Canine Corner - Dog Blog

Welcome to the Dog Blog!

 

Looking at our two boys, (Carny and Buddy) and watching them at play, we're struck by how many other canine/dog owners out there may have experienced the same frustrations we have encountered (or have yet to encounter).  So that is what this Dog Blog will cover.

 

Our biggest and admittedly first frustration was potty training also known as housebreaking your new puppy.  It is always seemingly difficult in the beginning but with two puppies at the same time it felt like we would never get there.  But get there we did!  Over the next several dog blogs, I will cover several things which you should find invaluable if you’ve never been down the path of potty training your puppy or dog (or even if you have).

 

The primary key to housebreaking is consistency.  And in our case, with two at once, it all began with crate training.  

 

The crate training method is perfect for any situation because let's face it...you are not going to be able to watch your new puppy 100% of the time.  Crates are not cruelty.  Crates are your puppy’s new home and that is just exactly how they will see it too.  

 

Your puppy and then dog will come to look at their crate as their own personal space.  In fact, we occasionally catch one of our two sleeping in the crate with the door open.  

 

In most cases, your puppy will not go where they sleep.  So it is good peace of mind for you that once they have done their "business", if you need to do something else and cannot supervise them, crate them.  

 

If you do get a puppy from a pet store (which I do not recommend), you will have to watch them in the crate too.  Puppies and dogs can be reformed from going where they sleep and although it can be difficult, it can be done.  The best thing is to start them out right with proper crate training.   

 

Once they are outside of the crate, the first thing to remember is to set boundaries.  This is also part of being a pack leader.  In the wild, pack leaders will snap, growl, nip or even bite other dogs in the pack if they are out of line.

 

In our case we have a large kitchen with vinyl floors and what I laughing call four "escape hatches" also known in this case as doorways.  Every possible outlet into the rest of your house should be blocked at all times so that they are allowed to roam outside of a considerably smaller area.  This can be achieved by child gates, boards, and in our case; even the crates themselves!

 

Blocking the “escape hatches”  is very important in order to establish the area they are allowed to be in.  Limit it to just that area and only with supervision.  

 

It helps to think of your puppy like a small child.  If you are not supervising them, we can guarantee that their "land mines and ponds" are not fun to step in.  Also, if you have any other dangers in the room such as cords plugged into electrical outlets, they will find those too so be aware and take care or you could end up with an accident requiring a trip to the emergency animal hospital or even death!  So, it’s best to “puppy proof” your training area from the get go.  Just do it!

 

That’s all for today’s dog blog!  Check back often and we’ll talk more about the potty training process.  Have a terrific day!  :o)