Stacy Adams
623-810-9427
Here are little tips and tricks that I have learned along the way in raising dogs. These can be helpful to all dog owners. Depending on how in-depth this page gets it may be broke down into chapters to help guide in topic areas. I also welcome other ideas or tips on how other breeders have raise or trained their dogs and would be happy to add it to this page so that others can benefit from the vast knowledge for simple solutions to common dog care.
Puppy hood
Remember what is cute as a puppy, may not be cute as an adult!
Raising a puppy is like raising a child, without consistency they will not understand why sometimes it is ok and other times it is not. You set the rules so it is your responsibility to keep the rules the same every time.
Teething soother - Cut up fresh carrots into 2-3 inch chunks then freeze. Not only is it nutrition but helps to relieve gums during teething.
Boogie Can (Shake Can) - Aluminum can (Coke, Beer etc), 15 pennies, & duct tape. Wash out can and take off the tab after it has dried insert 15 pennies, some use rocks but I think the metal on metal sound works better, duct tape the top so the pennies cannot come out. I usually make up about 10 cans at a time and place them throughout the house. When you catch your puppy in the process of doing a "No, No" you reach for a Boogie Can and toss it at the puppy, the noise of this startles the puppy. It is always best to use the verbal command "NO" at the same time. Soon just the shake of the can with your verbal "NO" can achieve results. Puppies will learn that certain things are "No, No's". NOTE: Praise for good behavior is just as important as corrections. Also always pick the "Boogie Can" back up so that puppy does not think it is a new toy.
Potty & Crate Training - Crating a puppy can be one of the best training tips to do. Not only does it help you in potty training but it also keeps your new family member from getting into serious or potentially deadly trouble. For potty training it is easier to clean a crate pan than to ruin your carpet with the expected accidents that can happen while your new puppy is learning to control their bodily functions. When you take your puppy out of the crate make sure to immediately take them to where you wish them to use the bathroom. Puppies get side tracked quickly so be patient with them when they run around wanting to play and forget to use the bathroom as you wait for them. I always like to give a command for my babies to potty. I prefer to use "Go Hurries" but a lot of people just use "Go Potty". Use this command when you first take your puppy to the place you wish to have them use to relieve themselves. Once your puppy has started to go quietly praise them with the command you wish to use for the potty command. I usually will say " Good Hurries, Good boy/girl" By giving a command to this daily function your puppy will soon learn that when you say this that you wish them to relieve themselves, this will also work wonders when you are away from home and need to potty your dog as they will know it is ok for them to do their thing even though it is not like home. Potty training a puppy takes time, patients and consistency. Always keep a close eye on your puppy, they will give you little signs of their need to relieve themselves in the beginning, you should be watching for your puppy to start circling, this can be small circles or very very large circles and can be done while playing. Once you begin to recognize this the less chance your puppy will have to have an accident. Take them outside and wait until they have relieved themselves before continuing to play or bring them back inside.
When you are crate training also remember that the crate is not to be a bad place for your new puppy. Although it is ok for short "time outs", the crate should never be a punishment place for your puppy. I personally like to feed my dog in their crates, this not only make the crate a great place to be in but it also helps me to know who has eaten all their food and who is off and not feeling well. It also has the advantage of being able to feed my dogs up off the floor (with the Coop Cup feeders that attach to the crate) so that they stand while eating (which helps tons during the teething stage where puppies will start to come down in pasture). By making the crate your puppy's own safe spot or room of their own you will soon see how your puppy will love their crate. The crate will make them feel comfortable and secure, their place to get away too when they need some time to themselves. If you have children it is important that you teach your kids that this is the dogs room and they are not allowed to play in the crate and that when the puppy wants to be left alone it is the puppy's place to not be disturbed. You will find your puppy curling up in their crate on their own when they become tired and want to get away from all the attention for a while.
Crates are another thing I like to give a command too. I use "Load Up" although some people use "Crate". But by giving a command to the crate your puppy will soon learn when to get into their crate without a fuss when you want them too. I will use the command when I open the crate door to feed them. If your puppy watches as you get their food ready to feed them they will become excited, and as they dance around I will tell them to "Load Up" and wait for them to jump in their crate for the food. You will have to guide them in the beginning but by saying the command each time, your puppy will quickly learn that they get their food when they get into their crate.
Lost
Microchipped lost Dog - It is very very very important if you lost your dog that has been microchipped to contact the microchip company that the microchip is registered with to inform them that your pet is lost and update any information that might have become outdated.
More To Come
Still Under Construction
