behavior
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Don’t let boredom ruin your new puppy’s brain
Your new puppy likely won’t need to fight for food in the wild. That means you’ll need some fun enrichment at home to keep your canine cutie happy, healthy and out of trouble (from boredom). You’ve taken the first important step to giving your puppy a happy, healthy life by seeing your veterinarian, but medical and preventive care aren’t the only things a new dog needs to thrive. The good news is, veterinary professionals are an excellent resource for ways to keep your puppy physically and mentally healthy. Enrichment is fun! Dog ancestors hunted and foraged. Of course, your puppy is dramatically different in many ways from canine ancestors, because domestic…
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Teach your Dog to Ring a Bell
Housetraining some dogs can be especially challenging because they do not learn to clearly signal when they need to eliminate. Teaching a dog to ring a bell when it needs to go outside can be a huge help when housetraining. It takes time but is relatively simple if you follow the following steps: Purchase a small bell, and set it near the door through which you usually take your dog out for elimination. Ring the bell immediately before opening the door to go outside with the dog. Your dog should already be leashed so that you can step outside with her as soon as you ring the bell. Do this…
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The Secret to Housetraining your Puppy
There is a lot of myths out there about properly housetraining your pup. Here’s the real secret to making sure that your puppy is eliminating (peeing and pooping) properly, and both you and your pup are happy in the end. Here’s the good news: your dog’s wired to make housetraining possible. But it is up to you to set her up for success. Wild canines bed down in a den together with their mom. When they’re really small, their mom cleans up after them. As they grow, cleaning up after six to eight kids can become daunting! Because of this, nature has provided. As a puppy’s brain matures, she starts…
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5 Secrets to a Well Adjusted New Puppy
Socializing your new furry bundle of joy (and energy!) is something you can do with a little work. Start here. Did you know that puppies learn and develop a big part of their adult personality by 16 weeks of age? It’s true, and if you want a happy dog that takes life in a joyous stride, the clock is ticking. The positive (or negative) associations that young dogs develop during this critical stage of brain development can last a lifetime … for better or worse. So let’s make it better! Note: Don’t force things! Make sure these exposures are done in a way that’s comfortable for the puppy. Don’t keep…
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PUPPY MILESTONES: What to expect when you’re adopting
Congratulations on your new puppy! As you watch your playful little new furfriend grow, you may have some questions. When does the pup start learning? When do its permanent teeth come in? When is your pup considered an adult? Read below to find answers to some of these common questions. Five puppy milestones Whelp: A newborn puppy that lacks the ability to see, hear, or regulate body temperature. Neonate (0-13 days): The pup cannot see, hear, regulate body temperature, or eliminate without stimulation from its mom. Transition period (13-21 days): The pup’s eyes and ears gradually open, and it begins to hear and respond to taste and smell. Awareness period…
