|
Potty Training
Potty training for most families, is sometimes something that is over looked when looking for a new puppy. When you read a newspaper ad that reads pups for sale, almost potty trained, that is like someone telling you that she is "almost pregnant." Almost potty trained is just puppy doing it on paper. Potty training should start as soon as you bring your wee one home. However, you should not expect your puppy to have much control over this part of his/her body until 12-16 weeks. But you should start good habits from the first day home. We love to use a jingle bell tied to a door knob (the one that you use to go outside please) so every time you take puppy out, ring the bell and use some part of your puppies body to do this. Soon your pup will understand that the sounds of this bell that he/she needs to go out to the potty. Put the bell about two inches from your puppy's nose so it can reach it. Always praise your pup when he/she asks to go out, and again when he / she come in. As it is true that your puppy only wants to please you!!!
Imprinting is just as it sounds. It is something that we do with puppies over and over again. When our wee ones are 5 weeks we first start imprinting them to different sounds, (smells hold them in different ways) press on their paws and then we start grooming. At 6 weeks we imprint them to water play. We achieve this by playing in the tub/sink, or pool if weather is good. Bath time is very important imprinting. It should be fun for a puppy. We groom the puppy's nails every week. Ears and eyes are done if the breed needs to have this done when they grow up. At 7 weeks we start to imprint pups to a crate. This is a very important training tool. (No this is not cruel - as why do we put our human babies into a playpen? Why to keep them safe!) Puppies will learn that this is his/her safe place when moving into a new home. This is also a very good start to potty training. This does teach the pup to have control over his/her body movements (pee and pooh). No pup wants to dirty their den. Sometimes there will be accidents. This is never your puppy's fault. It just could not hold it any longer.
PLEASE do not rub your pups nose into any mess that he/she every makes whether it is in his den or in your home. This is unkind and will only reinforce him/her to continue to be a dirty dog! Puppies do not like to be in a dirty crate so if pup does have a accident in the crate please clean it up before putting pup back into it.
NOTE: most dogs that end up in the dog pound are in because they were never house trained, or are dirty dogs. (I recommend a book written by Barbara Woodhouse - "No Bad Dogs".) I do agree with her there are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.
Time table for puppies:
| WHEN | TYPE | DONE BY: |
| 8 weeks | vacination | breeder |
| 12 weeks | vacination | new owner |
| 16 weeks | rabies vacination | new owner |
| 20 weeks | if rabies not given at 16 weeks | new owner |
| 6 months | *spayed | new owner |
| 6 months | **neutered | new owner |
* Females should be spayed at 6 months before the first heat (Estrus).
** Males should be neutered; at 6 months or before he has sexual urges and starts to mount various objects, including people. (If you have every watched a litter of pups play together then you have seen them try out what roles they will play when they are grown dogs.) Keep in mind, it is not only the male dog that cocks it's leg to have a "pee", nor is it just the male dog that will mount things - females do it also.
Puppy shots are important, and so is a good vet. This is done at 8 weeks and then every 3-4 weeks until your pup is 16 to 20 weeks of age. Your vet will advise you on how to provide good care for your new puppy and also be a great resource in providing you with training programs in your area.
|
Note: Some breeders sell and give first puppy shots at 6wks. |
Having these done does not give the puppy guaranteed protection for the diseases that it has been vaccinated for. At 6 weeks most healthy pups are still responding to the natural protection that they received from the mother dog. (Understanding that the mother dog is up to date with all of her shots. As a good breeder it is vitally important that the primary medical care be given to the mother dog, as this care does show up in her pups.)
I believe that if puppies are sold at 6 weeks with first shots done, then this breeder is not trying to achieve excellence in what she/he is breeding for. Thus believing that any of the animals in their care are not the best of breeding stock, and they are only in it to make a fast buck. (The hard work looking after a litter of puppy's starts at 6 weeks - once you have weaned them from the mother dog!)
|
Note: Newspaper adds that advertise: PUPS FOR SALE - $200.00 |
This may seem like a good buy to you if you are looking for a puppy, but I urge you to step back and ask your self "why is this breeder selling these pups for so little money?"
As a good breeder I know that puppies take up a lot of your time, and you do not get paid for this. Your rewards come in knowing that you have done your very best in choosing this puppy's mom and dad. Plus in making yourself available at the time of their birth, and doing everything for that puppy that you can, before it leaves your home to go on to it's new family. Doing everything, includes removal of any declaws, de-worming the mother of the litter and her pups, and the appropriate vaccine for the age of the puppy. Most important of all is socializing the puppy. This starts at the time of birth, but puppies take response to this at 5-8 weeks of age. So I ask you, how can that breeder that is selling the pups for $200.00 at 6 weeks say that they have done everything that they can for this pup?
|
Conclusion 1: Buyer Beware - yes, we all like to save a little money, but what you save in this $200.00 puppy you will most assuredly pay out in other vet bills. |
| Conclusion 2: As a good breeder I can justify all monies asked for my pups, as I know that I do strive to achieve excellence with all my pups. |
| Question: What do we do with pups that are not perfect (that may have a slight genetic problem) |
| Answer:We do not sell them! We have some families that cannot afford a puppy, but we know that they would provide a pup with a wonderful family. They accept any genetic problem that the puppy may have. These pups are only fostered out on the advice of our veterinarian - if she feels that the pup can do quite well with some limitations. The pup's foster families are made aware of these limitations. |
This is a personal thing. You must first find someone that you feel comfortable with, as you and your puppy will spend years with this person. Ask your friends or family who they take their pets to.
How much are the vet's fees? In most cases all vets are priced about the same. Keep in mind the area that you live in. If your rent or land prices are higher priced; then the same will for your vet.
The things that you need to ask yourself and your veterinarian is:
- Is good animal health care important to me? (It will be to your vet.)
Are they good with my animal?
- Do you feel at home or comfortable when talking to your vet?
- Does your vet understand what you are asking? Also, do you understand what your vet is telling you?
- Does your vet use words that you can understand, or is he/she using words that confuse you or leave you feeling stupid?
- What other resource does your vet have regarding, animal training, dental, also understanding the needs of an aging pet?
- Has he/she been involved with continued education (learning about new vaccines that are available), or other ways to help him/her achieve excellence in his/her ability to provide you with the best of care for your pet?
- How long has the person been a veterinarian for? (This knowledge is not achieved over night.)
- Does your veterinarian have any pets of his\her own? If yes can you meet them? Someone that is proud of their pets loves to show them off.
|
Conclusion: when it come to the price that you will have to pay for your vet care, please do not let the price be the reason that you choose, as you cannot put a price on honesty, integrity or humanity. A good veterinarian does excel in all of these virtues. |
We all send our children to school, so that they learn to become responsible persons. This is the same for your new puppy. He/she needs to learn to behave well with other dogs and also people. This is achieved in puppy training classes.
Of all the pups that have gone on to new homes from here; we are pleased that none have ever failed in puppy school. As the owner of puppies, it is a nice way to meet other people with dogs and make life long friends.
"Your pup will LOVE IT and so will you!"
Home Page |
Introduction |
Pure Breeds |
Hybrid Dogs |
Contact Us |
Contract |
Special Thanks |
A Special Poem
Phone: (519) 787-5135
Fax: (519) 787-5104
email: pups4you@sentex.net
or
email: puppies@garafraxakennels.com
Copyright © 2000, Garafraxa Kennels
Site created by TriArc documentation
|
