Puppy Feeding
Puppies should be fed a high-quality puppy food. Please limit “people food,” however, because it may cause upset stomach, very picky eating habits and/or obesity. More than a third of pet dogs are obese, and almost another third are heading that way. Obesity carries with it a number of serious health problems. Overweight dogs are […]
Puppy Chewing
Much like infants and toddlers, puppies explore their world by putting things in their mouths. This is normal puppy behavior. Discouraging Unacceptable Behaviors It’s virtually inevitable that your puppy will, at some point, chew up something you value. This is part of raising a puppy. You can, however, prevent most problems by taking the following […]
Puppy Behavior Basics
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, especially for dogs. The fact is, well-socialized dogs are more likely to have well-socialized puppies. Pups often mirror their mothers’ calm or fearful attitude toward people; this is a normal part of their socialization. But you can play a vital role, too, by petting, talking, and playing […]
Learning “Sit”
The “Sit” Exercise All well-mannered dogs should know that sitting is the best way to encourage people to say hello! Step 1: Teach your dog to sit on command. Stand up, show the dog a treat in your hand, say “Sit!” and lift the treat up and back over the dog’s nose (aim for about […]
Leash Manners
There are various methods for teaching a dog to walk without pulling. There are certain rules that ought to be followed no matter which approach you opt for: Until your dog learns to walk without pulling, all walks are training sessions. Keep training sessions frequent, short, and fun for the dog. You’ll be more successful […]
Dominant Dogs
For some people, the phrase “top dog” isn’t just a saying. It actually describes their dog. If you’ve got a dog who likes to boss you (or others) around, chances are you’ve got a dominance aggression problem in your household—a problem that could endanger you, your family, and others. Most dogs assume a neutral or […]
