Blog – Page 25 – K9 Korral

What to Know Before You Start Housetraining

Housetraining any dog takes patience. Stay calm, cool, and loving throughout the process. Never yell or be harsh with the dog. It does not work. Remember to research the dog breed too before starting. House training varies slightly depending on the type of dog you own. If you have questions along the way, talk to a Florida dog training professional. He/she will be happy to help you through this process.

Routine is Key

I have talked about routine in prior posts. I mentioned how routine is necessary for playtime, feeding, and sleeping. A dog becomes accustom to routine and needs it to live a happy and healthy life, but it does not stop there. Routine is also key when it comes to house training.

Choose a specific time every day to take your puppy outside. With young smaller breeds this could be as often as every four hours. With large and older pups, it may be every six hours. Do your homework to make sure the time chosen is suitable for your dog.

Once outside, show your dog the area designated for house training. Wait a few minutes. Allow your dog to explore the area. After your dog expels of any waste in the targeted area, take your dog away from it to play. When it is time to go again, take your dog back to the same spot. Eventually, your dog will correlate the selected location with going to the bathroom. Over time, your dog will automatically go to that area whenever he/she needs to go.

To learn more housetraining tips, enroll in our puppy preschool classes today!

By Mark S.|November 24th, 2010|Dog Care Tips|Comments Off

3 Novice Dog Owner Tips

Deciding to get a dog to add to the family is a big step. It means responsibility, care, and lots of love. But what are the biggest tips for first time dog owners? What should you know about before bringing home a new dog into the home? Here are the top three tips for novice dog owners.

Adopt from Shelter or Breeder

Adopting from a shelter is the way to go. Check out your local animal shelter and see what breed dogs are up for adoption. There are many dogs in need of homes living in shelters and rescue organizations. If you are unfamiliar with shelters in your area, talk to a Florida dog training professional. He/she will be able to guide you in the right direction.

What Type of Dog Breed

Examine your lifestyle. Are you an outdoorsy person or a couch potato? Do you want a companion to run with on a daily basis or a lap dog? What is the size of your living space? Would it be more suitable for a large or small canine? You need to answer these questions prior to adopting a dog.

When to Start Dog Training

Your new pet needs to start training immediately. It is healthy for your dog to learn socialization skills. If your dog is a puppy, then enroll in puppy preschool classes. You need to find the right training class depending on the age of your canine. Using positive reinforcement is also a way to build a loving, strong bond with your dog.

To find out more tips about what to do if you are a first time dog owner, talk to a k9 obedience instructor today.

By Mark S.|November 22nd, 2010|Dog Care Tips|Comments Off

How to Find a Holiday Pet Sitter

The best gift you can give your pet for the holidays is to spend time with him. But this is not always feasible. Sometimes you have to travel and keep your pet at home. Alternatively, there are many holiday parties to attend, and it would be inappropriate to bring your dog along. Our Florida dog training professionals understand this issue. Thus, we have come up with suggestions on what to look for when hiring someone to watch your pet.

Why You Need to Hire a Pet Sitter

A pet sitter is someone who is in the business because they love animals. If you leave your pet with a friend or neighbor, the attentive care a professional provides might be missing.

With an experienced pet sitter, the person will facilitate maintaining your dog’s feeding, exercise, and bathroom schedule. Make sure the person is aware of what to do in emergencies.

Also, be certain the person has a contract to protect your dog and home as well. If the selected pet sitter does not have a contract, then be leery about hiring him/her. It could be a problem. It shows the sitter does not want to be liable for any damages, personal belongings or your pet.

What to Look for in a Pet Sitter

Does the pet sitter know first aid? Has the sitter earned certification through Red Cross? What type of training has he/she gone through? These are important questions to ask when looking for a loving, kind and effective pet sitter.

To find a pet sitter in your area, talk to one of our k9 obedience instructors today.

By Mark S.|November 19th, 2010|Dog Boarding, Dog Care Tips, Dog Daycare|Comments Off

How to Teach a Puppy Not to Jump

Puppies are a ball full of energy jumping on furniture and people everywhere they go. Unfortunately, this causes a nuisance to visitors and destroys furniture. Here are some tips to teach your puppy how not to jump on furniture…or people.

What to Do When Someone Enters

Does your puppy jump on visitors upon arrival? It is a common trait amongst puppies, but this habit can be changed.

First, keep treats by the door. Put these somewhere out of your puppy’s reach. Then, whenever the doorbell rings or someone knocks implement the “sit” and “stay” commands. Use the treats to reward your pup for sitting still and listening. If your pup starts to stir, just give your pup a look. Your dog will understand what it means. Remember to never yell at your puppy. Yelling doesn’t work on dogs. It just confuses your pet.

What to Do When YOU Enter

How do you enter the house after a long day at work? Do you call for your puppy in an excited voice? Your actions have a direct impact on your puppy’s behavior.

For instance, if your pup is jumping when you open the door, and you are petting your pup at the same time, then this translates to your pet that the jumping action is rewarded. The pup jumps, your puppy gets attention. Instead, teach your puppy to be calm when you come home. This will stop the jumping habit from escalating out of control.

For more advice about how to use positive reinforcement methods with puppies, talk to a puppy kindergarten instructor or enroll in puppy preschool today.

By Mark S.|November 17th, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes, Obedience Classes|Comments Off

What to Know about Adopting a Teacup

Many dog owners wonder if adopting a smaller breed is the right choice for them. Small breed dogs are great but there are essential things to be aware of when buying these adorable teacup pets.

Size Does Matter

Adopting a teacup dog does make life simple in terms of space. You do not need lots of space for these animals. You just need a little bit of room for the dog to run around in. However, you do need to take safety precautions.

Remove any electrical wires that are reachable by a teacup. Larger breeds cannot get behind televisions, couches and other tiny areas, but a teacup can. Remove any hazardous material found in cubbyholes.

Healing Time is Fatal

The main downfall of adopting a teacup is the health risk involved. When an injury occurs to a large breed dog, the dog is able to heal properly without many issues. The large body is able to handle the trauma. When a teacup is injured, the results could be fatal. A little teacup canine body can only take so much. A teacup’s bones, body and organs are delicate and need additional attention and care. If you are aware of this going into adoption then you will be able to provide a loving, safe, happy home for your new teacup pet.

To learn more about the pros and cons of adopting a teacup breed, talk to a Florida dog training professional of a k9 obedience instructor today!

By Mark S.|November 15th, 2010|Dog Care Tips|Comments Off