VOM Delgado kennel studies

21/04/2012

GROOMING YOUR PUPPY!!!!!!!!!

Grooming isn't just about making your puppy look good. Regular care removes dead hair, keeps the coat and skin healthy, and gives you the opportunity to check your pup's general health. It's also important time spent together, building your relationship, trust and understanding. Starting early means dogs get used to being handled and this also makes any veterinary examinations much less stressful in the future. There's even scientific evidence that grooming sessions reduce stress and blood pressure - for both of you!

Brushing

*Initially, a puppy's coat is quite different to an adult's. It may be softer, fluffier, and shorter, but it's still important to get your pup used to being groomed, even if it doesn't actually need it much yet. If your dog gets into the routine of being handled, and learns to enjoy it, grooming will be much easier in the future.

1) Encourage your puppy to come to you, have a quick cuddle and gently start to brush in a quiet area where you won’t be disturbed and the puppy feels comfortable, this can be outside during good weather.
* Start by brushing the puppy’s body rather than feet/head.
* Give praise in a quiet, soothing tone of voice, for being good.
*After just two minutes, stop brushing and offer a treat.
*Repeat several times a day, gradually increasing the length of brushing time.
*If your puppy attempts to bite or play with the brush, turn away but without letting go. Do not tell the puppy off or it may perceive this as part of a game, or remember a negative experience of grooming. Ignore negative behavior and puppies soon learn that such behavior will lose your attention. Reward positive behavior.
*After about five days, once your puppy is familiar with the sensation, start to groom the belly, tail, ears and other sensitive areas. Be extra gentle, and keep the initial sessions short and enjoyable, always praised and always rewarded.
* Touch the feet and examine the nails and toes. It is important your puppy gets used to having nails touched in case future nail clipping is required.
*Look inside the ears and gently open the mouth.
*This programme ensures your dog gets used to being handled. Always end a session with a treat and a game/walk.
*Maintain this habit, it is easy to stop if the puppy has a short coat for example, but this familiarity with close contact really will make life easier, and less stressful for the dog, in the future.
*Encourage older children to be involved to teach them gentle handling and responsibility.

Coats

Once your puppy is settled, your grooming routine will depend on your puppy's coat type.

Smooth Coats - Breeds with smooth coats don't really need a lot of grooming. A quick once over each week is enough, but remember to continue handling practice more frequently e.g. touching feet and opening the mouth. You'll need to use a rubber brush or grooming mitt to loosen dead hair and dirt and a bristle brush to remove it.

Short Coats - Breeds with short coats need regular brushing to prevent matting and this will also reduce the amount shed in the house. Begin with a pinhead (metal) brush or comb gently to remove mats and knots, then follow with a bristle brush to remove the dead hair and dirt. Never cut out mats using scissors or you risk injury to the dog. A rubber brush maybe used to remove dead hair.

Long Coats - Longer coats need daily attention to avoid knots. Begin using a pinhead brush or comb to untangle matted hair. Never cut out mats using scissors. Comb the hair with a wide-toothed comb, taking particular care around the backside, tail and legs. Trim any hairs that have got out of control. If your puppy does become very matted, don’t pull at them or try and cut them out. You may need help from your vet or a professional groomer to remove the matts. You may prefer to keep long coats shorter to avoid such problems so again a professional grooming may be better in the longer term.

Silky Coats - Silky coats need a lot of attention and are usually long too. Start by teasing out tangles with a pinhead brush or comb, then, to bring out the natural shine, use a bristle brush. To give your dog a bit of style, opt for a center parting, brushing downwards on either side. Trim wayward hairs. As for puppies with long hair professional grooming, including a short back and sides may make such a coat more manageable. Consult your vet/vet nurse or professional groomer.

Styling

Some breeds require special grooming techniques.

* Some terriers need stripping, where dead hair is plucked from the coat. This is usually done by a groomer as it requires skill and special equipment.
*Some breeds, including those with long hair or those that don’t shed hair such as the Poodle, need sc******ng into shape.
*Breeds with very thick, long coats may need a short clip in hot weather and to prevent matting, e.g. Old English Sheepdogs, Bearded Collies.
*Some long-coated breeds, if used for showing, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, need the coat put into wrappers (papers) to protect it. If not used for showing them this hair is better trimmed shorter.

Your breeder, veterinary practice or a professional groomer can always advise you of your breed's specific needs. If you have a puppy of a breed requiring a lot of coat care, or plan to use a groomer regularly, introduce this experience early, with lots of praise and reward so the dog doesn’t fear the experience.

Extensive matting or snarls can accelerate damage to surrounding hairs and are very uncomfortable for your puppy. If your dog has a challenging coat, enjoys a daily dip in the pond, or if you'd rather be walking your dog than combing it, consider regular visits to a professional groomer who can provide a soothing bath, gentle hair drying and a thorough brushing. If your puppy’s coat has become very tangled/matted, or you have rehomed a dog with such a coat this may be more than you can manage to sort out. Consult your vet or a professional dog groomer as some hair may need to be shaved off to allow you to start afresh with coat care. Occasionally in severe cases a sedative/anaesthetic may be required (only given by a vet of course).

Bathing

Many dogs rarely need more than two or three baths a year - some show breeders even discourage baths altogether for some rough and wire coat breeds, certainly bathing too often can dry out a dog’s coat. However, many dogs have the habit of rolling in something unpleasant or walking through puddles, or may need more regular baths for medical reasons and it is worth getting your puppy familiar with the process. Often a quick foot wash will be enough but occasionally a full bath is required.

*When your puppy is still small, the sink will make a good bath. Alternatively, use a plastic tub. As your pet gets larger, switch to the shower or a bath (an old baby bath works well) and use a non-slip mat so they don’t panic if they lose their footing.
*Make sure the environment is warm enough as small puppies will get very cold after their bath.
*Do not overfill the bath as this could make the puppy panic, a few inches is usually enough or none if you have a shower attachment.
*Use a shower attachment, or jug to wet the coat, making sure the water is warm, but not hot.
*Wet the coat thoroughly, careful to avoid getting water in your puppy's eyes. Part the hair down to the skin to make sure that it's wet all the way through.
*If your puppy shows signs of nervousness, especially the first time, offer praise and reassurance throughout. Try distracting the pup with a treat. You can also take the tub outside to a less confined space, which can be less threatening. Ask a family member/friend to help by stroking and re-assuring the puppy whilst you do the washing!
*Use a special puppy shampoo that's designed for your puppy's coat type and always read the label instructions - some shampoos require dilution and some medicated shampoos require a certain contact time.
*Once the coat is lathered, rinse thoroughly. If any soap is left in the coat, your puppy may be itchy afterwards.
*If you're using a pet conditioner, ensure that it's rinsed out too.
Keep a stock of old towels to allocate as ‘dog towels’ in the airing cupboard for drying the puppy.
*Stand back as most dogs love a vigorous shake after a bath! Or try and towel-dry before your puppy has a chance to shake.
*Make sure the puppy is kept in a warm room until fully dry. Some thick coats can take a surprisingly long time to be completely dry.
*If the coat is very long, it may need blow-drying while brushing it. Your breeder or groomer will include this in your grooming instructions. Make sure the dryer is not too close to the skin, directed near the eyes, or on a hot setting, as the skin can burn easily. Hair dryers can be quite frightening for a puppy, so ensure you reassure him throughout the process and reward good behavior. If your puppy is likely to need hair drying; start introducing this early, initially just the noise in the room, and moving onto directing the dryer onto the puppy, following with praise and reward so the experience is not stressful in the future.
*Make sure the coat is completely dry before he/she goes out side

21/04/2012

Fastest Way to Potty Train a Puppy
You decided your family was ready for a dog and have adopted the world's most adorable puppy. That is, until he piddled in the middle of your living room carpet. You suddenly realize that owning a dog is a big responsibility and so you prepare yourself to clean up some messes, but now all you want to do is potty train your new furry friend---fast.

One of the easiest ways to potty train a puppy is to simply pay attention and watch for signals. Make sure your puppy is always where you can see him. You may need to use baby gates or close doors to keep your puppy from wandering off and going potty in the house. When you notice the puppy sniffing around or if you see him start to squat, quickly scoop him up and take him outside.

After the puppy eats or drinks, take him outside to go potty within about 10 minutes. A puppy will always need to go to the potty shortly after eating or drinking. Control when the puppy eats, as well. He does not require a full bowl of food available at all times. Check with your vet or breeder regarding how much and how frequently your puppy should eat.

When you take the puppy outside after eating or drinking, do not use this time to play. Simply stand or sit off to the side and wait until he finally goes.

If you are occupied and unable to keep an eye on him for extended periods, consider crate training your puppy. While it may feel like you are imprisoning him, puppies who are crate trained begin to appreciate the safety and security of their crate, as it is much like the dens their ancestors lived in.

Choose a crate that is large enough for the puppy to stand and turn around in; never use the crate as punishment, such as a "time out" corner. It should be a place where the puppy feels safe and comfortable. Take the puppy outside to go potty before putting him in his crate. He can be safely crated for three to four hours; puppies rarely use the crate as a potty and will learn to hold it while he is in the crate. Take him outside to potty as soon as you let him out of the crate.

Repetition and consistency are two key factors that will help your puppy learn to let you know he needs to go potty. Whenever you take the puppy outside to go potty, always take him through the same door and to the same area of your yard. This will help to train him to go to that door when he needs to go potty.

Consider using potty training pads, as well. These lined pads have a scent that attract puppies to go potty on them. Leave a clean potty training pad near the door that you want the puppy to use to alert you when he needs to go potty.

Every time the puppy goes potty or when you are waiting for him to go, use the word you want to associate with training him to go. For example, you might repeat, "Go potty, good boy! Good potty!" This will train him to understand what you want him to do, which is go potty in the designated spot.

Finally, it is crucial you praise your puppy every time he goes potty in the appropriate area. Even if the puppy started to go inside, carry him out, let him finish and praise him for his good potty training session. Dogs want to please their owners and will be encouraged to repeat the action that caused him to be loved on and praised.

19/04/2012

GETTING READY FOR A PUP
A dog will do his best to please you and keep you smiling. He will curl up with you when you are feeling down or need some serious relaxation. He won't hold your mistakes against you or prejudge you for your looks, faults or lack of know-how. He'll be your unconditional friend and will play ball with you as long as you wish. He'll forgive you for all your mistakes, never holding them against you later. Sleeping at your feet and loving to please you, he will enjoy just spending time with you. He'll do his best to protect you, because you will be his master.

However, a dog also relies on you for everything- from his food, water, shelter, leadership, exercise, grooming, to his training, veterinary care, companionship and protection. Know what you are getting into. Are you prepared to spend the next 10-15 years of your life taking care of your dog? That is about how long your dog will live. Can you afford the added expense of a dog? When you get a dog, it is a life long commitment, and should not be treated like a piece of furniture that you can just "get rid of" when you get tired of it. After all, this dog will be part of your family. Would you get rid of your children because you were tired of them wetting their beds? Are you prepared to accept the fact that dogs are not little humans and invest some time into learning how to properly treat your dog in order to keep him or her balanced? Before you bring a dog into your home, think long and hard. Are you prepared for the responsibility? Do you understand dog psychology? Do you understand what makes a dog tick and what they instinctually need as the canine animal? Are you willing to invest the time it takes? A dog's temperament is a direct result of the owners ability to understand him and give him what he instinctually needs as a canine animal.

The decision to get a dog needs to be carefully thought out. Do you honestly have the time to take care of a dog? Are you prepared to walk them every day? Are you prepared to show the dog consistent leadership, putting your emotions aside and seeing them as a canine? Are you prepared to train them? What kind of dog should you get? Some people think a dog is a dog. I hear them say they don't care what breed of dog they get. There are many different breeds with many different needs. Honestly think about it and do your homework. Think about your family as it is right now, and how it will be in the future.

Every family has its own needs, schedule, personality, medical problems, space and time limitations. If you take a good hard look at your family's situation, you can match a dog that will fit into your lives nicely and not just make things more awkward and difficult.

Is anyone in your family allergic to dog hair? Are you bothered by hair on everything from your clothes to your toast? Some breeds are heavy shedders, while others hardly shed at all. Do you have children? Are you going to have children in the next 10-15 years? Do you have friends who visit your home who have children? Are you prepared to learn how to teach your child how to display leadership towards the dog? Do you mind holes being dug in your yard? Some dogs like to dig if they hear something moving underground, while others are less likely to dig.

Do you mind if your dog has a tendency to wander away from home, or would you rather have a dog that would be more likely to stick close to home? Some hunting breeds will roam if they catch a scent of another animal, it is in their nature, while others have a strong instinct to stick close to home.








All dogs, regardless of breed, size or energy level need to be taken on a daily pack walk. Within each and every litter there are pups born with different energy and dominancy levels. You need to choose a dog whose energy level matches or is lower than your own. If your family is not very active, do not choose a pup with a higher energy level. If you are a laid back family, do not choose a pup with a higher dominancy level. The degree of exercise varies. Some dogs need daily vigorous exercise and you would need to take them out every day for a run and a nice long walk, while others will get enough exercise with a shorter walk and by running around the inside of your house. Some dogs need a job to do or they will become restless, bored, very destructive, and unruly. Other dogs will settle for just a short walk. Some can be highly obedience-trained, while others cannot.

Get the point? All dogs are different, and all families are different. Find a dog that fits well into your family, so you and your dog can live in harmony.

While it is important to choose the correct breed for your families lifestyle, it is even more important to understand a dog is a canine, not a human and treat him accordingly. For a clear understanding into a dogs brain check out Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer). You will find that any dog can be your worst nightmare, or your best investment, it all depends on the owner and their understanding of the canine and their willingness to give the dog what he truly needs. Cesar is an excellent guide to communicating with, understanding, and controlling your dog.

It's your choice. Do your homework. Research the different kinds of breeds and take a long hard look at your life and don't forget, that cute little puppy does grow up to be an adult dog. Never adopt a puppy, or adult dog solely on looks. If you are looking to adopt a dog, don't forget to visit our Rescue section. There are many great rescue groups and organizations listed who have wonderful homeless dogs, just waiting for someone like you to take them home and love them. If you are looking to adopting a rescue dog please read Successfully Adopting a Rescue Dog.

This site is designed to help you do just that. Find the perfect dog.

19/04/2012