DOG-PROOFING THE HOME

Child-proofing the home is a lot like dog-proofing, it basically means removing anything that may be endanger or hurt your dog. To prevent your dog from getting hurt by heavy appliance, unplug electrical cords and secure them out of reach. A dangling cord is irresistible temptation to a young pup. It would be better to keep the compounds clean and other dangerous materials in a secure place. Insect sprays, rodent poisons, antifreeze and even some common plants can be poisonous if ingested by dog.

If you have a yard, check the fencing to see that is secure enough to keep a dog inside. If there are any holes, get them fixed. For a small dog, a fence that is four feet(1.2m) high should be adequate, while a six-foot(1.8m) fence will hold most large dog. Extra caution should be taken for some dogs, such as terriers who are natural diggers and will dig under a fence if it is not well secured. Make sure the gate is shut firmly and that a small dog is not able to squeeze under it. An aesthetic alternative is to install an invisible electronic fence. While this will not keep out canine intruders, it will keep your pet from roaming, even if he is a climber. Swimming pools or ponds should always be covered or fenced.

You may prefer to use an outdoor pen. If so, make it large enough for a good game of fetch. If you plan to keep your dog in the pen for several hours at a time, provide a dog house for shelter from the elements. A large working dog, such as Mastiff or a Great Dane, might be more comfortable outside in a kennel than inside the house.

As for the kennel, there are many different designs but any kennel should be sufficiently large enough for the dog to move around freely inside. Consult a local expert for advise about a kennel design that will suit your needs. Do not leave for new dog alone into your yard or kennel for the first few times. Dog can be Houdinis if left unattended.

CHEWING

When puppies are between the age of three and six months, their new teeth begin to emerge, causing them pain. Chewing on hard object may relieve some of this discomfort. Giving your puppy a nylon chew toy that has been stored in the freezer overnight will soothe the pain. Even when they are not teething, puppies love to chew, and it makes no difference to them whether they are chewing a toy, your shoes or the leg of a kitchen table. So get some "chew" toys that will satisfy your dog's need to chew. They will also help exercise his jaws and clean his teeth. A variety of nylon bones, rope bones, rawhides and fleece toys will keep your dog busy for hours. Buy new ones or rotate the old ones every week so that they remain interesting.

Try to get some toys that can be used while playing with your dog. Balls, Frisbees and tug toys are favorites. Teach your dog to play fetch with both balls and Frisbees. Play tug-of-war with your dog only after he has learned the release his toys on command.