Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Cheap Entertainment


Because not all of you are gonna have a cat to entertain your new puppy, here are some cheap ideas for toys and entertainment (and little bit of training technique)...

You WILL need alot of things for your puppy to chew (instead of your hands, shoes, pant legs).  There is a long road ahead of teething and biting.  
But if you start right away and do it properly, it doesn't have to be as painful (literally).

Your puppy will get into nippy moods, this is normal, they are working on their survival skills, and their gums are probably killing them!  But do not let them bite your hands (or shoes or whatever it is, but especially your hands).  This is a great opportunity for you to discourage the poor behaviour, by introducing a toy for them to play with (positive behaviour).  Now you don't have to discourage, because they are suppose to play with their toys.  
This is 2 things...First your pup is learning what his/her toys are, and what he/she is aloud to play with.  Second, you are bonding with your dog by playing tug, or chase with the toy (and eventually retrieve with a ball).  You are showing your dog that their fun comes from you.  This will make them respect you more, which will make other training even easier.
Dog toys are expensive though.  Especially if you have a Staffy! I've watched many $5 toys be completely destroyed in 20 second.  Even if it says "Staffy Proof" it is not!  But, I know you love your dog and of course you are gonna buy some cute toys for them to have (umm probably more like shred).    

But like children, puppies usually like the box more than the toy that comes in it.  So don't feel bad to give your dog FREE toys, like empty milk cartons, yogurt containers (Nuggets favourite toy is still an old plant container), a dirty shirt, shoestrings, cardboard boxes, lacrosse balls (never tennis balls though), thin plastic water bottles, and anything else you see around your house that you don't ever need again!

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