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Watch as Expert Dog Trainer Kathy Santo talks about all the research that goes into finding the perfect puppy. From breed and temperament to barking, you’ll learn all the details that are often overlooked by people when they’re shopping around for a new best friend.
Hi, I'm Kathy Santo with IAMS. Are you thinking of getting a dog? Bringing a new dog into your home is a big responsibility. You'll need to take the time to train and socialize your dog, as well as be prepared for the financial commitment that goes with pet ownership. Your dig will need food, supplies, veterinary care, and more. Remember, he'll depend on you for his health and well being. So be sure you're ready for a dog before you start the process. No surprise puppies. Make sure everyone in your household is on board with getting a puppy. Too often, puppies are given up if the family isn't ready for the commitment that puppies require. Once you've thought through the commitments and responsibilities associated with dog ownership, the next step is to figure out what type of dog is right for you and your family. Today we're going to discuss a variety of things you should think about before choosing your dog. What type of family do you have? Do you have kids or other pets? What size of dog works best for your family? Do you know how much cleaning and grooming time you can commit to? How much time do you have for training your new pup? What energy level is a good fit for your home? Is barking something to consider? What kind of temperament is right for your family? We all know how cute puppies and dogs are, and it can be hard to resist when you go to pick them out. Remember, they'll have an easier transition into your home if you think about the best type of dog for you. Consider the following aspects to help you choose the best dog for you and your family. Large dogs-- generally they aren't as suitable for apartment dwellers. They need a bit more space to move around, mostly for their long tails that need wagging space. They tend to be more expensive-- more dog food supplies and medical treatment. Small dogs-- they are more delicate and vulnerable. Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury. Also, little dogs can be more sensitive to colder temperatures, so be ready to keep them warm. They're generally less expensive to maintain. How much cleaning up can you commit to? Long coated and double coated dogs shed, shed, and shed some more, leaving tufts of hair to float about the house and land everywhere. How much time are you willing to spend brushing or grooming? Make sure to consider the costs. A monthly grooming service can really add up over the years. If you lack time and patience to deal with a dog that's difficult to train, then an older dog from a rescue may fit your bill as well as a pup of a breed that is traditionally easier to train. Intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of train ability. Smart dogs often have their own agenda and require consistency on the part of their owners. Dogs with a willingness to work and a desire to please you often turn out to be the best companions. I recommend hiring a dog trainer to perform a few tests to help determine if the dog is a good fit for you. As a rule, terriers, hounds, and northern dogs are tough to train because of their intelligent and independent natures, while sporting and herding dogs are easier to train. The sharpest working obedience breeds are golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, border collies, German shepherds, and Shetland sheepdogs, breeds that develop closely with humans. Some dogs enjoy lounging at your feet to sleep the day away, while others are very energetic and ready to run a marathon right alongside you. Cute as they are, basset hounds, dachshunds, and corgis are not jogging companions. And Airedales, German shepherds, and border collies are not typical couch potatoes. All dogs need some exercise to stay healthy. Most adult dogs will not exercise themselves, so time for walks and other activities is important. Some dogs bark a lot, and the amount can vary by breed. Terriers and scent hounds use their voices to broadcast their progress in chasing prey. Shelties and collies bark to tell the sheep to get back to the barn. Canaan dogs bark to alert their families of potential intruders. Many dogs will bark if they're bored, so owners should also be sure to assess their own time and ability for training, walking, and play times, and should properly confine the dog when they can't otherwise keep it from disturbing the neighbors. There are some special collars available to deter barking dogs, and training methods that can help in some cases. But if potential owners take the noise factor into consideration, problems are more likely to be minimized. Breed and temperament can be described, but there is room within that description for individuality. For example, akitas are declared to be tough, loyal, aloof, dominant, aggressive to other animals, and often challenging. However, many akitas are sweet and cuddly, loves small critters, will climb in laps if allowed, and are anything but aloof and dominant. Terriers are scrappy, yappy, tough, and independent. But Airedale terriers bond very closely to their humans, and are somewhat protective. Hounds follow their eyes or noses, and are often oblivious to human presence. Dachshunds bond closely with their families, and greyhounds and whippets are sweet, gentle pets. Because temperament isn't always easy to judge when meeting a new dog, I strongly recommend hiring or asking a professional dog trainer to come with you to evaluate temperament. They'll be able to assess the dog's personality, compare it with your wish list, and determine what dog is the best fit for you. If you can arrange this, ask the people who've interacted with the dog the most about his temperament. Once you've thought about the commitments and have a good idea of what type of dog is the best fit for your family's lifestyle, check out your local animal shelter or animal rescue to see if a new addition is waiting there for you. I'm Kathy Santo with IAMS, and I hope you found this helpful as you welcome your new addition into your family.
Puppies grow quickly and have special nutritional needs to keep their bodies strong. The most noticeable period of a pup’s growth phase is known as the rapid growth stage, which occurs between 2 and 6 months of age. From about 3 to 6 months, most pups will lose their puppy teeth. In fact, you might find a tooth near the feeding dish or on the floor, and this is quite normal. However, you may also be left wondering what to feed a teething puppy. This is a perfectly normal query that tends to concern a lot of pet parents.
During the teething phase, the young pup’s mouth and gums may be very sensitive, which could cause them to be a bit picky when it comes to eating. There's nothing you can do except to wait it out, even if their appetite is low for a couple of days.
While teething is painful for puppies, there are a few tips for teething puppy that can make them feel better. Here is a quick guide for you on what to give a teething puppy in terms of food and toys:
Your puppy may seem uninterested in dry food during teething. But don't switch to a new formula to stimulate your puppy's appetite. Changing food at this time can cause additional stress and intestinal upset. The tips below could help your puppy make the change:
Encourage your young dog to chew on toys by choosing chew toys that are appropriate for their size. Also, pick a variety of textures to keep them interested in the toys. You can also try giving them frozen toys that are shaped like a bone. Always keep an eye on the puppies while they are busy chewing the toys, to ensure they don’t bite off chunks. If that happens, do make sure to replace the toy immediately.
You can also give your puppy a clean and damp washcloth, chilled for a few hours. Chewing on this will also provide some much-needed relief. Do ensure that you supervise the puppy while they are chewing on this cloth so that they don’t ingest any sections of it.
Teething is a painful process for the puppies and can cause just as much inconvenience to the owners. Your puppy may lose their appetite and may experience a lot of pain and discomfort. But it is essential to get them through it all while also maintaining their diet. You can consult your vet for any major decisions or choices you make for your puppy during this time - the choice of toys, food, and other soothing methods. You will also have to keep constant vigilance to prevent your little companion from chewing on anything that may harm them, like shoes or the couch. These six months of the teething period may be hard, but you will certainly enjoy seeing them grow through this phase.
In addition to teething, ensuring excellent dental care for your dogs or puppies is of utmost importance. Discover our captivating blog post on dog dental care, and unlock a world of techniques to keep those pearly whites shining bright!
