toilet training, house training puppies

Community education supported by www.toapayohvets.com

My Photo
Name:
Location: Singapore

A veterinary surgeon at www.toapayohvets.com and founder of a licensed housing agency for expatriate rentals and sales at www.asiahomes.com

Monday, May 15, 2006

302. The lady who would not touch the snappying puppy.

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

The 40-something wife would not touch the puppy. Yet she was not against keeping the puppy.

"The puppy would not listen to my commands to stay out of the house," the lady said. Instead he would rush to my legs and try to bite me and bark at me."

Yet the puppy did not bark at her daughter or her husband who handled him and would be obedient to them. The husband with receding hairline shook his head when his wife asked me this same question at this subsequent visit. The daughter was not present today.

So, why did the behaviour vary?

"He is a male puppy," I said. "He may be an alpha male (dominant). So he thinks that you are his subordinate. He may also sense that you give him the attention whenever he barks at you."

" Really? I want him to know that I am the boss," the lady said. "I don't want to the puppy to touch me."

But the puppy would not listen to her commands and snapped at her toes. The puppy was trying to communicate with her by mouth. It is called "mouthing".

So, what's the solution for the wife?

"One possibility is neutering," I said. "But it is best to train the puppy with praises and treats."

301. The Brown Schnauzer and asthmatic children.

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

This 2-year-old brown Schnauzer was the most intelligent of all dogs she had. He was not allowed to sleep with the children who had asthma. So he slept by himself in the utility room. The children did not have any sneezing, itch or swelling of eyelids when in contact with him. So, I do not think they were allergic to dogs. However, the locals, including some general practitioners, believe that dogs should not be kept when children are asthmatic.

TOILET TRAINING

2 times a day downstairs. So, he did his business downstairs. During rainy days, he would go to the spare bathroom (with newspapers) to eliminate.

During puppyhood days, he was scolded and newspapers smacked on the floor as he peed on the living area. It took him some time to learn.

He had a bad habit of chewing anything and swallowing. Once he came to the vet for passing blood in the stools. He had swallowed the hard chew toys. I recommended a famous brand chew toy. He also chewed it off in a few seconds.

So, how to resolve his problem?

The lady owner bought tennis balls. He would bounce it and chew it. Played catching ball with the two children. She removed the balls before they get swallowed.

He was not so active after neutering. It was better for him and the family living in an apartment. He only barked when strangers came to the door but not at neighbours.