home or garden, etc.

Spend some time in the garden: If you have a garden in your home or nearby it then it will be easier for you to familiarize your puppy to different types of smells like the smell of other animals, humans, trees and plants, etc. You can also teach him how to ignore them by rewarding him frequently.

Use a lead: Puppy socialization during social distancing can also help you in making your puppy ready for normal circumstances. You can use a lead to teach him how to sit calmly on that lead when you are having a drink or chatting with someone. You can practice this tactic at different locations like in your garden, terrace or room, etc. It will help you while chatting with your family and friends in a pub, restaurant or cafe after the lockdown period is over. We recommended the best puppy supplies for your convenience if you’re unsure what you need for getting a puppy, have a read!

Conclusion

By following the above discussed tips, you can help your puppy to be socialized safely without having to come in contact with others. This way, your puppy won’t be set back just because during the most crucial time of learning it is stuck inside. This will not only help in building the trust of your puppy in you but also introduce him to the outside world and allow him to experience a number of new things in his life during this period of social distancing. Remember, it won’t last forever and the regular ways of socialization will continue once this is all over! Enjoy spending valuable bonding time together and make the most of all this extra free time!