Stopping dogs jumping up

August 17, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Stop Your Puppy Jumping Up On You

Most dog owners are puzzled as to why their dog jumps up but if we look at dogs as pack animals whose ancestors lived in the wild we know that puppies would greet an adult by licking their muzzle, as it was a signal for the adult dog to regurgitate food. Domestic dogs no longer (or rarely) do this for their pups but the muzzle licking has survived as an instinctual behaviour. Of course, humans don’t exactly have muzzles but puppies will still try to jump up and lick our faces – which is the closest thing to a muzzle in their eyes.

When the puppy is small and cute humans will say “oh, how adorable,” when the pup jumps up and licks their face, and just like that the puppy has now received his reward for a new learned behaviour. However, small and cute only lasts so long because once the dog is 12 months old he is ruining clothes with muddy paws, and bowling old ladies over with his rambunctious jumping. This is especially important in smaller breeds like Poochons that seem to get away with murder!

Start Training Early

Start early when your new puppy comes home. Only pay attention to them when all four paws are firmly planted on the ground. For this to work everybody in the household needs to follow the rules. Visitors will be a cause for frustration when they inadvertently provide positive reinforcement because they don’t really mind the dog jumping up, but it’s important that you let them know what you are trying to do in not letting the dog jump up to greet people.

Avoid paying attention to the dog until they settle down. They will eventually learn to greet you in a calm and controlled manner whenever you arrive home. If she does jump up ignore her by turning your back to her and not pay her any attention at all. When she does settle down reward the behaviour with a pat and some praise, but keep it calm so they don’t get too excited again. This may take a few repeated attempts but after a while she will start to associate jumping up with being ignored and will stop the behaviour.

Many owners have had success by using a command to distract the dog from jumping up. When the dog jumps up on you turn your back on her but keep her visible in the corner of your eye and command her to sit. When she does so be sure to lavish her with praise. If she proves to be too excitable to notice the command keep on ignoring her until she quiets down and then try the command again. When she finally does sit praise and treat her to reinforce the behaviour. After a while your dog will soon learn that following your command is what will get her the reward, rather than the jumping.

Teaching a Puppy their Name

August 10, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

How to teach your puppy their name

Thinking of a name for the new puppy and then having everyone use it until the puppy learns to associate themselves with that name is the way most households go about teaching a puppy its name, but there is a much more efficient and reliable way to go about it. Dedicating a little time to teaching pup her new name will go a long way towards ensuring future obedience training sessions are more effective and easier. A dog who is trained to recognize her name properly will always respond reliably when she is called, rather than the haphazard way many household dogs respond to their name – when they feel like it or not at all.

Positive Association With Their Name

When you use your dog’s name it should mean to them that you are talking to them and they need to give you their undivided attention. Once you can reliably get your dog’s attention after calling them all subsequent training sessions become much easier because the dog is focused on you. It also makes it easier to get your dog’s attention should you notice them running into danger, such as crossing a busy road to chase a wayward ball.

A little basic knowledge is needed to start training your puppy to recognize her name. Firstly, never use the puppies name in a negative way, such as for scolding when she makes a mistake. Reward the pup lavishly whenever they do respond to their name, and never use the name for any other reason. It’s in this area where a lot of people go wrong.

Dog owners often use the dog’s name as part of a command, or yell it to tell the dog off. This is never a good way to use your puppy’s name. She will eventually learn to ignore it altogether as her name becomes associated with negativity and being in trouble. Why would she turn and give you her undivided attention when she knows that she’s just going to get a severe talking to. However, if she is positively associated to her name then she is always going to turn to see what you want her to do next.

Get the Puppy’s Attention

First start by getting her attention. Pick a time when there are going to be no distractions, and puppy is not tired or over-excited. Say your puppy’s name once only in a warm and happy tone. If no attention is forthcoming make kissing noises or clap so she looks at you. Once she does look at you treat her with a reward and lavish her with praise.

Let her attention wander and then repeat the above process. Once she looks at you again immediately reward and praise as before. Repeat the process for 8 – 10 minutes only as puppy will soon get bored with the experience and the training won’t be as effective. With one to four training sessions a day and lots of praise and treats your puppy will soon learn to respond to her name every time.

As you progress in the training vary the locations, such as in different rooms of the house, or your backyard. Make sure distractions are still at a minimum as puppies have a ridiculously small attention span. Start extending the time between calling her name and rewarding her. Try to get her to a level where she is giving you her attention for about 5 seconds before receiving the treat.

Once you can reliably hold her attention for about 5 seconds add some distractions such as a child playing in the room, or her favorite toy. When she is completely distracted try calling her name. Give an immediate reward and praise this time, without the 5 second delay. You might like to have a leash applied at this stage, so you can apply some gentle correction. Once she successfully turns her attention away from the distraction up the time delay between calling and reward as before, until you once again get her to 5 seconds.

Keep repeating the above process until you can successfully get your puppy’s attention no matter what is going on around her. Always remember to never use your puppy’s name as a command, but merely as a way to get her attention while she waits for you to tell her what to do next. Also, never use her name to call her over for anything unpleasant such as nail trimming, or putting into a crate. And be sure to always call her name in a pleasant happy voice, and never with an angry tone.

Puppy Coat Changes

August 3, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

When does my puppy’s coat change?

A puppy is born with a light fuzzy coat, aptly dubbed the “puppy coat,” which always helps to give them that adorable cute and cuddly appearance. The coat aids in keeping puppy warm and to protect him from the elements. Depending on the breed, and even between pups of the same breed, the age at which pups shed this coat will vary, with the majority beginning to start shedding at 12 to 16 weeks of age. With the low to non-sheddding breeds such as Groodles and Cavoodles, this may be the only time you notice them loosing much coat at all.

Time for the Adult Coat

Your puppies beautifully soft fur will begin to fall out in clumps, and start to look thin and patchy. The harsher adult coat will begin to appear amongst the fuzz and you will even notice changes in the colour of the coat. All of this, of course, is completely normal. The time it takes for your puppy to completely lose his puppy coat will vary between dogs, with some taking just a few days (with the obligatory extra vacuuming), while others may take at least a few months for the new adult coat to completely take over.

Once your puppy sheds his puppy coat completely he will continue to shed fur for as long as he lives and you will notice it bunching up around the house and find strands of it on your clothes. While dogs are always losing a little fur the actual shedding of the coat ebbs and flows in volume depending on the season.

During autumn dogs will start to lose the light summer coat which grew out through the spring, and replace it with a thicker, plusher winter coat to help them cope with the colder winter months. As winter recedes and spring approaches the cycle will start over again, and the dog will begin shedding the winter coat to make way for the sleeker and lighter summer hair.

How Much Shedding?

The degree of shedding will depend greatly on the environment the dog lives in, with indoor dogs shedding noticeably less than dogs which spend all of their lives outdoors, as it is the environmental temperature which ultimately triggers the degree of shedding. Of course, this only applies to shedding breeds, with the non-shedding breeds not loosing much, if any hairs at all.

Puppies can be groomed as soon as they get to their new home. Make sure to use a soft bristled brush at this delicate age and use it over the entirety of the puppy’s body. The direction of the brushing should follow the direction of the coat. Make sure to frequently remove the old fur from the brush as you groom. A good 15 minutes grooming every day will help you bond with the little guy, acclimatize him to grooming in general, and help accelerate the shedding process.

Being the pack leader

July 27, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Dogs are pack animals and the pack has a strict hierarchy, with the “alpha” at the head of the pack. Establishing yourself as the pack leader in your home is the best way to ensure that your dog takes you seriously, follows commands, and behaves in a predictable manner. You don’t become pack leader by being a bully, but instead establish control through resource control, confidence, giving direction and following through with everything. A specially prepared dialogue which everyone in the household knows to use when communicating with the dog is also essential, so he knows exactly what’s expected of him no matter who is giving the command.

Don’t Spoil your Dog

A dog that gets everything he wants when he wants will soon come to think of himself as the pack leader. This applies to both larger breeds like Labradoodles to smaller breeds like Moodles. Make your dog earn everything including petting, feeding, or even talking. If he is demanding attention have appropriate obedience commands in place to use before he gets what he is asking for.

The head of the household eats first in any pack and in the home environment this means all the humans eat first. He should be made to wait politely before eating and should not do so until he is invited. It should also be made very clear that humans are the food givers. Feed him once or twice a day only and remove all food after 10 – 15 minutes. Treats should only be handed out once the dog has earned it by obeying a command, or even performing a simple trick.

When entering or leaving a building, leaders always go first. Dogs should be made to sit and wait, and then be given permission to leave or enter. This also includes outside environments when walking through a gate. If your dog is still learning, block the entrance with your body so they cannot rush past you.

Lead The Way

An alpha dog would never step over another animal blocking their way. They will always make the other animal clear the path. You should treat your dog the same way. If they are taking up the hallway, or doorway, they should be made to move before you go any further. The same goes for sitting down. If the dog is sitting in your favourite chair gently remove him in a non-confrontational way and then sit down – then give him position to sit where you say he can sit.

Never give a command without following through. If you give the command to sit, ensure the dog always does what you ask of him. If he fails to do so don’t beg, plead, whine, yell, or punish but help the dog achieve the desired action. When he finally does obey be sure to shower him with praise. Obedience training is also highly recommended as you will receive expert guidance on the best ways to handle your dog.

If you think this system is being too controlling or unfair to the animal, consider how many dogs are given up each year due to behavioural problems. Dogs thrive on structure and firm guidance and it is the owner’s responsibility to provide it – with it always being to the detriment of the dog if they don’t.

Introducing Puppies to Birds, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

July 20, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Bringing a new dog into the mix with a home that already has birds, rabbits, or guinea pigs can be quite a challenge. Dogs’ natural hunting instincts tend to take over when confronted with these animals, putting the smaller animals in severe danger if care isn’t taken to properly prepare the dog for the meeting. Despite the challenge, it can be done, and with training and patience everyone in the household can eventually learn to get along.

Start Slowly

The trick is to start slowly. A dog in the wild is a natural predator and as such rabbits, birds, and guinea pigs will all be considered food at first sight. Even small placid dogs such as Cavoodles can have a hunter hidden inside – with the poor little guinea pig seriously outmatched no matter the breed – so care needs to be taken with every type of dog. As you gradually introduce the dog to the other pets start very slowly, giving them brief periods of contact over a couple of weeks so they learn to be comfortable with each other. At no stage should you rush these encounters as this may become life threatening to the smaller animals.

Most animals are territorial so find an area of the house which both animals will consider neutral. Birds will be most comfortable away from the room their cage is kept, or a room which they normally don’t spend any time in. A bathroom, or little used spare room may be good choices as these are areas of the house most animals spend very little time in.

Keep your dog restrained

To start, the dog should remain leashed and the birds, guinea pigs, and rabbits should remain safely in their cage. Keep the leash on until you see that the animals are becoming comfortable with one another. Before you start the introductions make sure you have plenty of treats for all parties. Birds and dogs, in particular, are easy to bribe with food so make sure to reward any good behaviour with a tasty treat.

As you notice your dog becoming comfortable with the other animals it’s time to start allowing the dog off the leash. If the dog starts to misbehave and becomes aggressive reattach the leash until they settle down again. After a while you may become comfortable enough with your dog’s behaviour to take the other animals out of their cages for a little closer contact.

New Friends

There will come a time when you will feel it safe to allow your dogs and other pets to mingle with each other but it’s important to closely supervise them at all times when they are together. Accidents happen and dogs can succumb to their instincts at any time despite their best intentions. To play it safe simply keep the smaller animals in their cages whenever the dog is around.

Stopping Dogs from Digging

July 13, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

As with most dog problems the best way to stop your dog from digging is to determine why they are doing it in the first place. Next to chewing, digging can be one of the most destructive behaviours a dog can participate in which will soon turn your once beautiful backyard into a muddy holed filled mess.

Understanding Digging

Dogs can dig for any number of reasons with the most popular being that most dogs simply love digging. Other dogs may be trying to get your attention, or they may be bored from a lack of physical and mental stimulation. Dogs can also find the smell of freshly turned or fertilized earth irresistible, and many won’t be able to help themselves. Other reasons may be that they are trying to cool themselves down by digging a hole to lie in, or they may be digging themselves a den. Dogs originally bred for hunting, such as Beagles and Terriers, can also have an instinctual need to dig to flush out their imagined prey. Some Beagliers love to dig if they are allowed to as a natural carryover of their Beagle heritage but to a lesser extent that Beagles.

Changing your dog’s behaviour

Any behavioural changes required in a dog have one thing in common and that is consistency. Dogs need to have it made very clear to them what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. With that said here are a few proven techniques which may help you solve your dog’s problem digging behaviour.

Some dogs will dig to store a bone. If this is the case, then just stop giving him bones. Try a chew toy instead such as a rawhide bone, or pig’s ear. Most dogs are quite particular about where they dig holes and will dig in the same areas almost every time. If this is your dog, try blowing up a few balloons and burying them in areas he likes to dig. Once he’s confronted with the loud pop of a balloon exploding he may develop a negative association with the digging and stop.

Some people have had success with hosing but this method needs close supervision as you have to catch him in the act. When you notice your dog starting to dig spray him with water from the hose. The psychology is similar to the balloon method as your dog is learning a negative association with his digging behaviour.

Another popular method to make digging unpleasant for dogs is to bury chicken wire underneath the areas he likes to dig. Dogs find the scraping on their claws rather unpleasant and will learn to associate digging with this unpleasant sensation. A variation on this method is to scatter freshly cut rose trimmings around the area.

Letting dogs dig in a sandpit

Digging is an instinctual behaviour in dogs so if you don’t want to deny your dog the pleasure you could try building him his very own sandpit where he can dig till his heart’s content. A sandbox in a well shaded area should do the trick. Puggles love to use a sand pit if they are given the opportunity and provide hours of entertainment. To encourage him to use his sandbox bury a couple of his favourite toys while he watches and then encourage him to dig them up. After a little time and some positive reinforcement, he will learn that he can dig in this area and stay out of trouble.

Puppy Teething

July 6, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Puppies milk teeth are razor sharp and are responsible for many accidental but painful nips, so most new owners look forward to the time when pup replaces those razor sharp masticators for their blunter grown up versions. This usually happens at around 4 – 5 months, with the process being complete at around 7 months – give or take a few months depending on the breed. Larger breeds such as Groodles will develop at a slower pace than smaller breeds such as Poochons that go through these stages very quickly.

Because pups go through their growing stages 7 times faster than humans your pup losing his milk teeth can feel like a blink and you may miss this little milestone in the life of your puppy. You may end up pulling one of the pin sharp teeth out of your bare foot while walking around the house, or find a few embedded in his favourite chew toy, but in reality most of them are simply swallowed whole. Once the milk tooth falls out the body then reabsorbs the root of the tooth.

Human children will notice a loose tooth and can take extra care when chewing their food. Plus, they also have the option to ask for and consume food that is of the softer variety. Pups have no such luxury and we humans are generally oblivious to the occasion as dogs seem to have avoided the discomfort afforded to humans during this early phase. If you are to notice it all it will be when you see a gaping hole at the front of their mouth, as if they have just come home from a serious bar fight.

If the milk teeth do not fall out in time for the adult teeth to grow through the pup will have the appearance of possessing a double set of teeth for some of their teeth. If you notice that a baby tooth just won’t come out, a visit to your veterinarian is essential in order to have these problematic milk teeth pulled out to give room for the permanent teeth to grow through properly. Ignoring this situation may result in misaligned teeth, causing difficulty eating and poor dental hygiene which promotes rot and decay.

All dogs should have a system of oral hygiene as part of their overall health care with a routine visit to the vet for a check and a possible cleaning at least once every 12 months. Teeth can rot out quite quickly in dogs which may manifest in fussy eating habits. Unlike humans, dogs cannot tell you about painful headaches caused by dental issues, or how much agony they suffer while crunching down on their hard biscuits and bones. Make sure you keep a close eye on your dog’s oral situation so you can take care of any problems before they can cause your pet any serious discomfort.

Worming your puppy

June 29, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Worming your puppy

Drontal Puppy Wormer One of the most important first steps in caring for a new puppy is in starting a deworming treatment program. Unfortunately, most puppies are born with worms which they contract from their mother; either through the uterus before birth, or through the mother’s milk. For this reason the best policy is to start a puppy deworming program as soon as a pup reaches 2 weeks of age. Worming should be a continuing part of a puppy’s overall health care, with the puppy being treated at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks. Once the puppy reaches maturity a tri-monthly all-wormer should be regularly administered for the rest of the dog’s life.

For the health of the puppy “a better safe than sorry” philosophy is best as many species of worms can affect a puppy’s growth and development. Not seeing worms in a puppy’s stool is no guarantee they are free from infestation. Worms are internal parasites so you are unlikely to see any evidence of them unless the puppy has just recently been wormed or has a particularly severe infestation. In fact, you probably won’t see any symptoms at all in a dog that has not been wormed until the infection reaches critical levels.

When you do see signs of worm infestation puppies will usually display the following symptoms:

Weak and listless
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Swollen stomach giving the dog a “pot-bellied” appearance
Losing weight without a loss of appetite

The most common type of worm found in puppies is the roundworm. While there are over 15,000 varieties of roundworm only 3 of those are a problem for dogs. Most puppies are born with roundworm as they are passed on from the mother. Other common areas for puppies to pick up roundworms are from faecal matter and litter boxes, which means it is important to keep the yard and litter box clean.

Roundworms are extremely common in nature, and like their name describes, they are long and round; very similar in appearance to a strand of spaghetti. They are also extremely hardy as they can survive in cyst form for many months. When they are in this cyst form, they are in a type of deep hibernation that allows them to remain alive outside the dog, just waiting for the time when they are ingested by a dog and can continue their lifecycle and reproduction.

Other worm infestations your puppy may come into contact with are hookworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and heartworm – with hookworm being one of the most dangerous intestinal parasites. If a dog has suffered from tapeworm in the past, it must be regularly wormed as a dog infested with tapeworms may shed over a whopping 100,000 eggs per day!

Usually, a variety of products contain all that is required to keep your puppy free from all types of worm infestations and they are all fairly easy to administer. Tablets can be hidden in food very easily for breeds with a love of food like Beagliers, while some of the more picky Poochons and be wormed with spot on treatments. A good and reputable breeder should provide you with a detailed list of dates for your dog’s worming and instructions on how to worm the puppy yourself. However, it is important to carefully read the label of whichever product you choose to use and consult your vet if you are unsure. Your vet will be happy to give you advice, and even a demonstration in treating your puppy during your next consultation should you need it.

Why own a dog?

June 22, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

Why you should own a dog

Why own a dog? Most people know the answer to this question without even asking, especially if they grew up with dogs during their childhood. But apart from the obvious reason of just being a “dog person” what other benefits can dog ownership provide? Well, as it turns out, our furry companions have quite a lot of benefits that can make it a joy to share our lives with them.

Companionship

Companionship is a major reason, and perhaps the most obvious, to own a dog for dog lovers around the world. If you want a companion who is always going to be overjoyed at seeing you then a dog is the best candidate. As dogs are almost always in a good mood they are excellent company to have for lifting your spirits when you’ve had a tough day at work, or are just feeling a little down.

Staying Active

You’ve always got an excellent excuse to stay active if you own a dog. Whether it be a game of catch, running the obstacle course at the dog park, going for a jog, or even just a walk around the park your dog will love every minute of it right alongside you. If you would otherwise struggle at finding a gym buddy then a dog could certainly help you out in that regard.

Home Security

Dogs are also a great first line of defence for the family home. Sure, we can have our high tech alarm systems, but they can fail or be circumvented by crafty thieves. Dogs add an extra layer of challenge to would be intruders. Even gentle breeds such as Beagliers can make a racket when it comes to illegal entry into your home, alerting neighbours so they will at least look over the fence to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, some thieves will not be perturbed by dogs if they think the prize is worth it, but the vast majority will settle for an easier target if they notice a dog or two on the property.

Great for kids

More and more studies are coming out indicating that children growing up with dogs do better at school and are more confident on average. You can also teach your children about responsibility and caring for something other than themselves. While a goldfish could teach your children these things they just aren’t as much fun as a dog, and a fish certainly isn’t happy to see you when you get home from work (at least it doesn’t show it).

While there are plenty of great reasons and benefits to owning a dog it’s not for everybody. Always consider carefully whether a dog should be in your life as you don’t want to get one only to have to find a home for it later on; this is challenging to do for older dogs and can potentially put their lives at risk if they end up at the pound. It’s quite the commitment to have a dog in your life as they live 10 – 15 years, but if you’re the type of person who can make that commitment then the payoff is definitely worth it.

What is Microchipping?

June 15, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

What is Microchipping?

Dogs are part of the family so if they become lost it can be quite devastating for all concerned. Lost animals can end up in the pound or dog shelter where some are euthanized. In order to prevent this traumatic event from happening microchipping is used to help to locate dogs who have somehow wandered away from the family home. Affixing identifying information to your Cavoodle’s collar is another method you can use to ensure your pets are safely returned, but this is not foolproof as collars can be removed, or become loose and fall off. This is most likely with dogs that have wider necks such as Puggles and Beagliers but is possible with any dog.

microchip chart

Dog microchipping involves embedding an integrated circuit just under the surface of the skin of the animal. The chip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice, and created from biocompatible materials to prevent allergic reactions, and also to ensure it is non-toxic. Insertion is simple and completed without anaesthesia; nor does the procedure require any recovery time. The chip is inserted via hypodermic needle just under the surface of the skin in the area between the shoulder blades at the back of the dog’s neck. If your dog happens to experience any discomfort at all rest assured it will be quickly forgotten about.

tiny microchip Each chip is programmed with an identifying number unique to that animal. This number is then recorded in a database against your contact details. Should your pet become lost and subsequently found by the council or turned in to animal welfare a quick scan – using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology – will reveal how they can get in contact with you so you can be reunited with your pet. For this reason it’s vital that you keep these details up to date. Chips do not wear out or expire and remain with the dog throughout its lifespan.

Microchipping is mandatory for both dogs and cats in ACT, QLD, VIC, NSW, and VIC, but it is highly recommended to microchip your dog regardless of whether it is mandatory or not. To keep your details up to date it is a simple matter to visit http://www.petaddress.com.au/ and search for your pet’s microchip number. The website will then redirect you to the relevant database – currently there are 5 providers – who can then update your details should you need to. If you are unable to locate your pet’s ID with this method contact your vet, or wherever your dog was implanted, and ask them which database your pet is listed on.

microchipping-dogs size of rice Microchipping your pet provides a great deal of peace of mind and could prevent immeasurable heartache if your dog is somehow separated from the family home and becomes lost. If your pet is not yet microchipped then make an appointment either with your vet or an approved microchipping service and get it done as soon as possible. After all, you could be saving your dog’s life.

microchipGet-your-pet-microchipped