This page includes:
  • General Nutrition
  • Dog Training
  • New Dog Shopping List


​General Nutrition

Dog Training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. Why? Because well-trained dogs are considered good citizens and are welcome in many places. They are allowed to go on walks, free to run in dog parks, able to ride in the car, and are well-liked visitors when you stop by a friend's house. That's why it's so important to train your dog properly, even if your schedule seems to leave little time for a comprehensive training regimen.
 
Luckily, dog training is less about time investment, and more about consistent behavior on your part. In fact, when it comes to effective dog training, you may have more time than you think. That's because it's easy to fit small intervals of training into your routine. And when you do that consistently, it will remind your dog that you're in charge, while reinforcing good behavior.
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Pressed for time?  Here are a few easy-and-quick daily training suggestions to try with your dog:
  • A few minutes before taking your dog for a walk, run through a few basic commands: praise him only when he's done them correctly. After the final exercise, tell him to "sit" and get his leash.​
  • If your dog gets overexcited when you get his leash, ignore him until he settles down. Only put the leash on him when he calms down.​
  • At mealtime, don't let your dog beg at the table. Give him a hollow toy filled with food that will occupy him while your family has a nice, disturbance-free meal together.​​
  • Every time you are about to let your dog in or out a door, ask him to "sit" before opening the door. You are the master, and your position needs to be reinforced by being the first one to enter or leave a room or building.
  • If your dog sits by your side when you watch TV, you can turn commercial breaks into productive training/reinforcement mini-sessions. During the breaks, turn down the sound and review a couple of basic commands with your dog.
  • Whenever you play "fetch" or any retrieval game, ask your dog to "sit" or go "down" before you throw the ball.
  • Before putting down your dog's food or water dish, tell your dog to "stay" before letting him eat.
  • If you have kids, make sure they understand the basic commands you want your dog to follow—and show them how to be consistent with your dog's training.
  • And in the little time you have every day, don't forget the Golden Rule of Dog Training: praise your dog when he's being calm and well-behaved. And ignore him if he's barking, begging, or being noisy. Follow this simple advice and chances are you'll end up with a happy, well-adjusted, and loyal friend.
Additional Training Resources:
Additional General Resources:

New Dog Shopping List

Before your dog comes home:  
  • A crate -Bargain Hound is a great crate, costs less than the other brands because it doesn’t have a separator (only if dog is potty trained and can have the entire crate).    
  • Food & Water bowls - preferably stainless steel and non-tip bowls, would be best, prevents bacteria from growing on it.    
  • Dog food- If anything, cost is a good indicator of the quality but shouldn't be the only decision maker.
  • A leash (leather or double loop ones are the ones we recommend)
  • Puppy Pads, Poop Bags and other house training equipment.
  • Toys, such as a long rope, balls, Kong.  
  • Deer Antlers
  • Hard chew bones, such as Nylabones
  • Flea/Tick Treatment
  • Heartgard, to prevent worms.
  • Dog gate (if necessary)

After your dog comes home:
  • Puppy ID tag
  • Canine nail clippers (Ask your vet or groomer to show you how to trim your puppy’s nails.)
  • Shampoo – Puppy Shampoo
  • Ear cleaner and/or ear drying powder.
  • Kong Zoom Groom for Dogs or Furminator
  • Pooper Scooper
  • Nature's Miracle Carpet stain and odor remover
  • File, notebook or scrapbook (or computer file) to hold current puppy/dog photos, medical history, vaccination records and other information about your pet.  This is vitally important if your puppy should get lost.  It's a good idea to keep "before" grooming and "after" grooming pictures of your dog so that you have a picture to show what he may look like with and without being groomed.  Keep  microchip and/or tattoo information in your file as well.