Puppy Playful Biting
Rule: The pet’s teeth should never contact human flesh. A pet can play and bite playfully, but there should be an intermediary object between the human and the pet. To teach a puppy to not bite a human is very important.
Step 1: Setup. First, you must catch him in the act to train him so to set up a puppy you must first “rile him up”. Rubbing his head vigorously or batting his face with your hand to does this. You should be ready with your training collar and leash.
Step 2: Reprimand. The reprimand is done simultaneously with a sharp NO! The reprimand is a snap of the collar, or a pull to the skin on the back of the neck, with a NO!
Step 3: Test. The test in this case is to place your hand to the pet’s lips in a position that would be easy to chomp down on. While one hand is in the position and the puppy is not biting, give constant loving praise with the other hand. This is accomplished by high pitched praise and petting.
Step 4: Distractions. Make it harder by smearing butter or bacon grease on your hand.
Behavior problems are the number one cause for euthanasia and we can prevent this with a little bit of basic puppy care and training.
Curb Crashing
This is the term that describes the training needed to stop the pet at thresholds, gates, curbs or other barriers and allows you to give the pet permission to cross such barriers.
Step 1: Setup. Walk slowly up to a curb with the pet on a leash. Stop at the curb. As you approach the curb
(2 steps away) say, “Do you want to go?”
Step 2: Proper Praise. If the pet stops on the curb without stepping off, then praise the pet verbally, “Good dog, that’s a good dog”. Then, test the pet with the leash by tugging the pet off the curb.
Step 3: Proper Reprimand. If the pet steps off the curb into the street, then say “NO”, position the leash and collar (do not get in a hurry), jerk on the leash to pull the dog back on the curb while saying “NO”. Next, test the pet. If a successful completion is made, give praise (Remember, twice as much praise as reprimand). After each failure, test then praise after each successful completion.
Step 4: Proper Test. This is done in many stages with reprimand and praise given appropriately for the result of the test. Test with the leash only while you are still on the curb, and then pull the leash toward the street lightly with one hand while saying, “Do you want to go?” If the pet steps off, reprimand and retest. If the pet does not step off and resists movement in response to the leash, release tension, then praise. Test with the leash only while you are still on the curb and hold the same tension on the leash while you step into the street (stand up to avoid any body language training to the pet). Say “Do you want to go?”, then praise for not going. It is important to release the tension on the leash immediately after the praise. So, tension on the leash – resistance – release tension on the leash – then say “GOOD BOY”. While in the street facing your dog on the curb (standing straight), back up to the end of the leash maintaining the same tension with the leash in a horizontal plane parallel to the pavement. As the pet resists movement into the street, praise and let the leash sag. Praise again. While standing at the end of the leash, pull harder and harder until just before the pet is pulled into the street. Release tension and praise.
Step 5: Distractions (making it harder). 1. Say the pets name to see if this brings him off the curb – (it should not). If successful, “PRAISE”. 2. Jump up and down and act silly to try to draw the pet from the curb.
Jumping On People
Step 1: Setup. Have your training leash and collar ready and on the pet. Have a helper encourage the pet to jump up on them.
Step 2: Reprimand. When the pet follows the invitation, then use the training collar to pull the pet down and associate this with a verbal NO.
Step 3: Test. Have your helper try again – If the pet jumps up, then repeat the reprimand. Continue the test until the pet passes by resisting or hesitating to jump up when encouraged to do so.
Step 4: Praise. The pet is immediately given a verbal praise when the first hesitation is noticed. This is followed by touching and petting. The verbal praise is used as a bridge to last long enough for the real praise to get there. The pet is tested again and again to repeat the good behavior, followed by the praise.
Step 5: Distractions. Have your helper use food to encourage the jumping behavior.
You, as the pet’s owner, try the test.
Heartworm Prevention for Puppy
It is much easier to prevent heartworms than it is to treat them. We recommend starting the puppy on preventative as soon as possible. This can be as early as 6 weeks of age. There are several types of heartworm preventives which are listed as follows:
- Advantage Multi® is a topical monthly prevention. It contains both moxidectin and imidacloprid. It is effective against heartworms including resistant strains, fleas and roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Advantage Multi® should be applied every 30 days.
- Trifexis® is a monthly prevention; it is given every 30 days. It contains spinosad and milbemycin. It is effective against heartworms including resistant strains, fleas and roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Trifexis® comes in a chewable pill form which should be given with a meal.
Dogs over six months of age must have a negative heartworm test before prevention can be dispensed. Heartworm prevention must be done only after a heartworm examination is done. Since heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, all dogs in the Gulf Coast must be on heartworm prevention the year round. This includes indoor as well as outdoor dogs; long coat and short coat alike. Heartworm testing is not necessary on a puppy, but is recommended twice yearly prior to dispensing of refills of heartworm prevention. Administration of heartworm prevention to a dog with heartworms can cause a fatal reaction.
