Puppies are bundles of energy! They need loads of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. But, you need to keep things interesting! As well as walking, and puppy brain games, you should also check out fun sports and activities for your puppy.
These puppy sports ideas will help strengthen your bond and, of course, get some more exercise! Aim to find those that play into your puppy’s natural instinct!
Let’s look at some puppy sports ideas you can choose from.
Agility Training
Canine agility is a competitive sport. It is comprised of your puppy learning to run and jump through an obstacle course. The course may include tunnels, different walkways, hurdles, etc. This type of training is a great mental and physical exercise for your puppy. As well as an excellent confidence booster.
The height and intensity of the course can be adjusted to accommodate little dogs as well as bigger ones.
Here’s an example of puppy agility training:
Frisbee
Frisbee-throwing competitions are fun! The puppy and handler work together to score points. The owner throws the frisbee as far as possible, and the puppy must chase it, catch it, and bring it back. Frisbee throwing also includes seeing how high and how accurately a puppy can catch the Frisbee.
Dock Diving
This sport is beyond fun. Dock diving involves having your dog run off a dock and seeing how far out into the water he can go. It is similar to high jumping. There is also a part that measures the dog’s vertical leap and the “ultimate,” which is when your puppy runs and jumps off the dock and attempts to catch a toy in his mouth. Puppys who love water will love this sport.
Here’s a little about this sport from the American Kennel Club:
Lure Chasing
Lure chasing is used instead of a more traditional rabbit hunt and involves the dog trying to run the course the fastest. Sometimes obstacles may be involved as well. This is a great way for puppies to chase and run and burn a lot of energy.
Tracking
Some breeds really use their nose and enjoy ferreting out small animals or following scents. Tracking is a great activity for these dogs and allows them to use their natural instinct. Additionally, puppies that are proficient at tracking may be able to use this skill as a search-and-rescue dog.
Herding
Certain breeds of dogs have a herding instinct. By competing in herding trials, you are giving your puppy a way to use that natural instinct in a constructive way. This is a great outlet for herding dogs that may be living in more urban areas.
Obedience
Obedience competitions are a great mental exercise for puppies. Puppies are judged by how well they perform various obedience commands. To do this well requires a lot of teamwork between the owner and the puppy. This encourages bonding and is a good way to work on basic commands.
All these puppy sports ideas are a great way for you and your dog to bond. They also provide some much-needed physical exercise!
If you’re looking to give your puppy a mental challenge, check out our puppy brain games!
If you’re going out for a little while, or even just leaving the room, puppy puzzle toys are a great idea to keep the little ones busy.
Puppies need to be kept active mentally as well as physically, otherwise it can lead to destructive chewing or naughty behavior.
Puppy puzzle toys are available in a variety of types and sizes so you can pick the ones perfect for your puppy and their preferences when it comes to play.
The Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel is a fun puzzle toy that your puppy will love playing with. This hide-and-seek toy comes with a plush trunk and four squeaky squirrels for you to hide inside. Your puppy will have lots of fun trying to ferret out the hidden squirrels.
You can also use this toy to play fetch. Since the squirrels are not attached, they make great fetching toys.
This snuffle mat is sure to entertain and stimulate your puppy while you are away. You simply hide dog treats and let your dog’s nose do the rest. This mat will help your puppy work on their sense of smell and natural foraging ability.
This particular mat is a good option because it has lots of different games in one. But there are other options out there that just has tassles. Or you can make your own!
This is an advanced puppy puzzle game for those very clever pups! It’s a great tool to use in slowing down eating and to also encouraging your puppy to use their cognitive skills. In order to get the treats, your puppy needs to figure out the 9 locking switches and sequential steps to open it.
As your puppy gets better at this game, you can hide different foods for them to find. This game helps your puppy use reasoning to figure out how to get to the treats, which automatically slows down how quickly they eat. Also this puppy puzzle toy is made out of safe, non-toxic materials.
Kong toys are classic for a reason. For most pups they last forever and never fail to entertain. For extreme chewers and biters, there are other options to cater to them too. These toys can be stuffed with peanut butter and kibble and the aim is to try and get it out.
Kong toys come in different sizes so you can pick the right one for your pup. These toys also bounce in unexpected directions so it keeps your dog guessing if they are a toy thrower. You use these toys for playing fetch and for satisfying your dog’s urge to chew.
The OurPet IQ Treat Ball is a great option for you to give your puppy as a puzzle toy. You fill the treat ball with your puppy’s favourite treats and they have to figure out how to turn the ball so the treats will fall out.
This treat ball encourages physical movement since your puppy has to walk around and nudge the ball to get it in the right position to release treats. It encourages mental and physical activeness but is perfect for puppy beginners.
Keep your puppy’s interest in these toys by only allowing them to play with them on special occasions like when you’re not there, or as an extra special treat!
Puppy toilet training can be difficult for some, and easy for others. But it’s something new puppy owners are often nervous about!
It’s also one of the most important training starts for your puppy! When considering canine toilet training techniques, your first instinct might be to pick up a stack of puppy pads and dot them around the house, hoping your dog miraculously learns how answer the call of nature outside.
But, there’s easier ways to do it without wasting all that money on disposable sheets. You can toilet train your dog with just a patch of garden, a few treats, a dash of patience, and plenty of hugs and attention.
Let’s get started!
Beyond Puppy Pads: What Are the Alternatives?
Let’s be honest. There are a lot of things wrong with puppy pads, such as the following:
The expense. It’s estimated that a year’s worth of disposable puppy pads can cost over $400! Even if your puppy toilet training process is brief, you could still be spending three figures on something you don’t really need.
They’re wasteful. Although reusable pads are available, the reality is that most people will go for the more convenient option. Used puppy pads, just like nappies, end up in a landfill, contributing further damage to the environment.
Pads slow the process of toilet training. This is because dogs get used to going in the house but you should be avoiding this altogether. Take them outside from the very first day instead!
But without puppy pads, how will you transition your dog into a compliant and courteous urinator?
There are two main alternatives:
Using a fake/real grass patch if you’re puppy training in an apartment
Or going straight outside.
Note: Many people use a fake/real grass patch in the initial stages but some just transition straight to the garden.
What You Will Need
Grass Patch – Purchase 1 or two approximately 1-2 meters square.
Ammonia-free Cleaning Supplies – This is because ammonia in urine attracts a dog to the area. Eliminate ammonia using an enzymatic cleaner. Vinegar works if you’re in a pinch!
A baby gate or sectioning device – This is to keep your puppy in a limited area making it easier for you to keep an eye on them. Otherwise, you may find little surprises where you least expect!
Treats – To be used as one of your pup’s rewards. Toys are also useful to recognise good behaviour. In a pinch you can use cheese or a little piece of sausage.
A crate – to support the training process.
A notepad and pen – To make a note of the last ‘visit’ to the bathroom
Your phone – To set toilet training alarms. I promise, it’s worthwhile!
This isn’t a physical item, but I’d also recommend deciding where your puppy will pee and poop. This should be an area that’s light on traffic, visible for your dog (remember that they’re only little!), and easy for you to clean. Perhaps a corner of your garden out of the way. In the early phase of this process particularly, it’s important to have consistency.
Step-by-Step Guide to Puppy Toilet Training
1. Welcome Your New Puppy With Preparation
The best part! The time has come for you to collect your new family member and make them welcome in your home. Ensure that you have set up, cleaned, and prepared everything your new puppy needs in advance, because when you get home, there’ll be too much excitement and hullabaloo to do anything but enjoy this wonderful time together!
When you get home for the first time, let your puppy explore the outside first. Get acquainted, sit down and have a cuddle, just make sure they feel comfortable because you’re both going to be spending a lot of time out there for the next week!
2. Introduce The Outside
Introduce your new puppy to the chosen area outside that they will be doing their business. Make sure you have the grass patch out there as well. Take them to it, let your puppy sniff around and walk in a circle.
If they go to the toilet, give them a treat and plenty of praise and affection. Then note the time and set an alarm for 30 minutes.
If they don’t go to the toilet, wait and let them wander around until they do! Then, make a note of the time and set the alarm for 30 minutes.
This will help them begin making the necessary connections to toilet train successfully.
3. Keep a Watchful Eye
When you go back inside, it’s crunch time. You’re on the pursuit of any behaviour that indicates your dog needs to visit the al fresco bathroom. You will quickly learn your pup’s pre-pee routine, but common behaviours to look for include circling, whining, sniffing, barking, or signs of distress. A dog’s need to relieve his- or herself can come on quickly – don’t forget that your puppy is brand new to everything!
If you notice any of these possible signs, take your dog straight outside or straight to their grass patch, and wait for them to go. As before, reward their good work with a cuddle, vocal praise, a toy, or a small treat. Every opportunity for your pup to understand that they must only go to the toilet outside should be taken!
4. Creating a Puppy Area
Sectioning off an area of your home makes it easy for you to keep a check on your puppy. Of course, you won’t leave them alone behind a fence all day, but it’s a good idea for them to have a little time for solitude. A new home can be overwhelming!
This is also where you can introduce crate training. Dogs, like wolves, have a natural canine instinct to find a den. A crate can replicate this. Rather than being a structure that puppies fear, the crate will usually become a space they embrace as somewhere to get a peaceful reprieve.
Crate training is useful in supporting the idea that your puppy must go outside to use the toilet. This is because canines do not relieve themselves in the area they sleep. Your dog will identify the crate as a sleep and relaxation space, not somewhere they can pee and poop.
No matter what you’re doing, make sure that you’re taking your puppy out or to their grass patch every 30 minutes and wait out there until they have been to the bathroom. Then write it down!
As well as keeping an eye on your puppy to look for behavioural cues, you should also begin creating a routine with your puppy. When they’re little, they will have scant control over when they use the toilet, so the important thing is to demonstrate to your pup that they have plenty of opportunities to go, so there’s no urgent need to pee all over the floor!
6. Increasing Time
Most puppies pick up the concept fairly quickly, and by the end of day 2 you should have a puppy that understands where they should go (that doesn’t mean accidents don’t happen but there should be less of them.)
Keep it simple by setting the timer for 5-10 minutes more each day so that you build up to a full hour.
Once you get to an hour you can then start to increase the time by 15-20 minutes.
By the time your puppy is 12 weeks they should be lasting around 1-2 hours during playtime (although every puppy is different) and 6-8 hours at night.
7. (Optional) Transitioning With Your Grass Patch
If you’re puppy training in an apartment, you can follow exactly the same process so that your pup knows its grass patch is the toilet.
But.
When your pup is able to wait an hour, you need to start taking it outside with your grass patch and repeating the same process. That way they understand that they hold it until they go outside.
Then, keep up this process until your pup uses the grass patch less and less frequently. You may have to make the push to get rid of the patch when your puppy can go around 2 hours at a time.
Then just set alarms and prompt them for an easy transition!
Top Tips For Puppy Toilet Training
Clean Up Accidents Quickly
It’s not the most glamorous project, but prompt cleaning is so important to the toilet training process.
Don’t use a product containing ammonia to clean up. This is because ammonia is present in urine, and dogs – with their legendary olfactory systems – will notice the smell and pee over it to mark their territory. Back to square one!
We’d recommend using an enzymatic cleaner; the dog mess cleanup sprays from the pet store contain these compounds. You can also try straight-up white vinegar. It does a great job at a fraction of the price!
Stick To The Regular Appointments
Going to the toilet first thing in the morning, shortly after eating, and before bedtime are all habits your puppy will take with them to adulthood. So make sure you keep these in your routine so that you can avoid any accidents!
Be Patient And Be Consistent
It may not be something you really want to hear! But it’s true. Each dog – just like every human – will move at their own pace. Offer support and affection when they get it right, but don’t punish accidents. It’s not helpful to the overall activity and can actually hold your pup back by making them nervous about going to the toilet. Keep positive and patient – it’ll be worthwhile!
Puppy toilet training doesn’t have to be a big stress in your life. It’s all about getting the timings right and putting the extra effort into going outside!
Puppy shedding is different to dog shedding. All puppies will lose their ‘puppy’ coat, even the hypoallergenic breeds.
If you’ve ever rushed to work or on a night out, only to realise you’re covered in puppy fur, you’re not alone! But don’t worry, we’ll have you in control of your puppy shedding problem in no time!
Your brand-new fuzzy little peach of a puppy will begin to shed their first coat around four to six months of age. Their soft, downy fur will be replaced by a thicker adult coat, and this is when true puppy shedding begins.
Most dog owners will agree they spend more time trying to catch up with fur than successfully getting rid of it. Furry tumbleweeds can become a common occurrence when raising a dog.
Here are three ways to take care of extra fur, starting with the most economical:
1. Start At The Source
Grooming
Grooming can be a great bonding experience if you’re able to find a brush or comb that your pup enjoys. There are many choices at your local pet store. Check their return policies; you may be in luck if your pup doesn’t like the brush you’ve chosen.
Note: If your puppy doesn’t like being brushed, you can change this with positive reinforcement, patience and plenty of treats!
Bathing
A monthly (or bi-weekly) bath will cut down on puppy shedding. Loose or dead
fur will comb away much easier after a good bath. Some pet stores have washing bays so you can pay a couple of dollars to bathe your puppy and not soak your entire house.
Firm Rules
Don’t allow your puppy on furniture or beds from day 1. It’s incredibly difficult to say no to those big puppy-dog eyes, but if you’re seriously concerned with puppy shedding, you need to lay down some rules from the get go.
2. Invest in Protection
Furniture Covers For Puppies
If you can’t say no to couch cuddles, buy a few washable furniture covers. They can range anywhere from $40 (£30) to $300 (£250). Specific pet-based options are best as they will stop your furniture from smelling too! Here’s a great options we’ve tried:
If you want to keep things matching or looking presentable, you could also buy a trendy throw blanket to go over the top. Just bare in mind that it will get ruined eventually and will need to be washed a lot, so don’t spend too much on it!
Car Protection For Puppies
If you bring your puppy everywhere you go, find protectors for your vehicle’s back seat or trunk. eBay and Amazon have really good deals. Read user reviews and find ones that are washing machine-friendly to get your money worth. This is one we’ve used:
Most pet vacuums have a greater amount of suction, spinning brush heads for grabbing pet hair, and attachments that can reach the tumbleweeds under your furniture.
As of March 2019, the Dyson Animal Upright Vacuum is rated #1 by pet owners. Dyson has a reputation for making the best vacuums, and it could be because you’ll need to remortgage your home to buy one.
A more affordable brand with great ratings are Shark pet vacuums so they are another option to try! Do your research and go by your budget. When it comes to puppy shedding you won’t be sorry you spent the extra money.
If puppy shedding is out of control and beyond the norm, talk to your veterinarian. Medical issues, allergies, and some foods can cause excessive shedding.
It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to achieve right now if you’re puppy training isn’t working, here are three big reasons why you could be hitting a ‘wall’.
#1 Lack of Consistency
‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and many reasons that puppy training isn’t working is because actually, you haven’t stuck at it long enough. The truth is, most puppies will be able to learn anything as long as you stick at it.
This doesn’t mean always do the same repetitive thing at the same time every day. But it does mean do little bits of training each day!
How to fix it: Try incorporating the training or behavior in different environments or in different ways. Persevere. Keep it up, and keep it fresh. Trust us, when you’re consistent, you start seeing consistent results.
#2 Reducing Treats Too Soon
For your puppy, treats or toys are the reward they need to see that what they are doing is a ‘good’ thing. And the next logical step is to reduce the constant feeding and start to train ‘length of duration’.
However.
If your puppy training isn’t working now, but it was before. This could be why. When you roll back on treats too soon, it gives a mixed message and what was once seen as doing something good, suddenly became something bad. Because the treats stopped.
How to fix it: Train duration by alternating between short and long, lots of treats, and a few treats. Rather than just cutting out or down altogether. Keep your puppy guessing and they are more likely to keep doing the behavior you want.
#3 Your Treat ‘Value’ Is Too Low
The harder a skill, trick or behavior is for your puppy to learn, the more incentive they will need.
If puppy training isn’t working with your current treats, it might be because your puppy doesn’t consider doing the behavior ‘worth it’.
How to fix it: Try out different treat types and mix it up in your hand so that you are giving them something different each time and they don’t know what to expect. Find out what treats are really high value to your puppy and save those for the extra tricky things to learn.
These things take time, but if you’re finding that your puppy training isn’t working, check out the training section here for more tips and help.
Most dog owners would agree that living with a puppy teenager is almost as stressful as a human teenager. Hence the name of this puppy stage! Luckily, it lasts for a shorter period of time, but between the age of 6 to 18 months, be prepared to have your boundaries tested.
Teething Again?!
I bet you thought you had finally gotten past the point where anything and everything is fair game to a puppy. Alas! The six-month-old teenage puppy will go through their second teething phase – the molars. Now when your pup gets ahold of your shoes, they probably won’t survive it. Be sure to watch your puppy closely; they can’t be trusted just yet!
You may find the need to invest in sturdier toys now. Since your pup is finally losing those back teeth, they’re going to want to destroy whatever it is they’re usually chewing on. Check our article on why Puppies Chew Everything for some great examples of natural high-quality chews.
New Fears
You may notice your teenage puppy go through another fearful stage. It’s important to keep up the social skills. New people, new dogs, car rides, vet visits – make them fun and positive. Never force your pup into a situation that scares them, but allow them to react in whatever way they may (fur raised, sniffing, barking), then distract them. It won’t take long for your pup to forget what all the fuss was about.
Hormonal Changes
If you planned on getting your pup neutered or spayed, between six to eight months of age is the norm. If you decided against it, you may notice some changes in your teenager puppy between six to eight months, such as:
The sleeping bundle of fluff you once owned has now become a ball of fury. Your puppy teenager will go through stages where they have tons of energy, then nap for a couple hours during the day. A puppy’s sleep schedule is a bit off during the teen stage, but they should still be able to sleep through the night. You’ll need to find some energy for yourself to up their walks in distance or from once to twice a day.
If you haven’t already enrolled your pup in obedience class, it’s not too late! This is a great form of stimulation for their mind and body. Another great way to burn off steam is agility training, but be weary of trainers who expect you to push your puppy too hard, as they’re still growing and developing physically.
It is important to mention the teenage puppy stage is the most common stage for pet owners to decide to give up or surrender their pet for adoption. This is likely because the teen stage can be incredibly difficult and stressful. When it seems like things are becoming overwhelming for you and your teen, remember this time will pass, and in the end, you will be rewarded with a well-trained adult dog who loves you unconditionally.
For more information on the other stages of your puppy’s development, please read our article called “The Many Stages of Puppies.”
Puppies are good at running and playing physical games that are good for physical exercise. Your puppy, however, also needs mental exercise.
Puppy brain games help them develop self-confidence, and mental exercise also helps keep boredom away along with the destructive behaviour that goes with it. This type of exercise will also help to strengthen your bond with your puppy.
Let’s look at some terrific puppy brain games for stimulating your pup mentally.
1. Treasure Hunt
This can be a great brain game to teach your puppy. It is also a great way to reinforce basic obedience commands.
You play this game by having your puppy sit-stay or start out of the room. You then hide treats in a given area. When you give the release cue (usually ‘find it’), your puppy is free to find it. This game is teaching your pup to use their eyes, ears, nose, and cognitive skills.
As your puppy gets older and is capable of more commands, you can make the hiding places more difficult and complex to find. You can also add more obstacles to make it trickier. Treasure Hunt is one of the easiest puppy brain games because you don’t need anything extra, just your own environment!
2. Ring Stacking
Traditional ring stacking is a great brain game for your puppy. This game will help him learn coordination. As this is a difficult game to learn, it will be an activity that you can spend time perfecting. Which is also key bonding and training time.
Your puppy will be picking up the rings with their mouth, so be careful of any dyes or synthetic materials that the ring set is made up of.
While you are teaching your puppy to play this game, you may need to use a reward system to help get the idea. Clicker training would work well for this.
For variations, you can place the rings in a different location or locations so they have to be found first. But this is a very advanced skill. Another alternative is mounting the rod on a wall for horizontal stacking rather than vertical dropping.
3. Hide and Seek
Yes, the classic children’s game is a hit for dogs too. You will need at least two people for this game. One person will give the sit-stay command while the other person hides. Once the release cue is given, the puppy can start seeking.
This game is perfect for indoors on a rainy day or outdoors in new surroundings. As your puppy gets better at this game, you can add more people to seek.
4. Classic Shell Game
You will need opaque cups and small dog treats to play this game with your puppy. Start by having your puppy watch you place a treat under one of the cups. Then you mix the cup up and give him the command to come and try and guess which cup has the treat. If he guesses the wrong cup, don’t give him the treat. Try again.
This game really requires your puppy to use their sense of smell, sight, and cognitive reasoning.
5. Toy Pickup
This game is great stimulation for your puppy and helps clean up at the same time. When your puppy has a toy in their mouth, teach them to go over to the toy box. Once they are standing over the opening, give them the “drop it” command. When they do this praise them a lot!
Note: the first step to this training is word recognition and naming toys so they know which to pick up when you cue them to. Start by using the names for each toys a lot.
Puppy brain games should be part of your usual routine and you’ll find you’ll have a lot less destructive behaviour. Even if you have a puppy that does a lot of physical exercise, puppy brain games can keep them stimulated so give them a try!
Training is key for your puppy, no matter what breed or age they are, so here are the best free puppy training videos around!
Teaching your puppy how to do tricks not only looks awesome but improves your their intelligence too. Learning new tricks and commands through positive games helps your puppy think actively.
Finding the right way to do this has never been easier! The online world has a whole repository of free puppy training videos on everything. From advice on how to teach your puppy to be alone, all the way to videos on every possible fun and awesome trick in the book.
Here are our top 10 free puppy training videos that will explain how to teach neat tricks to your puppy.
1. Sit and Stay
What better way to kick off the free puppy training videos list than with the most obvious?! Zak George helps Hazel learn how to sit and stay in his Dog Training Revolution video.
2. Give You the Paw
The Paw, or Handshake, is one of the most popular and easiest to learn tricks. Jo Anne Basinger explains how to teach it to your pup in minutes!
3. Lie Down
This trick is also super convenient when you need for our puppy to be still, like when visiting the vet’s office. Victoria Stilwell, an awesome dog trainer known for her Animal Planet show “It’s Me or the Dog” demonstrates a great technique to teach your pup to lie down.
4. Give Kisses
There is nothing cuter than a puppy showering you with affection, and now you can also get lots of kisses on command with this neat trick.
5. Fetch and Retrieve
Most puppies will happily run after a toy, but often times, get distracted and not bring it back. Jo Anne Basinger helps you teach your puppy how to retrieve the toy too.
6. Drop an Item
Ken from McCann Dog training explains how to get your puppy to drop whatever they might have in their mouth – toy, your shoe or towel – with only a few some positive training sessions.
7. Roll Over
Kayl McCann goes on to explain how to teach even the most energetic pups to roll over on command.
8. Play Dead
This is probably the most awesome of the free puppy training videos, and Noble Woof Training brings all the tips on how to teach your pup to play dead on command.
9. Spin Around
This is a neat trick to teach to your puppy, especially because of all the variations you can teach!
10. Bedtime
The best trick of them all is to teach your puppy how to go to bed. It’s all about positive reinforcement and making their bed their safe zone.
The right technique is key to teaching your puppy awesome new tricks. All training games you do with your puppy should be force free – always go for the lure and treat reward techniques, and make sure to pick the right words for each command.
Remember the golden rule of puppy training – measure progress, not just the end result! And most importantly, enjoy all the free puppy training videos you can find!
Among dog trainers, few questions are as controversial as to whether it’s better to use clickers or cue words for marking good behaviour in puppy training. There are excellent trainers on both sides of the issue, so it can be challenging for beginners to find their way through the weeds.
What’s the difference? And who is actually right?
Why Use Them At All?
Clickers and cue words are both used for the same purpose: to let the puppy know a reward is coming, usually a treat. They learn to associate the click or cue word with reward, so the trainer can eventually stop giving treats altogether.
The Benefits of Clickers For Puppy Training
Since your puppy will need to recognise the reward sound instantly, clickers can be helpful, particularly for slow learners.
Consistency!
Clickers make pretty much the exact same sound every time you use them.
Cue words, on the other hand, can have subtle variations, even if the trainer doesn’t mean for it to happen. If your cue word is “yes,” for example, you’re almost guaranteed to be more enthusiastic when your puppy does a great job and less enthusiastic when they do the bare minimum. This can actually be counterproductive, since even small differences can confuse an inexperienced pup.
Clever breeds and working pups in particular can differentiate between tone of voice, meaning you may not be progressing your training as much as you want to!
Easier To Hear Through Distractions
The sound of a clicker is sharp and polyphonic, meaning it produces sound at a wide variety of frequencies. This makes a click easy to hear even in high wind or over the sound of other noisy animals.
So, if your puppy is easily distracted and tends to ignore you when there is a lot going on, you may find a clicker helps you to ‘break through’ this noise.
The Benefits of Cue Words For Puppy Training
Cue words for marking good behaviour during puppy training can be a good choice for the same reason that they can be a bad one: variety.
Variety
Suppose you want to have your dog perform a series of commands, like “sit,” “shake,” and “roll over” in that order. You could use a clicker after each command, but eventually, you’re going to want your dog to do these things without that level of feedback. It can make it difficult long-term if they are reliant on the specific clicker sound, whereas, if your puppy is used to a variety of words, you won’t have to worry about this.
Some of the cue words you could use are…
Different Cue Words For Marking Good Behaviour
Yes
Good
Nice
Well Done
Good Puppy (Transitions to good dog)
Mechanical Clickers
Some people don’t like the clicker noise. They feel it’s too mechanical long-term and your pup or dog doesn’t experience the joy in your voice as much if they are waiting for that sound.
Easier For You
Another advantage of cue words for marking good behaviour is that you won’t have to remember to carry a clicker with you every time you train your puppy. You always have your voice. For both of these reasons, if you have to choose between a clicker and cue words, cue words are the better choice.
The Answer: Why Not Use Both?
Fortunately, there’s no law that says you have to decide. You can always use both methods to train your puppy. Let’s be clear: consistency is important, so it’s best to use one method whenever possible, and cue words appear to be the better choice long-term.
But some dogs have a hard time learning to respond to verbal cues. This can make training difficult, and you may end up thinking the dog is just slow. Because clickers have a sharp polyphonic sound that’s always the same, they can be a better choice for these types of dogs.
Remember, the most important thing isn’t what works on paper or for somebody else’s dog; it’s finding a training method that works for you and your dog. Many people have had success starting with a clicker and then using cue words for marking good behaviour.
Hypoallergenic puppies are being discussed a lot right now. With dog-lovers trying to opt for breeds that won’t set off asthma, or other allergies, there’s is a lot of information out there with some bold claims being made.
But, the truth is, there is little scientific evidence to back up the idea that there are actual hypoallergenic puppies.
BUT. All hope is not lost…
The causes of allergies can be greatly reduced by certain breeds, and we’re about to explain why.
Plus, scroll down and find out which breeds are more ‘hypoallergenic’ than others.
First we need to explain how dog allergies work.
With a true dog allergy, what a person is allergic to is actually a protein found in their saliva and urine. This protein attaches to the dry flakes of skin on your pet, and these flakes are called ‘dander’.
It’s actually a lot more common to be allergic to cats than dogs, and a true dog allergy is quite rare. What most people are allergic to is the allergens a dog comes in contact with outside. These common allergens attach to your puppy’s fur and then get released into the air in your home. Constant interaction with your furniture, linen, and even yourself then causes the irritation.
Hypoallergenic vs Shedding
Depending on the breed, your puppy may shed continuously, twice a year or seasonally (some breeders call this ‘blowing’ their coat), or your dog may shed very little or not at all! The breeds who shed only very small amounts, or not at all, are the breeds considered to have ‘hypoallergenic puppies’.
Although we may call some breeds hypoallergenic, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, because they all secrete the protein allergen. Yet even the sex of a dog can determine how much allergen is released. According to Tove Fall, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Sciences, unfixed male dogs secrete MORE proteins than females and unneutered males.
So, in actual fact, neutering and spaying could also play a factor here in finding a puppy that won’t set off your allergies.
But, more commonly, we’re looking for puppies that don’t shed!
Which breeds are considered ‘hypoallergenic’?
This list isn’t exhaustive and there are quite a few, but some of the main dog breeds that don’t shed much include:
Australian Silky Terrier
Basenji
Bichon Frise
Border Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Brussels Griffon
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested (both hairless and Powder-puff)
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese Terrier
Poodle (all types)
Portuguese Water Dog
Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
West Highland White Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Wheaten Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
A Note on Puppy Shedding:
These dog breeds shed signifigantly less. But, ALL puppies shed their puppy coat.
All. Of. Them.
Between 4-12 months (depending on breed) puppies will shed their ‘baby coat’ before a year old. During which, it could kick up your allergies.
But, once they have matured and their full adult coat grows in, these are the breeds that are less prone to shedding!
How can we help with allergens in a “regular” dog breed?
As stated earlier, all dogs will secrete allergen proteins, and if they have fur it will still grab on to multiple allergens in the outside world.
But you can reduce this and still have a puppy when you’re allergic by:
Bathing your puppy regularly.
Even if you get one of the hypoallergenic puppies on our list, by giving your puppy a bath on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, you can reduce a great many allergens, including the proteins found in saliva. Try to use a conditioning shampoo if you need to bathe your puppy more than once a month, so you don’t strip too much of their natural oils on their skin.
Another helpful hint for puppies with dry skin would be adding an omega 3-6-9 daily supplement.
Brush or comb your dog daily.
There are many choices now for dog brushes and combs available in the grooming section of your local pet store. Being able to remove as much dead loose fur as possible will greatly help to reduce allergens.
You should also look to brush or comb your dog outside, so that no allergens and fur are transferred in your home.
After a bath, once your dog is dry (finally), it’s a good time to brush them since a lot of the fur has become loosened during the bathing process. If you use a rubber brushing tool when bathing your dog, (looks like a horse comb), you can brush them with the soap on the comb. This helps loosen even more dead fur.
Vacuum your home more regularly.
Invest in a pet vacuum with a filter. Vacuums that state they are specifically for pet hair really do work better. They usually have an attachment with rotating brushes, and a lot of them have HEPA filters.
This will help keep the amount of dander down inside your house.
Some dogs will even let you vacuum them. I know this sounds incredibly odd, but you can train them to love it. At the groomers your dog will be “blow-dried”, so if they are accustomed to blow drying, you might be lucky enough to have a vacuum-able puppy!
Invest in a HEPA air filter for your home.
Although you might find a HEPA filter a bit expensive, they make a big difference. If there is a specific room your dog spends more time in, this is a good place to put the overpriced air purifier. Another logical place people opt to put a HEPA is in their bedroom.
HEPA filters also help to clean the “dog smell” in the air, which most of us don’t even notice anymore.
Can dog allergies be prevented?
As of 2019, there isn’t much that can be done if you’re already allergic to dogs – besides allergy medications. Immunology-therapy studies are currently being done to see if small amounts of exposure to an allergen can reduce the effects. There has been some promise, but there’s still no surefire way to eliminate a dog allergy.
BUT! You can help reduce the chance of allergies in your children if they grow up with pets! If that’s not awesome enough… in a Swedish study done by the same Tove Fall we mentioned earlier, “Children living with two or more dogs had a 21 percent lower risk of asthma than those who only lived with one dog.” Science said it!! The more the merrier!
Hopefully this article has given you a better understanding of hypoallergenic puppies, and help you make the decision for the right pooch for you!
Feeding your puppy isn’t always as easy as it seems! These puppy feeding tips require patience, and above all, consistency if you want them to work towards the goal of making training easier!
Don’t Feed from the Table
The first rule to remember is to not feed your puppy from the table. This is extremely important for a few reasons. When you feed your puppy from the table, you are encouraging them to learn a bad behaviour: begging.
This is a terrible habit for your puppy to learn, and it encourages other bad behaviours, such as barking for attention.
Your puppy should be learning that food comes in different situations, not whilst you’re eating. Because ultimately, not all table food is appropriate for puppies and dogs. Some can be poisonous.
Tip: If you’re struggling, feed your puppy at a similar time and give them a food enrichment toy! The other alternative is crate training and making sure your puppy goes in their crate when it’s your mealtimes.
Avoid Feeding Before Big Sessions
If you know you’re going to be doing plenty of training or a big session, avoid meals beforehand. A hungry pup can be excitable and more focused on learning and getting those treats or kibble. You can always start training with their breakfast or dinner to save those treats for extra special moments.
Note Car Journeys And Avoid Mealtimes
This tip is pretty straightforward. Some dogs can be susceptible to motion sickness. It will help your dog to have a better experience riding in the car if they don’t get sick. The general rule of thumb is to allow at least an hour after feeding your puppy before taking them in the car.
This is important, particularly if you have a breed or puppy that is anxious. Being sick in the car leads to negative experiences that you want to avoid!
Use Good Quality Food
You should feed your puppy the best quality food that you can. This will ensure they are getting all the nutrients needed to grow properly. Plus, the better it tastes, the more of an incentive it is!
Keep the Diet Consistent
Once you introduce a particular dog food to your puppy, it is important to allow plenty of time to be sure it’s okay. It can take about ten days for a puppy’s system to adjust to a new food. So you need to introduce food slowly and give it time to be sure it’s well tolerated. The easiest way to this is:
¼ new food, ¾ old food.
½ new food, ½ old food
¾ new food, ¼ old food
All new food
Doing this will avoid any accidents or sickness when training!
Watch the Amount of Food You Feed Your Puppy
Remember that the feeding guidelines listed on dog food are simply recommendations. You may need to adjust the amount you feed your puppy depending on how much exercise they are getting, their breed, and their general build.
If you see that your puppy can’t eat all the food you put out in a single feeding, you may be overfeeding them. Simply adjust your serving size.
When training you need to make sure your pup hasn’t overeaten otherwise they’ll be sluggish, won’t want to train, and may well be sick!
Don’t Grab Your Puppy’s Food Bowl/Toy
It is very important to let your puppy eat in a calm atmosphere. If you’re offering toy enrichment or feeding from the bowl, you don’t want to create anxiety by suddenly taking it away.
This can create food aggression and territorial behavior in your home, along with other behavioral problems. Which certainly won’t lend itself to successful training!
Puppy Feeding Tips: A Note About Bloat
Some breeds are more likely to have issues with bloating. This is caused when the puppy eats his food much too quickly and swallows a lot of air. One way to help combat this problem is by using a puzzle bowl. This type of bowl forces the puppy to eat at a slower rate and therefore swallow less air!
These puppy feeding tips aren’t exhaustive but will definitely go a long way to helping with your training efforts! If you have any question about your puppy nutrition, you should speak to your vet!
Puppies grow so fast, it’s hard to notices the stages they go through. A puppy’s life stages may only be weeks apart, but if you pay close attention, you will notice how much their growth and development can change rapidly.
Puppy Life Stages
Newbie (0-2 weeks)
At birth, puppies are only able to touch and taste. Blind and deaf, they squirm around with their littermates, completely dependent on their mother. All a puppy does at this stage is sleep and eat – they will need to eat every two hours!
Puppies at this age still don’t have the ability to regulate their body temperature and will rely on mom and siblings for warmth.
Big Changes (2-4 weeks)
During week 2, your puppy’s eyes will finally open. This puppy life stage will show the quick development of sight, sense of smell, hearing, and even the ability to walk – though not very well.
By week 4, a puppy will have grown in some teeth, and they will already be crying for mom.
Social Development (4-8 weeks)
Around five weeks old, a puppy will begin to show more independence – playing with people and rough housing with siblings. During this period, it’s time to be introduced to people. That being said, it is extremely important for a puppy to stay with their mother and littermates until a least eight weeks old (some even say twelve weeks!).
Around now, the mother will begin weaning. She will also spend a lot of time teaching her pups how to interact properly with other dogs. Mom will show her puppies important behaviours which will help them socially later on in life.
Fearful (8-12 weeks)
Not every pooch will go through the puppy life stages of fearing everything, but many will. Loud noises and voices can easily traumatise a puppy at this life stage.
Week 8 will be the beginning of potty training, and by the twelfth week, your puppy may even be able to hold it all night!
Bratty (3-4 months)
Your puppy will seem to forget commands they’ve already learned and see what they can get away with. At this stage, they will be learning about dominance and where they fit in the pack. The best way to stop nipping during play is by stating “no” and ignoring them for a short period. They soon get the hint that playtime ends when biting starts.
Your puppy will also be teething during this stage, so it is important to give them plenty of chew toys.
The Dreaded TEENS (5-18 months)
This stage will test your patience. The teen puppy life stage brings on an increasing amount of energy, independence, and intelligence. At this age, your puppy may look like a full-grown dog, but still lacks the maturity of an adult.
It’s important to spay or neuter your puppy around this time, to prevent unwanted litters and possibly some unwanted behaviours as well (marking territory, humping).
It’ll be smooth sailing from eighteen months on, but if you find your dog becoming aggressive or fearful, it’s important to contact a professional. For more information on the teen stage of puppy life, go to our article “The Teenage Puppy.”
