3 Steps to Deal With Car Phobias in Dogs | Purebredbreeders.com

Usually there is nothing greater to the traveling dog owner than the chance to take one’s pooch along. But, what happens when your dog will not get into a car, or exhibit such strong signs of anxiety that you feel guilty about the trip? Unfortunately, many dogs are afraid of cars which leaves their owners frustrated when it’s time to go somewhere, but Purebredbreeders.com would like to point out that all hope is not lost. Here are some simple tips to help with the situation.

Purebredbreeders.com Three Tips To Dealing With Car Phobias

1. Start getting the pooch used to the car long before it's necessary. The first thing to do is work on getting the dog inside the vehicle, but do not go anywhere or close the door, just stay stationary while your dog is getting comfortable. A great way to get the dog into the vehicle is by putting treats, a favorite blanket, or favorite toy inside with the hopes of the dog following. Someone can also go inside the car to encourage the dog to get in.

It is imperative that the dog sees when the treat or object is placed inside the vehicle to arouse interest, and he or she should be petted, praised, and given a treat after getting in to confirm their good behavior. Purebredbreeders.com would also like to point out that owners will need to be patient as this can take some time. Lifting the dog into the vehicle is another option, but be sure to comfort the dog the minute he or she is inside, then give a reward after the pooch relaxes. Continue to pet and praise until the dog is fine and continue to practice this for a few days before moving to a next step.

2. Purebredbreeders.com sees this step as a chance to acquaint the dog with the sound of the vehicle, or to get the pooch to see that it is perfectly safe. Close the door and start the car once the dog is settled but do not move. Watch for signs of stress and work to calm the pooch, treat again once he or she is completely relaxed, and just talk to the dog. If the dog stays calm the next time he or she gets into the car and it is turned on then it is time for the next phase.

3. Purebredbreeders.com recommends that this starts out at just a few minutes then extends into longer periods leading up to the trip. Step three is where the car leaves the driveway. Take a short trip around the neighborhood then head back home; signs of stress should again be detected and alleviated so it may be best to have two persons so the driver can focus on road safety. Once this is fine, the trips can get longer and the dog can even be taken on errands.

Safety First

Purebredbreeders.com strongly recommends that the proper safety tools be used. These include crates, harnesses, and safety seats depending on the pooch’s size and the owner’s preference. Also, owners should never transport a dog on their lap if they are the ones driving, it is best to keep windows rolled up especially since the dog could be nervous enough to try to escape, and dogs should not be allowed to stick their heads out the window.

Dogs are afraid of many things, and while some fears seem understandable, others can be tricky. However, what needs to be understood is that a fear is usually brought on by an experience, however, it usually lingers because we do not address the issues the way we ought to. Purebredbreeders.com recommends that owners refrain from enabling the reaction. That said, only give treats after the dog calms down because rewarding the dog to get cooperation will reinforce the reaction. Also, owners must be prepared to exercise patience, be confident since dogs feed off negative energy, and they should be willing to try whatever is necessary.

Purebred Breeders reviews Dog Toys for Avid Chewers

 
Some dogs chew a lot and for different reasons. Some naturally like chewing or can develop an oral fixation (the Golden Retriever is a perfect example), others chew when bored, and puppies often do this when teething. Also in some cases, older dogs continue to chew because training did not properly address the issue. Purebred Breeders reviews this and suggests that owners of dogs who chew a lot combine training and the appropriate toys to ensure that the dog only chews what he or she is allowed to. This is why we embarked on a mission to review different categories of toys that should satisfy just about any tough chewer, regardless of the reason for the habit.

Toys for Avid Chewers 

      1. Bones: the more common ones are rawhide or beef. Be sure to watch your dog to see how he or she treats them and remove pieces that can't be swallowed. Also, replace it when it has worn down to the point that it could be easy to swallow.  Purebred Breeders reviews this category of toys and feels that if your dog breaks off large chunks at a time or wears through one in less than two days then he or she may need something harder. Please note that beef bones can cause fractured teeth.  Bully bones are more expensive and wear away quicker that rawhide or beef bones, but seem to be safer and easily digested.

 2. Cow hooves. These are common however; they should not be given to dogs that tend to swallow things whole since they can be easy to swallow for some canines.

 3. Soft squeaky toys: these are best for small dogs. They can be plastic or rubber and tend to keep dogs busy as well as entertained due to the sound. Rubber is usually more durable since most plastic will burst under duress.

 4. Tough squeaky toys: these are great for larger dogs since they can easily destroy soft ones. They are also hard to bite off which reduces the possibility of your dog swallowing chunks of rubber or plastic.

 5.  Educational Toys: there are now many toys that facilitate chewing while providing mental stimulation for your pooch. The best part is they also automatically dispense treats, so your pup is rewarded for meeting the objective. Purebred Breeders reviews the use of these because they help the dog to satisfy the need to chew, develop mentally, and associate the toy with reward which means he or she is likely to focus on it. This may even lead to your four-legged friend chewing only when treats are given.

Purebred Breeders reviews that some toys may have harmful chemicals so exercise caution when choosing. Please do some research and be sure to check the ingredients for each toy you buy. Also, always listen out for possible recalls; shopping at the same location is one way to ensure that you are kept abreast of these. Lastly, monitor your dog’s usage to see how he or she treats the toy as this is the only way to know which one is best.

Bringing a New Puppy Home

Most dog owners will be the first to tell someone that raising a puppy is like taking care of a fuzzy baby. They both require lots of attention and love from their parents in order to grow into successful adults; they can both be noisy and demanding; and if certain actions aren’t taken in their crucial first months of life, there can be some repercussions later down the line. Like babies, the younger the puppy is, the more delicate is its state of mind and physical well-being.  The following is a list of precautions PurebredBreeders.com recommends every owner should take when bringing their puppy home for the first time. By following the guidelines below, one can ensure a healthy and happy puppy.

Depending on how young your puppy is upon purchase, traveling to their new home may be the puppy’s first time outside of their comfort zone without its mother and litter mates. Because of this, it’s more than likely that a puppy will experience separation anxiety early on. In order to lessen their discomfort, PurebredBreeders.com says to make sure the puppy has someone that is focused on giving it sufficient love and attention. In the first few days, the only time a puppy shouldn’t be with someone is when it’s sleeping. By familiarizing itself with one family member particularly and other members quickly and immediately, the puppy can make a smoother transition into the larger family unit. If the owner has young children, it’s a good idea to familiarize them with the do’s and don’ts of handling a puppy before giving them such a large responsibility.

One of the first things Purebred Breeders suggests a new puppy owner should do upon getting their puppy is scheduling a veterinary exam. This examination is crucial in understanding ones’ puppy; learning about any breed specific matters early on, helps in raising the puppy with all things accounted for, such as coat or dental maintenance. Before taking the puppy to the vet, you should find out what the breeders vet may have provided medically for the puppy, as well as any medication they may have been on prior to arriving at their new home. This medication can include anything from heartworm preventatives to deworming pills. Owners’ should be able to give their vet full background information prior to examination.

The next one is kind of tricky. When you bring your puppy home, the breeder should give you an outline on the recommended diet plan, especially what to feed the puppy before switching to the puppy food of your choice. Purebred Breeders believes a premium food is best for the puppy as they have the proper nutrients and vitamins necessary for them to grow up strong and healthy. For the first few days, stick to the product recommended by the breeder. When first introducing a puppy to dry food, be sure to add a little water, to soften the food up, for a while so the change is less drastic for the first week or so. After eating dry food for about a week or so, the puppy should be getting fed two or three times a day. Depending on how fast the puppy’s teeth are coming in, the amount of water in each serving should be decreased progressively, eventually to the point where there’s no water present.  Most puppies should be eating water-free dry food after seven weeks.

If you follow the above guidelines from PurebredBreeders.com in welcoming a new puppy into your home it will lead to a happy transition for the whole family.