Crate training puppies is as easy as 1—2—3… 1) Buy a crate 2) Put puppy in crate 3) Shut the crate door That’s it, right? I sincerely hope NOT! Puppy crate training is easy. Buying a crate is Step One. Let’s start there. The crate needs to be big enough for puppy to stand up and turn around in but not so big that he’ll be inclined to use it [...] Read more »
Easy Steps to House Training a Puppy
It used to be that puppy training was a haphazard affair until puppies reached five or six months of age. In fact, from time to time, I still hear that theory promoted. New puppy owners grumbled about in-house accidents but accepted them as part of bringing home a new puppy. About thirty years ago, Dr. Ian Dunbar ( his website is: http://www.dogstardaily.com/ )developed new ideas and methods of training puppies. [...] Read more »
What to Do When Puppy’s Family Comes Home
Bozo has been home alone all day. The family returns either together or one at a time and Bozo goes bananas. He barks, jumps up, and launches himself at the gate of his confinement area. “Wait! Please wait.” As difficult as it is not to meet his energy with your own high-pitched greeting, especially if there are kids involved, PLEASE DON”T. Right now, today, on your very first homecoming, let’s [...] Read more »
Leaving Your Puppy Home Alone
Being home alone is not so bad for Bozo if you set it up well. Dogs are crepuscular … isn’t that a neat word? I had no clue what it meant when I first heard it. Simply: active at dawn and dusk. That’s a helpful thing to know about dogs if you have to leave Bozo. It’s likely he’ll be happy to spend most of the day sleeping. Perhaps on [...] Read more »
Your Pup’s Safe Place… The Crate Part 2
Back in the post “He’s Here. The Early Days”, I suggested getting half a dozen or so stuffable chewtoys*. These are specific purpose toys. With these you will develop Bozo Pup’s acceptable object-chewing habit. Chewing is a natural behaviour for puppies. You will want to indulge that behaviour and enable him to form acceptable chewing habits. Squeaky toys, stuffed toys and balls are other use toys. Stuffed chewtoys are always to [...] Read more »
Your Pup’s Safe Place…The Crate
The crate. If you’ve done good homework and chosen a breeder who home-raised puppies, chances are good, Bozo will already be familiar with a crate. Many dogs I know will seek out a cave-like space under a desk or behind a chair next to a wall so we know the ‘cave’ concept is acceptable to them. The crate is Bozo’s moveable haven. Read more »
Puppies Pee. Puppies Poop. Where Do They Pee & Poop?
Not surprising at all, really. What goes in must come out. The problem arises when they eliminate in YOUR house, on YOUR rug and other inappropriate places. This is where YOU come in. It is absolutely 100% up to you to manage where your pup’s toilet is and to see that he uses it. One accident in the house, while only a tiny puddle or pile, is BAD NEWS. It [...] Read more »