Housebreaking Hints
Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the best places to start out. These rooms are easy to puppy-proof and to keep clean. Isolated places like the basement or backyard are no place for a new puppy.
Remove items that you don't want to be chewed or dirtied and of course anything that could be dangerous to your puppy. Coat electrical wires that a puppy could reach with bitter apple furniture cream. Anything that can be chewed just remove, you don't want things left for temptation..Chew toys you can buy for them and here are a few that work quite well are: A Kong, Rope Toy, Gumabone and a boomer ball..
You will need to set up an area of confinement for your puppy if you work, or if the puppy is too young to take out, or for just anytime you are forced to leave it for a long period of time than it can stay comfortably in it's crate.
You can start by getting a baby gate for the doorway. Wire is the best kind of gate as some pups will make short work of plastic. Always use a gate, as a closed door can lead to puppy frustration, causing barking,chewing, scratching at the door. If you think your puppy may climb the gate, rest two or three shake cans along the top edge, They'll fall off and startle the puppy.
Put some papers in the rear area so he will not have to track through his mess to greet you. Put his crate,bowls and toys up front near the gate since that is where he will spend most of his time. There should be no more than four or five feet between the two areas. You may have to use a bathroom if you have a big kitchen.Too much space leads to mistakes that can be hard to correct.
Take the time to go through your house to be sure anything that may attract and harm your puppy has been put away, out of sight out of mind. Puppies will get interested in the most unpredictable things.
Don't worry about what you think they might like to chew, worry about what they can chew.
Keep in mind anything that has touched your body is of interest to your pup. Puppies are not out to get you when they eat your things, they are simply drawn to things that smell like you. For a puppy carrying around your sock is like having a snapshot of you.
Some puppies always eat well and others never do. Unless the puppy is loosing weight or your vet is concerned, don't worry about it. All puppies need to be on a feeding shedual during the house breaking period. If you know when everythig goes in, you will be able to predict when it will come out.
Feed dry food to your puppy, DO NOT add extra's to the food it may upset his stomach. Changing foods can also cause diarrhea. Find one low protien food and stick with it. If you have to change their diet you can do so over a five day period adding a bit more of the new food each day.
Feed three meals a day before five months of age, two meals a day after that, unless your breeder or advise otherwise. If you pup is defecating five or more times a day or has very soft stools, take a sample to your vet to be tested for worms. If he doesn't have worms try cutting back his food by 10 percent. Some puppies can be a bit greedy and just eat more than they can digest which can lead to very soft stools.
Offer water three to five times a day. Pups need about one cup for every eight pounds of body weight per day. If he finished and looks for more increase it to a cup and a half. I like to give them ice cubes wich will quench their thirsts without over loading their system. If your puppy urinates all over the place in tiny amounts talk to your vet.
Setting up a place for your puppy: FEEDING SCHEDULE:
