Karen Pryor Clickertraining 

Dog Kibble-Size Bits Of  Factual Dog Miscellany
 

Puppy Feeding

Puppies should be fed three to four times daily until the age of six months, when two meals a day are recommended. After reaching a year of age, once-a-day chow call  is the norm for most dogs, though some authorities suggest staying with twice daily feedings of half the regular ration. The logic: smaller amounts make for easier and efficient digestion.
 

Grooming Is Important

Viewed by some as mostly unnecessary, grooming sometimes may also be considered as merely "prettying up," done excessively by show dog people. Nothing could be further from the truth. For your dog's comfort, the value of regular brushing, coat cleaning, nail clipping and minor barbering cannot be stressed strongly enough. Once conditioned to regular grooming, most dogs welcome this added attention from their owners. These grooming sessions also provide owners the opportunity to inspect their dogs thoroughly, spying unhealthy skin conditions, eye and ear infections, sore pads and other miscellaneous problems before they become major difficulties.
Ideally, your dog should be groomed three times weekly. Five or ten minutes will generally suffice.
 

Growing Together

   Dogs and kids just naturally go together. Like apple pie and ice cream. A boy and his puppy share secrets nobody else is privy to.  Daydreaming, too, plays a big role in their relationship as both boy and dog form their priceless rapport. Lots yet to go through together...a true  "growing partnership.”

Try A Chin Chuck

Rubbing your puppy under the chin instead of patting him on the head will encourage him to hold his head high. Eventually his overall carriage will improve, with head and tail high, whether standing or in motion.

Dogs Come In Two Flavors

Did you know that non-purebreds (often called "mutts" come in two separate classifications? The first, crossbreeds, are a combination of two breeds, for example, a Labrador retriever and a German shepherd. The second, mongrels, are an amalgam of several different breeds. Dogs of either classification very often make loyal, intelligent companions. But, mongrels are impossible to assess in terms of ultimate size and temperament, two aspects that can lead to their being too much dog for your circumstances.
 

Peregrination Precaution

Planning to take your dog to Canada? If so, remember that the law requires you to show the customs officials a certificate of vaccination against rabies. The same proof, signed by a licensed veteranarian, is also required by many of our own states, both for residents and non-residents. It’s therefore a good idea to take the vaccination certificate with you whenever you travel with Rover.

A Tale Of Tails    

Hunting dogs of some breeds commonly have their tails “docked.” or cut short, a practice that has has always triggered debate. And though the so-called Continental breeds, all docked-tailed, can excel in water work, one wonders why is it that the major retriever breeds always sport full tails? Dock tail proponents point out elimination of tail injuries such as “split ends” and broken vertebrae. Nay sayers argue that tail injuries aren’t frequent nor, as a rule, severe. They add that a long tail, besides being natural and stylish-looking, is a functional asset. In the uplands, for instance, it gives a dog running and turning balance, and can often be seen in high, dense cover when the dog’s body is invisible. But, perhaps, they should add that for retrievers, it also affords rudder-like functionality for extra maneuverability in the water.

A Short Chain Letter...Of Advice

NEVER, NEVER let your choke chain collar remain on your dog after your training session (or exercise walk) is over. Remove it immediately when you both return home to avoid any potential accidents the collar may cause. Choke chains, unfortunately, can get caught on the most unlikey or unthought of places. Wire crates, desk drawer handles, etc. 

Leave A Bad Taste In Their Mouth

Let’s face it, puppies love to chew things, any things. Leashes are no exception, especially in the early stages of leash-training. When your pup starts noshing on his leash and making it a tug-of-war implement, treat the first 18 inches of it with Bitter Lemon or Bitter Apple spray. You may have to experiment a little to find which one works best. Stay with it, and eventually your puppy will give up the contest.

A Place Of His Own

Every puppy needs a crate to ensure his future successful training, security and, yes, privacy of sorts. A crate will become his own “little den,” a private place where he can retreat from the hustle and bustle of your home life routine whenever he wishes.

But what’s the best kind of crate for you to choose? Plastic construction, like the ones most airlines use for transporting dogs, provides the sturdiest type, along with the metal variety (usually aluminum). Wire is lighter in weight, thus more easily portable, in addition to offering better ventilation in hot weather.

Whatever type you select, though, remember it must be large enough to accommodate your puppy’s eventual size at maturity.

Puppy Collars 101

Immediately after bringing your  new puppy home, put a collar on him. Since he’ll need to wear one for the rest of his life, he should begin getting used to it as soon as possible. No, he won’t like it; he’ll try scratching it off for awhile. Try distracting him with a dog toy or small chew-bone to take his mind off his annoying new “attachment.”

Generally, puppy’s first collar should be an inexpensive nylon type long enough to fit as he grows. For safety and comfort the collar shouldn’t be either too tight or too loose. If you can slip two fingers under it, the fit will be perfect.

New Leash On Life

Basically, your best leash choice should be a strong, well-built one of six-foot length. It can be leather, nylon or chain, or even a combination of chain and leather or nylon, fitted with a good quality metal clip that attaches  securely to the dog’s collar ring. This makes for a sensible choice, adaptable to daily use and provides excellent control of your dog.
 

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