Potty training is one of the most important things all dogs need to learn in order to co-exist happily with their human families. Despite the importance of successful potty training, many dog owners struggle with fully house training their dogs. Potty training should begin the moment you bring your puppy or dog home, and reinforcing this behaviour should continue through out your dog's life.

I do not recommend using pee pads for dogs, as this will create confusion for your dog in regards to whether or not they can use your home as a place to pee or defecate. Potty training is extremely successful and clearly understood when the puppy or dog learns that the only place they should be doing their business is outside on grass. Puppy pads can potentially confuse your puppy or dog, which can lead to accidents in the home.

Potty training can be easy to implement and often happens very quickly if done efficiently with strict consistency. They key is to be very consistent and vigilant, and to set the puppy or dog up for success. Here are the guidelines to a successfully potty trained puppy or dog.

Consistency is the key to success. Be vigilant and be pro-active about taking them outside as often as possible and rewarding them for doing their business outside. Many pet-friendly apartments have areas designated for this, giving your dog an idea of where it is acceptable to go to the potty. Taking them to the dog park can be beneficial as well. They can learn from other dogs and owners as to when and where it is appropriate for relieving themselves.

If you make a good effort, you could have a potty trained puppy or dog within a few weeks! Some puppies can be potty trained as soon as 2 weeks. It depends on the individual dog, and on your persistence. 


Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Homemade, grain-free and loaded with nutrition! You can't go wrong with these super delicious dog treats made with coconut flour, peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce and a touch of honey! These moist treats make the perfect inexpensive alternative to buying training treats at home. Simply shape the dough into small bite-sized balls and use them for training!

Coconut flour is a tasty alternative to grain flours, the perfect ingredient for dogs who suffer from grain allergies and sensitivities. Coconut flour targets the skin and coat to help make a dog's fur soft, thick and healthy. If your dog has dry skin or dandruff, this is the perfect treat for them! Peanut butter and unsweetened applesauce provide flavour and aroma to make for a high value treat that can be used in training. Moist, bite-sized and quickly eaten - these treats are sure to help train even the most stubborn of dogs!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups of coconut flour
• 1 cup of smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
• 3 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl add coconut flour, peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce and eggs.
3. Combine thoroughly.
4. Roll into bite-sized balls on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on your size of treat.
   

Easy to make, inexpensive, healthy and delicious! Any dog cookie with peanut butter and applesauce is sure to please your furry family member's tummy!

I use these treats for tracking and training, and they have never let me down! Hunter will do just about anything for these.

Don't have coconut flour? You can use 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 2 eggs instead! These homemade dog treats can be left on the counter for a maximum of two days before they will need to go in the fridge. It's the price we pay for feeding whole food treats with zero preservatives!

For more delicious homemade dog treat recipes, visit the "homemade treat" section of my blog!

Don't forget to "like" K9 Instinct on Facebook for updates and new blog posts!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Socialization is a vitally important part of raising a dog. Socialization should never be missed, as a lack of socialization can cause serious problems for the dog later in life. Behavioural issues, fears, anxieties, aggression and the lack of ability to deal with stressful situations all result from poor socialization.

So what is socialization? Socialization is the act of safely exposing puppies and dogs to different, strange and potentially stressful situations in a way that always provides a positive experience. Socialization sets a puppy or dog up for success when dealing with the world and the many experiences he or she will be exposed to during their lifetime.

The key to successful socialization is exposing your puppy or dog to new and strange situations and always making it a positive experience. As the handler you should make sure you control as many of the situations as possible. You want to provide only positive experiences when possible, and should negative experiences occur you should find a way to make it positive.

Socialization is an on-going thing, but the critical time for exposure and learning is between the time you bring your dog home at 8 weeks of age to 16 weeks of age. You should expose your puppy to a wide variety of dogs, people, children, equipment, footing, and more.

You should be sure that any dogs you expose your puppy to are friendly, predictable and healthy. Any bad experiences with aggressive or very rough dogs can create aggression or fear in your puppy. The goal is to teach your puppy that dogs are positive experiences, and that there is no reason for fear or aggression on their part. Safe exposure to dogs also promotes the hope that your dog will not see other dogs as a threat, meaning you won't have to worry about bad behaviour in the presence of other dogs.

When exposing your puppy to people, choose large crowds and friendly faces. Make sure that nobody causes your puppy any harm, fear or panic. Let your puppy experience gentle handling by strangers, play with strangers, treats from strangers (provide your own treats!), and petting. Expose your puppy to children that are under control and able to handle or pet your puppy safely and gently. Never overwhelm your puppy or stress your puppy out, but apply age-appropriate socialization with people.

Take your puppy to a playground with equipment and take him through the tunnels, down the slides, up the slides, all from the safety of your reach. Play on the equipment to expose your puppy to different surfaces and textures, while making sure your puppy doesn't fall or have the chance to panic and hurt itself. Walk your puppy over hardwood floors, sand, carpet, fencing laid on the floor, bubble wrap, plastic bags and other unique surfaces.

Remember to keep the exposures fun and positive, while keeping your puppy safe and excited about trying new things. Make sure you control the environment as much as you can to ensure safety. All positive experiences, that's what socialization is all about! When negative situations arise, remove your puppy promptly and create a positive experience with some play and bond building.

It is important to make sure that you never praise your dog when he or she is exhibiting fear, insecurity or other bad behaviour. By offering praise and attention, to reinforce bad behaviour and bad responses. Ignore negative responses from your puppy, and reward once the desirable response is present.

Never forget that your puppy feeds off of you, so be sure to always remain calm and positive. Calm, happy voice should accompany a gentle hand. This reassurance will set your dog up for success!

To get you started, here are some ideas on places you can take your puppy or dog for socialization. Please make sure your puppy has the appropriate vaccines first!

• Farmer's Market
• Public Park
• Downtown City
• Train Station
• Pet Stores
• Any stores that allow leashed pets
• Parades and Festivals
• Car Rides (Weather permitting)
• Dog Socialization Play Groups
• Houses of accepting friends and family
• Visit apartment buildings and ride the elevators
• Walk around the outside of the mall

One of the keys to raising an amazing family companion or working dog is proper socialization and the result is a solid, reliable dog who trusts you and can be taken anywhere and asked to do anything.

Here is a video of my working German Shepherd, Hunter, preforming some obedience in a new location with many strange objects. His confidence and capability is a result of both genetics and great socialization.

We have all seen them; the owners that chase their dogs around relentlessly, begging their fleeing pet to "come" and "sit" and "stay" while the animal play bows and dodges them effortlessly. The frustration we see on their faces and mirror on our own reflect the problem that is prevalent in our modern world; Many dogs have no recall training.

If there is one command you and your dog should perfect, it is the recall. There is no other command more useful and potentially life saving than the revered "come" or "here". This type of training is incredibly important for every single dog on planet earth and I cannot stress that enough. Accidents happen every day and you want to be confident that you will have control over your dog in every situation.

One moment you could be walking your dog quietly down the street and the next you could find your dog slipping its collar and in pursuit of a rabbit towards busy traffic. A loud, firm "HERE!" could save your dog's life if he or she is properly trained.

Hiking is an activity every dog should enjoy, it feeds both body and soul and provides the best kind of exercise you and your dog can experience together. Hiking off leash is a privilege that has limitless benefits for a dog but it can only be truly enjoyed by dogs with perfect (or near perfect) recall. While you are hiking, every time you see a person in the distance, you should call your dog to you and leash them up until you are alone again. You should especially do this when you see another dog to keep your own pet safe and prevent fights or negative contact with strange animals. You should also never allow your dog to approach other people or dogs off leash, under any circumstances, unless you know the person and have given one another permission to allow each dog to interact.

The recall is so important and is useful in every situation that involves your dog. There is no excuse not to train this command and the consequences of not training this can be extremely frustrating and often dangerous. It is easier than most people think, as it just requires consistency and effort. There is no need to hire an expensive dog trainer to help you perfect it, it just takes knowledge and effort.

The first step to a perfect recall is an exercise called the "restrained recall". This exercise takes two people, with a secondary handler holding the dog by its leash. The leash should be very long so the secondary handler can follow after the dog and grab its leash if necessary.

The purpose of the restrained recall is to hold the dog back while the handler excites the dog and runs in the opposite direction. A toy may be used if the dog is especially toy motivated. The primary handler will walk or jog away, calling the dog’s name and using their “here” or “come” command in a happy, excitable voice while playing with the toy and doing absolutely everything they can to encourage the dog. The dog should be barking, going wild and trying to run after the primary handler. Once the dog is worked up and trying to chase the owner, the secondary handler should release the dog and follow after for safety purposes. The primary handler should call the dog again, give the recall command, and praise and reward with play once the dog reaches them. Repeating this exercise gets the dog excited and enthusiastic about the recall and teaches him or her that great things happen when they go to their owner.

Once the dog learns the first step and the handler feels confident about the dog coming when called, the second step is to teach the dog to sit and stay. Once the dog is able to sit and stay, the handler will walk away from the dog. Once at a good distance the handler will call the dog and give the chosen recall command. At this point, they should continue to be extremely exciting to entice the dog to come to them. As soon as the dog reaches them, they should offer lots of play and praise. The dog continues to learn that whenever the dog responds to the command by running to the owner, it is rewarded with lots of fun and positive things. Owners should include food rewards for the dogs that are food motivated.

An important note to remember is that an owner should never discipline a dog for coming to them, even if the dog has ignored their commands previously and generated frustration in the handler. Disciplining the dog is counter productive. When the dog finally comes to you, you have the perfect opportunity to reinforce the fact that if the dog comes when called, it will be rewarded. The reward you offer should be greater than whatever "fun" and "exciting" thing kept them from coming to you in the first place.

Training the recall is a lifelong commitment. Once the foundation is set, owners should strive to practice it whenever they can and further cement that obedience. They will find themselves with a well behaved dog that is under their control when out in public. Ultimately, time outdoors with your dog becomes stress free and enjoyable.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

So you've decided to get a new puppy, congratulations! There is nothing better than bringing home a new dog to raise as a loving furry member of your family! In this article I hope to teach you everything you need to know about choosing a reputable, high quality breeder from which to get your beloved canine companion from. Buying a healthy, stable puppy from a reputable breeder will make all the difference in your life. Please bear with me, there is quite a bit of information I have to share. All of it is very useful in your search for a new puppy!

Finding a breeder from which to purchase your new puppy is a daunting task, and it certainly should be a decision made through a lot of careful consideration and research. Before you begin, get to know the breed of dog you are bringing home a little better. Learn about the standard set by your country's kennel club, research any diseases or conditions prevalent in your breed, figure out what they were originally bred for and what makes the breed what it is.

Once you have a good understanding of the breed itself, your first step to take is to decide whether you want to purchase from a local breeder, or whether or not you are willing to have a puppy shipped to you. You may also need to drive a distance to pick a puppy up if you are not concerned about the breeder's location. Searching all across your country will open you up to many, many possibilities!

There are many ways you can search for a breeder. You can begin by plugging their kennel names or even the name of the dog breed into a search engine on the internet, asking your local breed or kennel clubs, asking family and friends, getting involved in communities devoted to your chosen breed of dog or simply attending dog shows and dog events near you!

Once you have found several breeders, you'll want to put them through a screening process much like they should do to you! First and foremost, you should look into the health, temperament and accomplishments of the dogs in their breeding program.

Health testing and titling are extremely important in stud dogs and breeding females. You will want to see health testing done on all of a breeder's dogs and you should be able to see the documentation to prove the results they claim. For example, the German Shepherd dog is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. When I went about choosing a breeder from which to get my puppy (vom Geistwasser), I made sure the breeder provided health testing for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, and looked up the results with the OFA to confirm the scores. The parents, grandparents and dogs even farther back in their pedigree are documented with good hip and elbows, which is very important in determining the future hip and elbow health of your puppy. By purchasing a puppy from dogs that are not producing hip and elbow dysplasia, you significantly reduce the chances of your puppy developing this very serious and often deadly condition.

A reputable breeder will title their stud dogs and breeding females, simply because official titles will prove how worthy they are of being bred. Whether they are shown in the ring, compete in obedience or breed-specific sports, you will want to see that the breeder has proven the worth of it's breeding dogs by evaluating their temperament and capabilities - this ensures that they will produce those same great qualities you want to see in your puppy. If you are purchasing a dog from the herding breed group for example, by buying a puppy born of parents that were titled in herding and shown in the ring, you ensure that your puppy is capable of what it was originally bred for, whether or not you want to train your dog to herd. The point is that it CAN do the work if that is what you want it to do, All of that training and competing with the breeding dogs in the sport proves that they have the correct temperament and genetic traits for the breed... which will all be passed down to a their offspring when they produce a litter.

I love to see various accomplishments to a breeding dog's name. Simple temperament tests such as the Canine Good Citizen / Canine Good Neighbour certification and the Temperament Test are wonderful in conjunction with titles in sports like obedience, agility, Schutzhund, herding and other official venues of dog training. When a breeder tests their dogs in a variety of things you can get a good idea of the temperament they will pass on to their puppies. Titles and accomplishments show that effort and thought was put into these dogs, and thus they are worthy of being bred and carrying on their genetics to future generations of dogs. Any dog that is bred should be an ideal representation of their breed, otherwise there is no point to carry on their genes. The purpose of breeding is to improve the breed and uphold the breed standard, any dog that cannot do this may be a magnificent pet... but they should not be bred.

Temperament is the next important factor to consider when looking at a breeder's dogs. You want to either meet the parents and grandparents (or any related dogs, if possible), or speak directly to those who have met them or own dogs from those pedigrees themselves. Knowing the temperament of the dogs in your potential puppy's pedigree will give you a good idea of what your puppy's temperament will be like. In general you will want to see dogs that are friendly, have solid nerves, social and biddable. No dog is perfect, but a breeder should strive to match one dog with another to improve any potential faults one may pass on to a litter. For example, if the breeding female is a little fearful when highly stressed, the breeder should find a dog that has solid nerves and will not be afraid when in the same situation.

Do not be afraid to ask for health testing documentation, see certification of accomplishments and titles, and ask for references from past puppy buyers. Doing all of this will tell you what they will be producing in their puppies. You want a healthy, stable-minded dog suited to your lifestyle... so make sure the dogs that are producing your puppy meet your criteria too!

Allow a breeder to choose the puppy for you. It is vital that you tell a breeder exactly what you want in your future dog, and give them the opportunity to match a puppy to you. If they are reputable and knowledgeable, they have the experience to determine which puppy best matches what you are looking for in a dog. Feel free to tell them your preferred gender or colour, but understand that the puppy that best matches you and your family may not be exactly what you were looking for in terms of appearance. Try not to be too disappointed, because the puppy will likely grow up to be what you wanted in every other way.

Remember, no puppy or dog is perfect. Ending up with the ideal family member is a combination of several things: good breeding practises, knowledge, socialization and training!

Diet is an important factor of health and well being in your new puppy, and one should not forget how important imprinting obedience and respect in puppies is. Learn how to raise the ultimate dog with K9 Instinct.

Angel
K9 Instinct

The decision to bring a puppy home into your family should not be one that is easily made and it should be a decision that has been agreed upon by every member of the household. A dog is a big responsibility, and everyone should be on board when it comes to the daily care of your new four-legged family member!

A new puppy is a lot of work and responsibility, and it is important to understand that they require a lot of time and commitment, as well as a lot of training, exercise and general care. There are many things families need to consider before bringing a new puppy home. Money is a major factor in having a dog, especially during the first year of a puppy's life. A family should first evaluate their financial status and determine if they will be able to comfortably meet a puppy's financial needs.

There are a few questions to discuss as a family to clarify how prepared you are for taking on a canine companion. Are you financially stable enough to pay for multiple vet visits (especially in the first year of life), raw food or high quality kibble, collars, leashes and various accessories? What about a wide variety of toys to stimulate your dog's mind and keep your puppy busy and out of trouble? There are other costs that could factor in, such as a dog crate, a dog bed, an outdoor kennel system or an exercise pen.

How much time does your family have to dedicate to a puppy? A new puppy will need potty training, basic obedience and plenty of exercise! Puppies also need to be supervised to keep them safe and out of trouble. Are you able to dedicate at least one hour a day to walking your dog? What about containment when you cannot be supervising your puppy? A crate is a fantastic way to keep your new furry friend out of trouble when you're not around! You can prevent destruction of your home and keep your puppy safe by keeping him in a crate while you're away!

A new puppy is extremely exciting, and there is no limit to the joy and love a dog will bring in to your home. It is often said that a house is not a home until you get a dog, and I truly believe that. All that hard work and money invested really pays off in the end when that ever faithful dog lays quietly at your feet.

Angel
K9 Instinct