Introducing a puppy to the existing pets in a household is accomplished positively if the established house-pet is acknowledged before the puppy is acknowledged.
1. Before bringing puppy home, feed your established pet a partial meal.
2. When you bring the puppy home, bring your pet outside to greet the puppy. If you have a particularly dominant-type pet, arrange this meeting a block or so from your home.
3. Walk the pet with the puppy (however well you can get the puppy to walk!) and let the existing pet sniff the puppy all he wants. Stay outside for forty-five minutes to an hour.
4. Take the pet and puppy into the house and just walk around the house for ten to fifteen minutes, letting everyone get adjusted to a new body in the house.
5. Feed the established pet another partial meal and let puppy watch.
6. Feed the established pet again, and this time put a bowl down for puppy. If the other pet comes to the puppy's bowl, tell him "No." Whenever you feed your animals, feed the older ones first, but make them respect the puppy's bowl.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
How To Get Your Dog Used To Getting His Teeth Brushed
This can be a real challenge. While there are alternatives, brushing is best. You just need to know how. The biggest problem with dogs getting their teeth brushed is that the idea is totally foreign to them. Nothing in their instincts prepares them for this, so take it slowly.
Rather than a regular brush, use a finger toothbrush. Use flavored toothpaste for pets, and start by brushing just the fronts of the front teeth. Always have a small treat ready and, after a 3-second tooth-brushing session, reward your pet's good behavior.
Brush just the fronts of the teeth once a day for several days, until your dog or cat seems comfortable with the whole thing. Follow with a treat every time. When your pet is accustomed to this daily routine, start with the front teeth as usual, but move your finger brush along to the teeth on the sides of the mouth too, then quit and give the treat. As he gets relaxed with this part of the routine, you move further back in his mouth. Remember to always start in the front and end with the treat.
Rather than a regular brush, use a finger toothbrush. Use flavored toothpaste for pets, and start by brushing just the fronts of the front teeth. Always have a small treat ready and, after a 3-second tooth-brushing session, reward your pet's good behavior.
Brush just the fronts of the teeth once a day for several days, until your dog or cat seems comfortable with the whole thing. Follow with a treat every time. When your pet is accustomed to this daily routine, start with the front teeth as usual, but move your finger brush along to the teeth on the sides of the mouth too, then quit and give the treat. As he gets relaxed with this part of the routine, you move further back in his mouth. Remember to always start in the front and end with the treat.
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