How to Train Your Puppy

Cherubini Malamutes

So you just got a new puppy, how exciting! There are many new adventures ahead of you with your new best friend. Dogs are a great companion to have in life that will fill you up with love and plenty of memories for many years to come.

However, a dog doesn’t just become your best friend overnight. It requires years of training and discipline as an owner to train your dog to receive commands and behave appropriately in different circumstances.

Here are some quick tips that you may find useful as you begin training your dog:

Stick to the Schedule

In some ways, raising a puppy can be similar to raising a child in the fact that both dogs and children need a structured schedule to help them get through the day. When you begin raising your puppy, you’ll want to keep a consistent schedule for when it’s time to eat, play, and sleep at night.

Dog owners, much like parents, will be tested early and often by their newborn puppy. It requires great discipline on the owner to maintain a regular schedule for the puppy, now matter how much they howl or whine at night. It will usually take a few weeks for the puppy to get adjusted to the environment and schedule, but every minute of it will be worth once they finally do adjust.

Just Say No

When you’re training your puppy, there are going to be countless times where you’ll have to discipline your puppy by saying “no” to them. Whether they are jumping on furniture, biting through shoes, or even destroying your air conditioning unit, a puppy must be raised with consequences. Being firm with the puppy and speaking with authority will help relay the message that their behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Now, just to set clear expectations, you will have some abused furniture, shredded shoes, and you may also have to call for AC repairs Eden Prairie because of a rebellious newborn puppy that is adventurous and playful. Remember that consistency is key, so don’t slack on showing your puppy how to behave and what is expected in their new environment.

Exercise is Key

All newborn puppies just want to play and have fun, that’s what makes them so adorable and fun to be around! Puppies typically have a lot of energy, which is the main reason why you should be outside with them as often as possible, getting them the exercise they need.

Exercising outdoors is great for puppies because it allows them to get all of their energy out and act wild and crazy in a more natural environment. Once you have exhausted them outside, they are more likely to come back in the home without destroying your furniture.

Meet Other Dogs

A social life for a puppy is extremely important. Think about how important it is for young children to be around others to develop their social skills and behaviors for interacting with other cute little human beings. This is equally important for puppies too.

You don’t want your puppy to be raised without being around other dogs because once your furry little pet reaches adulthood, it won’t know how to properly interact with other dogs that they come across.

A great way to meet other dogs (and get exercise at the same time) is to head to a local dog park. You’ll also get a chance to meet other dog owners and pick their brain about their experience being a dog owner.

Reinforce Positive Behaviors

The most effective way to training a puppy to behave correctly is to reinforce the positive behaviors that you expect from your dog. The one big behavior, and this is something most pet owners struggle with at first, is teaching your puppy how to go to the bathroom outside.

Teaching your puppy to use the appropriate bathroom is a challenging task. It requires dedication, discipline, patience, and positive reinforcement. You’ll want to seclude a designated area for where you want the puppy to use the potty, that way the dog knows exactly where to go when he/she has to go.

Anticipate when your puppy might have to go to the bathroom (immediately in the morning, right after a meal, late at night) and guide your puppy to the designated area so they can try to use the bathroom. Do not let them leave the area without using the bathroom first (you’ll know when to expect a bathroom break) and have a snack ready in hand to positively reinforce the puppies behavior after they go to the bathroom in the right area.

This will help the puppy identify the designated area as the place to use the bathroom, and will quickly teach them that pottying in the house is unacceptable.

Have Fun and Show Love

Raising a puppy is suppose to be fun, so enjoy it! Dogs can bring so much joy to one’s life, so it’s important to remember to have fun raising your puppy even in the most difficult of times. Your puppy will instantly grow with you and love you if you’re able to provide it the life it deserves.

All pets, but especially dogs, need and deserve our attention and love that we have. Give your puppy the affection and love that it seeks as a little pup. The more affection you show, the stronger the bond that you’ll have with your new dog, and that bond is something that you’ll never experience anything like again.

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Foods You Shouldn’t Give to Your Dogs

Cherubini Malamutes

For dog lovers, dogs are not just pets. They are a part of the family. They spoil their dogs with all the good stuff including all types of foods. However, pet owners should be responsible fur parent. They need to know what foods to give to their dogs and what not. Unfortunately, some human foods are not safe for dogs and we are going to discuss them below.

Chocolate and caffeinated foods/beverages

foods containing chocolates and caffeine are toxic to dogs. They contain methylxanthines, which is known to cause ill effects on dogs. When taken in large amount could lead to death. So, keep your chocolates and coffee with you.

High Sodium Foods

Too much intake of salty foods will lead to your dog’s urinating more than the usual. As a result, your dog feels thirsty and the risk of dehydration and sodium poisoning are high. As much as possible, you should limit giving chips, pretzels, and other salty foods to your dogs.

Grapes and raisins

If you are used to giving raisins and grapes to your dogs, then now is the time to stop doing so.  Intake of grapes and raisins, especially in excessive amount can lead to kidney failure.

Bread and Complex Carbohydrates

We are used to giving bread to our pets but don’t you know that some bread causes bloating and twisting in dogs’ stomach? Pet owners should also avoid giving raw dough as the ethanol content of the yeast causes the dog to become drunk. If you are going to give bread to your dog, make sure that it is safe for dogs.

Some Bones

Dogs are known for their love of bones. However, not all bones are safe for dogs. Some bones like chicken and ribs break off easily, which can potentially lead to choking and irritation of the throat. If you are going to give bones to your dogs, you have to make sure they are especially for chewing on such as the ones found at the pet store.

Onions and Garlic

These are common ingredients in almost all dishes. However, they can be extremely bad for your dogs. What these ingredients do is destroy your dog’s red blood cells when consumed in high amount. It increases the possibility of anemia in dogs. It can also lead to poisoning.

Avacado

It contains a substance called persin, which is commonly found in the seeds, leaves, bark, and the fruit itself. Persin, if taken in high amount, can be extremely toxic in dogs. The level of persin in ripe avocado is low, which does not really cause harm to your dogs. However, if your dogs happen to eat unripe avocado or have taken a lot of ripe avocados, it could lead to stomach upset. When giving avocado to your dog, you have to make sure you remove the harmful part, especially the pits.

Just because the food is safe to you does not necessarily mean it is safe for your dogs. If you are unsure as to whether the food is safe or not, the best thing to do is to not give it at all. Always do your research or ask your vet before introducing new foods to your beloved dogs.

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Swimming – A Beneficial Recreational Activity

Cherubini Malamutes

Exercise comes in different forms. Don’t you know that swimming is one of the most effective forms of exercise? It is also the safest as it would be impossible for you to sustain injuries while swimming. Not to mention, swimming is a good body workout. If you want to stay in shape or want to lose some weight, you don’t need to go to the gym. All you need to do is to swim regularly and you will surely be on your way to a healthier you.


Below are the reasons why swimming would make a very good recreational activity.

·         Swimming is for everybody – swimming is a recreational activity for everyone no matter what your age or size is. In fact, as early as infants and toddlers, parents enroll them in a swimming lesson. Even old age such as in their 70s and 80s stay in shape and swimming is one of the reasons. Swimming is not just a fun-filled recreational activity, it is also important for safety reasons.

·         Swimming is a safe form of exercise – swimming is low impact, which makes it a very safe form of exercise. It is easy on the bones and joints. Not only will you be able to swim, but you can also perform simple exercises in water such as floats and weights. It is perfect for people with joint pain secondary to arthritis and other types of physical limitations.

·         Swimming helps you lose weight – If you are trying to lose weight, then you should include swimming in your exercise routine. It will stimulate your body and increases your metabolism. A swimming time of at least two minutes three to four times a week can be a big help in reducing body weight and shedding off unwanted fats.

·         Swimming is a relaxing activity – Swimming is a relaxing activity. Its effect on the body and mind is the same as that of meditation and yoga.

What to keep in mind when swimming?

Going on a recreational activity such as swimming can be relaxing for the body and mind. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. These include the following:

·         Make sure that the temperature of the water is appropriate. Swimming in extremely cold water can be potentially dangerous to people with heart conditions, elderly, and other ailments. Swimming in extremely cold water can lead to hypothermia, thermal shock, and eventually death.

·         Do not swim after eating. Doing so can increase the possibility of cramping as your body is still digesting the foods that you just consumed. After eating, you should rest for at least an hour before swimming.

Swimming is one of the best forms of recreational activities. It is not only good for the body and mind, but it is also an opportunity to bond with family and friends. Just make sure you observed safety measures when swimming, be it swimming in a pool or natural body of water such as lakes, rivers, and seas.


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