At the age of six weeks, a puppy will be a bundle of energy, but it’s at this stage that any dog owner should look to introduce some discipline into the puppy’s daily routine.
Training a puppy can be a tough challenge, but introducing exercises at regular intervals will be key to minimising the amount of chaos your beloved canine companion causes around the house. Read on to learn more more about the challenges involved in training a puppy at this young age.
Six Week Old Puppy: Training Guidance
Even owners with previous experience of puppy training may have to exhibit a little patience at this defining stage of the puppy’s development, as some breed of dogs take longer than others to adjust to basic commands such as ‘Sit’ and ‘Stay’.
Puppies can be hyperactive, but they will tire easily after using up all that energy, and for this reason it makes sense to set up a quiet area in the house where the puppy can rest. Some owners prefer a crate; others a deep bed, so ensure the puppy takes advantage of a peaceful environment in which to relax after burning off steam.
A growing puppy will have a ferocious appetite, but it’s important to guard against overfeeding, even if that means occasionally blanking those innocent puppy dog eyes. Sadly, dog obesity is an increasing trend, and the reasons behind this statistic can perhaps be explained by a lack of restraint on the behalf of the owner in terms of offering treats. Feed the puppy small amounts in short bursts every now and then, as this will offer a boost to his energy reserves.
At the six week phase, the most testing task any puppy owner will be forced to overcome is toilet training. The easiest way to potty train a puppy is to take note of the times the puppy tends to go to the toilet in most cases, this will be soon after eating, first thing after waking up and before heading to bed at night. Scrutinise the puppy’s movements closely at these particular times, and if he starts to become restless as if he needs the toilet, direct him towards a puppy pad or scrap of newspaper.
If he answers the call of nature in your directed spot, offer up a treat, as this will cause him to associate this spot with positive reactions. However, to stop the dog leave a nasty surprise your living room, it’s important to make clear your disapproval should he have ‘an accident’ around the house during the day. Say ‘No’ to the dog in a disappointed tone and move it onto the puppy pads. The puppy may take a couple of weeks to adjust to your instructions, so it’s crucial to stand firm and not become disheartened should your methods fail to register instantly.
Aim to socialise the puppy with other dogs from an early stage, as some dog breeds can become extremely territorial without regular interaction. Take the puppy for long walks down the local park, as this can be a good opportunity for him to socialise with other dogs as he burns off some excess energy. Finally, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the classifieds for dog toys and accessories to help keep the puppy under control at this crucial time.
Dogs can be an excellent addition to any family but parents can sometimes be understandably hesitant to have a dog in the house with children. While all dogs need proper socialisation, certain dogs and puppies are traditionally better with children than others. Read the rest of this article to learn more.
Labrador
In most countries in the world, labradors are the most popular breed of dog and this is largely to do with their fantastic temperaments. The labrador makes a brilliant family dog because they’re very friendly and fun loving. Labradors are also highly intelligent dogs that are considered easy to train.
Staffy
The Staffy is considered by some to be dangerous and aggressive. The truth however is that the Staffordshire bull terrier is an excellent dog for kids. The Staffordshire bull terrier is listed among only two breeds that are recommended by the UK Kennel Club for their suitability with children. Staffies have earned themselves the nickname of nanny dogs due to their natural affinity with children.
Golden Retrievers
The golden retriever is a lot like the Labrador in that they have brilliant personalities and are great for families. Golden retrievers often shed more fur than the Labrador though. Golden retrievers are a lot like labradors in that they’re very intelligent and love being with a family.
Beagle
The beagle breed is almost the perfect size for a family and they have great personalities. The beagle is a dog that is well suited to family life as they can be very playful and energetic but also very relaxed at other times. They need lots of exercise however to ensure they don’t get obese.
Hungarian Vizsla Puppies
Even though they make excellent pets for a family, the Vizsla is not very well known around the world. The vizsla is almost the ideal size for family living. These dogs are extremely loyal to family members and are very friendly. The vizsla is also a very clean dog that doesn’t smell.
Dachshund training sessions shouldn’t be all fun and games nor completely boring and frustrating lessons. While learning the things he should learn, it is necessary that you make it enjoyable and challenging for your dachshund.
If you are getting a puppy eight weeks old and over, understand that training ought to begin right after the pet arrives home. Training at this point doesn’t have to include advanced tricks though. What your little one needs is appropriate socialization, a part of dachshund training in which a dachshund is introduced and exposed to different sights and sounds common in human world. This part of training aims to get a pet accustomed to such things thus prevents him from turning out to be timid, submissive or fearful.
To begin the training, the puppy should be allowed to play with other pets at home after introduction was made. It is during this time that the puppy learns bite inhibition, a process that is more likely to help avoid biting issues in the future. Interacting with other pets outside the house should be done only if your pup has completed necessary vaccines against illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, influenza and others.
A pet given with correct dachshund training is not scared of sounds coming from siren, telephone, doorbell, cars and other everyday sounds. He’s also accustomed to children giggling and screaming as well as the sound of thunder, raindrops and the likes. To prevent issues associated with these sounds, he needs exposure to the said sounds early on. A well-trained pet also knows that the garbage collector, postman, delivery boy and the family next door are not enemies to run after nor to bark at.
One general guideline when training a young puppy is to make each experience worthwhile so that he will eventually associate it with something positive. Rewarding and praising him for every good behavior can do the trick.
All dogs love their toys but they won’t understand that you may have paid a lot of money for something before they decide they don’t like. As a general rule, the toys that cost the least will usually be the one that dogs love the most. After all, tennis balls are the favourite toy of most dogs. Bearing this in mind, this guide gives some ideas for great homemade toys for dogs and puppies.
Homemade Rope Chew
These toys are fairly self explanatory and extremely simple to make. Just tie a knot at each end of a fairly thick length of rope and you have a toy. Dogs often love retrieving as much as they love chewing so this toy is perfect for both. It’s important to make sure the rope is fairly clean beforehand. If you’re using nylon rope it’s a good idea to prevent the ends fraying by melting them.
Tennis Ball & Rope
Toys like this can be thrown further than normal tennis balls which helps to exercise the dog more. Simply take a tennis ball and put a hole on either side to thread a rope through. Somewhere in the region of 6ft is an ideal length. This is ideal as dogs generally like to chase things. Ensure that the ends of the rope are melted once tied together.
Old Dog Bones
Dogs and puppies often grow bored of their bones after a while but you can however make them interesting again. Hollow dog bones work best for this but any can be used. You simply put some peanut butter inside or on the bone and let the dog have it back. This will definitely jazz up an old bone and will keep the dog entertained for hours. Try to make it as challenging as possible.
Things Not To Use
You need to make sure that the toys can withstand being chewed and that they don’t become a choking hazard. Make sure you check any paint or glue is non-toxic. It may be tempting to give dogs and puppies an old shoe to chew on but this is not recommended as it teaches them that this is ok behaviour.
When properly introduced, there is no reason why dogs and cats can’t live together happily for years. Probably the most important part of the whole process is the first introduction as this can make or break the situation. To learn the best way of introducing puppies to cats, keep reading.
Cats and Dogs
- If you already have cats then there is a certain process you should follow to introduce puppies to. It’s likely the cat will see the house as theirs and probably won’t take kindly to a new member. Although you can influence how successful the introduction is, it will somewhat depend on the individual animal.
- Cats and dogs shouldn’t just be put in the same room together in the hope that it will work out. Curiosity is natural in puppies but cats are noted for wanting to take things at their own time. Putting a baby gate or even a window between the two will allow them to see each other a few times first. A puppy crate is also suitable.
- When they are first being introduced, make sure that the cat has an escape route and that the dog is on a lead. Compared to cats, puppies are much easier to get control of. You need to let the puppy be curious but if he gets over excited or the cat reacts badly you should pull the puppy back a bit.
- Try and keep the puppy distracted with toys to teach him that he can be in the same room as the cat without bothering it. The ideal result will be that the cat swats the puppy a few times who then learns some manners and that will be that. The welfare of both animals is important so you need to pay some consideration to your cat’s claws.
- As long as you exercise some caution when you introduce puppies to cats then it should go fairly smoothly. Some dogs though have important hunting instincts that can’t be avoided so you should remember this.
Bringing dogs and puppies into the family is a wonderful experience and they are integral to many dogs. There are certain procedures to follow during the early months of a puppy’s life as they are important times. After you have bought puppies for sale the training process should be begun straight away. Learn more about caring for puppies by reading the rest of this guide.
Care For a Puppy
- House training is the first thing you will probably want to start when the puppy has reached home. It can take time but it’s important for obvious reasons. When house training a dog, it’s important that you reward good behaviour instead of punishing bad behaviour. If you catch the puppy in the act, simply take him outside and heap lots of praise on him when he is finished.
- Dogs and puppies are pack animals and they need to know you’re in charge. Basic obedience should be started as soon as you have purchased puppies for sale. The first commands taught should be those such as ‘come’ and ’sit’. Establishing yourself as the leader early on will make future training much easier.
- Puppies will need a different diet to adult dogs so make sure you buy special puppy food. You need to feed dogs and puppies the best food that can be afforded. The early week’s of a dog’s life are important to physical development.
- Exposing puppies to lots of new people and situations while they are young is important. The proper socialisation of puppies will help to make sure that they are predictable and comfortable in new situations. Ensure that puppies get to meet lots of children.
- Obviously, dogs and puppies need regular exercise so take them out twice daily. Not only does this give puppies the exercise they need, it also enables them to meet lots of other dogs and become used to them.
Domestic dogs are descended from wolves and have been living with humans for tens of thousands of years. Dogs are very popular around the world as pets which has earned them the nickname of man’s best friend. Dogs and puppies have been very successfully used as working dogs throughout history. To discover more about the history of dogs and puppies, read more this guide.
People and Dogs
- It is probable that the ancestors of contemporary dogs started living with humans out of necessity. Human settlements gave dogs easier access to food and potential mating partners while humans took advantage of the extra security and sanitation that dogs supply.
- Dogs were also used for hunting as humans realised there was a use for their natural hunting skills. Other job roles that dogs have fulfilled include working as guard dogs, herding dogs and assistance dogs.
- Humans have become so used to working with dogs that it is believed the migration across the Bering straight some 12000 years ago would have failed were it not for sled dogs.
- People started to realise that dogs and puppies could be bred for specific purposes as their relationships improved. This included desirable psychological traits as well as physical ones. This has meant that dogs now show more varied morphology than any other land mammal.
- Probably the key as to why humans and dogs live together so well is that their natural sociability and pack instincts fit in very well with human society. The fact that so many dogs are kept simply as companion animals is testament to this.
- There’s plenty of evidence that points to the fact humans gain both emotional and physical benefits from dog ownership. Dogs and puppies have produced great results when used in therapy sessions with the sick and the elderly.
Dogs are fantastic pets that make a great addition to any household but they do require a lot of care. It’s important to educate yourself before buying puppies for sale in order to be fully aware of what you’re taking on. A lot of the cases that involve dogs ending up in shelters can be avoided if the owners simply knew what they were taking on beforehand. Read the rest of this article to discover more about dogs.
Care For Dogs and Puppies
- It’s important that dogs get lots of human contact as they are extremely sociable creatures. Dogs are the sort of animals that can just be left alone for long periods of the day. Dogs and puppies that become bored can become a handful to look after.
- Dogs need to get plenty of exercise. The required amount of exercise will vary between dog breeds however. A good general rule is to provide at least two good walks per day.
- Dogs and puppies need to be trained from an early age so that they are controllable as adults. Getting puppies used to various situations and people is known as socialisation. The process of socialisation mainly consists of introducing the dog to as many different people and places as possible.
- A dog should be fed the best food possible to ensure that they remain healthy. All dogs should have a meat based diet but puppies will require specialist food. Certain dogs such as Labradors and Beagles can be prone to obesity however.
- Puppies will be part of the family for years. The average lifespan of dogs is about 12 years but it is not uncommon for smaller dogs to live well into their late teens. You need to remember when you buy puppies for sale that they won’t be that small forever.
Without doubt the most important part buying dogs for sale is choosing your dog breed. All dog breeds have different characteristics and suit some people more than others. When choosing a dog breed there are certain things you have to consider because they all have different characteristics. For more advice about choosing a dog breed, keep reading.
Deciding On a Dog Breed
- The first thing that needs consideration is your current personal situation. Some dogs are definitely more suited to family life than others. If you know that the dog will be living with other pets and children then you should purchase dogs that are renowned for being suitable with them. Some dogs for instance simply don’t enjoy the loud noise and rough play etc. that can be involved with children.
- Different dog breeds have different needs so it’s important you do some research before buying puppies. In terms of exercise, some dogs can be very demanding so it’s very important that you know what you’re taking on.
- The intelligence levels of each breed also vary substantially. Intelligent dogs like Labradors are often easy to train but this also means they need huge amounts of psychological stimulation to prevent boredom. Bored dogs can be a handful to say the least.
- The border collie is considered the most intelligent of all dogs and also one of the most active so they need extremely dedicated owners to keep them both happy and healthy. Other dogs and puppies are less demanding with their exercise requirements.
- Large dogs like Great Danes or Irish Wolfhounds obviously shouldn’t be bought by people who live in small housed or who are away from home for a lot of the day. Dogs are extremely sociable animals however so it’s important that they get good amounts of human contact.
- If you own dogs or pets then your decision needs to have some thought put into it. Some dogs are naturally very territorial or prey driven and it can be difficult to reduce these instincts.
Correct training will ensure that every dog is well behaved ans easier to control. There is no dog that can’t be trained although it is true that some breeds are easier than others. An early start and consistency is the key to training dogs and puppies. This article will teach you the basics of training dogs and puppies. All dogs and puppies are individual though so you may have to change it for your pet.
Training Puppies
- Begin to train dogs while they are still young for the best chances of success. Puppies are usually the easiest to train and respond best to learning while they’re young. Begin the training with simple commands such as ‘come’. You need to ensure that the training involves plenty of incentives for the puppies.
- Obviously, you need to start toilet training straight away as well. At this stage, you need to reward good behaviour as opposed to punishing bad behaviour. You can potentially cause problems if you are excessive with punishment for the puppy.
- You should move the training on to other basic obedience commands like ’sit’ and ’stay’. The key to this part of training is to make it both interesting and rewarding for the puppy. The best place to carry out dog training is somewhere distraction free.
- Making yourself pack leader is a crucial part of dog training. The training in itself will help to maintain this position but it’s very important to establish your position from the beginning. You can start this by doing things such making sure the family eats first and you go through doors first etc..
- Puppies that are quite intelligent are usually easier to train and certain breeds are well known for being eager to please their owners. This eagerness to please can be an excellent tool in dog training, as can the dog’s appetite.
- When dogs and puppies are undergoing training, it’s important that every member of the family employs the same method. Dog training will be much simpler and less confusing for the dog if it is kept consistent.