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By John Woods. Founder of All Things Dogs– Dog Breeds, Training and Behavior.

Coming home with a new puppy is one of the most exciting events that could happen in an animal lover’s life. Their excitement and cuteness are infectious with their little paws and a head too big for their body. Between belly rubs and playing with toys, new pet owners will run into a few behavioral issues that might frustrate them if they’re not addressed soon enough. This is where training comes in; it is extremely important to teach manners and begin to establish trust between human and dog.

Like people, all dogs learn differently. Some are more food motivated, others love getting pets, or their favorite toy as a reward. Finding this motivator is key when training because it will create a positive and exciting experience for the puppy.

These are five tricks to teach your new puppy in the first month of adoption…

1. Their Name 

This is the most important thing for your puppy to learn because it will help you get their attention in several different scenarios, whether it’s trying to find them after they got off leash or having them do a trick for you.

How-To

1. Having their favorite thing in hand, say their chosen name as you give them their treat or toy. They will soon associate the name with something you’re going to give them that is very interesting. Repeat for only a couple minutes at a time because puppies do get tired.
2. When you come back home from work or class, greet them by saying their name over and over. Petting, toys, or treats enhance the positive association they have with their name and owner.

1. Leave It 

When you can get your dog’s attention with their name, puppies have a habit of getting themselves into trouble either way. “Leave It” is a simple command that redirects the puppy’s attention towards you instead of something like a frog or electrical cords that they would like to chew up.

How-To

1. Let the puppy see you have a reward in your hand, preferably something small so when you make a fist it is completely covered. This works best with treats.
2. Before they can snatch it up, close your hand and say “leave it”
3. The puppy will try to gnaw and paw at your hand for the reward, but stay strong.
4. Once the puppy looks away or loses interest, reward them with the treat and repeat.
5. Once they get the hang of that, drop the treat on the ground, say “leave it,” and quickly cover it with your hand.
6. Repeat step 4 with this new variation.

1. Come 

The “come” command is pretty simple because it reiterates the same steps like teaching them their name, just at a distance.

How-To

1. When your pup is out of arm’s reach, get their attention with their favorite reward.
2. As they trot towards you, say “come” and reward them with the treat, toy, and/or lots of love.
3. When they are preoccupied with something else, call out their name and “come.” Reward them handsomely when they do run over to you, expecting something fun or tasty for them to have.

1. Sit

Having a puppy sit might seem impossible because of all their wiggles, but rest assured, it is possible. With a little bit of incentives, your pup is sure to follow suit.

How-To

1. Have your puppy’s attention with their reward while they are on leash.
2. With the reward in hand, hold it above their head and move it slowly towards them, parallel with their back.
3. Your puppy will want to back up, but having a hold on their leash keeps them from moving and ultimately tricking them into sitting down.
4. Just before their butt hits the ground, say “sit” and reward them. Repeat until you can do this without the leash.

1. Down

This will be the hardest command out of the others, especially with stubborn puppies. Laying down means that the dog is giving up control, forcing them to be in a relaxed, vulnerable position with their new owner on command. It takes a lot of trust, but you should have a strong bond with your pup by doing the aforementioned tricks.

How-To

1. Your puppy should be in a sitting position to make it easier for them to transition into laying down.
2. Hold a reward at their face, not allowing them to get it, and slowly lower your hand towards the ground.
3. If your puppy gets up out of sit, have them sit again and repeat the process.
4. Before their elbows hit the ground, say “down” and reward them when they do go into a down position. Repeat.

For more tips, tricks and all things dog- head to allthingsdogs.com 

Crate training appeals to your pup’s natural instinct to seek shelter in a den-like environment. Crate training also helps to minimize damage to your home when you aren’t there. So how do you choose the right crate for your dog? Here’s our guide to choosing a crate.

Size:

You’ll want to consider your dog’s size when choosing a crate.

Extra small dogs – 18-22 inch crate: Best for breeds like Yorkshire, Terriers, Malesa, Papillons, and other toy breeds

Small dogs – 24-inch crate: Best for small dogs like Pugs, Shih Tzus, Miniature Dachshunds, and other small or miniature breeds

Medium Dogs – 30-inch crate: Best for medium-sized dogs like French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, and other medium breeds

Intermediate – 36-inch crate: Best for intermediate dogs like bulldogs, bull terriers, beagles, cattle dogs, and other intermediate breeds

Large – 42-inch crate: For large dogs like boxers, border collies, Dalmatians, poodles, retrievers, and other larger breeds.

Extra Large – 48 Inch crate: For extra-large breeds like Akitas, Rottweiler, Huskies, Collies, Malamutes, and other extra-large breeds.

Type:

Wire – the traditional wire crate is the common choice for dog owners. Most are fully collapsible and come with a removable pan for easy transport and cleaning.

Plastic – These are a great option for frequent travelers and most airlines accept hard plastic crates.

Soft crates – Best for small breeds as these can be treated as a carry on travel item.

Do’s and Don’ts of using a crate:

• Do place the crate in a warm and inviting place
• Do place treats and toys in the crate
• Don’t use a crate as punishment for bad behavior
• Don’t leave your puppy in the crate for more than 3 hours

If you could help your dog to live a long and fruitful life would you do it.? The answer for most pet owners is “of course”. Well, the great news for you is that you can. Helping your dog live a long and quality life isn’t rocket science, it’s actually quite simple. Read on to learn the simple steps you can take.

Choose high-quality food

Not all dog foods are created equal and your dog deserves the best. Visit your vet to get a recommendation for the best quality food for your dog’s specific dietary needs. You may pay more for your dog’s food but health is wealth. Feeding your dog high-quality food now can help you save money in the future on the vet bill as your dog ages.

Avoid obesity

Obesity is the gateway to illness in dogs. A lean dog is more likely to live a long and quality life. Be sure to not underfeed your dog in a fear of making him obese. Your vet can help to recommend the correct portion size and frequency of meals for your pup.

Visit the Vet regularly

When it comes to vetting visits is best to stay on track. Missing milestone appointments can compromise your dog’s health. Mark your calendar or create a reminder on your phone so that you can always attend your vet appointments. Your pup will be very grateful.

Make Dental Health a priority

Healthy teeth and gums can help your dog live longer. If you notice tooth decay, bad breath, or tooth loss speak to your vet about options for improving your dog’s dental health.  The sooner you act the better when it comes to oral health.

Monitor his outdoor time

Outdoor time is your dog’s chance to run free and wild, but it’s your job to ensure he isn’t hurt. Always assess areas that your dog plays in and ensure they are safe and free from sharp objects or dangerous hazards. This will help playtime be carefree and fun. 

Most dogs love to run, and some breeds are physically bred for speed and endurance, like the greyhound, who can run up to 45 mph. Dogs of any breed or size will enjoy a long jog in the park or a quick run around the block. And if riding a bicycle is something that you enjoy doing, taking your dog with you is a wonderful way to spend time with him while getting a good workout yourself at the same time.  Here are few tips to teach a dog to run alongside you as you bike.

How to keep your dog by your side

If you usually ride your bicycle in your neighborhood, it won’t be difficult for your dog to keep up. The safest way for riding a bike with your dog in this location is to keep him on a leash. This will help to prevent his from wandering away.

Look for a leash that allows you to keep your hands on the handlebars while giving you the ability to keep your dog on leash at the same time. These types of leashes can be mounted under the bike handles. They offer protection and comfort for both you and your dog.

How To Deal With Distraction

Your dog will less likely get bothered by distractions if he knows how to heel. Therefore, practice his obedience skills like “Off”, and “Leave it” before you begin your ride.

Also, make sure you bring along his favorite snack. Whenever he comes across a distraction, tell him to “Leave it” and then give him a snack. It’ll be easier for him to pay attention to you, above anything else, because he knows that you brought along his favorite snack. Also do this exercise before you ride.

A few more tips

• Start with short paths that your dog is familiar with
• Be patient as your dog get the hang of running while you ride
• Wear protective gear, including a helmet
• Don’t ride too fast, remain at a comfort pace for your dog
  

Humans aren’t the only ones who suffer from anxiety, dogs can also experience anxiety in various forms. Read more to learn about the types, causes, and treatments for anxiety in dogs.

Most dogs will exhibit some degree of anxiety in their lives, and this behavior can be displayed as fearful or aggressive behavior. There are several types of dog anxiety including

• Separation anxiety
• Noise phobia
• Food aggression
• Fearful aggression

Anxiety or stress in dogs can be caused by a number of factors so it can be difficult to determine the cause. In some cases, it can be simple to determine the cause but difficult to treat or manage. One of the best ways to determine the cause of your dog’s anxiety is to look for the symptoms that occur when the trigger is present. Symptoms can range from

• Pacing
• Hiding
• Shaking
• Avoidance
• Vomiting
• Inappropriate urination or defecation

Once you have determined the trigger then you can begin with treatment or management of your dog’s anxiety. There is no one size fits all treatment plan for dogs with anxiety so be patient and compassionate to your dog in the process.

Desensitization – If the trigger is the nail trimmer, begin to desensitize your dog by presenting the trimmers in a non-threatening environment and allow your dog to adjust and begin to naturally reduce his anxiety.

Counter Condition – Offer your pet a reward when exposed to the trigger to help your dog associate the trigger with the reward. The reward will eventually begin to outweigh the fear

Medication – in extreme cases it may be best to consider medication to help manage your dog’s anxiety. Visit your vet for guidance on the severity of your dog’s anxiety and determine medication is the best option for treatment. 

Lastly, its import to remember the do’s and don’ts of dealing with a dog who has anxiety

• Don’t challenge or show aggression to a dog
• Don’t physically harm your dogs
• Do ensure your pet is current on all vaccines
• Do warn others of your pet’s behavior before allowing them to touch or approach your dog