Potty Training Puppy Tips—–What is The Best Dog for Families with Children?

My first dog acquisition experience was right out of the book—a novel to be closer to the truth.  Remember the stories about the dog following the boy home?  That’s my story.  I enticed this beagle to follow me home and I don’t remember how or why my parents agreed to let the dog stay but, they did.  The rest is history.  I was probably about eight years old and I don’t remember much about that dog except that it was my first.  Since that time I’ve been the friend of a German Shepherd, a Collie, a Samoyed, a Golden Labrador, a Rat Terrier, and now, a Bichon Frise.

The Bichon was the only dog I bought that I researched beforehand.  I’m glad I did.  I learned a lot about that breed and was very pleased when he finally came home with us.  As of this writing, he’s 11 years old and has slowed down considerably but still a very loyal and loving companion.  He’s always happy to see me when I come through the door.  His tail, curled up over his back, flaps like a flag in the wind.  And, speaking of wind, he’s breaking a lot of that now but that’s another story.

Most of us guys want a manly dog and, if we were the only ones making the choice, we may not take into consideration the needs and characteristics of the larger breeds.  Since the decision wasn’t being left solely up to me my input was limited to my personal experience with a variety of dogs.  The wife had the most to say and her criteria included: non-shedding, non-allergenic,  and a sociable breed that was good with kids and adults.  I added that I wanted a smart dog that was easily housebroken and could be taught basic commands.

My job was researching on the internet and forking over the cash.  What else is new?  Since I enjoyed the research aspect that wasn’t a chore but turned out to be interesting.  We settled on a Bichon Frise and purchased one from a local, reputable breeder.  He turned out to be all the things we looked for in a dog:  very little shedding, nobody was allergic to him, and he was good with the kids, and was easily housebroken and learned some basic commands and a few tricks.  I was surprised at how easy it was to train him to go outside.  With constant attention for about a week he quickly learned to go to the door, or to get our attention that he needed to go out.

So, if you’re in the market for a dog definitely do your research and you won’t be disappointed.  It’s not just small dogs that are best suited for kids and that’s why doing some checking is an important thing.  We chose a smaller breed because that’s what the queen of the house wanted.  You know, there is a corollary to the old phrase, “A Man’s Home is his Castle—–until the Queen arrives.”

It can be easy to assume that because a dog is small it will be good around children. That’s not always the case. Just because a little dog is less likely to knock a child over or play too rough in a game of tug-of-war or chase, it doesn’t mean every small dog is suitable for little children.  Some small breeds may feel a small child is a playmate and will nip and scratch so keep that in mind as well.

Some of the better small breeds that are good with kids are:
Bichon Frise
Toy or Miniature Poodle
Cairn Terrier
Boston Terrier
Pug
Tibetan Spaniel
Havanese
Maltese
Shih Tzu
Dandie Dinmont Terrier

There are some large breeds that are great with kids as well:

Golden Retriever
Labrador
Poodle
Irish Setter
Viszla
Newfoundland
Collie
Bull Terrier
Beagle
Bulldog

If you see a breed that you are familiar with or one that interests you do some further research until you narrow it down to a choice that your family can agree on.

Just remember all the little things that go with having a dog.  Who will do most of the walking, the feeding, the training, etc.?  How long will the dog be left alone when you plan on leaving for work, school, or just a night out?  How about vacations—who will handle the dog or will it come along with you?

Of course, remember the time needed to do potty training of the puppy.
Learn How to Potty Train Your Puppy

Puppy Health Care – Quick Guide to Best Practices

Bringing up your puppy is very similar to bringing up a baby. Except, as my mom would say, a baby eventually grows up and learns to take care of itself as an adult.

I don?t mean to scare you ? just want to put things into perspective for you ? your puppy relies on you from the day you bring him home. It need you to feed it, to groom it, play with it, and love it. You are also responcible for your puppy?s health care over its lifetime ? you need to make sure he feels and looks good, and to make sure you know when things are not right.

Your puppy health care responsibilities involves things like taking him for his regular checkups at the vet. Or making sure he takes his worming tabs, flea pills. Taking him for his vaccinations on time. And making sure he?s clean, fed, warm and safe.

I know ? it is basic ? but you?d be surprise what people miss when they are not informed about the things they should look out for. So, to avoid health complications and diseases later on, here are some of the best puppy health care practices to follow:

1. His Food.

Dogs are not picky eaters, but that does not mean that you?re free to feed them anything you want. For one, they are not built the same way we are. If you feed them table scraps, your dog might develop intestinal parasites later on.

Also, their body reacts differently from ours; for example, if you unknowingly feed chocolate to your puppy, STOP IT! It poses a lot of danger, because chocolate contain Theo bromine, a chemical which can be toxic for dogs.

Another mistake that pet owners make is to overfeed their dog. Sure, chubby and plump dogs are adorable, but I sure hope you are not compromising their health because of pure aesthetic reasons. Overweight dogs are susceptible to a lot of illnesses and joint problems. Dogs cannot handle large amounts of food and they don?t know when to stop eating; it?s recommendable to feed your dog once or twice (at the most) a day in small portions ? if you?re unsure ask your vet or look on the packet of the particular dog food you buy ? they usually have recommendations.

2. His Vaccinations.

When you first take you r puppy to the vet he will be able to give a specific schedule and choice you have for your puppy?s vaccinations. There are some vaccinations that are compulsory, but there are those that are entierely your choice ? your vet will help you decide what suits you best.

Here are some of the available vaccinations for more serious diseases, but make sure you ask your vet for more specific advice for basic vaccinations for your puppy?s health care needs.

Distemper vaccination ? canine distemper is a very deadly viral dog disease. Some pet owners usually find out too late. Unfortunately, there?s no cure for it so prevention is still your best weapon. Parvovirus vaccination ? young pups are usually afflicted by this disease. It?s a highly communicable disease so in order to protect your dog, and other dogs in your neighborhood as well, have your dog vaccinated for parvovirus. Adenovirus vaccination ? Dogs contract hepatitis due to canine adenovirus. Your dog should get adenovirus shots to prevent him from getting this disease.

A word of warning: Be aware of what some of the signs are for an allergic reaction to vaccinations. If your dog becomes sluggish or develops hives, or has difficulty breathing, take him to the vet immediately! Now obviously your vet is highly trained, but things happen ? and it?s better that you?re prepared on the odd chance that they do.

3. His Grooming.

Coat, teeth, ears and nails ? these comprise an important aspect of grooming and of your puppy?s health care. Your puppy will not only look healthy, but it will FEEL healthy too.

Coat ? If he has a long or medium length coat brush it every day to avoid hair tangling and matting. For short coats ? once every 3-4 days will do. Ears ? Clean his ears with moist cotton balls twice a month at least. If you don?t clean your dog?s ears, it could lead to an ear infection ? it?s not pleasant for your pooch, and it will cost you to take him to the vet. Teeth ? Unlike humans, dogs don?t need their teeth cleaned every day ? thank goodness; about twice a week will do. But like humans, your dog can develop cavities if you don?t brush his teeth regularly, so make it an appointment with you doggy friend. Nails ? Don?t let your dog?s nails grow too long to prevent him from accidentally scratching you or any family members.

4. Spaying and Neutering.

If you do not plan to breed your own dogs, it?s recommended you consider spaying or neutering your puppy as soon as it is ready. It?s not possible to watch over your dog 24/7; so as a responsible pet owner, try to do something about the continually growing population of dogs. Your vet will be able to advise you on your options.

5. His Status Quo.

This simply means that you should get to know your puppy?s usual disposition. This is very important because only if you know him, you?ll be able to spot if something?s wrong very early ? and the earlier you tackle a health problem, the more chance you have of curing it and saving yourself and your loved pooch grief.

6. His Safety.

We all love to think nothing will ever go wrong ? and I sure hope it never does with you and your pup. But reality sometimes hits us unexpectedly ? so that?s why I always advise my friends to take up even the most basic of pet insurances for their dog. Make sure it covers the things you feel you won?t be able to afford in an emergency, the rest you can pay for as and when you need to ? this way insurance doesn?t have to be expensive.

Remember, a healthy dog makes a happy dog. If you follow these dog care practices, your dog would enjoy a longer and more stress-free life.

The Development of your Puppy

The progression of a puppy in the first ten weeks is very important. Just like a human baby, a puppy needs lots of love and care. There are many factors which can hinder a puppy’s physical & mental growth.

The First Two Weeks

A puppy is born blind and deaf, and for the first two weeks of his life, he doesn’t do a lot except sleep (around 90 percent of the time) and eat. While he can’t hear or see, he can feel and smell, and the combination enables him to find the all-important nipples on his mother. The mother dispenses milk that contains antibodies that help the pup survive for six to ten weeks. Propelling the pup to his mother are very undeveloped and weak legs. The puny legs also allow the puppy to huddle together with his siblings. The legs develop somewhat while the puppies are asleep because they twitch, something called “activated sleep.”

The puppy is nurtured by his mother, of course, which includes his mom licking his belly, which stimulates the little creature to defecate and urinate.

Depending on how the mother feels, human beings may or may not be allowed to pick up and nurture the puppies every day. When this occurs, it helps man and dog bond more easily.

The Third Week

During this week, the puppy’s other senses start to operate. He can detect light and dark, as well as movement, and will respond to large or sudden sounds. He will start to interact with his brothers and sisters, and he starts developing social skills by this interaction, i.e., feeling them with his paws and snout.

He learns to crawl, and his tail begins to wag. He can also venture from his mother to urinate on his own. In some cases, puppies, though not weaned, can be fed liquid food suggested by a veterinarian.

The Fourth and Fifth Weeks

During this period, the puppy’s muscular development increases to the point where he can walk, run, and pounce on his littermates. It is a period of endless exploration, and the puppy’s interaction with his siblings teaches him a lot, including when he’s biting too hard – which elicits a tough response from a littermate – and where he belongs in the aristocracy of the pack – he will alternately sleep at the bottom and top of the puppy pile.

If the puppy is misbehaving, Mom occasionally may get involved by growling at him. This discipline sharpens the puppy’s sense of right and wrong, which can make training easier. The human training process becomes so much harder if the puppy is not disciplined by his mother, like dogs that are orphaned.

The puppy is likely to stop suckling during this time as his teeth develop. Mom will chew, swallow and bring up food for her puppy to eat, which he is able to do in the fourth week.

The fourth week is usually the time when fear is developed: Most of a puppy’s fears are picked up by instinct from his mother, and will include growing scared of his owner if he is treated badly.

The latter portion of this time is when the puppy starts to become socialized with the human family, becoming more aware of the sights and sounds in the house, as well as interacting more with individual members.

The Sixth and Seventh Weeks

This is a time of wonder and curiosity for the young pup, but he is also very sensitive to emotional harm. His emotions will be revealed; he’ll start barking to get attention, whining to show fear, and whimpering if hurt. Take care not to scare or upset him in any way. It’s best that the dog be allowed to relate one on one with a human being, allowing trust to start to build. It is also a time of great fan. He should be given a supply of toys, because he will be very rambunctious and needs them to interact. If he goes too far when playing, his mother will put him in his place. When the puppies are weaned, have their own teeth, and can eat by themselves, the mother dog assumes the role of alpha or pack leader. The mother will show her puppies – using toys – when it’s appropriate to bite.

Puppies will also attack each other to establish dominance and to determine who the alpha is.

The Eighth Week

During the eighth week, the puppy will start to develop bathroom habits. He will use his own place to go, and it won’t be near where he eats. He will look for a place to relieve himself by sniffing about. The eighth week is also a crucial time in socialization – this is the time when fears can be established. You should take care to make sure that all the puppy’s experiences are positive ones, or he may carry around the fear for life. For this reason it is preferable to wait until after the eighth week to take a puppy to his new home. For example, if the puppy gets carsick, he may be afraid of cars, and it will take a lot of training and desensitization to get him to enjoy riding in one.

The Tenth Week

Now the puppies stop battling each other – the alpha and omega in the litter have been established. This is the best time to get a sense of a puppy’s personality. Any fear the puppy might have experienced in a strange place stops – he is ready to find a new home.