Category: Pets

A dog is a family member, and just as your kids will need to get out, stay active, eat well, and be social, so too will your dog. Dogs require a lot of care and attention, and if they don’t get it, they can grow bored and antsy, and that often comes across as misbehaviour or aggression. If it seems that your dog is misbehaving, look first to their health. A dog that seems to eat up your home and destroy things is one that is not getting the exercise nor the mental stimulation that they need to be healthy. Take care of their physical needs first, and you’d be amazed at how well-behaved and calm a dog can be at home.

If you need some tips to help improve your own dog’s health or want to start off on the right foot before you bring a new furry friend home, these tips will do the trick:

1.    Be Careful What You Feed Your Dog

This applies both to the human food that you may want to give them as a treat and to the food in the treats and dog food you buy for them. Many cheap dog food brands put a lot of filler that does not give dogs what they need to be healthy or active. Always check the ingredients to make sure that there are not too many fillers or other questionable ingredients, and if you can, try to stick with natural dog treats. They are healthier, delicious, and your dog will love them.

As for human food, it’s a good idea to print out a list of foods that we eat that dogs should never touch. Having it up on your fridge for a while can make it easy to refresh your memory and make it simple for everyone in your household to avoid feeding your dog those items. If there’s something else you think of once you’ve got your list sorted, like “can dogs eat pretzels?”, you can always check it out on the internet yourself and add it on to the list, if needs be.

2.    Build a Routine

Dogs love routine. When you are consistent, you can leave your dog home alone without them kicking up a fuss. You can keep them healthy, happy, and content. This routine will include when you feed them and when you go on a walk (or walks). Not only that, but by making it a routine, you can make it a simple matter to stick with it. Your health will improve, and so too will your dog’s. You don’t need to keep everything strict, however, go to different locations and routes on your walk to keep things fresh and exciting, but try to keep the general timings of when you do things with your pet consistent.

3.    Get them Used to Being Alone

Many dogs can develop separation anxiety, which is why it is important to train them out of it early on. Crate training is a good way to do this and can also speed up potty training and several other learning curves.

Another thing that you need to get your pets used to is the kennel. Find a great kennel and drop your dog off for one night before picking them back up before you go off on a big trip. This way, they know that you come back, and they are familiar with the people who work there and the environment. This can really help with their anxiety and make their stay with their dogsitter that much more enjoyable.

A new puppy is an incredibly exciting addition for any household. They bring a breath of fresh air and a new lease of life to your home with their bounds of energy and funny antics. Puppies aren’t just a form of entertainment, though; they require care and training to ensure that they grow into well-behaved dogs. Most people have met a dog owner who has not attended something like these Puppy Classes in Newcastle to start training their dog from a puppy, and it is not difficult to see what a challenge that dog has become to handle.

To give your new puppy the best start in life and train it to be well-behaved, take a look at these top tips.

1. Give It Plenty of Water

In all their excitement and youth, it’s easy for puppies to forget about their own basic needs, which is where you need to step in. After walks and particularly active playtimes, make sure your puppy drinks lots of water to avoid dehydration. Always keep a bowl of fresh water available for it to drink, especially if you go out of the house and leave them alone.

2. Train as Much as You Play

Training is an essential part of any puppyhood! Your puppy has to learn where it can and can’t go to the bathroom, when playtime’s over and, perhaps most importantly, to listen to its own name. For excellent training tips and advice, visit bestbehaviourdogtraining.co.uk; they can help you help your puppy.

3. Talk to Your Kids

Puppies and kids play off each other very well, but one thing they both have in common is that, often, neither of them knows when to stop. Educate your children about how to properly play with a puppy, as well as other animals. For instance, they shouldn’t pull its tail or ears. You can also encourage them to use dog toys when playing with the puppy. Even if the puppy is small, it still has sharp teeth to use when it’s annoyed.

4. Let It Explore

Everything is exciting and new when you are only a few weeks old. Let your puppy explore your house to its heart’s content, within reason. A puppy’s extremely strong sense of smell will take it on a whole tour of your house and allow it to get used to its new home.

5. Decide If It Can Go on the Furniture

Dog owners are divided on whether dogs should be allowed on the furniture. Is it worth the dog hair and scratches? Do you want to give up some special cuddles? Before you get your puppy, you should firmly decide whether you will let yours onto the sofas or not. If you let your puppy on them within the first few weeks or months but then change your mind, it will be very difficult to get the puppy to change its mind, and it will only confuse them. Make a decision either way and stick to it.

Preparing the House for Puppies

Preparing your house for a new puppy is an essential aspect of showing care and ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being. It involves a comprehensive approach that encompasses various steps to create a safe and welcoming environment for your furry friend. Firstly, removing sharp objects from their sight is crucial to prevent potential injuries as your puppy explores their surroundings. This includes removing items such as small toys, household tools, and sharp objects like knives or scissors that could pose a risk. Additionally, keeping the house clean is essential to maintain a hygienic environment for your puppy. Regular cleaning routines, including vacuuming, mopping, and disinfecting surfaces, help to remove dirt, bacteria, and potential allergens, promoting a healthy living space for both you and your pet. Checking for blocked drains is another important aspect of preparing your home for a puppy. Blocked drains can lead to water damage and hygiene issues, creating an unsuitable environment for your pet. By ensuring that drains are clear and functioning properly with the help of a plumber (search for plumber near me on the Web to find one), you can prevent potential water leaks, mold growth, and unpleasant odors in your home. Removing clutter is also crucial to creating a safe and spacious environment for your puppy to roam. Cluttered spaces can pose tripping hazards and make it difficult for your pet to navigate their surroundings comfortably. Clearing out unnecessary items and organizing your living space helps to create a clutter-free environment that is conducive to your puppy’s well-being. Addressing pest issues is another important step in preparing your home for a puppy. Pests such as rodents, insects, and parasites can pose health risks to your pet and compromise the cleanliness of your home. Implementing pest control measures, such as sealing entry points, using traps or baits, and maintaining a clean environment, helps to prevent infestations and protect your puppy from potential harm. Keeping electrical wires away from your puppy’s reach is essential to prevent accidents and injuries. Exposed wires can pose electrocution hazards and tempt your pet to chew on them, leading to potential shocks or burns. Securing wires with cable covers or hiding them behind furniture helps to minimize the risk of electrical accidents and ensure your puppy’s safety. In conclusion, preparing your house for a puppy involves a combination of measures to create a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for your new pet. From removing hazards and clutter to addressing plumbing issues and pest infestations, taking proactive steps to prepare your home demonstrates care and consideration for your puppy’s well-being.

Even if your dog has always been the most loveable furry friend, and you’ve never had a single problem with their behaviour, it can still be an area of concern when you’re faced with the prospect of a newborn baby in your home. Especially if your dog has never been around children or babies before, you may not know in advance how your dog is going to react. 

As long as the proper steps are taken and you supervise your dog and baby at all times, there is no reason the two can’t become fast friends – and the chances are your dog will take it upon itself to protect your baby any way it can. 

Here are some ways you can prepare for the important introduction. 

It’s a Good Idea to Take Your Dog to Training Classes

Training classes are invaluable for your dog anyway, at any age, but they are particularly important when it comes to being around a newborn. Your dog needs to know how to act appropriately and safely around a new person, and you need to ensure that it obeys your commands. 

If your dog is a little bit rebellious and cheeky, then you need to hone this with the help of private dog training classes in order to ensure a good relationship between your dog and your baby. You could start training classes when you decide to have children, or you could start taking your dog when you find out you’re pregnant – the sooner the better!

Consider getting your pup signed up to premier dog training and getting help with your needs.

Greet Your Dog Separately When You Bring Your Baby Home

All dogs love to jump on their owners when they see them walk through the door, but this display of affection could pose a risk to the baby if you’re carrying it in your arms when your dog decides to jump up at you. It’s a good idea to walk through the door without the baby in the first instance to greet your pup, and then bring the baby in once your dog has recovered from its initial excitement. 

Allow Your Dog to Get Used to Baby Smells in Advance 

Chances are that you’ve already filled your home with baby essentials in preparation for your child’s arrival, but you should let your dog sniff and explore these items in advance so that it can get used to the new smells and the items which will be commonplace when the baby arrives. 

You could also let your dog sniff the baby’s blanket and use any means necessary to let your dog know that the new smell is okay. 

Distance Yourself from Your Dog a Few Weeks Before the Baby Comes Home This may sound a little mean, but it’s not. Your baby is going to be taking up the majority of your attention when it arrives, meaning your dog is going to begin wondering why it’s not being played with as much, and may become jealous. By toning down the attention you give your dog in preparation for the baby’s arrival, it will be less of a shock to your dog’s system when the baby eventually arrives.

They are maligned for their washing line-masticating proclivities and mythologised for their troll head-butting talents but rarely have they been thought of as charming companions. Until now.

Pet cats can be vilified for fouling neighbours’ gardens, killing birds and getting lost — but now an electronic cage that can prevent them from straying beyond their owners’ gardens has won the approval of scientists.