Adding a new furry friend to the family is an exciting event. There’s something so special about cuddling a new puppy and watching their mischievous personalities as they play. However, having a new puppy isn’t all easy. This is the season when you realize quickly that housetraining your puppy is going to be very important. Naturally, as you begin the process, there are sure to be some accidents along the way. However, if you stay consistent, in just a few weeks your puppy could be housetrained.
Here are a few things you will need for housetraining your puppy:
Limit Their SpaceFirst of all, a puppy that you have not yet housetrained should not be free to roam the house. Having lots of space will give them the freedom to eliminate anywhere and will ultimately get them confused about where it’s okay to go. If they have accidents in multiple places throughout the house, they’ll be encouraged to go there again (because of the scent they left in that spot).
It’s best to start your puppy in a small gated off area or a crate with their bed. Obviously, give them enough room to comfortably stand up, lie down, and turn around. Puppies don’t like sleeping in soiled beds so a few accidents in their little spot will help train them to learn to control their bowels and bladders.
Another way to keep them in a smaller space is to tether them on a shorter leash to a piece of furniture. Make sure that you can supervise them there.
Wait to give your puppy large amounts of space and freedom (even outdoors) until they’re reliably potty trained.
Designate the SpotFind a spot outside where you consistently take your puppy to do its business. This will help your puppy understand what needs to happen when you go to that spot. Letting them go potty just anywhere could cause confusion about where it’s okay to go (including inside the house).
Establish RoutineConsistency is going to be your friend when it comes to housetraining your puppy. Establish a routine for them so they learn to expect what’s coming. Take your puppy out on a leash for a potty break when you wake up, after meal times, play times, and nap times. Try to stick with the same times every day. Make sure you’re keeping your puppy’s play and feeding times on a schedule as well. Scheduled feedings can also help regulate when they need to go and make those times more consistent. Keep Puppy Potty Breaks FrequentUntil your puppy learns the difference between needing to go and simply going potty wherever they happen to be, you’ll want to make sure you take them out frequently throughout the day. Remember that puppies need to go fairly often. Besides taking them out after feedings and naps, try to take them out at least every 2 hours.
Use a Bathroom CommandChoosing a word or phrase to use consistently when it’s time for your puppy’s potty break can be helpful in the training process. Every time you take your puppy out, use that command. It can be as simple as “let’s go outside,” or “potty time.”
Limit Water Before BedtimeAllowing your puppy to drink a lot of water before bedtime is more than likely going to wake you up at night or create the opportunity for an accident. Ensure that you and your puppy have a better night of sleep by taking away the water bowl a couple hours before bedtime.
Give Praise Where It’s DueEncourage your puppy’s success! Each time your puppy goes in its spot, give a doggie treat. Puppies begin to make connections between what they just did and the reward they received.
Not only are treats a great reward but a cheerful, “good job” and a good scratch behind the ears is great, too! Make sure that you are rewarding them outside so that you don’t confuse the connection between going potty and the reward is very clear.
Avoid PunishingYou’ve probably heard of punishing techniques people have tried to use to train their puppies. However, this could end up being more harmful than helpful to the process. Punishing in ways like forcing them to smell the waste or yelling at them could cause fear for your puppy, keeping them from going in front of you, even in their spot.
Instead, choose a word phrase that you can use consistently like a firm but simple, “no,” or “no, potty outside.” To help them understand, immediately take them outside to their spot, even if they already finished going.
Look Out for Signs That Your Puppy Needs to GoThere are usually a few telltale signs that will give you a clue that your puppy needs to go. These in include restlessness, sniffing around, squatting, circling, barking, or scratching at the door. If your puppy starts to do these things, that should be a cue that it’s time to go out.
If you catch your puppy in the act, distract them to keep them from continuing and take them out as quickly as possible to finish going in the designated spot.
Keep a Puppy Potty DiaryIf you have multiple people in on the puppy training process, or even if you just need reminders, keep a potty diary to keep track of when you took your puppy out and when the potty breaks were successful. This will also help you get a better idea of times when your puppy actually goes.
Extend GraceRemember that just like with potty training children, your puppy is most likely going to have a few accidents in the housetraining process. Be patient and extend grace. A few accidents don’t mean your puppy is not making any progress. Keep rewarding when they do go outside and continue training with consistency. Soon enough, your puppy will be housetrained.
For more helpful articles on pet care, be sure to visit our blog. If you have additional questions on housetraining your puppy or about your pet’s care, please feel free to contact us at Royal Vista Vets. The post Tips for Housetraining Your Puppy appeared first on Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists. from https://royalvistavets.com/tips-housetraining-your-puppy/
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It’s a nightmare scenario that many of us know all too well: your pet is injured or sick with a mysterious condition and you have to pack up for the veterinary Emergency Room. Not only is having to take a trip to the vet ER scary, but it can be costly, too, if you do not have any kind of pet health insurance. Scarier than cost, of course, is trying to figure out if whether or not you need to take your pet to the ER. There are many serious-sounding and scary-looking ailments and conditions that seem dangerous but could be resolved with a scheduled veterinary visit or with home treatment. Likewise, there are seemingly benign conditions that could develop into something more serious (and costly) without ER intervention. This blog post may help you discern what to do if you’re unsure of whether to make an ER visit for your pet. Some scenarios usually require an ER visit while others may not. Abdominal Pain and Difficulty Giving BirthGeneral abdominal pain doesn’t always require an ER visit but should be treated very seriously. Pets that seem more lethargic than normal, are arching their backs, or vomiting require veterinary intervention, but unless the symptoms are serious or extreme, they don’t need an ER visit. Animal birth, however, is another ballgame. While most animal births are fine at home, if there is any difficulty, you’ll need to rush them to the ER immediately. Allergic ReactionsAllergic reactions are another judgment call, but for the most part, you’ll want to be on the safe side. At minimum, if you notice your pet suffering from signs of possible allergic reaction (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, excessive scratching or chewing on feet or other body parts, swollen face or eyes, etc.) call a vet immediately. The severity of allergic reactions can be difficult to gauge right away, so an ER trip is prudent to prevent your pet from going into shock. Severe Bites and BurnsYou’ll be able to tell how badly injured your pet is immediately by carefully examining them. You might have to muzzle your dog if it’s been bitten. Excessive bleeding, pain, and structural damage should send you to the veterinary Emergency Room. Cardiac EmergenciesTake your pet to the ER if it collapses, seems excessively weak, develops bluish or gray gums, has an excessively slow or fast heart rate, or shows signs of respiratory distress. Any of these signs could be a life-threatening event. If your pet loses consciousness or stops breathing, you’ll need to perform CPR before you arrive at the ER. Hypothermia and FrostbiteDogs at play won’t tell you when they’re too cold. If any mammal is shivering, showing signs of lethargy and weakness, or an inability to use their limbs, they could have damaged tissue or other consequences of being too cold. Try to warm their body temperature slowly with blankets, warm water bottles, etc., and take them to the ER if they aren’t showing signs of recovery. Heat Stroke and DehydrationIf you see signs of dehydration (excessive panting, lethargy, inability to stand, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and they don’t get better in a cool space and after drinking water, take your pet to the ER immediately. Heat stroke can affect the internal organs if not properly treated. Neurological EmergenciesIt’s incredibly difficult to treat neurological conditions, so if you notice your pet can’t use its limbs, is unable to stand, has seizures, and exhibits other abnormal behavior, an ER trip should be your next move. Respiratory EmergenciesSimilar to heart emergencies, if your pet collapses, has bluish or gray gum color, or has labored, rapid or shallow breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately. OthersHere are a few other examples of when you should take your pet to the veterinary Emergency Room if the symptoms are severe:
Remember, never hesitate to call your vet or emergency veterinary care provider to make sure you are doing what is best for your pet. It’s better to err on the side of caution than to risk the health and life of your pet.
At Royal Vista Vets, we offer 24-hour emergency services. Call us at 970-825-5975 if you believe you may have a pet emergency. The post When to Take your Pet to the Veterinary Emergency Room appeared first on Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists. from https://royalvistavets.com/when-take-pet-veterinary-emergency-room/ Pets, especially dogs, love to get into your food and cleaning supplies. They can’t read warning labels, and even if they could, would it stop some of them from lapping up antifreeze off your garage floor? Maybe not. You can’t completely keep your pets away from possible poisons in your home (or anywhere), so let’s break down the poison symptoms and what to do if your pet ingested something poisonous. First, before we go over the common symptoms of poisoning, you have to remember to try and stay calm. Your pet will feed off your panicked, nervous energy, possibly worsening their condition. There may be times when you are unable to get emergency help for your pet. If you stay calm and know what to do, you will be able to provide care that could save them. SymptomsBefore you take action, make sure that your pet’s symptoms match common poisoning symptoms:
Known or Unknown PoisonIf you’ve identified any or all of the above symptoms in your pet, the next step is to call a vet and try to figure out what your pet ate to make it sick. From there, the proper procedure depends on the poison ingested. If you know what your pet ate, have the container in front of you when you call the vet. Treatment from there will depend on the ingredients of the substance. Your vet might advise you to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC: 1-800-426-4435). If you don’t know what the poison is, but you suspect that your pet was poisoned, the safest and wisest course of action is to seek immediate veterinary attention. It’s crucial that anti-poison treatment is administered as soon as possible to stop the rapid absorption of the substance. Learn from your vet to know the best anti-poison treatment to administer. Common Poisonous Household ItemsPrevent poisonous substances from being ingested by your pets by securing or otherwise keeping your pet away from these common household items:
You should make sure your garbage can is secured from your pets, too. Many toxic materials can be found there, from cleaning chemicals to moldy and rotten food.
Remember, the best thing you can do if your pet ingested something poisonous is to seek emergency veterinary care or advice as soon as possible. The post What to do if Your Pet Ingested Something Poisonous appeared first on Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists. from https://royalvistavets.com/pet-ingested-something-poisonous/ Many Coloradoans love taking their pets with them, wherever they go. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, a drive to the mountains, or a longer road trip, you’ll see a number of furry faces peeping out car windows in traffic. Because our pets are so valuable to us, it’s important that we take time to consider pet car safety during car road trips, whether long or short. 1. Buckle UpWe already know the serious consequences that can result in the event of a car accident where a person neglected to wear a seatbelt. Just the same, not restraining your pet in the car could mean serious injury or even death in the case of an accident. Not only that but leaving your pet free to roam in the car could be a serious distraction for the driver. Secured CrateWhen considering pet car safety, the best way to secure your pet in the car is in a pet carrier or crate. This is probably also the best method to transport a pet that gets carsick easily, especially when looking out the window. Make sure you secure the crate or carrier and leave space around it so that it is well ventilated. The crate should be big enough for your pet to be comfortable and able to move around but not big enough for your pet to be thrown around if something were to happen. HarnessIf your pet enjoys looking out the window a harness that buckles into your seatbelt is a great option. Again, especially if your pet gets carsick easily, a harness could actually make the ride a worse experience. Booster seatThey’re not just for kids! You can find a number of different booster-type seats for your pets, ideal for smaller pets who need a little lift to help them see out the window. These should also provide for you to buckle them in. 2. Riding Shotgun is not for Your DogThere’s something sweet about rambling down the road with your best friend sitting shotgun. But if you love your dog, you’ll find it sweeter still to think about her safety first. The Passenger side is not an ideal spot for your pet to ride. Not only does this provide more opportunity for you to get distracted, but it could be fatal in the event of a car accident. The airbags and hard plastic could result in serious injury or worse. The back seat or all the way in the back in an SUV are the best spots. 3. No Ears Blowing in the WindThey always look like they are having so much fun, ears flapping in the wind as you truck down the road. However, most people don’t allow their children to stick their arms out the window, much less their heads! Your pet could be seriously injured by unexpected flying debris. Think safety first. If you want a little extra airflow, open the window just a few inches so they can get the breeze. 4. Test with Short Trips FirstIf you are planning a longer road trip and hope to take your pet with you, make sure you prep them with shorter trips first. Ensure that you have the proper, comfortable things they need to keep them safe. If you are finding your dog is having a hard time with a harness in a short trip, you’ll want to figure out a different solution! Get your pets used to the travel set up before taking your trip. 5. Pack a Travel KitEspecially for longer trips, it’s important to pack a kit of things for your pet’s comfort and safety. Make sure to bring bottled water, food, a bowl, a leash, medication, a first aid kit, etc. 6. Take Breaks and Don’t Feed Your Pet While DrivingEspecially for pets who struggle with car sickness, it’s better to feed your pets a little while before the drive. If you are on a longer trip, take plenty of breaks and feed small portions during your breaks, not while driving. Take your pet out to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. 7. Don’t Leave Your Pet in a Hot CarThis is a huge issue concerning pet car safety, and we can hardly emphasize this enough. In the warmer months, your car can heat up really quickly, even when we might think it’s not even that hot outside. If you cannot take your dog inside with you, it’s better that your dog stays at home. 8. The Bed of the Truck Is not for Your PetThis has been a common way to transport pets. Unfortunately, this has also commonly been a way people have lost their beloved pets. Allowing your pets to ride in the bed of the truck could result in serious injury or even death. It could also pose a danger to other people. Another thing to keep in mind is in the summer, the metal bed of a truck could end up burning your pet’s paws because of the heat. 9. Keep ID Tags UpdatedAlways keep your pet’s ID tags updated. You don’t want to risk losing them in case of separation during a road trip. 10. Take Vaccination Records with YouEspecially for longer trips, it is important that you take any necessary medical records and your pet’s vaccination records with you. You never know if you may need them.
At Royal Vista Vets, we care about your pets and their safety. For more information about pet car safety or any other questions you may have concerning pet health, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The post 10 Tips for Pet Safety in the Car appeared first on Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists. from https://royalvistavets.com/10-tips-pet-car-safety/ Regular dental care is very important for the long-term comfort and health of your pet. While there are several things you can do at home to slow tooth decay and prevent infection, it is highly recommended to take your pet in for regular dental checkups at the veterinarian to ensure that your pet’s teeth and gums are truly healthy and clean. A board-certified veterinarian has the specialized pet dental health knowledge needed to identify any dental complications or concerns in your pet while knowing the best way to clean their teeth thoroughly.
The Risks Of Not Being Proactive About Pet Dental Health
Neglecting your pet’s dental health can result in more than just bad breath and grimy teeth. Failing to get your pets the dental care they need can cause problems such as retained baby teeth, worn teeth, and painful loss of teeth. However, complications from dental disease can also increase the risk of more severe health complications such as these:
Danger Of Periodontal DiseaseBy the tender age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease, a serious infection of the gums that can spread below the gum line and infect the jaw. If allowed to progress, gum disease can lead to problems with the kidneys, liver, and heart.
Periodontal disease often begins as gingivitis (gum inflammation), which is a milder infection of the gums that typically starts with bacterial buildup on the surface of the teeth along the gum line. Without proper dental care, such as consistent and effective brushing, plaque begins to form, causing gums to look red and bleed more easily. If the infection worsens, the bacteria can spread below the gum line into the spaces between teeth, producing toxins and potentially resulting in degeneration of the bone and connective tissue. Symptoms of gum disease include loss of appetite, dropping food and drooling when drinking or eating, broken teeth, losing teeth, and bleeding gums.
What You Can Do At Home For Your Pet’s Dental Care
Pets, especially dogs, can be in pain and not show it. They may chew the same despite hurting and play just as hard through the discomfort, making it very important to evaluate the condition of your pet’s teeth regularly.
Signs of a potential dental problem include:
Brushing teeth is the most effective way to prevent serious health complications from evolving. While some chew toys are designed to help clean teeth, they aren’t nearly as efficient as thoroughly brushing their teeth. Ideally, pets should have their teeth brushed daily. However, brushing at least three times a week will greatly help in preventing the accumulation of bacteria.
If possible, start brushing while your pet is still young, making it a normal part of their routine. Make sure to brush softly, using a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for your pet (never use human toothpaste) and reward your pet afterward to provide positive reinforcement.
Make Regular Dental/Veterinarian Appointments
Your pet’s veterinarian has specialized knowledge for recognizing a dental problem and also experience for removing plaque or tartar and treating infection. Most veterinarians will perform a dental evaluation during routine or sick visits because teeth can provide a clear sign of underlying issues.
If a dental procedure is needed, vets often use anesthesia in order to examine and treat your pet without causing stress on the animal and making it easier to be thorough.
Northern Colorado Pet Dental Care
February is Pet Dental Health Month and Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists, located in Windsor, believe that proactive dental care is vital for giving your pet a long, healthy, and pain-free life. Neglecting to care for your pets’ teeth and gums can greatly increase their chances of dental problems, gum disease, pain and even more serious health problems.
At Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists, we are committed to providing superior and thorough care for such special members of your family. We offer affordable veterinary care, allowing you to make the best possible healthcare decisions for your pets. Contact us today at (970) 825-5975 to learn more about the importance of pet dental health or to schedule an appointment.
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About UsRoyal Vista Veterinary Specialists was founded by Drs. Randy Willer and Kara Keesling with the goal of bringing together a diverse group of highly experienced veterinary specialists to deliver unprecedented medical and surgical excellence, remarkable client service, and effective communication to the animal-loving community of Northern Colorado and Wyoming. At its heart center, Dr. Willer’s and Dr. Keesling’s shared vision is based on honesty and integrity upon which a foundation of client trust, support staff empowerment, and appreciation for the family veterinary community is built. Based on the enjoyment of working together previously at a large specialty hospital, it was effortless for Dr. Willer and Dr. Keesling to align their passions and continue to foster, through exceptional veterinary healthcare at Royal Vista Veterinary Specialists, the endearing bond that we all share with our animal family. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |