Pet Care Tips

Cold kills. A dog or cat left outside in severe cold weather can die quickly from exposure.

When you are not home, leave your dog or puppy in a long term confinement area, such as a crate or single room in-doors with easy to clean floors, bathroom, kitchen, or utility room.

When you are at home, and your dog cannot be watched confine your dog to a short-term confinement area with a number of stuffed chew toys for entertainment.

A portable dog crate makes an ideal den. Alternatively, keep your dog on a short leash fastened to an eye-hook in a baseboard near it's bed, or attach the leash to your belt.

Every hour on the hour, say "let's go pee and poop" (or your potty instructions) and, with your dog on leash, hurry it outside where you want your dog to go.

Give your dog at least three minutes to do its business. When your dog eliminates, praise it enthusiastically and give it a yummy treat.

The purpose of confinement is to prevent your dog from chewing inappropriate items around your house and to maximize the likelihood your dog will develop a chew toy habit.

Kongs, Biscuit Balls, Big Kahuna footballs, and sterilized long-bones are by far the best chew toys. They are made of natural products, are hollow, and may be stuffed with food to entice your dog to chew them exclusively.

Discourage your dog from entering non-digging areas. If your dog digs in a non-digging area, put some of his excrement in the hole. This tells the dog that all he'll find is his feces there and he won?t want to dig there again.

Do not leave an excessive barker outdoors. Yard-bound dogs are exposed to many more disturbances and their barks more easily penetrate the neighborhood.

Socialize your puppy to be friendly, so that he would rather play than fight

An adult dog may learn basic manners and good behavior (house training, proper chewing, when and how to bark) at any time in his life.