Ty Brown asked:


Choosing a new puppy to bring into your home is a big decision. Here are some helpful hints and tips to making sure your new puppy is the right one.

The first thing you need to consider is research! This is the one step that is so often ignored when choosing a puppy, but is perhaps the most important step.

Too often people choose their new puppy based on emotion, and not the facts.

First things first, research the breed you want. I would recommend getting an all breed dog book at your library or local book store to help you in choosing a puppy. Get a book that gives details about the breeds temperament, energy level, adaptability, size, trainability, etc. Many people will pick up a dog magazine to check out the dogs for sale advertisements in the back. The problem with using this method to choose a breed is that these ads are designed to sell you on that specific breed from a specific kennel. Instead of choosing the right breed for you, you may be swayed by a nice layout and a professional ad.

When researching dog breeds, take everything into consideration. For example, some large dogs do better in apartments than certain small dogs. Some small breeds do better with room to run and play and despite their small size wouldn’t do well in an apartment. Some dogs are very independent and are more difficult to train. There are grooming requirements to consider. Some dogs are prone to certain health problems. Learn these things about the different breeds before you choose which one to purchase. When choosing a puppy, there is no such thing as too much research.

Once you have settled on the right breed it is now time to really buckle down and do your research. Now you’ve got to decide where to get this perfect dog. At this point it is important to note that there is typically one place where you don’t want to get a new puppy. That place is the pet store. It is not always the case, but dogs from pet stores often come from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a business that someone has set up to basically manufacture dogs. Puppy mills are notorious for overcrowding, lack of sanitation, health problems both from external causes and from poor breeding practices. Female dogs in a puppy mill will give litter after litter until their body is no longer capable. Owners of puppy mills give no thought to what makes a good dog, both structurally and mentally. The sole desire of a puppy mill is to make money, not to maintain and improve the gene pool of a certain breed. Don’t be drawn in by the cute puppy in the pet store window. It is very likely that behind that cute puppy exterior lurks genes that will make an unbalanced and unhealthy dog.

So where should you go about choosing a puppy? The answer is simple: from a reputable breeder. However, while the answer is simple, it isn’t so easy to go about finding that breeder. They aren’t always easy to find. Here are some tips for finding the right breeder:

- Don’t start out in the classifieds. Too often the classifieds section of your local newspaper is inhabited by ‘backyard breeders’. A backyard breeder is often just as dangerous as a puppy miller. The backyard breeder breeds his dog because ‘We wanted her to have a litter before we got her fixed’, or ‘We wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth’, or ‘Well, we had a German Shepherd and so did the neighbor, so it just made sense’. Shelters nationwide are filled with dogs resulting from these breedings. If you want your dog to have a litter ‘just because’, don’t do it. If you want your kids to witness the miracle of birth, rent a documentary. If you breed your dog because your neighbor has a similar one, have you considered the temperament, genetics of the parents, etc.? Probably not. Choosing a puppy from a backyard breeder can have regretful consequences. Avoid backyard breeders.

- Talk to a breed association. Nearly every dog breed has an affiliated association. Some of the more popular breeds have several national, regional, and local associations. These associations should be able to provide you with guidance on where to find reputable breeders. Many even specialize in helping new owners in choosing a puppy.

- Talk to local dog trainers and veterinarians. These professionals will often have contacts that may be able to help in choosing a puppy.

- Look in the back of the large dog magazines. There will often be many breeders. You will have to do your due diligence as any breeder can make it in the back of a magazine if they have the money to spend. It can be a useful resource for finding several breeders, though.

- Use the internet as a way to find breeders. Don’t be ‘sold’ on their website alone. Make sure you to do your due diligence.

Once you have a pool of several potential breeders from whom you are considering choosing a puppy, get in contact with them. A good breeder will actually interview you. A good breeder will want to know who you are, how you live, why you want the dog, and many more other things to make sure that you will properly care for something they have put so much work into. Answer these questions honestly. Hopefully, you will have a long relationship with this person.

As you go to their kennel or breeding facility take note of the conditions.

Good breeders are fanatical about sanitation.

Make sure things are well kept and maintained. Depending on the age of the puppies that you go to see the mother still may be around. Try to get a feel for her temperament and look. If the father is available, insist on seeing him too. The parents should be strong, healthy, and confident. They shouldn’t shy away from you or exhibit other behaviors that indicate a weakness or genetic problem.

Observe the puppies. They should be healthy. Make sure, when choosing a puppy, that you are looking for a puppy that is confident, large, and social. Don’t fall in the trap that many do by selecting a small, sickly puppy because they feel bad for the little guy.

Don’t be fooled by certain behaviors, either. A growling, nervous puppy is not going to make a better watch dog. He is growling out of an intense fear, not watchdog material. Keep in mind that the dominant puppy may be too much for you if you aren’t used to working with dogs.

Above all, use common sense. I know they are cute, but try to make a decision based on logic and reason, not because that little puppy hiding in the corner is so cute the way he trembles when someone goes near him. Choosing a puppy should never be a snap decision.

As is often the case, you may find that the best breeder with available puppies isn’t in your local area. In a case such as this you have a few options. You can travel to them, observe the facilities first hand, and purchase your puppy. This often isn’t reasonable for most people. Or, you can get references and thoroughly check out the particular breeder by phone and internet. Then, once you are satisfied that you will get a quality puppy, an arrangement can be made for choosing a puppy through photographs and breeder recommendation, and then get your puppy shipped by air freight. If you do this well you can have a great experience. I have been involved with the remote purchase of many dogs from as far away as France and the Czech Republic and have been very satisfied with the results because of doing proper research.

Just remember, when choosing a new puppy, do your homework and you will be grateful for the life of your dog

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Terry Roberts asked:


One of the most exciting events for a family or an individual is bringing home a new puppy. Unfortunately, many people don’t organize themselves or their home for the new arrival. There are several things that can be done to make your puppy’s first few hours in its new home pleasant and enjoyable. Most of the activities are very simple and will just require a few minutes of time and attention to complete.

Having the right supplies

The following items should be purchased and set up prior to the puppy’s or puppies’ arrival:

Stainless steel or rigid plastic non-tip food and water bowls
Crate of the appropriate size
Soft, washable bedding for inside the crate
Variety of chew toys and play toys
Leash or lead and collar of the appropriate size
Food that is the same as the puppy or puppies are currently being fed (same brand, flavor, etc

In addition, depending on your house or puppy room area, you may also need to get some baby gates to contain the puppy in a specific room or to prevent them from going up or down stairs.

Safety considerations

Puppies are a lot like small children: they will want to investigate everything. Puppies learn by chewing and mouthing as much as they learn by looking and smelling. By spending a bit of time puppy-proofing your home you can be assured that your puppy will be safe. The following are puppy-proofing tips:

Remove all electrical cords from the puppies’ reach. This means that they may have to be disconnected from the wall and the appliance moved. Puppies may chew on the cord either at the wall or the appliance end so it is easiest to remove the appliance to protect the cord and keep the puppy safe if the wire is plugged in.

Remove or pull up all hanging items such as tablecloths, floor length curtains, curtain or blind pulls, hanging plants or other items that dangle temptingly in the puppies’ reach. Curtain and blind pulls are especially dangerous as they can easily become wrapped around the puppies’ neck.

Remove all houseplants. Many common houseplants are poisonous to dogs. Unless you know for sure that the plant is not poisonous remove it from the room. Most puppies will naturally chew on plants, so if you want the plant to remain intact removing it’s the best idea.

Remove all shoes, backpacks, leather items, remote controls, cordless phones, children’s toys, stuffed animals, throw pillows or anything else that could potentially be fun to play with.

Remember that while puppies are very energetic, you don’t need to puppy proof the whole house, just the rooms that he or she will be in unsupervised. Crate training is a great way to minimize the amount of puppy proofing that needs to occur to keep your new arrival safe and healthy.

Be sure that the puppy is allowed to settle into the area and that they’re given appropriate times to go outside to relieve themselves. Puppies usually will need to go outside at least every three hours, and usually within 20 minutes of eating or drinking. After napping or after playing they’ll also need to be taken outside. By allowing lots of trips outside and positively praising them for relieving themselves in the right area, you’ll find that housetraining is not difficult.

Special care for puppies involves a lot of prevention. Be sure to get down on the floor and look around at what might be fun for a puppy to chew on or might pose a safety hazard. Have the food, water, toys and crate ready when your puppy gets home and you and your puppy or puppies will be off to a great start together.

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Anna Hart asked:


Labrador puppies, especially little black ones, have become very popular in the U.S. Breeders, pet stores, animal shelters, and humane societies are good places to get Labrador puppies. If you do not need an AKC registered puppy, you might consider giving a loving home to one of those in a shelter.

Cost of Labrador Puppies

If you decide to get Labrador puppies from a breeder or pet store, be prepared to pay $400 or more for each puppy. Show quality Labrador puppies may cost as much as $1,000 each.

That is, of course, only the beginning of expenses involved in raising Labrador puppies. There are accessories!

Labrador Puppy Accessories

Labrador puppy accessories can cost a great deal or they can be minimal. You should determine your budget and actual needs before visiting the pet store to avoid buying unnecessary accessories for your Labrador puppies. The list below is meant only as examples of Labrador puppy accessories you may want.

1. Collars: Labrador puppies need collars, but be aware of two things. Labrador puppies outgrow collars rapidly. You should not use a chain collar on a young puppy, as it could damage his windpipe. Choose flat fabric or leather collars until your Labrador puppies are at least 5 months old.

2. Leashes: You should train your Labrador puppies to walk on the leash, even if they have plenty of space to run in safety. There will be times, such as visits to the veterinarian’s office when you will be glad they are accustomed to the leash. Unlike the collars, leashes for Labrador puppies should be chain so the puppies will not chew them.

3. Crates: It is a good idea to have crates for your Labrador puppies before you bring them home. Crates become the puppies’ dens. If you are away from home during the day, you can leave your Labrador puppies in their crates to keep them safe, comfortable, and relaxed. Since they will be relaxes, they will not need to relieve themselves as often. The crate will be sure they do not use an inappropriate spot when they do relieve themselves. At night, Labrador puppies in crates sleep better – and stay out of mischief. Select crates that provide just enough space for a full-grown Labrador to stretch out when lying down.

4. Bowls: You can spend a lot of money on fancy bowls for your Labrador puppies, but it really is not necessary. Plain steel bowls are sturdy, unbreakable, and can be cleaned well. If you use plastic containers, Labrador puppies will chew them, possibly ingesting pieces of plastic. Some feed and water bowls are said to be spill proof. This is a good idea when you have energetic Labrador puppies.

5. Toys: Resist buying chew toys simply because they are cute to humans. Your Labrador puppies will chew aggressively. They can easily destroy plastic pet toys and, if no one is there to watch carefully, could choke on small pieces. Give your Labrador puppies sturdy Kongs and Nylabones to chew.

6. Playpen: Since Labrador puppies will try to eat anything they find, it is a good idea to provide a playpen while they are young and learning. This is especially recommended if the puppies are to be outside unattended for any period of time.

7. Brush: Until your Labrador puppies are older, and begin to shed more, use a bristle brush for weekly grooming. The brush will remove dirt from the puppies’ coats and keep them smelling good.

Puppy Food

Food cannot really be classed among Labrador Puppy Accessories, but it is one more cost to anticipate when buying Labrador puppies. Ask the breeder or pet store clerk what food is best. If you know what the puppies are accustomed to eating, you may want to use that kind at first until they are comfortable in their new home.

There are many other accessories available for Labrador puppies, and if your budget will stretch you may want to consider some of them, but these should get you started.

Joann Henry asked:


Puppies are adorable and loved additions to any family, but these cute, furry companions also come with all sorts of natural habits that may be quite a nuisance for a typical household.

Dogs are naturally primitive creatures. Thankfully, they adapt easily and can be trained with little effort, making it possible to share our homes with our favorite four-legged friends and still maintain our standards of order and cleanliness. Teaching your puppy to behave properly is a huge responsibility and may seem much more daunting than it should be.

With a little patience and a few simple, proven training methods, you can put an end to most of your puppy’s bad habits by redirecting his natural instincts to something more appropriate.

Nipping

Nipping is quite common and normal among puppies, especially when you and your puppy are playing and gets overly excited. This ordinary puppy instinct is seemingly harmless, but will soon become more dangerous and painful as your puppy grows. Teach your puppy early to never touch your skin, or anyone else’s, with his teeth, and he will be much less likely to bite later in life.

The best way to train your puppy to stop nipping is to direct his urges away from your hands with puppy toys. Your puppy needs a variety of toys that will be fun to play with and satisfy his desire to nip. Soft, plush toys are a good choice, especially those with bright colors, and rubber dog toys invite puppies to chew and bite.

Start training your puppy the very first time you play with him and every time thereafter. Puppies as young as eight weeks old can be trained with little effort. If your puppy starts to bite as you play, always respond with “ouch” and stop your playtime for about 10 seconds. If your puppy continues nipping when you resume your play, get up and leave the room for a moment.

Leaving your puppy alone each time he bites will help him realize that the action ends his playtime. Soon, he will stop the habit so he can continue to enjoy playing with you. You may want to start training your puppy each time he bites hard and slowly work toward ending the habit altogether.

Chewing

Much like infants, puppies teethe at some point in their development and during this time, they enjoy chewing because it soothes their sore, tender gums. Unfortunately for dog owners, this natural chewing usually destroys a number of possessions, including shoes, newspapers, and even furniture. You may not be able to stop your puppy’s need to chew and soothe his pain, but you can help him focus his chewing on more constructive materials.

To train your puppy to stop chewing on household items, provide him with a variety of chew toys. Be sure your puppy always has a chew toy available wherever you go. For best results, limit your puppy to a small section of the house and have plenty of toys nearby. Surrounding your puppy with as little furniture and other tempting items as possible will make your efforts much easier.

If your puppy chews on something he shouldn’t, firmly say “no” and place his chew toy in front of him. Always praise your puppy when he chooses his toy over your belongings.

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Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


While many of us have heard of large dogs needing to be rescued we may not realize that this fact holds true for puppies as well. The different breeds of puppies may look adorable to us when we first see them but some owners abandon these little cuties once the novelty of having a pet wears off. This is where puppy rescue steps in.

Here the various breeds of puppies are found from the various places that they have been left in. These places can be large cardboard boxes, garbage bags, puppies left on the sides of the roads, in puppy mills and other types of places. Once the puppy rescue centers are informed about the different types of puppies who need a place to stay, they move into action.

The puppy is found and carefully brought into the rescue center. At the rescue center while the puppy’s trust is being gained the center’s vet will examine the puppy. All of the wounds that are found on the puppies will be treated and any parasites that are on the puppies’ body or inside of the puppy will be destroyed with the medication that is given by the vet.

Once this medical examination has been completed the puppy rescue team will see that the puppy is carefully washed and cleaned so that the puppy is not frightened or hurt. When the grooming process is finished the puppy will be placed in a cozy kennel. This is where the puppy will live until the puppy rescue centers find good families to place these puppies with.

Before the puppy rescue will allow potential owners to take their pets’ home these owners will need to fill out forms stating that they are willing to give these puppies a loving home and the care that is required. To make sure that there is no problems for the puppies or their potential owners the puppy rescue will have a trial period where the puppy is taken home by the adoptee parent.

Once the adoption is considered to be a success, the adoption papers are filled out and the puppy is taken to its new home. With a family who is willing to care for these puppies the puppy rescue can be sure that this puppy will have a good life.

Puppy rescue centers have been developed to make sure that puppies have a safe and loving environment. The work that puppy rescue teams perform saves many puppies from being euthanized. The next time that you are looking to adopt a puppy you should see the different puppies that are available from your local puppy rescue facility.

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Anna Hart asked:


It is a puppy that has bonded with his “pack” and fits in well. It has been socialized – but how do you socialize a black Labrador puppy?

Socializing the Black Labrador Puppy

All dogs are social creatures, but few are as social as a black Labrador puppy. A black Labrador puppy loves attention, and wants to get it from everyone and everything. A black Labrador puppy does not want to share, however, and must learn that every member of the “pack” shares. He must learn how to respond to both human and animal members of his new pack.

Understanding black Labrador puppies involves 7 simple steps that help puppies become well-rounded.

1. Puppy Pats

Your black Labrador puppy needs to be patted, touched, and caressed. Most people do this instinctively from the time they get the puppy. Children, especially, touch the puppy in every possible place they can. The more children there are, the more puppy pats your black Labrador puppy will receive. Even if yours is a gun dog, and children are not playing with it, it still needs puppy pats. Let it feel your hand on its ears, its nose, and its paw pads. Get your black Labrador puppy accustomed to being touched and patted. It will help him fit into his new life. While you’re at it, teach children how to treat the puppy.

2. Puppy Playtime

It is important that you and your black Labrador puppy have several playtimes each day. If possible, give him at least one in the morning and one in the evening, as this will establish a pattern for future exercise times. Teach your black Labrador puppy that you are his friend. Play fetch. Take a toy away, teaching the importance of sharing. Do not let him take it back in an aggressive manner. Hide a toy and let him hunt it.

3. Puppy Rolling Game

Every black Labrador puppy needs to be involved in frequent bouts of the puppy rolling game. This game shows the puppy that his position in your pack is one of submission. When playing with your black Labrador puppy, roll him on his side now and then. Hold him there as you silently count to 10. When you reach 10, remove your hand and let the puppy get up. If he struggles while you’re holding him, do not let go. You must not let your black Labrador puppy overpower you, or he will believe he is the pack’s dominant member.

4. Share-a-Puppy

A big part of understanding black Labrador puppies is recognizing that they need a wide circle of acquaintances. When you get your pup, note his age in a notebook. Subtract it from 24 weeks. If your puppy is 8 weeks old, you would subtract 24 – 8 = 16. In those weeks (whatever number you wrote), you need to share your puppy with at least 100 new people. If you wrote 16 weeks, set a goal of having your puppy meet 6-7 new people each week. Keep track so you know it is happening. Simply have strangers hold your black Labrador puppy, and touch it. Hand it back and forth carefully so it does not fall.

5. Share-a-Meal

A black Labrador puppy can quickly learn to be protective of his food dish. If left to natural instincts, he may become hostile when others come near his bowl. To avoid this, share a meal by sitting or standing close to the bowl when the pup is eating. Have other family members do the same. Teach your black Labrador puppy that his food is safe even when someone is very near.

6. Puppy Home School

From the time you get your black Labrador puppy, teach him every day. He is old enough to learn basic commands such as come; down; drop it; leave it; and sit. Avoid yelling at the puppy or punishing it. There are good Labrador training courses available on the Internet. Order one and use it faithfully.

7. Puppy Support Group

Please understand that a black Labrador puppy needs the constant support of everyone in his home. Life is full of exciting things, as well as frightening things. When a garbage truck comes banging down the street, he will tuck his little tail between his legs and run for cover. What do you do. You – and everyone else present – act as though nothing happened. Your black Labrador puppy will notice that he is the only one running. He will soon decide that, if no one else is afraid, the sound of garbage trucks is not important.

Understanding black Labrador puppies is an ongoing process, but these 7 steps will give you a good start.

By: Anna Hart

Sit Stay Fetch, good Dog!

Anna Hart asked:


Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption are often purebred, and every bit as wonderful, loving, and energetic as a puppy you would buy. Why go to a pet store or breeder when you can find Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption? Often free!

Places such as “Labrador Retriever Rescue and Adoption” have pure and mixed-breed Labrador Retriever puppies. When we went looking online briefly, we found Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption that were 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old.

In a “Yahoo Pets” classified ad, we saw 10 beautiful little Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption in Colorado. The Hoobly classified website had 3 Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption in Idaho.

Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption are also available at Humane Society and independent animal shelters.

Who Would Adopt Labrador Retriever Puppies

You might adopt Labrador Retriever puppies if:

1. your budget does not allow an investment of $400 to $1500 for a puppy
2. you have compassion on unwanted puppies

Many people have big, caring hearts. They know the Labrador Retriever puppies at the breeder, with their fancy papers, will find homes. Life is not as certain for rescue puppies. They have been given up for adoption because the owners would not or could not care for more dogs.

Disadvantages of Labrador Retriever Puppies for Adoption

Labrador Retriever puppies that have been given up for adoption may have hidden problems. You will not know about the temperament of the parents. Nor will you know whether either parent has health problems that will be inherited by the puppies. If you find Labrador Retriever puppies in an animal shelter, chances are good that the staff knows little about them.

Labrador Retriever puppies in a shelter often lack bonding opportunities. People come and people go, but no one has time to teach the puppy how to get along with human companions.

You risk getting a puppy that has learned to bark loudly for attention – in a room of loudly barking dogs. Labrador Retriever puppies from shelters will take more than a few days of adjustment to un-learn some bad habits.

Some of these disadvantages are overcome if you get Labrador Retriever puppies through a rescue network. Most networks place their adoptive puppies in foster homes. This avoids many of the animal shelter problems.

Some rescue networks are also able to find out more about the puppies’ background. The foster “parents” can evaluate the puppies’ temperaments and health. They can begin basic training and socialize the puppies. They can make sure the puppies get a good start in life while they wait for their permanent homes.

Advantages of Labrador Retriever Puppies for Adoption

The advantages of getting Labrador Retriever puppies that are available for adoption may outweigh the disadvantages for you – especially if you can get the puppies through a rescue network.

1. You are giving a good home to Labrador Retriever puppies that might otherwise not have one.

2. You are gaining loving, faithful companions, who will do anything to please you, as long as you teach them what that is.

3. You are paying only a small adoption fee (or getting them free). Yet your Labrador Retriever puppies will be every bit as loving as those costing hundreds of dollars.

Helpful Tip

You can find Labrador Retriever puppies for adoption on the Internet. Simply type the phrase “Labrador Retriever rescue” into your search engine. Locally, watch newspaper classified ads or visit your animal shelter.

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Connie Limon asked:


House training a Shih Tzu puppy is one of the first, and one of the most important things, that any new Shih Tzu puppy owner must do. It is easy to get frustrated if you do not understand the basics of this important process, so we have put together a few tips to make the process of house training your Shih Tzu puppy a little easier.
It is vital to establish good toilet and hygiene habits in the Shih Tzu puppy when he is young, since the patterns that are established in those first few months can last a lifetime. When you consider that house training issues are the number one reason why dogs are surrendered to animal shelters, it is easy to see why house training is so extremely important.
In most cases, a Shih Tzu puppy will not be completely house trained until he or she is six months of age. That is because Shih Tzu puppies younger than six months often lack the bowel and bladder control that they need in order to be reliably left alone in the home all day.
Shih Tzu puppies younger than six months should be confined to a single, small Shih Tzu puppy proofed room any time the owner is not available to supervise the animal. The entire floor of the room should be covered in newspaper or other similarly absorbent and cheap material. At first the Shih Tzu puppy will go everywhere and anywhere in the room. As the Shih Tzu puppy gets older and begins to display better bladder and bowel control, the amount of paper used is slowly reduced, until the puppy goes only on the established “toilet” papers. This toilet area will form the basis of later house training.
House training the Shih Tzu puppy – what to do:
Provide the Shih Tzu puppy with constant, unrestricted access to the toilet area that has been established.
Take the Shih Tzu puppy to the toilet area every 45 minutes when you are at home.
When you are away from home, or when you cannot supervise the Shih Tzu puppy, it is important to confine the Shih Tzu puppy to a small area that has been puppy proofed and covered with newspaper.
It is important to be sure that the toilet area does not resemble anything in the home, such as carpet or hardwood floor. Once the Shih Tzu puppy is used to eliminating on a particular surface, such as grass or blacktop, he will want to eliminate on that time of surface.
Always provide lots of praise when the Shih Tzu puppy does its business in the established toilet area. The Shih Tzu puppy needs to learn to associate eliminating in the established area with positive things like treats, toys and praise from you.
It is important to keep a set schedule when feeding the Shih Tzu puppy, and to provide ready access to fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Providing a consistent schedule for feeding will help you learn to anticipate your puppy’s toilet needs.
Using a crate can help the Shih Tzu puppy to develop much needed self control. Shih Tzu are naturally very clean animals, and they will try their best not to soil their bed area.
And finally, it is vital to employ patience during the house training process. House training can take as long as several months, but it is much easier to house train right the first time than to retrain a problem Shih Tzu.
House training the Shih Tzu puppy – what to avoid
Do not punish or reprimand the Shih Tzu puppy if it makes a mistake. The Shih Tzu puppy will not understand the reason for the punishment, and he may become nervous and agitated. This could set the training back even further.
Do not give the Shih Tzu puppy constant access to food. Keep the Shih Tzu puppy to a set feeding schedule instead of leaving food out all the time.
The Shih Tzu puppy should not be given the run of the house until he has been thoroughly house trained.
House training a new Shih Tzu puppy is not always easy, but it is important to persevere. By exercising patience, and rewarding your Shih Tzu with lavish praise every time he does the right thing, you will have your Shih Tzu puppy house trained in no time at all.

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Keith Gilbert asked:


Bringing a puppy home for the first time is an exciting time and an exciting feeling, isn’t it? The puppy that you hold in your hands will give you and your family much joy in the coming years. But at the beginning, it won’t be easy because of the bad habits you’ll have to get your puppy out of – like biting and mouthing.

You’ll probably soon notice that a puppy loves to nip and mouth you when you’re playing with it. This isn’t an unnatural activity; dogs sometimes mouth and playfully nip other dogs when playing with each other. Your puppy will probably do that same to you. But since you don’t have thick dog skin, this can be a painful, bad habit for your puppy that you will have to train it out of!

It is critical that you train your puppy out of the bad biting habits early. While it might be cute for a young puppy to nibble on your hand, it won’t be when he grows into an adult dog and can bite hard! Puppies usually learn to watch their biting with their mother and littermates. But since your puppy has been taken away from its mother and littermates, it’s up to you to teach it this important lesson!

Even though your puppy doesn’t have its mother and littermates to learn from, you can still teach it to inhibit its bite by having it play with other dogs. If you allow your puppy to socialize, roll, and tumble with other puppies and well-trained, older dogs, your puppy will be taught by the other dogs how much biting and nipping is too much.

It’s a good idea to let your puppy socialize with other dogs anyway. Through exposure with other dogs, your puppy will learn not to be aggressive or fearful of other dogs. Plus, playing with other dogs will work off a lot of your puppy’s energy and save you some work! If you don’t give your puppy enough socialization, it can turn into a more destructive, hyperactive dog.

Don’t wait too long to socialize your puppy and expose it to other dogs and the “real world.” The best time for training puppies is usually when they are very young – four months or younger.

An important way to prevent your puppy from getting in the habit of biting you is to gain its respect and trust. Respect and trust from your dog is the foundation of dog training and behavior correction.

Obviously, this means that you should never hit or slap your puppy. Physical punishment is the easiest way to break down the trust and respect your puppy had for you. Hitting your dog will only scare and confuse your dog.

Training your puppy to not bite people and other dogs is one of the most important components of a dog training system. If you don’t train your puppy not to bite, the problem will only get worse, not better, as time goes on, and can be a dangerous problem when your puppy grows into an adult dog.

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Ralph Ruckman asked:


Puppy training is only as hard as you want it to be. Learning how to properly train you puppy is almost a necessity when you first get one. Puppy training during the first week of getting your pet is critical. You definetly need to have certain items such as dog beds, collars, toys, and food and water bowls in place before bringing that new puppy home. Getting your family members involved with certain rules, routines, and responsibilities is just as important.
The very first week is the most important of all. Everybody’s emotions about the new pet are on high octane. Enthusiasm levels are just soaring through the roof with your new puppy. Those rules that you set are going to be easily broken with the new puppy. One rule that is always broken, usually by kids, is that you all agreed that the puppy would sleep in the dog bed. Go ahead and try convincing your kids not to sleep with the gentle pet.
After that first night you will agree that the puppy must sleep in their own bed. What you are going to deal with now is barking, whimpering, howling, etc… The puppy is alone and does not want to be. A good rule to have is to play with the puppy gently and quietly. If the puppy looks tired then leave them alone so they can sleep. This will help break them in, so you can sleep better at night. Puppies usually need lots of sleep so do not flood the dog with non-stop attention.
You have covered the sleeping part, now you will need to concentrate on the feeding of the puppy. Decide who is responsible and at what time to feed the puppy properly. Do not have anyone deviate from your plans. That puppy needs a routine and needs to stick to it. By breaking the routine, you are giving the puppy the wrong impression. Puppies are very impressionable, and deviating from the schedule will only encourage them from sticking to it.
Since puppies are so impressionable, it is important to begin explaining the rules right away. Don’t give them special license to get away with anything just because they are a puppy. If you allow them to have their way about certain things now, they will only be confused later when you decide to change the rules. Puppies learn very quickly with proper instruction. Never hit your puppy or give harsh reprimands. They don’t mean to misbehave – they are just doing whatever comes naturally. Instead, show your puppy what kind of behavior you want. Teach them to play with their toys. Make them fun and exciting. Let them know how happy you are and how good they are when they chew them.The only way you can instruct your puppy is to be there. If you can’t be there, don’t allow them to have access to places where they can get into trouble.
Your puppy’s emotional and mental health is just as important as their physical health. When you schedule your puppy’s first veterinary visit, also schedule them into a puppy socialization class. They may not be able to attend yet, but reserve your place now so you don’t miss out. Puppy socialization classes give your puppy an opportunity to meet a variety of people and dogs in a controlled situation. If your puppy is to be a well-adjusted adult dog, they need to learn how to act properly around other dogs and people. Dogs that are not socialized frequently grow up to be aggressive and excessively fearful.
Last but not leastyou need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Discuss your puppy’s vaccination schedule and when they will be allowed outside. Puppies are susceptible to many canine diseases until they are fully vaccinated; so don’t take your puppy outside until your veterinarian says it is OK.

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