Puppy training | Your Puppy Care

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.

Training a New Puppy: Keeping Things Orderly at Your Home

Your Puppy Care New Puppy February 18, 2022February 18, 2022Puppy Supplies, Puppy training, Puppy Training Supplies

Puppy grooming tools, Training a new puppy

Adding a furry friend to your household is an exciting event but you should get yourself ready in training a new puppy. The goal is to instill good habits into your pet. This should also be a good foundation in establishing a loving relationship with your pup. A complete puppy training at home can take about four to six months. That is why you have to be consistent and patient in training your small, four-legged friend. Start your puppy’s training today by getting tips from this article.

Essentials for Training a New Puppy

We all know how puppies can be so adorable. However, the challenge is in getting it trained. Training a new puppy is not that easy. Puppies bark constantly, may take a piss near your sofa, and a lot more challenges come with them. Training is important, not just to make things in your house orderly but also to set you up for a great relationship with your pup. Here are some of the basic things you should include when you train them:

Using a Crate

The trick to help puppies settle in their new homes is through crate training. Crates give puppies their own space. Without crates, puppies may get bored, roam around your house, and end up ripping off or biting things they should not. Just like humans, puppies like their own spaces clean. That is why crate training also teaches puppies how to control their bladder and bowel muscles. This makes them learn to anticipate bathroom breaks and bedtime. A simple way of crate training is to give them treats whenever they go into their crates or directly feed them from their crates.

Potty Training

One of the most important steps in puppy training at home is teaching them about bathroom rules. The recommended age to start potty training is 12 to 16 weeks old. Teaching them early on their age prevents a lot of behavior problems in the long run. As soon as you get your pup, start them on potty training right away. Set them up in a routine where they can familiarize themselves with bathroom breaks. It can be when you wake up, after meals, when it wakes up from its nap, after playtime, before you leave home, and before bed.

You can also teach them to bark, ring a bell, or simply stand by the door whenever they need to go. Set a secluded area in your backyard or elsewhere at your home where your pup can do its business. Make sure to also find a distraction-free spot when you and your puppy are out. Don’t forget to give treats to your puppy every time they eliminate in appropriate areas.

Walking on a Leash

Expect that puppies will have a hard time walking easily on a leash. But this is important in training a new puppy as you will have to take it out eventually. Without leash training, your pup may strain against their leash and may result in aggressive behavior. You, on the other hand, may also struggle in controlling your puppy and end up frustrated.

For your peace of mind, you can start your puppy on a leash training as early as four to six weeks old. Slowly introduce the leash to your puppy by letting them sniff the leash itself and offering treats afterward. Put the harness on briefly and let them walk around the house dragging it. Once it is comfortable with the leash, try walking together indoors first and then eventually in other environments.

Socializing Skills

A critical step in a puppy’s development is teaching them how to socialize. Well-socialized dogs are friendlier and do not exhibit aggression. They are also easier to handle so it’s better to start building socializing skills while they are still puppies. There are a variety of strategies you can use to safely socialize your pup. You can invite people over at home or bring it along when you visit a friend. Meet up with friends who also own friendly dogs so your puppy can socialize with them.

Begin Your Puppy Training Journey

House training puppies is never easy. However, this is a rewarding task as it makes your pup independent, at the same time, friendly and obedient. As a pet parent, training a new puppy is your responsibility that is beneficial not only for the dog’s welfare but also for the peace and safety of everything in your household.

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.