Training Tips

Dogs love to learn particularly when their young – same as kids!

Things to buy

Things to buy before your puppy arrives:

Food as recommended by your breeder (check first your pup may arrive with some already). If you’re going to change foods, you’ll need to transition over time (10days), so maybe initially keep to the food they are used to.
2 Bowls – One for food and a larger bowl for water
Bedding – Again some breeders supply a bed. A cheap padded bed is fine, although a blanket or even a towel is sufficient. Look into the use of crates. They are great for containment and helps with toilet
training. Make sure to read up and know how/when a crate is used.
Treats – We recommend dry liver treats but used in moderation and used in conjunction with some
of training/reward.
Hard tasty chew toy. Goats Horn, Deer antlers, Cows hoofs, Bully Sticks – all are really tasty and great for them enjoying when they are left alone.
Toys – One or two is more than enough – don’t go overboard, simply house packaging is usually sufficient. One ball one stuffed toy
White Vinegar – ideal when mixed with 4 parts water as a cleaning agent for wee and poo clean up
(do not use cleans that contain ammonia)

Collar. Try to find the rough diameter of your pups neck and buy accordingly
Lead. A 2 metre lead is fine. Avoid extension leads
Brush – If you have a longer haired breed, get them used to being brushed at an early age. Slicker brushes are recommended.
Poo bags – legally you must carry these with you when out with your dog
Name tag with your phone number

Set for Success

Vital Steps in developing a good dog:

Most training is done on an ongoing basis as part of the dog’s natural routine – i.e. not necessarily spending 30 minutes each day during training drills.
Training is a progression i.e starting to make things more and more challenging

Teach your dog to walk on a loose leash – i.e. it’s a leader/ follower relationship and has ramifications in many aspects of day to day life.
In 99% of dogs, you don’t need to be a military captain (if you have that 1% we need to talk!), just a caring parent that expects a moderate amount of respect.
Food is a great motivator for a dog to do things but a firm ‘No’ is sometimes required (just like kids!).
Build a balanced relationship – kisses, cuddles, affection are great but needs to balanced with rules and boundaries. You don’t want your dog to think it can do anything and everything it wants when it wants. Set up boundaries in a dog life like no couch or bed unless they’re invited (your personal choice), don’t leave food or toys down 24/7, teach walking on a loose leash.
Appropriate behaviour – consistency is the key work here. It is totally confusing for a dog to different rules for members of the household – so work out what these are! If you don’t, you’ll have a dog that will do what suits them – which is not what maybe desired. Teach them not to touch things on a coffee table, not to jump up on people, not to bark at any noise or chew on things they shouldn’t.
Teach basic obedience skills- Improves focus and therefore develops a dog that looks up to you.
This is done initially in a quiet ‘event’ free scenario and over time increase the intensity, type and location of the training scenario i.e. train at home in different spots when it’s quiet then introduce distractions (e.g knocking on a door), then perhaps outdoors.
Your challenge is for your dog to keep focus or at least improve the dog’s ability to recover quickly from the distraction. Calm is the key word. Until a level of ‘calmness’ is achieved you don’t move on, start with simple!
Many of these things are relatively simple to teach, if you need help and live in Bayside Melbourne, our team of trainers are ready to help. Phone consults are also available.
Call Alan 0411 705 686

Puppy Proofing

Puppy proofing your home:

It’s worthwhile doing some puppy proofing of your house and garden before you collect your pups, although it’s mainly common sense – here’s a few ideas :
Remove anything that the puppy could pull or knock down onto itself (e.g. table cloths).
Barricade stairs with baby gates (available from Bunnings). Climbing up and down stairs on puppy legs can cause joint and hip problems. Some breeds such as Dachshunds may need ramps for any steps or couches (if you
allow them up there!)
Make sure your yard is fully fenced including being able to get under your gate, house or pergola. They are like mice and get through or under very small gaps.
Nailing chicken wire down a fence and elbow under the soil is a secure method in the garden or adding a small gap screen secured to a gate can pups from squeezing out.
Detergents, medications, garden poisons etc. are bad so move these out of reach.
Pick anything off the floor that you don’t want chewed – especially kids toys and thongs!
Power and computer cables make dangerous chew toys. Make sure they are out of reach.

Vaccinations and Wormings

Generally speaking pups will have had their first vaccinations which should have been organised by your breeder (at about 6 weeks), Make sure you get their vaccination certificate when you pick them up.
You will need to visit your vet to get your pups second vaccination at 10 – 12 weeks and then depending on your vet a third at 16 weeks. Allow 7 – 10 days after vaccination to become fully effective. Vaccinations are then recommended annually.
Speak to your vet on what social interaction they may have after their second jab.
Most vets may suggest it’s Ok to take your pup on low dog traffic areas (not parks) and not meet unvaccinated dogs. Friends dogs that you are confident have been vaccinated (and well behaved) are fine, but keep the level of play short and if it appears to be rough separate them, until they settle.
Worming (giving your pups worming tablets or ‘neck drops’) is a monthly
requirement weight appropriate dosage. There are several brands of chews or drops, Nextguard is a common effective brand, which also covers flea treatment but not tape worms and ticks.
Ticks are generally not found in the city area (particularly in Melbourne), but they can be picked up on country travels etc.