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Puppy Basics - Training the First Week
By Denny Hughes, Profile Pet Nutritionalist

     Before your puppy comes home it is important to be prepared. Puppy training basics during the first week the puppy is home is critical. It is obvious that you need certain physical items such as a dog bed or crate, food and water bowls, puppy chow, collar, leash, toys, etc. Equally as important, all family members must decide and agree on routine, responsibility and rules.

     The first few days are extremely important. Enthusiasm and emotions are up. Everyone wants to feed the puppy, play with the puppy and hold the puppy. Pre-established rules are easily broken. Everyone agreed that puppy will sleep in her crate but as soon as she's home, someone melts and insists that puppy will sleep in bed. Everyone previously agreed not to let puppy jump up on them, but in the excitement, no one even notices that puppy is jumping up. No one sleeps the first night. Puppy wins and gets to sleep in bed. The next morning we find puppy has eliminated all over the bed. So the following night puppy is banned to her crate and screams all night. No one sleeps tonight either.

     Grouchiness sets in; enthusiasm is down. No one wants to get up at the pre-agreed upon early morning feeding time. How are we going to housetrain puppy? How are we going to sleep with her constant whining?

     Your new puppy has just been taken away from her mom and littermates. She is vulnerable and impressionable. What she needs now is security and routine. Set up a small room to be her very own special haven for the next couple of months. Paper the entire floor and put her food/water bowls and bed in one corner. Scatter her toys everywhere. Play with her quietly and gently. Don't flood her with attention and activity. If she looks like she wants to sleep, leave her alone. Puppies need lots of sleep.

     Decide who is responsible for feeding and cleaning up after her. Don't deviate from the schedule. Routine is especially important for your puppy. Don't spend all your time with her. If she is going to be alone during the day or night, she needs to start getting used to it now. If she wakes up from a nap and whines, resist the urge to run in and comfort her.

     Since puppies are so impressionable, it is important to begin explaining the rules right away. Don't give her special license to get away with anything just because she is a puppy. If you allow her to have her way about certain things now, she will only be confused later when you decide to change the rules. Puppies learn very quickly with proper instruction. Never hit your puppy or give harsh reprimands. They don't mean to misbehave - they are just doing whatever comes naturally. Instead, show your puppy what kind of behavior you want. Teach her to play with her toys. Make them fun and exciting. Let her know how happy you are and how good she is when she chews them. Then, when you see her chewing your furniture, firmly tell her, "Off!" and immediately show her one of her own toys. Encourage her to play with and chew on it. Praise her profusely when she does so. If you don't catch her in the act, anything you do will confuse her. The only way you can instruct your puppy is to be there. If you can't be there, don't allow her to have access to places where she can get into trouble.

     Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Discuss your puppy's vaccination schedule and when she will be allowed outside. Puppies are susceptible to many canine diseases until they are fully vaccinated; so don't take your puppy outside until your veterinarian says it is OK.

     Your puppy's emotional and mental health is just as important as her physical health. When your schedule your puppy's first veterinary visit, also schedule her into a puppy socialization class. She may not be able to attend yet, but reserve your place now so you won't miss out. Puppy socialization classes give your puppy an opportunity to meet a variety of people and dogs in a controlled situation. If your puppy is to be a well-adjusted adult dog, she needs to learn how to act properly around other dogs and people. Dogs that are not socialized frequently grow up to be aggressive and excessively fearful.
 

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The Standard Poodle
(There's more to it than meets the eye)

Origin:  Germany/France (Controversial)
Group:  Gun Dog
Coat:  Curly, Harsh & Dense
Color:  All solid colors accepted
Weight:  45-70 pounds
Height: 15 inches or more

   What's the first thing a person thinks of when they hear the word "Poodle"?  Most would think of the little puffy dogs with painted toenails waiting on the other side of a relative's door to eat you up.  Or one might think of the extravagantly (and sometimes absurdly) primped dogs that prance around a dog show ring.  The Standard Poodle has become a victim of it's own charm and facade.  What people don't know, and what other large dog registries discourage is the fact that the poodle is a true working dog.  Correctly placed in the Gun Dog group by the Continental Kennel Club, the Standard Poodle has more to offer than just an outfit.

  The exact time and exact country that the Standard Poodle originated is unknown.  It is an ancient breed and has appeared throughout history in many European societies.  From ancient Rome to England, Poodle like dogs have appeared on artifacts, drawings and even currency.  The most popular and most likely belief now is that the ancient Poodle-like dogs were bred together in Germany (who favored the brown coats and later developed the white coats) to create an intelligent waterdog.  Shortly after, the breed was adopted in France (who concentrated on the white coats) and refined to a closer resemblance to the dogs we see today.   Switzerland also continued with the white coats and started with the other coat colors that we see today (e.g. silver, apricot, chocolate, ect.).  Other countries also captivated by the Poodles appeal soon began miniaturizing the breed into smaller dogs that were more convenient to have as a pet.  The Standard Poodles that are also known as Pudel or Puddeln in Germany (roughly translated means "One that enjoys splashing water" or "Puddle Dog") were once the most popular and dependable water dog in Europe. France quickly declared the breed the national dog breed of their country and thus comes the name "French Poodle". 

  Today especially in America, most of the Poodles natural abilities have been bred out as a result of strict conformation standards set forth by other dog registries.  These standards place the Poodle in the Non-Sporting group and oddly enough place the breeds descending cousins in the Sporting group (Curly Coated Retriever, American Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel, all of which inherited their drive and instinct from the Standard Poodle).  Now it is usually paraded around dog show rings and by most considered high maintenance and all show.  But some specimens still exhibit their ancestor's instinct.   They prove that the Standard Poodle is a versatile character and capable of so much more than the breed is credited with.  They have an excellent nose which make them ideal trackers, narcotics/explosive/artillery detectors, they are versatile and quick swimmers which make them supreme retrievers, they excel in Personal Protection, Patrol Dog Work, Therapy work, Obedience, and Agility because their temperament and intelligence work collectively.  Above all, they make amazingly unique and loyal pets, full of life and character.   They have a personality of all their own and will make a person smile with their affectionate antics. 

Did you know that you could advertise on CKC's Website?

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CKC would like to see your canine buddies in action! Each month we will pick a theme and ask you to submit photos of your dog(s) relating to the theme of the month. You can e-mail or mail your snapshot ATTN: Snapshot of the Month, PO BOX 1627, Walker, LA 70785. The winner will receive a custom made CKC Coffee Mug. All we ask is that you please include your name, address and daytime phone number.

October's Theme of the Month
is
"Canine Halloween Costume Contest"

For "Canine Halloween Costume Contest" theme we would like you to submit pictures of your dog dressed up for Halloween!  They can be funny, cute or scary!!  We will accept pictures of all breeds, shapes, sizes and colors.

Note: All pictures submitted become property of Continental Kennel Club and
may be used at our discretion

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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

This month Continental Kennel Club would like to welcome Shane as the newest member of the
CKC family.  Shane works in our print shop so, we're sure you can imagine how busy he stays!  Shane is only a few weeks on the job and is already keeping up with fast pace and large work load of CKC.  We are proud to have Shane as part of the CKC  family!
 

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If you would like to submit an article or write a letter to the editor for upcoming issues, you can submit your article to: Continental Kennel Club (c/o CKCNEWS), PO BOX 1450, Walker, LA 70785 or via e-mail to editor@ckcusa.com.  You may also contact CKC directly at (800) 952-3376.

Note: All articles submitted become property of Continental Kennel Club
and may be used at our discretion.

Copyright© 2003 Continental Kennel Club, Inc. - No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission by the publisher.