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ORGINALLY WRITTEN 04.21.2021  Story Time:
In Oklahoma Kiwi howled her heart out to let everyone know there was a problem. Her 'dad' was in trouble and unable to further direct the paramedics. Kiwi howled for them to find her and 'dad' in their apartment. The EMT's found her sitting on top of 'dad'. All is well! Kudos to Kiwi and 'dad' is ok.
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the first time and being age appropriate. Positive Reinforcement rewards the ‘Nots’ like not barking and uses redirection, too. Treats are usually edible, however praise and petting does work for the dogs who do not want treats. Problems: Some of the most common problem behaviors are (alphabetically) barking, biting, car sickness, catch me, chewing, digging, hyperactivity, keep away, jumping, poo eating, and potty training. We will deal with each one but first there is the groundwork for a successful outcome. If one method does not work for your dog, do not quit. There is another method that will work. Your challenge is to be successful by finding and employing the method that works for your dog. Any basic class after the last vaccination will work well to continue to socialize your puppy and help you continue to mold your beautiful puppy. DID YOU KNOW? SAFETY AND TRUST ON THE PUPPY'S SIDE ARE TWO COMMON ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING. Groundwork: I look at two aspects found in training. Most trainers work from a foundation of being gently firm but when I run across a terrified adolescent with a biting issue I know its trainer was misguided. From what perspective do you view successful training? Are you being firm or inspiring fear? Fear versus firm training methods offer major differences for short-term and long-term behaviors. A pup trained with confidence and encouragement will have a dependable, healthy foundation. Fear or force does not give the temperament you want to live with for the long term. Consider a dog’s baseline understanding and perception is vastly different than a human’s. They operate on levels we do not, such as having acutely different input for all their senses and being able to experience their world beyond what we perceive, plus there is a major question about a 6th sense regarding intuitiveness or even a magnetic sense like other animals such as birds, dolphins or sea turtles. We are still discovering things about canine sensory. Let’s just say dogs understand you loud and clear well before you say a word or come close, so it is important to set your own limits of what is and is not acceptable for your dog before working with your pup. Quick side story: While waiting to go into the show ring, a woman was having a hissy fit but boy was it a doozy. We ended up walking away because she was upsetting our dogs. When the lady entered the ring, her dog was a mess with unusually difficult behavior for that age group and she was cranky about it! You see, she sabotaged their performance with her own ringside behavior by stressing out her dog. In other words: Positive reinforcement changes the training directive from the trainer forcing the action to the trainer is encouraging the pup to want to behave differently, to proactively be a part of the process. After all the final outcome is more satisfactory when the pup modifies its own behavior to please you and for rewards. Tools: One of the greatest training tools a person has without stepping outside of their home is their voice. If you growl, have an angry voice, or cause your puppy to cower or respond in anger/fear, then you have derailed yourself and your training. A happy, positive voice will encourage the puppy to want to please. Who is Training who? Now that is the question: If we are being honest, the human should be in charge, but at the same three quarters of training is for the human. Consistency is a core component for ease of training. What behaviors are desirable? Is that something you want to deal for the next 12-15 years. Yes? No? The goal is to start as you mean to go on. Lastly, keep the whole family involved. Each family member can contribute and have an age appropriate task to work on with training. Consistency pops up here again. If someone deviates, the weakest link WILL be revealed. Overall, as with most family issues, the motto should be: United We Stand, especially when it comes to training your puppy. Troubles in Puppydom So, what is this tip for multiple problem behaviors? At one point the bad behaviors like the peeing barking, etc., were met with scoldings and swatts. Over the years, many noticed that this lengthened the training process. The gentler trend these last couple of years, has allowed for us to observe a positive correlation between a gentler reproach, proactiveness on the recipient or the puppy's side that was not as common previously. This ripple effect in the puppy's behaviors not only shortened training time but has de-stressed the process. Examples:
Training Tips
Barking What is the reason? (Alert/Hello) Ignore and re-direct! Teach the pup to sit on command when starting to bark. When they sit, praise and treats. I also teach, “Hush” with treats. I count to 3 for starters for treats and expand from there. Havanese can be very vocal if it is allowed. Biting / Teething Your puppy has started to nibble or even bite. I do not allow any puppy to chew on fingers, toes or hand. Turning the hand is no good, as it will not discourage the behavior. Instead if a puppy is teething and or trying to bite I replace it with an appropriate chew toy. I shut down all play if excessive biting happens with siblings. Redirecting biting to chewing a toy is a valid choice at this age. Biting will decrease quickly with age if managed properly. Teaching ‘Leave It’ can apply with biting, barking and other issues. Biting games and mismanagement may create re-teaching moments to avoid with an older dog. Car Sickness This is the 2 Cute Havanese Method for taking care of car sickness. When the pup is young take it for a ride (around the block, etc.) and have a very cool (69’) AC gently blowing on the pup’s face. No prior food or drink for at least 2 hours. No throw up – take a longer drive next time. Keep your driving very steady, initially. Once a week or so for a couple of months. Over time lengthen the travel time. When you have been satisfied about your pup’s travel condition bring up the AC. We did not want to arrive to a show with a dog to have it get sick just as we entered the show grounds! This method works well for us. In fact, one of our dogs learned to play with the AC to get it to suit himself! The destination has a lot to do with many dogs getting carsick. If the only time a dog is in the car is on the way to the vet, your likelihood of carsickness increases. I talked with my vet extensively on this subject and what they recommended walking around the car, taking your dog to places that'd they enjoy, like parks, to pick up the kids, or to trails and on travels. Just wait till they are 17 weeks or over, we like to add the additional week for their immune system after a conversation with our vet about 16 week shots. Catch Me "Catch Me" begins with game over. We get a box of dog treats, rattle it and stand at the door. The pup comes and earns a treat and gets picked up or entry into the house. Teaching your pup to ‘Come’ is essential. Chasing games may create re-teaching moments to avoid with an older dog. When you walk with your puppy, have treats and randomly give them out for positive behavior. This encourages your puppy to stay next you as well. Chewing The mouth for a puppy is really important. It is a means of first expression, love, food, verbalization, play and there is some pain going on there. Having two sets of teeth moving in or out or both in about four months going from 28 to 42 teeth is tough! Some do not go away on their own. Teething peeks at 17 weeks meaning there are 17 weeks more to go. So, plan on a variety of safe puppy-appropriate chew toys. Chewing relieves some of the teething pain. Rotate the toys for optimal attention span. Have some for long term chew and others short-term chew. Some options are:
Hyperactivity You can ignore the puppy until it settles down or help it expel some energy. Interactive play like get the ball or chase the ribbon (cat toy) will help. Exercise helps. Giving a treat to a calmer pup will encourage 'Settle' with praise. Havanese also have 'zoomies' which come very naturally, especially after bath time in our experience and after a nice runabout, they settle in. Jumping This is one of the behaviors you can:
Poo Eating Coprophagia or eating feces is common. Momma dog kept her puppies clean and it included this behavior if she was a good momma up until the pups were about 4-5 weeks old which makes it a learned behavior. If so, “[Puppy Name] No!” will work. Remove the feces. Do not chase or make it game with the pup moving away. Check the puppy food for a well-rounded nutrition and accessibility. If a puppy is not digesting all of the nutrients in their food, then this can cause Coprophagia as well. All else, have a veterinarian exam your pup. A new addition or boredom can create stress and stress contributes to eating feces. There are products available to discourage eating poo.
The length of time it takes depends on the pup if there are no other distractions. If needed use a ‘Potty Patch’ an extended period of time. An 8–10-week-old puppy can hold her bladder for about 2 hours. The general rule of thumb of how long a puppy can hold his bladder is roughly one month of age to one hour, etc. Holding urine for an extended time over time can lead to UTIs and more.
We noticed that there is a direct correlation between going potty on a pad and going potty on carpets, couches, or even bedding. So if you are looking for an indoor option, the 'Potty Patch' is a great option. As it looks like grass, feels like grass, ergo, it makes potty training outside easier. If an indoor patch is not needed, crating your puppy at night encourages a puppy to hold their bladder. Take food and water away an hour before bedtime, or just be consistent in puppy bedtime. When your puppy wakes up take them outside first thing and let them potty. There will be accidents. I throw in a towel in the beginning for easier clean-up and then upgrade their bed to a foam pad as dog beds take up too much space. My dogs also enjoy an additional small blanket or towel thrown in for snuffling purposes. Overall: It's quite remarkable to see hard work pay off and a richer relationship develop that will last for the rest of their lives. The owner becomes more confident and has a better behaving dog who enjoys their relationship, too. My dogs' favorite treats are freeze-dried beef liver or beef lungs given only in training sessions. Another special treat is string cheese sticks. What does your dog like best? Recommendations: To learn more about just click "Desensitization" References: Blake, Mychelle. “Does the Potty Patch Work? Pros & Cons.” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Media, https://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Potty_Patch_Reviews. Debra. Humans for Dogs, http://www.humansfordogs.com/2018/02/my-dog-just-wants-to-play-keep-away-what-should-i-do.html. “GP.” Amazon, Goettsche Partners, 2011, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MVN4EO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=lov0f6-20&linkId=ff85ceb14f60b5eca27ec9556a68c41d&language=en_US. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, Debra, and Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM. “Overcoming Fears with Desensitization and Counterconditioning.” Overcoming Fears With Desensitization And Counterconditioning | VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/overcoming-fears-with-desensitization-and-counterconditioning#:~:text=Desensitization%20is%20a%20technique%20of,intense%20levels%20of%20the%20stimulus. Limited, Alamy. “Cartoon Dog Digs a Hole Vector Illustration Stock Vector Image & Art .” Alamy, https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cartoon-dog-digs-a-hole-vector-illustration-88332553.html. Stregowski, Jenna. “10 Common Dog Behavior Problems and Solutions.” The Spruce Pets, The Spruce Pets, 22 Feb. 2022, https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-behavior-problems-1118278. Wed Dec 26 07:52:00 EST 2012. “How to Handle Four Common Puppy Behavior Problems.” Vetstreet, http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/common-behavior-problems-in-puppies. Wed Dec 26 07:52:00 EST 2012. “How to Handle Four Common Puppy Behavior Problems.” Vetstreet, http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/common-behavior-problems-in-puppies.
and it is five times more difficult in dogs than humans because a dog’s mouth is more alkaline creating a better environment for plaque to grow than a human’s. Plaque is a sticky, gummy coating covering the teeth and it starts with bacteria - usually Actinomycesi or Streptococcus. The bacteria breaks down whatever is in the mouth: food, saliva, etc., developing plaque on the teeth. Plaque in turn promotes bacterial growth and melds with the minerals from the saliva to form tartar (dental calculus), a crusty substance that bonds to a tooth, holds stains and makes newer bacteria and plaque harder to remove. Plaque also irritates the gums resulting in gingivitis or inflammation of the gum causing swollen, tender, receding gums and or bleeding gums. Where plaque can begin to form in only 24 hours after cleaning, one study (Australian Tom Lonsdale, D.V.M.) found it took only 17 days after changing from a raw diet to a kibble and commercial made pet food diet when the gums began to bleed, have stinky breath, and the teeth began to yellow. More than half of all dog food is high in cereals which break down as being high in sugar and carbs – about 40%. The bacteria, opportunistic and adaptable, find high sugars and carbs extremely nutritious. Aside from the aesthetics of tarter staining and building up on the tooth, the body sees plaque as a foreign body to be attacked. The white blood cells sent to break down the plaque release enzymes that also damage the gums, ligaments and eventually the bones as does PD itself. If allowed to remain unchecked as in over years, bacterial toxins and dangerous inflammatory composites gain access from the mouth through the blood stream via bleeding, irritated gum tissue to invade the major organs and may be the answer to why dogs have so many diseases. Some of which are:
PD can complicate regulating blood sugar in diabetic dogs. It is interesting to note these same connections are being studied in humans.
Bad Breath is the first sign of PD. Look for the other signs as well if you suspect your pet has a problem:
PD has Four Stages: The goal of treatment at any stage is stabilization, if not reversal or halting PD.
DID YOU KNOW? HUMAN TOOTHPASTE CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS. Now for Some Good News PD can be prevented, reversed, halted and/or controlled with intervention.
Your diligence at home with dental care can make a difference. Start with your vet and ask for recommendations for:
There is evidence an appropriate raw diet may also improve your dog’s dental health (Tom Lonsdale, DVM). DID YOU KNOW? SOME CONDITIONS RESULTING OF PD CAN BE IMPROVED WHEN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE IS MAINTAINED. References: Fries, Wendy C. “Periodontal Disease: The Perils of Gum Disease in Dogs.” WebMD, WebMD, https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/perlis-gum-disease-dogs#1. Fritz, Julie. “Does My Dog Have Gum Disease?” Canine Journal, 25 Feb. 2022, https://www.caninejournal.com/gum-disease-in-dogs/. Good Dog, https://www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center/all-about-periodontal-disease. Kennedy, Jacquelyn, and Kerry. “My Dog Has Black Gums: 5 Reasons to Be Concerned.” PetDT, 29 Mar. 2022, https://petdt.com/dog-black-gums/. “Periodontal (Gum) Disease in Dogs.” PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/mouth/c_multi_periodontal_disease. “Preventive Dental Care.” Preventive Dental Care | Preventive Dentists, https://animalhealthcareclinic.com/services/pet-dental-care. Scott, Dana. “The Disturbing Cause of Dental Disease in Dogs.” Dogs Naturally, 15 Dec. 2021, https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-disturbing-cuase-of-dental-disease-in-dogs/. VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs. http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Dogs.pdf. tps://canna-pet.com/periodontal- |
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