Pup Care/Training-2
HOUSEBREAKING
A good rule of thumb with puppies and puppy training is that a puppy can "hold" it for their age in months plus one =number of months. Though they may be able to go most of the night,during the day take them out every three hours in the beginning. Also take them out immediately after playing with them, immediately after they wake, and immediately after they eat. Never, ever reprimand or discipline them for eliminating in the house. It is not an accident or a mistake. They had to go. Even if you catch them, you are at fault, not them. Their brains are still learning what those muscles down there are for and how to control them.
WORDS TO USE
"Settle down and shush" is a good concept, not a good choice of words. The hissing sound is aversive to all animals. Shush sounds too close to a hiss. "Settle" means go to bed or bed time and no bark or chill are better to teach.
SOCIALIZATION
So you live in the middle of nowhere and you're snowed in for the winter. How can you properly socialize your puppy by having it meet 100 different people? Well, you can't. THe second best thing is to make yourself and your family members appear to be 100 people. You with a coat on, with a rain jacket on, different hats on, no clothes on,skipping, walking,running, stepping sideways,squeaky voice,, low rumbly voice,almost equals a different person each time. Have all folks who visit try on different hats, walk differently, speak funny, and just 10 people can equal 100. Don't forget that young chlldren move and gestur quickly and with jerky motions so practice this with your new pup , too. It's not the same thing as having 100 different people, , but it is better than nothing. you want to socialize not traumatize your puppy. For more see Socialization
GROOMING
Since grooming is so important with your Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy, practice a little (5 minutes or less) every day gently brushing him. Make sure you brush behind the ears and under the legs; both areas which tend to mat.End the session with a yummy treat or play time! For more see Grooming and Tools
PILL GIVING
If it is necessary to give your PONs puppy a pill do not forcibly shove it down his throat thus damaging their trust in you and making them scared of pills. Instead hide the pill in a dollop of cream cheese ,smooth peanut butter with no xylitol or a pill pocket.They will soon equate having a pill with a yummy treat and come running to you when it's time for a pill.
ROUTINE AND DEFAULT SIT
The first month the pup is in the home should be one of establishing routines (sleeping, pottying, playing) and bonding. It is better to not push any set training. Reward behaviors you want . My favorite thing to teach a new pup is a default sit. When she comes up to you and sits, treat. Don't ask for a sit, don't lure a sit,, don't give her sitting behavior a name,just reward the sit when she does it on her own for the first month. ''
What this accomplishes is that if a PON is ever faced with a situation where she doesn't know what to do, she will sit. A very good thing to do instead of lunging, jumping, running away or whatever else her brain suggest she does. I'm scared and I don't know what to do so I will sit. I am frustrated and don't now what to do so I will sit when I am bored. I don't know what my human wants me to do so I will sit. I just love a default sit in a puppy.
NO CHEWING
Feeding from a kong, buster cube, or Busy Buddy does not prevent chewoing directly. They only occupy a PON's mind, a bit of their time and satisfy some of their desire to forage. They need to feel, taste, etc., new things to learn about the world around them. If you do not want them to chew on something, say "uhoh!,"then offer them something that is appropriate to chew on. If at all possible be proactive and don't let them have the chance to chew on something you cherish.
BOREDOM
Just as human children do, Polish Lowland Sheepdog pups get bored with toys. Change their accessible toys 2,3,4 times a day. Make sure they don't have the same toy at the same time every day.
BITE INHIBITION
I do not think it is necessary or helpful to feed a puppy only with a Kong to teach bite inhibition or to solve chesing problems, Bite inhibition is usually learned from littermates. The lesson can also be taught by smearing peanut butter with no xylitol on your fingers and letting her lick it off (She'll associate human hands with licking and not chomping. If she chomps on you say "ouch" very loudly, turn your back on her for a few seconds then begin to play again. Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!
Usually a puppy who has been raised in a litter has already begun to learn bite inhibition by 8 weeks of age from their siblings. Do not reprimand a puppy for putting his mouth on you as he will not learn bite inhibition. Just hand him an appropriate toy instea. If he bites and breaks your skin, say ouch,stop the play session for about 10 seconds, then begin playing again, this time with a soft toy in hand.
GOOD PUPPY CLASSES
Good breeders encourage you to enroll your new puppy into a good puppy class by the age of 3 months of age. A good puppy class will allow the puppies to interact with each other off leash, have you call the puppy out of play and to you to be loved on and given a treat, then released back to play with the others. This helps them perfect bit inhibition skills towars other pups in the class. THis is an important lesson to learn by the age of 18 weeks. By taking a puppy class, they will also have a good beginning in "good manners" which will help when they reach adolescence at about 5 months and "forget" everything they have learned. At this age males may choose to fight other males so it is important they learn to control their bite. The fights usually sound awful but result in no wounds if both dogs learned bite inhibition at an early age.
It is also important to remember that your dog will not like every dog he meets just as you don't like everyone you meet This will become more evident when he or she reaches adolescence. Don't force them to be with a dog they don't like, but don't allow them to ct inappropirately towards them either.
BABIES, CHILDREN AND PONS
As a rule the Polish Lowland Sheepdog that is brought up with children are is good with children. Babies and children ned to be taught how to treat the puppy or dog with respect. Should you want more information there is a website D. Harvey suggest that helps with babies and/or children. It is called
PROFESSIONAL HELP NEEDED
If you ever see behavior you don't like and don't know how to address it, seek the advice of a good professional who understands ithe science of animal behavior as soon as possible. The behavior usually won't go away on its own and you could make it worse by reacting inappropriately and by allowing the behavior to go on because you are allowing your puppy to perfect it. Practice makes perfect, be it good or bad behavior.
PUPPY PROOF YOUR HOME
Another IMPORTANT issue to consideris making sure your home is puppy proofed just as you would for a child. Make sure that small things they can chew and/or choke on are removed. Be especially careful of electrical cords and extensions. Make sure that any and all toxic aterials are locked up or are out of reach,including house plants that may be deadly or at a minimum cause long term health issues. The most common toxins reported to Animal Poison Control are the following:
human medicines insecticides rat and mouse poison veterinary medicines
chocolate plants herbicides some rawhides
people food such as grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and sweetners such as xylitol
house toxins such as cleaners, batteries. liquid potpourri and some essential oils
outdoor toxins such as antifreeze, fertilizer, ice melts, lawn sprays
Puppy care and Training is so important if you want a wonderful family member as an atdult. On the pages called PupCare/Training 1,2, and 3 you will find any helpful hints to help you establish as well adjusted Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Puppy care and Training takes a great deal of time. None of these, however, will take the place of a good puppy class or beginner novice obedience classes. Private classes have their place, but your Polish Lowland Sheepdog needs to meet other people , other dogs, and other situations.
On this page and the next are several puppy care and training suggestions for your use.
NIPPING
PL Sheepdog puppy bodies are just beginning to develop. Do not push them to go on long walks or perform high impact physical activities. If your puppy is nipping at your heels when you are out walking, first make sure you are not walking them for too long. If the puppy persists nipping at your heels, even when out playing in the yard, watch the you tube video on how to teach them not to. You are teaching them that nipping the toy on the rope is acceptable; nipping at you is not.
PUPPY NAP TIME
PON puppies are very similar to babies. When they get too tired ,just like children ,it is found they often get themselves into trouble and make mistakes they would not as a rule do,including chewing on your prize possessions instead of toys. It is highly recommended that a nap follow any play time when you initially get your puppy. One success schedule that has been found to be useful over time is out to pee, eat, out to poop , 45 minutes to one hour play, nap, etc. That is why it is important to be able to spend time with a new pup just as you would a new human baby. Following this regular routine will also help with potty training. Obviously as the pup gets older the times can be lengthened. PON puppies are very similar to babies. When they get too tired ,just like children ,it is found they often get themselves into trouble and make mistakes they would not as a rule do,including chewing on your prize possessions instead of toys. It is highly recommended that a nap follow any play time when you initially get your puppy. One success schedule that has been found to be useful over time is out to pee, eat, out to poop , 45 minutes to one hour play, nap, etc. That is why it is important to be able to spend time with a new pup just as you would a new human baby. Following this regular routine will also help with potty training. Obviously as the pup gets older the times can be lengthened.
