In yesterday’s blog, we talked about the dos and don’ts of how to feed a puppy.  Today we shall continue that discussion and give you further tips to provide your puppy with a strong foundation to grow up and be a healthy adult dog.

When puppies reach three or four weeks old, they start to eat puppy food.  And the first time they see it, do not be surprised if they solely play around with it.  Puppies are not used to getting their food in such a manner.  Do not fret.  It does not take long for a puppy to understand the food is there to eat not to play around with.  Just allow your puppy time to figure it out.  Keep in mind, by the time a puppy reaches around eight weeks old, then dry puppy food should be eaten on a regular basis.

For medium, large and giant breed puppies, the food should be administered in a portion control technique.  It helps keep a puppy’s weight at a healthy number.  For if puppies develop too quickly then there are issues with growth spurts.  Too many calories taken cause a puppy to grow too quickly and develop bone growth issues.  However, if you notice any issues with your puppy be sure to consult with a veterinarian.

To find out more about how, when and what to feed your puppy and other puppy care tips, enroll in a puppy kindergarten or puppy preschool class today.  Florida dog training experts are here to help.

Do Not Over Exercise Your Dog

There are different dogs that need various amounts of exercise.  But one problem, believe it or not, is over exercising your puppies and certain breeds.  You need to be careful when deciding to take your dog on your next run.  Here are some tips to remember ensuring your pet stays healthy without overdoing it.

Exhaustion Causes Dog Injuries

It is possible for your dog to be harmed during over exercise.  For when you exercise your dog, the dog’s body automatically becomes heated.  The danger occurs when the heat-stress becomes too much.  Your dog could become over-heated internally.  It happens.  When this occurs, it could cause internal organ damage.  It is fatal to your dog.  So if it is warm outside, hold back a bit on the outdoor running.  And always keep plenty of water ensuring your dog stays hydrated.

Start Canine Exercise Slowly

If your dog is starting a new exercise routine, start gradually.   Go a little bit further with each walk, but do not go all out at once.  This could cause hip issues with your dog.  And dogs tend not to show the injuries for they believe if they stop, the fun interaction will come to halt.  Thus, dogs tend to continue even if in pain.  Therefore, take it easy.  Pay attention to how your dog acts and moves.  And do not do too much.

For more information about how much exercise is appropriate, talk to a Florida dog training or k9 obedience professional today.

When you implement Florida dog training, it is easy to see how the lessons work.  For after time, your dog follows commands making the results visible.  Nevertheless, have you ever wondered why positive reinforcement works?  Here we take a closer look at this specific method of dog training.

Pay-Offs Do Work

By going to work every day, you earn wages.  It does not matter how little or large there is still some sort of financial acknowledgement for the labor you have completed.  Now, if you take this model and use it towards dog training it is the same.

For instance, you teach your dog to sit.  Whenever your dog sits, your pet receives a treat.  However, if your dog does not sit on command, then your pet is ignored.  Therefore, the pet starts to realize sitting on command means treat.  Thus, I am going to sit on command.  The pay-off is the treat, and the pay-off for you as a dog owner is a desirably behaved dog.  It is a win-win situation.

Positive reinforcement is an effective and fun way to teach your dog wanted behavior.  And what you are doing is laying the foundation for your dog’s development.

For more information about how to teach your dog commands through using a rewards system, talk to a k9 obedience instructor today.  He/she will be able to review with you the dos and don’ts ensuring you are executing the method correctly.

There are many reasons why dog training is important, but I would like to share with you a personal story about why dog training is essential to keeping your dog safe, happy, and healthy.

I rescued an abandon dog that I repeatedly saw at the local park.  Finally, one day I decided to bring it food and over time, the dog would come to me during my daily exercise walks at the park.  The dog seemed receptive to tagging along, so I decided to bring the dog home to have as her pet.  The dog went home with ease, but I quickly realized how destructive a dog could be without any dog training experience.

My new dog was not familiar with following rules, respecting home belongings, and steering away from specific objects.  My loving companion would tear up the furniture, clothes, whatever he could get his paws on.

Socialization is Key to Healthy Dog Living!

And my pet was very loyal and loving towards me, but it became apparent that he was not socialized.  This is where the immediate danger occurs.  He was not friendly from the beginning towards other dogs or people.  He did not know how to behave on walks through the neighborhood.  Thus, whenever faced with another animal, my pet would act in an aggressive manner.  This would cause other dogs to switch to combat mode.  It was going to be a huge problem if I did not nip this in the bud immediately.

Luckily, no dog was seriously injured from the aggressive interactions.  And now my pet is charming, loving and displays positive behavior due to enrolling in Florida dog training or k9 obedience classes.  I believe training courses saved my dog’s life for otherwise; he would be in a dogfight resulting in fatal consequences.

If you would like your pet to live a safe, healthy, and happy life then enroll is a dog training course today!