Puppy Advice (merged)

ms.prong

Good advice from everyone here.

I too was having trouble toilet training my puppy (5 month old Boxer). We were having problems with her just refusing to toilet outside most of the time. We would take her out and then as soon as we got in she would go on the carpet.

I was advised by people on here to give an extra special treat for when she does go outside (we use bits of hot dog) and this has done the trick. We have pretty much cracked it now, apart from the occasional accident and when she does go to the toilet she sits there waiting for the treat bless her.

Mojisola

The best way to introduce dogs to each other is to take them for a walk. Don't let them spend time interacting - get them straight out for a heads-down, "going somewhere" walk. There's something in the dog mind that says - if we've walked together, we're friends.

TAG

[quote=pink_piggy17;12188481
Also, tinned food is basically muck, your dog would be much healthier etc if you were to switch to a good quality, natural dry food e.g. royal canin, burns etc.[/quote]

She won't eat dried food. Plus it makes her sick.

Smashing

What are you actually feeding her at the moment?

Bromley86

TAG wrote: »

She won't eat dried food. Plus it makes her sick.

Call Burns on 0800 083 66 96 and get them to send some free samples. I'd be surprised if she was sick (or even if she refused them ).

Chicken & Rice won the taste test with our girl, but YMMV.

Tricia2008

I have fostered a few puppies for a rescue, so I can give you some advice from that experience.

Collar, I would introduce slowly put it on, feed a treat, take it off and slowly increase the time in between the treat and taking it off, I would not leave it on overnight or when crated at first.

Walking, the general rule is 5 minutes for every month old the pup is, but start slowly and see how your pup gets on, if you only go out for a few minutes at first no problem, always wait for the pups injections to be done.

Food, dry food is better than most tinned food, if the puppy is used to it I would stick with that.

Milk, it can depend on the puppy, some dogs can have dairy allergies, puppies don't need cow's milk, so it's your preference.

Kongs, there are a few, some are just toys, like the wubba, great for teething pups and the fleecey one is nice too. The basic kong is for you to stuff with treats, to occupy your dog, can recommend that one, just pick a size that suits your dog.

Crate, you don't need a crate, but they are useful for puppies if used correctly, again it's your preference, but I can honestly say that I would always use one with a puppy now.

Biting, as soon as the puppies teeth make contact with your hand, make a AWW noise and remove your hand, the puppy should react to the noise, most dogs pick up quickly, teeth, aww noise, no more playing. I prefer to train puppies without force or without inflicting any discomfort, it may take longer but that is my preference.

I would recommend a local training class, or a puppy class at yours vets. Always look for trainers that promote positive training methods.

The dogpages forum is a great resource for help with training, I would recommend Gwen Baileys book previously mentioned for a few tips and advice. Would steer well clear of Ceasar Millan and I am not a fan of the Jan Fennell dominance theory stuff either

Raksha

SAMHP wrote: »

I'm probably going to be in for a really hard time suggesting this and I agree your puppy is far too young to revert to this treatment but.....

When my Lab was getting just TOO boisterous and the play biting was too much to bear (6 months?) and all else failed - believe me, we tried - I took the 'last resort' advice of a respected local dog trainer.

"When she nips you, pinch the tip her of ear between your thumb and index finger" - this is exactly how her Mum would tell her 'enough is enough little fella'

Did it twice - never had to do it again.

Sorry but hurting a puppy does not teach it anything except that humans can't be trusted. A pups Mum (if she was a good Mum) certainly wouldn't pinch its ear (with no opposable digits that would be impossible). She would more than likely get up and walk away. It would be the pups litter mates who would teach it more than the mother dog - and they would squeal and refuse to play until the play was more gentle.........

mookiandco

Not sure as our pug eats fresh chicken every day with some bakers complete. Pugs eat anything and everything and ours doesnt know when to stop eating. They dont actually need that much as they are relatively small dogs they just look like chunky monkeys. They are very prone to being overweight so just because they look at you with their little puggy eyes in their little squished face, dont give them anymore than they need!!!

Pugs are super dogs and not really like dogs at all. Our pug even occasionally sits in her high chair and has her dinner. She's more human than dog. Good luck! There's nothing like a pug hug!

pink_piggy17

with the dried food, take her to the vet, she may have a sensitive stomach and he will advice you on the best type of food.
you also need to introduce a new food gradually, if she has been used to eating the tinned "food" then mix some dry food in with that, gradually increasing the amount and reducing the amount of tinned until there is no tinned only dry.
she will get used to it eventually, leave a dish of it down for 10 mins, if she ignores it, take it up. she will soon learn either eat or go hungry, you could also mix something tasty in like plain boiled chicken or meat or a boiled egg or some fish. (not tuna) to encourage her to eat it.

the tinned food will do more damage than good in the long term, it would be like eating a bag of sweets every day for you're dinner yourself.

Smashing

pink_piggy17 wrote: »

the tinned food will do more damage than good in the long term, it would be like eating a bag of sweets every day for you're dinner yourself.

Absolute rubbish! A good quality (not the pedigree chum/butchers muck) wet food is perfectly ok to feed a dog. Plenty of people prefer to feed dry (not just because it works out cheaper) but that does not make wet food bad or unhealthy.
Many owners find they have to 'wet' dry food or add tuna etc. to make it more appetising to a dog either way.