When Can I Run My Puppy?
Often people wonder when they can run their new puppy. Basically you can run a healthy puppy when their growth plates have closed. No forced exercise (which includes biking, jumping, jogging, or roadworking) until the puppy’s growth plates have been fully formed and developed. A quick visit to your veterinary doctor for x-rays will be able to tell you when that time is for your particular dog. In general, the rule of thumb in large breeds for growth plates to be fully closed is around 18 months to 2 years of age. Until the growth plates are fully in place and the dog is developed and structurally sound, please do not engage your puppy in forced exercise activities, such as jumping, biking, jogging, etc. as you could injure your pet. Meanwhile, feel free to let your puppy self exercise on appropriate surfaces/places, take nice walks, and play with other animals and toys. It is important puppies get plenty of both physical and mental safe exercise daily. Don’t worry about lost time; you and your dog will have plenty of years to run together ahead of you as he grows.
- © Wisedogblog.com

Why to Trim Dog Nails

Trimming dog toenails should be routine and normal basic care for dogs kept as pets. Long toenails (especially those that have started to curl with sharp tips) can be quite dangerous.
Long toenails can grow into a dog’s foot and paw pads, making it painful to walk. Long nails are more likely to rip off and hurt the animal. They are more likely to leave scars and injuries when playing with other animals.
They hurt more when your dog becomes your lap dog sitting on your lap and cuddling. Or when your dog paws you (shakes, etc.). Or paws a child. Or runs into someone or jumps up on someone fetching a Frisbee in the air, etc. Long nails can rip into carpets and your car seats; basically get caught on things easier. They can easily tear materials when digging into their beds or couch to get comfortable. Long nails can actually grow into the paw.

Also, long toenails can start to interfere with regular movement in many breeds. When they are clicking and dragging on concrete and other surfaces, for many dogs that may mean they are too long. Many times dogs can shape toenails with walks, but sometimes they do not get walks that can do that for them, or their feet need more attention than just walks can provide.
Most dog owners can expect to get in the habit of maintaining their dog’s nails as part of their normal care, either themselves or have the dog groomed for nail trimming. Little nubs of nails may not be a desired or decent length for all dogs and not recommended for agility/active dogs, but that doesn't mean a well groomed decent nail length isn't nicer on the dog, for the dog, for other dogs playing with the dog, and the owner too. It is!

I have seen many dogs that won't allow owners to clip/trim/dremel nails, and this is just a shame and can be fixed with training. Especially with a puppy you have a blank slate and need to train the dog to accept touching puppy toes and trimming nails and other normal care grooming so you and also if applicable groomers and vets aren't having to do the dog's toenails with a fight. It shouldn’t be a big deal, and doesn’t take long. Just take a few seconds out of each day to gently mess with your puppy’s paws, check his teeth, check ears, etc.

It is important to be able to groom and go over puppies and dogs to look for problems and get used to handling. This could someday save a dog’s life if the dog has something stuck in their paw or needs to quickly have something removed from their paw and also keep nails a safe length for the dog's sake and those around the dog. Teaching an animal to accept quick and painless grooming is in their best interest and helps prevent unnecessary stress. Trimming a few toenails shouldn't be a big deal, just a normal part of life as a pet dog. Setting a time aside to groom and go over an animal does take a bit of effort and isn't quite as fun as watching a TV show or surfing the Internet, but it is important, prevents accidents, and the best part is that it only takes a few minutes a week or every two weeks to a month depending on your individual dog to keep toenails in proper condition. Happy grooming!
- © Wisedogblog.com

High Energy Puppy Power

Congratulations on your high-energy puppy! High-energy puppies are very rewarding and entertaining. They have a way of bonding deeply with their humans. They can be a joy to own and train. They can inspire us to become more active along with them.

When writing this, I am assuming you take at least one daily walk with your puppy. So in addition to your walks I hope this article can help give you some tips and ideas on managing your new puppy’s seemingly endless energy. This article is applicable for puppies, young adults, and adult dogs alike. Actually, all puppies and dogs will enjoy most the activities listed, regardless of their perceived energy levels. My hope is that not only the dogs have fun, but the owners have a lot of fun with these suggestions too.

Game Time!
Most high-energy canines usually eagerly welcome playing fun games. Get creative with the games and change games frequently to keep their attention. Do not do long sessions with puppies, as your puppy might experience boredom and burnout. You want the games to be fun, so keep the interactive sessions short and always leave them wanting more. Remember with puppies don’t do forced road working, forced long distance running, or jumping until growth plates are closed (around 18 months for many large breeds). And always remember to supervise your puppies during the training stages and set them up for success.

Hide-n-Seek is a fun game to play inside the home or outside in a securely fenced in area. You will hide from the puppy then have them find you. As an extra bonus for extra fun you can play with two people or more. At first, some puppies might need extra help understanding the purpose; you might call out the puppy’s name every once in awhile. But pretty soon, your puppy will catch on to the point of this game. When puppy finds you be sure and praise your puppy. You can even give a small food reward at random.

This game is useful for teaching names of family members. For instance, someone can say, “Where is Sarah?” And puppy searches for Sarah, the only one missing from the scene. When they find Sarah say, “Good find Sarah!” Our dogs know our family members names and can find them by name. So you can turn a fun game into a useful name learning exercise. Also, when family members are right about to come home you can say, “There is Sarah”. And they will know Sarah is coming soon. So they can also learn family member names that way.
You can also play hide and seek with toys and give them names, just the same way you would in the above example. Find your bone, find your ball, find your Kong, find your octopus, and so forth. For extra fun you can hide bully sticks, that way it is quite a reward for them for a while after when they find the special treat! Same with filled Kongs. For ideas on preparing a filled Kong please see our Wise Kongs 101 article in this blog.

The puppy name game is a fun recall game to play, setting the foundation for a solid recall. Be sure do this game in securely fenced in areas. The game can be played indoors or outdoors. The more people involved in this game, the better. You will stand in a large area, a circle if you have a group of people, and have only one person call the puppy’s name. When the puppy reaches the person who called their name have that person praise the puppy a lot and they might want to give a treat if you wish at random, one or a jack pot for a job well done. Remember, you are just having fun and building a come response to their name. This game is good for building a fun and willing recall.

When building reliable recalls that is only one step of many of course. During the puppy name game you don’t have to stand stationary waiting for the puppy to get to you in every case. You can make a small game of chase where they chase you a little bit. With most puppies, movement by you makes them want to come to you even more! So feel free to back and up and move around. Never ever chase your puppy though as that is a bad habit you don’t want to encourage when training your puppy; the chasing game only goes one way, with them chasing you.

In yards and other securely fenced in areas when teaching a recall by myself with the puppy I will sometimes call them and then turn the other way and run like crazy. This encourages a fast response and my dogs always run to chase me and catch up! As they learn, you can phase out the turning away and running more and more each time until you finally have shaped and molded the ideal response. You can add fronts and sits and other steps later, when the puppy is more experienced and mature.
It is also fun during random times while in your home calling your puppy to you as well. It can be a mini-game recall puppy name game too. This is also one step of many to help build solid recalls. Reward quick responses with praise, or a toy game, or food rewards. You are conditioning the dog to have a positive response to your calls, inside or outside, in groups or alone. Never use the same words to call the puppy to come to you for something the puppy does not enjoy or as punishment. Remember, the recall can save your puppy’s life; it is a vital and important command. Make it a fun and positive command.

Toy Time!
Fetch can also be a fun game to burn off some energy. There are all sorts of wonderful fetch toys available on the market from all different types of Kongs, to Flying Squirrels, Frisbees, Orbees, rope toys, training dummies, Jolly balls, rubber sticks, Huck toys, and the favorite old stand-by tennis ball (Kong makes a squeaky tennis ball). Teaching your dog to fetch may or may not be required on your part depending on your dog. Some dogs already have a strong retrieving instinct and catch on to fetch quickly and easily. Others might require some training and time to become reliable at the game. For double the fun you can always use two fetching toys, throwing the other toy immediately when they return with the first toy. Using two toys is particular useful when teaching energetic dogs to play the game.

Tug games can also be fun and a good form of exercise. Many dogs have a lot of genuine enthusiasm for a great game of tug. There are many different thoughts concerning a good game of tug. Some people recommend never playing tug with your dog. Some people recommend that you always win. Some people recommend always letting your dog win up to a certain point. Some people recommend rules when playing tug, for instance, you always start the game, they release every time when asked, you end the game, and so forth. Some people insist rules do not matter. What you want to do with your dog is personal and depends on many factors, your experience, your household, what you are training your dog for, and most importantly, your dog! Different dogs may require different techniques. What works for one, may or may not work for another, even within the same breed or the same litter.

Fun toys to use for tug can be jutes, invincible rings, fabric toys, fleece tugs, rope toys, and other special toys made for tug you can find online and in stores that sale pet supplies. Please remember, some puppies have the tendency to be destructive with their toys. If a puppy consumes inedible objects such as dog toys they are putting themselves at a high risk for impactions, which can require veterinary intervention and can result in the puppy’s death. So please for your puppy’s own safety supervise them while they are playing with any toys they can tear apart and consume.

For a homemade dog toy you can empty out plastic liter bottles of juice or soda and peel off the labels and remove any caps for an interesting puppy toy. To make it more interesting, you can put treats inside that they will have to work a little bit to get the food out of the container. Some puppies might be allergic to plastic so take note of how your puppy reacts. Also, remember to supervise so they do not eat the bottles. The bottles are intended to be a toy only.

If your puppy loves high-pitched noises I highly recommend you consider getting your puppy a few Cuz Balls. They are loud and obnoxious and many puppies are entertained with them for hours. You can find Cuz balls online or at most pet retail spots. There are also many fun squeaker toys on the market to entertain dogs that love the squeaky sounds; they come in both plush and rubber material.

As far as chewing goes, Orbee products (Planet Dog) are a favorite in this household. Orbee makes different types of dog toys from the same durable material, from bones, balls, and even vegetables. Make sure and pay attention to the chew-a-meter when picking out Orbee toys for your particular dog. Rope toys can also provide a good outlet for chewing in your dog provided your dog does not eat the rope. You do not want to allow your puppy or dog to eat the toy.

There is a toy called a Canine Genius, which can provide a lot of mental stimulation for a dog toy. Also, you can pair food with toys for your dog’s pleasure by using a Buster Cube or a filled Kong. A Buster Cube is a toy in the shape of a cube that you can fill with treats or kibble. Then you adjust the setting and when the dog touches and rolls the Buster Cube, the Buster Cube will reward them with food. Many puppies really delight in the Buster Cube. Always supervise use of the Buster Cube, since some puppies might accidently crack the cube. I have not had this happen to me in my years of using the Buster Cube, but have heard of it happening before.

A filled Kong is a Kong toy filled with special treats. These can take minutes to hours for your dog to hallow out and eat their special treat. For ideas and recipes on how to make the perfect Kong for your dog, please see Wise Kongs 101, provided to you by Wise Dog Blog.
Another yummy way to keep your puppy entertained is to give your dog a bone or dog chew. There are different types of bones and chews and each come with risks and rewards based on many factors, including your particular dog’s behavior and dog size and breed. Do your research and decide what bones and chews are safe to give your dog. Ideas include raw knucklebones, Merrick bones, cow hooves, pressed USA rawhide, bully sticks (a personal favorite here!), and different types of Nylabones.

Laser light toys can also be good fun for some dogs. They can really help wear puppies out and can be made into a fun game. You should make commands for the start and end of the game, so they know when it begins and when it ends. For many dogs it can be dangerous and mentally unhealthy game however. I must caution please know your dog before you use such a toy and never point the toy in the dog’s eyes. With some particular dogs a laser light can cause and aggravate obsessive-compulsive behaviors and chasing of shadows and light reflections and other very unhealthy and mentally unstable behaviors. So if you are going to use a laser light, please do so with caution and know your dog well. Discontinue use immediately should your puppy become obsessed with playing and obsessive about light reflections and shadows. You do not want to encourage such behavior.

Play Time!
Your dog will thrive on human interaction and classes with you, but also many puppies greatly will enjoy playing with other well-adjusted dogs. I do not recommend dog parks, as I am not a fan of throwing a puppy in with a bunch of strange random dogs I know nothing about owned by owners I do know either. Too many unknowns for me, I don’t know what health the dogs are in, if they have been vaccinated or if they are carrying diseases, their history with other dogs, their temperaments, personalities, or their socialization levels.

Rather than a dog park I suggest you set up play dates with dogs and puppies that you know well, they can be dogs of friends and family. Many times puppy kindergarten classes will offer a short play time and you can get a small group together before and after classes for a good safe romp. I have always had great success finding suitable playmates for my dogs regardless of my dog’s age.

Another good idea to wear out your high-energy puppy is doggie daycare. Many doggie daycares offer half days and full days. You can pick which is suitable for you and for your puppy. Even as little as one half day once a week can really be beneficial to both puppy and owner. Make sure the doggie daycare is reputable and that you feel comfortable with them and make sure they do temperament evaluations before accepting dogs into the daycare. Some doggie daycares offer cameras so you can watch your puppy have all the fun in real time. Most puppies really love their time socializing at doggie daycare and have an absolutely wonderful time. Finding a great doggie daycare can be immensely helpful for many high-energy puppy owners as the daycare will help drain their energy in a positive way.

Class Time!
Puppies need to be worked both mentally and physically. Taking classes with your high-energy puppy will enhance your bond and make your puppy much easier to live with and will pay off for years to come. Don’t send your puppy out with others for training; take classes WITH your dog for the best results. Puppy classes are a must for most breeds. Puppy kindergarten, puppy agility, beginner’s obedience, and beginners tracking are a few classes that are suitable for your puppy. You can go on to other classes from there, like rally, fly ball, tracking, competitive obedience, herding, and so much more.
Here is a locater so you can find a reputable dog club for your classes: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/training_clubs/

From play dead, shake, give me a kiss, spin, and sit pretty, and so many more; there are a lot of fun tricks to teach your dog. Remember you can also work at home on obedience and teaching of fun tricks. Keep the sessions short and happy. Always start and end on a good note.
With one of my very high energy dogs I made sure to exercise the puppy before class so the dog could better focus during the class, after having ran off some steam. It worked really well for him.

Socialization is also vital when raising puppies and helps wear them out since they are working mentally and learning about their world. Socialization should continue during the dog’s entire lifespan. Remember to keep your puppy on a properly fitted comfortable collar with a light soft leash when leaving your home.
Some ideas for socialization are kids sport games, pet stores, getting your oil changed, running on errands with you where you stay in the car such as drive thru’s to pick up food, medicine, or to go to the bank, walks in the park and neighborhoods, fairs, parades, festivals, family and friends homes, cook-outs, dog shows, feed stores, the vet (take them just to be weighed and get treats, for fun!), walking around campuses, the post office, kid’s playgrounds, outside of shopping malls, the fire station, maybe to work with you on certain days, dog classes, vacations, wooded areas with streams and ponds, video stores, book stores, community pools, oceans and beaches, some restaurants with large patios will allow well behaved dogs to sit or down politely beside you while you are eating so be sure to give them your business, and the list goes on and on about possible places to socialize, be creative and have fun with your dog.

Many dogs thrive in great outdoor trips alongside their owners. High-energy puppies and dogs love hiking and camping with their owners. They also have an enjoyable action packed time swimming in the lake, river, or ocean with their owners. If you puppy isn’t quite an expert on swimming, you can buy a lifejacket for dogs of all sizes for the safety of your canine. If you are an active family, please bring your dog along with you on your activities, depending on breed, age, and condition. Also, keep in mind you must keep your dog well hydrated and if you bring a backpack for your dog, work your dog’s way up to wearing the pack first, then add weight slowly. If you own a dog breed with a deep chest, please read up on bloat. It is more common than you might think and with early medical intervention survival rates are high.

In conclusion, I hope these suggestions will help you and your dog or puppy of any energy level. I hope you have a lot of fun together trying some of these suggestions. High-energy puppies are very entertaining and can be a joy to share our lives with. Make sure and stay up on the obedience training, make it fun, keep sessions short, and find new things that interest your puppy. Take extra walks in various stimulating places that will work puppy’s minds and socialize them. Have fun with the puppy stage and remember, with dogs you will get out what you put in. The more you work with your dog, the more time you invest into them, the more you will both be rewarded for a long time to come. Good luck and have fun!
- © Wisedogblog.com

Crate Training 101

Crate training is an important tool in a dog’s life. Crates help satisfy a dog’s tendency to feel safe and comfortable in a den like area of their very own. Crates can be a napping place, a training tool, and a transportation device. Crate training has many versatile uses.
Crate training is effective in helping house train your puppy since puppies naturally do not like to go to the bathroom in their sleeping quarters. Crate training can also prevent your puppy from destructive behavior to your house in your absence.

Crate training can save your puppy’s life since your puppy will be safe and sound in their crate, rather than chewing on electrical wires or consuming other inedible and oftentimes dangerous objects, which can lead to medical emergencies and hard bad habits to break. Most owners would rather come home to a puppy safe and sound in their own comfortable den (their crate area) rather than come home only to discover a sick or inured puppy and a destroyed home. The puppy would also prefer to have their owners come home pleased and happy to see them, rather than homecoming being marked by their owner being upset at any damage or accidents. Remember, as always, a part of training a puppy is setting them up to succeed.

Crate training your new puppy can also help reduce and eliminate separation anxiety since the dog will feel safe and secure in their crate. You can take the crate when you travel to any property, even if it is totally unfamiliar to the dog, they will have an instant safe den place they know. Some dogs are fed meals in their crates for some privacy during mealtime, or since they eat certain foods such as raw foods, or if they are really messy as it is easy and fast to clean a crate. Crates are also useful while you are not there to directly supervise in some cases after a veterinary procedure such as a spay, neuter, or other operation when post-operative instructions include restricted activity for a certain amount of time.

Since crates have so many uses crate training is even that much more important. Most dogs are exposed to crates in their life. Professionals such as groomers, boarding facilities, dog daycares, and veterinary facilities use crates on a regular basis. Crates are also sometimes used by professional trainers, working dogs, hunting dogs, performance dogs, and show dog handlers, and among other dog enthusiasts and fanciers. Airports and airlines also require dogs be transported using crates. When traveling in your car there are two safe ways to transport your dog, either a dog seatbelt (which creative dogs can easily escape or even chew through) or a secure crate inside your vehicle. When traveling with your pet many hotels will be more likely to accept crate trained dogs since they are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors.
During an emergency, crate training can come in handy if you have to evacuate with multiple pets. And in the tragic event a natural disaster occurs and you and your pets become separated by events beyond your control, it is easier for rescue workers to deal with crate trained pets and keep them safe and sound until you can be reunited. These are just a few of the reasons among many why crate training can be beneficial for both puppy and owner.

Now that we have established some reasons why to crate train your puppy, you will need to figure out what type of crate you should use. There are many types of crate but we will talk about three main types, plastic, wire, and soft crates.
Plastic dog crates are usually made of hard plastic and come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They will have a wire door in the front. They are an excellent choice for providing a den like environment for your puppy. They are very sturdy. To break them down you will have to take out many screws from the crate.
Wire crates are made of thick wire in a box shape frame and come with pan on the bottom of plastic or metal. They have either one door or two doors. They are either collapsible or have metal pins. I highly suggest getting a collapsible model. Many of these crates also come with a divider that is convenient as the puppy grows.
Soft crates come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They are the lightest so they are easier to move and many are collapsible. But since they are made of fabric and have mesh they can easily be chewed and destroyed by teething puppies and some persistent puppies can break out of them easily. If your puppy has an accident inside the crate, soft crates are harder to clean than the other two types. Soft crates in general are not suitable for crate training puppies or for using with dogs not already crate trained.

Once you have picked out the right type and size of crate for your puppy, decide on the right place to put the crate. Ideally, put the crate where you spend the most time. Make sure the place you put the crate is away from any drafts or excessive temperature changes, for example, take care not place the crate right by heating vents. Also make sure the crate is not in a place where it will receive direct sunlight through any windows, as sometimes that will cause excessive temperature changes and become dangerous.

Please continue to Page 2 for Crate Training 102.

-©Wisedogblog.com

Pages: 1 · 2

Wise Kongs 101

There are many varieties of Kong toys. The rubber toys that are hollow in the middle can be used to make special treats for hours of enjoyment as a reward or just as something fun to chew on for dogs and puppies. Make sure the Kong is properly sized for your dog before stuffing the Kong with any treats so they don’t get their mouth stuck and so they don’t accidently swallow the toy. With puppies make sure the Kong is softer as long as your puppy doesn’t tear up the Kongs. Supervise the first times your dog has a filled Kong so you know how they will react. Build up to the harder levels gradually. Start easy so they know the point of a filled Kong. Most food-motivated dogs catch on fast. Easy level stuffing of the Kong dog toy involves simply placing some large or small dog treats in there and then giving it to the dog or maybe smearing some peanut butter, squirt cheese, or cream cheese, on the side of the Kong.

Sometimes dogs can easily get out the treats in a few seconds and need something a bit more challenging. Do you know you can freeze and microwave Kongs? Here are some of the ways I prepare them. Feel free to experiment on your own, the possibilities and combinations for filled flavorful Kong dog toys are numerous.

First start with ingredients:
Banana, nut butters, squirt cheese, low or no sodium broths and stocks, cream cheese, other cheeses, yogurt, meats, hot dog pieces, small amounts of cooked liver, wheat germ, dog safe vegetables and fruits (no onions or grapes), cooked pasta, canned pumpkin without spices, eggs, dried cereals like cheerios, healthy kibbles and canned food, healthy and bland human leftovers, dog treats homemade and store bought, and other things you can think of that are safe for your dog and agree with their system work well.

From there start making combinations. For instance, on hot days I will fill Kongs with low sodium chicken broth for some outside fun. To do this I plug the bottom of the Kong with some peanut butter or yogurt then freeze. Then once frozen I pour in the chicken broth in the Kong then freeze and serve when frozen. An easy frozen treat is to take bigger dog bone cookies and drizzle with yogurt, stuff the Kong toy with these, freeze, then serve. With leftover homemade vegetable pizza I will stuff the Kong with the pizza then melt a slice of cheese over the top in the microwave then serve when cooled. Cheese slices make great binders when microwaving. Make sure you let the Kong cool before serving to your dog when you have micro waved the Kong. Another microwave recipe is to take an egg and mix it with shredded cheese and a slice of cheese on top then microwave for about 25 seconds then let cool and serve.
I will take meats (no spices or marinades) and mix an egg with some wheat germ and stuff the Kong with the mixture and freeze and serve. Yogurt, broths, and nut butters make great binders when freezing. Mixing and mashing a banana, yogurt, and peanut butter together make a great treat as well. You can always layer your Kong for extra fun, for instance, take the Kong and plug the bottom with yogurt, freeze, then take the Kong when frozen and fill with a layer of squirt cheese, then top that with a layer of chicken chunks, then top that with a layer of baby carrots topping those with peanut butter and freeze and serve for frozen for layers of fun. After reading this, you get the idea. There are no right or wrong answers for a Kong treat as long as everything put into them is safe for your dog.

If you have a dog with allergies you will have to be more conservative when it comes to preparing the Kong. With allergy dogs fed dry kibble type dog food you can get their kibbles and soak them in broth or plain water until soft then you can mold the parts with a spoon and smash them down into the Kong. Let the kibbles soak up the water; otherwise it will be more like an ice block. Freeze the Kong for an extra challenging time of getting the food out. If your dog tolerates it, you can mix in flavors in the kibble mixture such as plug the bottom of the Kong with a tiny bit of yogurt and brush some on top and freeze or mix in a small amount of canned pumpkin or nut butter. 100% canned pumpkin without spices helps many dogs with loose stools or constipation when given in small amounts (1TBS per 60 lbs of weight works best on my dogs). If you dog eats canned food then combine that with some dry of the same brand in small amounts and you can mix some of that in the Kong as well and freeze. If you dog eats kibble, try the canned brand of the same variety to add a little special flavor if tolerated.

If you feed a raw food diet, simply place meats and any added mixtures (like pureed vegetables) into the Kong, freeze, then serve. You can add a binding agent such as a banana, canned pumpkin, peanut butter, yogurt, squirt cheese, raw egg, chicken broth, etc. or stuff the meat in there by itself.

Hope this gave you some more ideas for you dogs. Enjoy!
- ©Wisedogblog.com