Puppy Training 101 - Step Two

If your new family member went through Puppy Training 101 - Step One here is the information that will take Fido to his next step of living a happy, well-balanced life. If you have not read Puppy Training 101 - Step One click www.associatedcontent.com/article/5534700/puppy_training_101_step_one.html

The most important things a puppy must learn are not just housebreaking but the training that will keep Fido safe from harm and a good steward of good manners. So that being the goal of any pet owner here are the second steps to making the new addition to your home ready for their debut ball to friends and family.

Puppy needs to do and learn several things to be a well-mannered family member. Once puppy is housebroken the worst is over, lets hope.

Next step in your training sequence should be chewing. A puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth at about 6 weeks to 3 months of age. When teeth begin to loosen and fall out the gums will swell and turn red and can be very painful for your new puppy. One way a puppy can alleviate the pain is by chewing. There are no medications to use on your lovely little puppy to help with the pain. DO NOT use any kind of products that are for human tooth pain such as Orajel. These are not for use with animals.

It is a disaster when owners come home and puppy has chewed his way through the couch leg or other personal items. This is where the crate can be very beneficial to the pet owner. Once again if owner is not able to keep an eye on the puppy for a period of time place him/her into the crate. This is not a cruel punishment but a way to keep socks, shoes and table legs free of teeth marks. It is also better for the puppy since he will not be getting into trouble.

Always provide chew items for puppy, rawhide chew sticks, or string pull toys. There are many items that can be found at the local pet store that are puppy gentle and good for teething Fido. One thing to avoid is Little Greenies. Per conversations with my veterinarian at Montevilla Animal Hospital here in Portland, Oregon these Little Greenies have been found lodged in clumps inside stomachs and intestines of pets in the recent past. Little Fido will not just chew this item but swallow it and the Little Greenies do not digest well in the puppy tummy.

Do not tie a knot in a sock or use an old shoe to let puppy chew his pain away. This just leads to puppy not being able to distinguish the shoe you gave him for chewing from the shoe worn to work or play. Same with clothing items or dishtowels or any other item that is in your home. Always use specific dog toys so that puppy can always tell what is his and what is yours when it comes to items that can be torn apart.

Play with your new puppy with his toys get him excited about them when they are first purchased. Always wash these items before giving them to your little friend because most pet stores such as Petco, Pet Smart and others allow dogs and cats inside their stores. There is never a way to tell if all the dogs coming into the store are vaccinated or in good health and one never knows if the customer before you allowed their dog or cat to mouth the item you are getting ready to purchase.

If puppy is still trying to chew on pillows or table legs purchase some bitter apple or puppy off products at the pet store and spray these items. It is necessary to spray the items every 6 to 8 hours or perhaps spray them about 10 minutes before puppy is released from his crate.

Please remember that taking puppy to the pet store is exposing him to others who may be sick so keep puppy up to date on all of his shots at all times throughout his life.

Stay tuned to the next installment of Puppy Training 101 - Vaccinations and time for puppy to meet the world.