| Puppies are like babies; they're lively, curious and they teethe. This can lead them into serious trouble unless you take preventative measures. Remember that a puppy may be attracted to things you cannot see when you are standing. It's practically impossible to puppy-proof your home against accidents, but for your puppy's safety, here are some suggestions. These may seem like common sense things, but especially for those who don't have small children, this is a good reminder! |
Puppy Safety
| Veterinary Exam & Urine/Fecal Check Your puppy's state of health will affect his ability to be successfully housetrained (housebroken). Make sure your puppy is seen by a vet within 48 hours of his coming home from the breeder or animal shelter. If your puppy does not receive a "clean bill of health", it is important that any physical conditions that can impede successful housetraining (such as cystitis, bladder infection, etc.) be properly treated. A fecal check will determine whether worms or internal parasites are present. (There are several types of worms that are not visible except under a microscope. Also, fleas can cause tapeworm.) Confinement When Puppy Can't Be Supervised Crate training or area confinement are recommended for puppies and most adolescent dogs when left unsupervised alone in the house. If properly introduced and used appropriately, crate training is an efficient and humane way to prevent housetraining accidents as well keep your puppy safe when you can not watch him (or when you leave the house/apartment without him). Be sure to read the section below about Crate Potty Training. The crate should not be used for excessive periods of time and should not be used as a punishment (although brief "time outs" in the crate are fine). Sufficient daily companionship, interactive playtime and exercise are very important to all puppies and dogs. [Note: Crate training and other forms of confinement must be balanced with sufficient exercise and companionship. Excessive periods of isolation can be very detrimental to your puppy, and can contribute to numerous behavioral problems including hyperactivity, destructive behavior, digging, self-mutilation, and excessive barking.] |
| Frequent Access To Backyard, Or Taken For A Walk If Fully Immunized Puppies need to urinate shortly after they eat, drink water, play, chew, or sleep. For most puppies over 10 weeks of age, that means somewhere between 5 and 10 times a day! Adolescent dogs (from 6 to 11 mths. old) will need 4 to 6 walks a day. Adult dogs need 3 to 4 walks a day, and elderly dogs need at least 3 to 4 walks daily (incontinent dogs will need more). Walks or playtime in the yard. Praise & Reward Your Puppy For "Going" Outdoors Lavish praise, a trigger word (ie: "potty", "get busy", "go make", etc.) and a treat reward immediately following his eliminating in the right place (newspapers, backyard, or outdoors) will help you to communicate to your puppy that you are pleased with his behavior. Delayed praise is not effective, so witnessing him going in the right spot is important. Early Interactive Socialization With People Is Important Early and ongoing interactive socialization with lots of friendly new people (including calm friendly children) is very important. If your puppy is not immunized sufficiently to be taken for a walk, make sure to have lots of new people visit your puppy in your home. You can also carry your puppy outdoors to public places to properly acclimate him to the sights, sounds and activities of the outdoors (especially crowds of people and traffic noises) soon after he has received at least two series of shots, provided he is not placed on the sidewalk or streets, and he is not brought near other dogs (or anywhere other dogs might have been.) Humor is always best A rolled up newspaper can be an effective training tool when used properly. For instance, use the rolled-up newspaper if your dog chews up something inappropriate or has a housebreaking accident. Bring the dog over to the destroyed object (or mess), then take the rolled-up newspaper... and hit yourself over the head as you repeat the phrase, "I FORGOT TO WATCH MY DOG, I FORGOT TO WATCH MY DOG!" |
| Puppy Care |
- Confine your puppy to a safe area inside and keep doors & windows closed. Puppies should not be left
unsupervised inside or outside because they will investigate, wander about and possibly get into mischief.
Keep puppy off balconies, upper porches & high decks. - Securely store cleaning supplies, detergent, bleach, paint, fertilizer, mothballs, insect and rodent poisons and
antifreeze. - Remove Poisonous house plants or place them out of your puppy's reach. Some common plants which are
poisonous include: amaryllis, azalea, bleeding heart, caladium, cleamatis, daffodil, daphne, dumbcane, english
ivy, foxglove, holly, iris, ivy, mistletoe, morning glory, narcissus, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, potato,
rhododendron, rubber plant, tobacco, tulip, weeping fig, yew. - Unplug or remove any electrical cords in your puppy's confinement area.
- Never give your puppy over the counter medication without consulting your veterinarian.
- Keep plastic bags away from puppies as they can get trapped inside and suffocate or they might chew and
swallow bits of plastic.
| Here's a little known fact for new Schnauzer owners. Most dogs like crates. To them, it is their haven, their den, their "home away" from, well, home. Although many owners are reluctant to train their puppies to use a crate, doing so can ease the housebreaking period, help puppies to travel safely and can give them a comfortable place to retreat for peace and quiet. Here are some crating tips:
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