“COOL: SAN FRANCISCO & SHAKESPEARE”

So, your new puppy’s home. And he’s now getting used to you and his new environs. He’s sniffing, looking around, slipping and sliding as he runs across the floor. He’s having a blast!

However, keep in mind that while there’s certainly time for fun and games to mark the arrival of this cuddly new addition, there also needs to be time for rules and training. In order to forge a sublime relationship between you and your new pup, you’ll need to find time to train him in the dos and don’ts of living in his new digs.

This being said, training can be a blast too, for both of you. It’s certainly a proven way to bond. For most dog owners, training begins with housebreaking. This is a must for every pup and can take up to six weeks or more to really grab hold. Once it does though, you’ll be set. There’s always that breakthrough moment when you realize: “gosh, he’s got it!”

To achieve this, there are a few methods to try. Each varies, depending on factors like the amount of time spent away from home and the size of your pup. A constant however for all methods is that positive reinforcement is the best way to get through. Every puppy wishes to please and every time you offer praise, it will up his desire to duplicate that moment. Patience and praise. Give your puppy lots of both. Along with of course, tons o’ love.

* Originally written for MyHollywoodPets.com.

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When you get a new puppy, one of the first things to do is begin housebreaking him. A puppy’s day is very much about eating, playing, and… eliminating. In the early going, he’ll simply be a boundless ball of energy and it will take time and patience to work with him to understand that there’s a correct place to “go” and a wrong one.

However, it’s imperative that you never scold should he choose the “wrong” spot from time to time. Expect setbacks along the way, but be confident that your puppy is brilliant and that he’ll get it soon enough. The best way to help him is to praise him each and every time he goes in the correct spot. He’ll be thrilled and will associate that place/spot with all good things.

Keeping an eye on your pup
As for housebreaking methods, today, we’ll talk about a scenario in which you’re able to stay with your puppy at all times. The most obvious advantage of this is that you’ll be able to keep an eye on him, and more times than not, help him get to the “correct” spot(s).

When in the house, consider keeping your puppy on a leash in the beginning to ensure you can lead him outdoors when it’s time. Since you’re a constant for him, watch his behavior. If he begins to circle, recognize this as him preparing to eliminate. Lead him outside and when he does relieve himself, enthusiastically praise him for doing so. He’ll quickly begin to make the connection. Also, try establishing a word-association. When he eliminates, repeat a word like “outside.”

To further encourage your pup, take him outdoors regularly. Create a routine for him. Let him out after he eats, drinks water, wakes up, has a play session, or sniffs around. Once outdoors, let him explore and find an elimination spot of his choosing. As you guide him, let him feel as though he’s guided you.

Early development
In a puppy’s early development, note that he won’t yet have firm control over his bowel or bladder until about six months. As a result, he’ll need to go more often than an adult dog. On average, a puppy will need to relieve himself (at least) 6-8 times a day.

Thus, if you’re able to be with your pup all day/night, it’s important to take this time to create various routines for him. This goes for his eating, play time, and even the door he walks through to get outside. All of these will help create order in your puppy’s new world and lead him to establishing good habits, like knowing when it’s time to go “outside.”

* Originally written for MyHollywoodPets.com.

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Proper grooming is one of the keys to keeping your dog healthy. It also provides you with one more way to bond with him. Indeed, the time shared grooming can be as enriching as playtime.

Grooming your dog includes taking care of his coat, nails, eyes, ears, and teeth. In this blog, we’ll address some of the basics on how to care for your new puppy/dog. Simple ways to groom him at home:

Hair Brushing:
Begin by selecting a proper comb or brush. This will depend on the length of your dog’s hair. For brushes, you have a choice of bristle, wire-pin, or slicker types. For combs, note that ones made from rubber do well for massaging the skin as well. Try and make hair-brushing a daily routine for you and your dog. This will not only keep his coat shiny and clean, but also strengthen the bond between you. When brushing, be systematic, starting from the head and work down towards the tail. Never pull at tangles or mats (routine brushing will minimize such problems). Note that before giving your dog a bath, you should always brush his hair first.

Bathing:
Baths can be such fun, plus they eliminate pesky germs and dirt. To wash your dog, brush his hair (to remove tangles and loose dirt) and then wet him down thoroughly (using warm water). Apply only a small dab of shampoo; massage it into the skin, working from head to tail. Do not apply soap directly to your dog’s face ever, but rather, use a wet rag to clean it. When drying off, don’t create tangles by rubbing him every which way. Work with the grain of your dog’s hair and always brush him when wet to loosen and rid of knots/tangles.

Trimming Nails:
If a dog’s nails are too long, it can affect his walking, be a source of pain, and even impact his mood. Broken nails can be painful for your dog and are more likely to happen when nails have grown too long. To help him with this, regularly trim his nails. In our next blog, we’ll address just “how” to do so. It might be nerve-wracking at first, but our dogs trust us more than anyone and they’ll be happier if we do this for them.

Cleaning Eyes:
Monitoring your dog’s eyes can help in assessing his overall health. You’ll want his eyes to be moist and clear, as well as free of any hair. Did you know that hair can scratch your dog’s eye? It’s true. Not to mention, a dog will try and remove irritating hair from his eyes himself, using his paw or the floor – which could result in injury. To help avoid this, clip any excess hair and use a damp cloth to gently remove dirt/mucus. For dogs prone to “tear stains,” add a tear-stain remover to your weekly checkup.

Cleaning Ears:
Sadly, ear problems are not uncommon for dogs, but fortunately, they are treatable. You can also help prevent them with weekly cleanings. If there is any buildup, apply an ear cleaner to loosen debris. In addition, clean the ear flap and outer ear canal with a trusty cotton swab and/or washcloth. Make note of any telltale signs that something could be bothering your dog’s ear(s): an odor; scratching; discharge; redness or swelling; tilting of the head; or painful reaction when touched.

Brushing Teeth:
Just like us, a dog’s teeth must be cleaned regularly or else it can suffer from tooth decay, plaque buildup, cavities, or even more severe problems. To help keep these at bay, routine brushing can do wonders (in between vet visits). In our next blog, we’ll discuss this topic further, along with how to trim your dog’s nails.

In short, proper grooming can positively affect your dog’s health – both physically and emotionally. A nice bath can rejuvenate him, as can a timeout for brushing his coat, cleaning his ears, or applying a flea solution. Grooming is an expression of how much we care and as is always the case, your perceptive pet will recognize it as such. And love you for it!

* Originally written for MyHollywoodPets.com.

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