Holiday Puppies & Dogs...What You Need to Know

This is the time of year when many families decide to add-on. No I'm not writing about home improvements or babies but introducing a first-time pet to the house or adding a new one to the community of pets they already have.

There are certain things that you should consider particularly if you are a first-time pet owner yourself who has children but never owned or raised a dog in your home. Perhaps you are single and have never had a dog or puppy to occupy your privacy but received a " warm fuzzy" one as a present during the Holidays...there are definite things and understandings you must have and should consider. Then again, you may have another dog in the house or several and along comes an adoptive dog who you must have and who you feel, must join the group. Well, we should look at several considerations during this hub to understand puppy and dog behavior that may be a shock to you right now or to some that didn't take some things into consideration when they brought that cute pup home for Christmas.

Hopefully some of these tips from this dog owner of over 40+ years will inform and help with the understanding that the pet owner must learn and adapt as well as the pet. It will work...just requires alot of patience. It's never too late to learn...that goes for the pet and the owner.

House Training a puppy will test your time, vigilance, patience, and commitment. There are certain things you can do to minimize house soiling incidents, but all puppies will have accidents in the house...many in fact...however the faster you the puppy owner applies some basic techniques the faster you will see your pup have fewer boo boo's as the training is applied. Take it from me...it works.

Like babies, puppies do best if steered towards a regular schedule. In today's hectic environment having a regular schedule is difficult for ourselves, however part of your routine must now change with the new pet on board. Take your puppy outside frequently or have one of the kids do it. This should happen at least 2-3 per day...morning, afternoon and evening...after the pup wakes up from naps, after playing and particularly after eating...this is a MUST. Do not let them back in the house until they have pooped and pee'd!

Praise your puppy when they take their business outdoors and if possible give them a treat of some kind...not too much however...since they might need to go back out. Now don't wait to lavish the praise...do it immediately so your pup will recognize the connection and that you are pleased with the poops location! Won't have to scrape that shat off the floor in the kitchen...Whew!

If possible, put your puppy on a regular feeding routine. Depending of course on their age, puppies usually need to be feed 3-4 times a day. Feeding your puppy at the same time each day will make it more likely that they will eliminate at consistent times as well. This has been shown to be true and the ideal scenario for successful house training for the pet and owner.

Important: Don't give your puppy an opportunity to soil the house...at any time. I know it is not always possible to do this but they should be watched at all times when they are indoors. You cannot let them roam the house and eliminate all over the place. Watch for signs that he needs to GO, like sniffing around and circling. Take him out immediately. Don't wait! If you are unable to watch your puppy at all times, he should be confined to a small area where he will not want to GO until you return or someone is able to take him out.

When your puppy does soil the house or is in the process...try and distract him and steer him outside if it's not too late, but don't scream or holler to scare him. Don't punish your puppy for going indoors, it too late for that...so just clean it up and be ready for the next opportunity for them to GO outside. Clean up is very important because the puppy will go in the same spot again if they smell urine or feces.

Eliminating all accidents of your new pup is not possible, however the supervision and confinement techniques mentioned will help minimize the incidences your family will have to deal with.

Medical problems: House-soiling can sometimes be caused by physical problems such as a urinary tract infection or a parasite infection. Have your Vet check this out.

Submissive/Excitement urination happens when your pup is unable to control their bladder when excited or being punished...try to slow them down after an excited greeting or loud outburst by you or someone that makes them feel threatened.

Territorial Urine-Marking Yes even young pups have the need to stake out some turf. So let them go to different spots along the trail so they feel comfortable, relaxed and on routine when they decide to GO. They will look forward to going outside to do their business.

Fears and Phobias: When pups become frightened, they will sometimes lose control of their bladder...be prepared to deal with this in a calm manner so your pup will eventually relax more during the heightened periods of excitement.

Paper Training: I don't like this techinique very much since it tends to delay or prolong the housebreaking procedures in place IMO.

Living with, raising and surrounding themselves with a pet when given this holiday season is a wonderful experience and should be shared. Pets can enhance a child's self-esteem, teach responsiblity and help them to learn empathy. It certainly did so for my children, however children and dogs are not always going to automatically start off with a bang. Most of the time it does and the relationship between the family and the new pet is an added plus to the family. This will require the parent willingness to teach both the pet and child(ren) the behavior aspects of bringing a new dog into the home. Things will change somewhat. Since puppies will require a lot of time, patience, training and supervision they will take time away from some of the nourishment you give your children. Remember to spread the love around. If you do not have the time or patience...you must make an adjustment quickly. As a safety consideration for puppies bare in mind that they play rough, have sharp teeth and although well meaning will jump on the kids and knock them down...this could cause injury to either.

Now you may want to consider an adult dog. Adult dogs require less time and attention once they've adjusted to your family and household routine...there's that word again...but they still will require attention in order to ease the transition to their new surroundings. If you have concerns about an adult dog...visit an adoption center and speak with the personel to better gauge how hardy and tolerant an adult dog will be of childish pranks and if they think the adult dog will adapt to the home you detail to them. It is generally stated that if you have a child in the home under six then try an adopt a dog over two years...somewhat mature but still playful.

Since some general statements can be made about specific dog breeds, the characteristics of an individual dag are just as important as a dog' breed. Remember when considering a dog's breed that these descriptions are mere generalization and that dogs differ on an individual basis.

Size does matter: small breeds of dogs, such as toy or miniature poodles, chihuahuas or cocker spaniels may not be good choices for a young child. These small breed dogs are more easily injured that larger dogs and may be more easily frightened by a lot of activity, loud noise or by being picked up and fondled too much. Frightened dogs tend to snap or bite in order to protect themselves. Larger dogs may be better able to tolerate annoying behavior by a child and adapt easier to a poke in the eye.

Sporting breeds such as Labs, and Golden Retrievers, have traditionally been considered good pets for families with children. Particualry older adult ones. Breeds that have been selected to protect a family such as Chows and Rottweilers, may not be as good for families with children however if one of these breeds is already in the home this should not be a problem. Watch those herding breeds they will nip at heels and make themselves noticed.

I like German Shephards, Labs and those rare Mixed breeds that always seem like the right fit. Don't be so breed conscious that you let a good home pet go by without realizing they might not come with the name recognition or looks but they are good dogs and would be a good addition to your home.

Finally, I trust these tips and techiniques will help make the new pet or addition to your home easier. I want you to keep your pet and family safe. They are sometimes a bundle of joy and sometimes they are not the right fit for yourself or family. Try and find out as soon as possible which is which and make the adjustment. We don't want to see any pet returned to an adoption center or just released on the streets. Please take the time to consider some of these things when and if you decide to bring that " fuzzy creature" home for Christmas.

Thanks