Pup Care/Training -1
This information and the information on PupCare/Training 2 is provided by Deborah Harvey. Deborah Harvey owns Furtheir Education; in-home training and education for dogs, cats, and their people. Having had first hand experience with her own Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, they are one of her specialties.Her advice has worked wll with several people who have had issues with PONs untrained or socialized as they need to be.
First, once you get your Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy, do not reach into the crate and pull him out. Let him come out on his own at his own pace. Your PON puppy has just been taken away from the only life and home he knows, endured a scary journey with strange people and is now in unknown surrounding. He is at the very least a little frightened and definitely unsure of himself. Let the puppy make the choice to come out and investigate. Thought it is difficult (He's so darn cute!) don't force youself on him. Let him come to you. Don't grab him if he backs up. Wait until he chooses to come back to you. Move slowly and speak gently.
There are several good books for new PON owners. You may find some at Peaceable Paws and many by Ian Dunbar at dogwise.com. Both sites may be googled. You may also want to add the DVD "Calming Signals" by Turid Rugass. This is an indispensible tool in learning what you puppy may be saying to you through its body language.
There are addendum/changes I would make to Ian Dunbar's "Before You Get a Puppy". First I would change any reference to a puppy making a "mistake" when it chews on something we don't want it o or when it soils inside the house Even though he addresses that it really is the human's fault. Later in the text he says to start out using the work "mistake" in the beginning reinforces an already incorrect human notion.
Instead I would have begun stating a few unknown or misunderstood facts about not only PONs but puppies in general...Pons same as Babies?
1. PONs puppies like human babies are born with a clean slate. They know nothing and have no experiences. It is up to their mothers, shared experiences with their littermates and humans to patiently and consistently teach them what is expected and what is appropriate behavior.
2. A PON's puppy brain is wired for canine body language, not human verbal language. (This is why watching the Bugas DVD is so important.) When we are teahing them what we want, they are learning a foreign language.
3. Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppies are babies, not adults. They have the attention span of a gnat. Expecting anything to keep his attention more than a few seconds is unreasonable. (Even though there are things that can be don to help them learn more self-control as they mature.
4. PONs babies like human babies mouth things to investigate their surroundings.
5. Every puppy is different, just like evy human baby is different. Just because a book or expert says a puppy should be doing "X" by a certain age, does not mean your puppy will. And it does not mean that just because a puppy is behind the curve they are stupid.
The book states "The first three developmental deadlines are extremely urgent and crucial and leave no room for mistakes." Well, I have never met a perfect human, we all make mistakes. Your puppy will not be ruined for life if you fall short somewhere at some time during his development. A human's mistake or oversight may make some training hareder or preclude more training in a certain area later, but old dogs do learn new tricks and pups without proper training and socialization at critical times can be rehabilitated.
I think the above statement makes many new dog owners so nervous that is causes them to make more mistakes than they would have if just told that certain stages are very important and we should try our best to accomplish certain things during these stages.
Specific puppy training suggestions-- Pup Care/Training-2
What do I need for my New PON Puppy?
Proper size crate/kennel--Bedding--Collar and leash--Food Bowls for food and water--puppy shampoo--brush and comb--safe toys-- and treats .
OBESITY VERSUS CORRECT WEIGHT
From the moment you bring you PON puppy home ,and ultimtely your adult,you will want to keep the puppy at a good weight. A PON should weigh between 30 and 50 pounds, females to the lower end and females at the upper end. Dogs gain pounds for the same reasons as people...most likely overeating and/or not getting enough exercise. Spaying and neutering alone cannot be blamed.
Why obesity is a problem? Movement is impaired. The heart, respiratory sytem, and digestive functions may be harmed. Obsity can aggravate the joints and may lead to skin problems. Too much weight may be a problem with whelping. The more weight the riskier are anesthesia and surgery.
Why do dogs overeat? Most of the time it is the result of their humans. Snacks substitute for attention, love and affection. In addition, some people feel the dogs are hurt if they don't get human food at the table. Some of the foods are not good for them and feeding a dog from the table often leads to sitting and begging. It is good to remove them from the dinner area, especially if you have children who drop food.or once trained well put them into a down-stay until done.
If a dog is 10-15 per cent over the ideal weight he is obese The dog should be in "good flesh". You can judge this yourself The dog should be learn and firm, well-muscled, covered with an adequet layer of fatty tissue under supple elastic skin. The ribs should not be visible, but also should not be submerged under fat. Ribs should be felt through the skin without pressing too hard or deeply, covered by just a thing layer of fat. The backbone may be felt towr the dog's rear. If you can fold up more than 1/2 inch over the ribs it is too heavy. . Pounds taken off too quickly is not good either.Some healthy snacks are carrots, unsalted green beans, pieces of apple, etc. and some fruits.
