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How to Lead Train a Poochon Puppy

September 19, 2018 by Designerdogsonline

Chevromist Kennels on Instagram_ “@Regrann from @mochathepoochon — Chevromist Kennels on Instagram_ @mochathepoochon

It may come as a surprise to some, but you will need to lead train a puppy if you expect them to walk with a leash. A dog’s natural instincts are to run free and explore and being on a leash restricts that ability. The good news is that you can lead train your puppy to walk while wearing a leash if you follow a few tips that will help you do it right.

Start with the Collar

You’ll want to put the collar on first and let your Poochon puppy get used to it. Start by letting the puppy wear it for a short time in the house as you play and give the puppy treats. It will not be long before the puppy associates the collar with having fun with you.

Introduce a Command

This means creating a sound cue that lets your Poochon puppy know that a treat is coming. This can be a simple noise you make, such as a clicking sound or the like. Your puppy will make the connection when on their leash that a treat is on the way when you make that sound. Of course, you’ll need to provide a treat each time, but that will get your puppy’s attention.

Use the Command to Control Movement

When on the leash, back up a few paces when calling your Poochon and reward them when they follow you. This is where the command comes in as they will associate it with a treat and come to you to get it. You’ll need to practice this a few times as puppies can get easily distracted. Plus, keep the training session short and do not wear them out.

Start Lead Training Inside

Just because they seem ready doesn’t mean that going outside is the best place. Start inside by walking them around on the leash and rewarding them when your Poochon comes to you. You can start in the living room, hallway, or whatever place works best. Your goal is to have them respond to you while on the leash, so they keep up.

Lead Training Outdoors

Now you are ready to go outdoors. Remember to be patient as there are many things that will distract your puppy. So, start with a short walk that lasts for a few houses and keep you eyes on them. When they seem to get distracted, give your command, walk a few feet away, and reward them with a treat when they follow.

Remember to be gentle and not pull or drag your Poochon along. Instead, be patient and use the command to get their attention and reward them when the puppy behaves. It’s best to be proactive at this stage and anticipate potential lunges, distractions, and barks by giving the command and rewarding them before it happens. Pretty soon, your puppy will be walking with you on the leash with few incidents.

Understanding how to lead train a puppy of any breed is one of the easiest skills they can learn. You simply need a little patience and understanding as you introduce your puppy to walking while on a lead.

Feeding Bones Safely to Dogs

August 8, 2018 by Designerdogsonline

Giving your dog a nice juicy bone as a treat seems like the right thing to do, yet most dog owners refrain from doing so. Why is this the case? When asked why they don’t give their dog a bone, the average dog owner will regale you with stories of choking, cracked teeth, and intestinal issues, although the tales they tell are usually based on hearsay as opposed to an event they experienced first-hand. Many dog owners have become a little gun shy in feeding bones to their dogs, which may explain why gum disease among dogs is now more prevalent than ever before.

Before we get to talking about safely feeding bones to your dog, let’s first take a moment to explain the benefits of doing so. As we already mentioned, gum disease is at an all-time high right now, and part of that is because we feed our dogs dry food and do little to keep their teeth and gums healthy. When dogs work over a juicy bone, the chewing, biting, and shearing action that is involved in getting at the bone helps remove tartar that can lead to unhealthy teeth and gums. Internal issues, particularly those having to do with the digestive track, also appear to be less in dogs who regularly chew bones.

The question now then is why so many vets recommend that you do not feed bones to your dog. The reality here is that most people who do give bones to their dog tend to give them the cooked variety. This is where problems can arise, as all the goodness that you find in an uncooked bone is essentially leached out during the cooking process. Dogs, especially those who are dry fed, have a harder time breaking those types of bones down in the stomach, as the use of dry food means that they have less stomach acid than dogs that are primarily fed a raw meat diet.

The upshot of all this is that bones can indeed be good for your dog, assuming that you take the time to give them the right type of bones. Cooked bones are always a bad idea, so never feed those to your pup. Similarly, large leg bones are also not a good idea for smaller dogs such as Cavoodles and Moodles, as they are fortified with iron and zinc, which tend to make them tougher and more difficult to chew. A big bone like that is a better idea for bigger dogs such as Groodles and Labradoodles, but they can still damage their teeth, as their natural instinct is to bite down on those bones.

Oxtails appear to be the perfect choice, as they are smaller, less tough, and are usually surrounded by meat. A raw, meaty bone can be given to your dog once a week without doing him any harm, but you should still be paying attention to his stool, just to be sure that all is well. If you notice that they have small yellowy-white stools, ease back on the bones, as this is a sign of too much calcium. Other than that, let your dog enjoy the benefits of a good bone.

Safe Car Travel

May 3, 2016 by Designerdogsonline

When the whole family is going for a holiday, or even just a day trip, many families like to include their dogs in the expedition. After all, why should only people get all of the fun? Most dogs love a car ride but a few may need to be trained and conditioned for it. Start gradually with short rides and they will become accustomed to it over time – at which point you can safely start to increase the time and distance of each trip.

This Groodle loves to go for car rides but should be kept inside the car for his own safety.

Keep dogs restrained in the car

Dogs who are free to jump around inside the car while travelling are in danger of becoming injured. Train her to lie down on the back seat so they are unlikely to fall should you need to break all of a sudden. If she is travelling with you in a two seater vehicle, then have her lie down in the passenger seat next to you.

It’s important to mention that no dogs should be travelling with you unrestrained while in the back of a ute. Many a dog owner has reached the end of their journey only to realize that their trusty companion is no longer with them. Even tied up they are at risk of hanging themselves if thrown free, or may sustain serious (and possibly preventable injury) in the event of an accident.

Dog safety products

There are quite a few companies who manufacture accessories for your vehicle to make travelling with pets a lot easier and safer. Pet barriers work well for minivans, wagons, or SUVs which give your pet room to stretch their legs while they remain safely constrained behind the rear seat. A harness or restraint may suit some dogs, but look for one that allows your dog the freedom to sit or lie down. Beds from home will provide a level of security and comfort for your pet but you could also consider getting one specifically for the vehicle. Older dogs will also appreciate a ramp that allows them to get into and out of the vehicle without the need to jump if they are too big to be lifted into the car.

Dogs and open windows

Dogs are a lot like little kids and love the feel of the air rushing past them as they stick their heads of an open window. Of course, this is very unsafe, so ensure your windows are not wound down far enough for them to do this. This is even truer for smaller dogs who may be able to jump through a window should it be left open.

Long trips require a little planning. You will need to carry a bowl and some water, a lead, and some snacks for your dog. Every couple of hours have a rest stop, let the animal stretch its legs (and you as well), and have a bit of a snack before resuming the trip.