Puppy Care Tips


Mary’s Tips for Puppy Happiness


Prepare for your puppy:
· Get him a blanket that will be his. Wash it first (no fabric softener, as some puppies are sensitive)
· A light-weight leash and a soft collar (not a choke chain).
· Puppy food (the same kind that he's used to).
· A food bowl and a water bowl.
· Many toys (including a ball that's large enough not to get wedged in his throat. Never a golf ball!).
· Something soft to chew on and pull (An old hand towel with a knot tied in the middle works well).
· A kennel that he can snuggle down and feel safe.

TRY TO ACQUIRE THE PUPPY IN THE MORNING
This way he can begin to get comfortable in his new home in the daylight.
This is the most important day of your new life together, his homecoming.

· If at all possible, PLAN TO SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY WITH HIM.
· Bring his blanket with you, so that he can be on your lap or next to you in the car going home.
· Spend the day letting the puppy get comfortable with you and his new surroundings.
· Play with your puppy, talk with him.
· LET HIM REST. Enjoy play time but don't over stimulate him with too much excitement

Help him begin to feel safe, confident, and wanted.
A puppy gets really tired, really fast, and bounces back quickly.
Your pup will want to lick you. (It's a bonding" activity: He's making you his.) Whether you allow this licking or not is up to you (We do.), but never ever allow him to nip or bite. Puppy biting is not "fun" and is never acceptable. Substitute something that belongs to the puppy for him to chew. Only puppies go through this chewing stage.

We highly recommend a gentle, good trainer at 3 to 4 months where you can go with the pup and work with him yourself. This is also a wonderful time for your pup to socialize with other dogs and people in a friendly, controlled environment. We enjoyed our training sessions and daily practice times very much.
Choose your trainer carefully, Cavaliers are people-oriented, loving dogs and must be trained gently with love (never Alpha-dog, dominance, and force). We suggest that you meet with your chosen trainer early on so that you can begin to teach your pup the correct commands (sit, stay, come) during your daily life before he goes to "puppy school."

Cavaliers cannot take any kind of strong punishment
A harsh “No” is a strong correction. Be careful on your training and especially if you use a “TRAINER”
Remember, puppies must not be exposed to other dogs until they're old enough to have had all of their required innoculations, plus Cavaliers are slow-maturing dogs and will not be ready for obedience school as soon as other breeds may be. However, you and your pup can work together happily to help him learn the basics at home.

Pups have very little bladder control
Their sphincter muscles just aren't developed yet, so they need all the help they can get from you to reduce the "mistakes" that are bound to happen. Yelling at the pup for defecating or urinating indoors is not effective: He can't help it.

Frequent trips outside (as in immediately after he eats, drinks, wakes up, plays, etc.) and praise will rapidly teach him where it's acceptable to go to the bathroom. He'll soon know where he's supposed to go, even though he often may not be able to make it.

We discovered that taking your puppy out to the same general location in our yard, quietly repeating the word "busy," and praising her for going outside (whether or not the anticipated results occured) proved very successful as she grew and gained more self-control. Although, we did learn to be careful using the word "busy."

For additional puppy information feel free to e-mail Mary@MadaanCavaliers.org.

Cavalier King Charles Dogs and Puppies Make Wonderful Pets!