Raising your puppy

	General thoughts on Canine Behavior There is an art to raising a puppy. Watching a puppy grow take us outside of ourselves and helps restores our perspecitve on life. Studies have shown that the first sixteen weeks of a dog's life are of vital importance in deterimining it's later behavoir. One weeks of a dog's life are of vital importance in determining it;s later behavoir. One important point to remember is that before an woner even acquires his puppy the most critical period of socialization is over so a reputable breedre is of utmost importance. Puppies exposed to mildy stressfulexperiences at a very early age (early neurological stimulation) usually develop into dogs possessing superior problem solving abilities. Socialization is the positive adustingment a puppy makes to many aspects of its lifewhether it be to other dogs-people places or objects.Puppies need human contact and to develop a positive atttiude towards people which teaches the puppu that humans and their world are part of his pack. A puppy's fear period is 8 to 10 weeks of age os if you pick up your puppy at this tiem it is merely the puppy's natural adjustment to full adult sensory capacities. Make sure new experiences at this time are non traumatic and easy for the puppy to deal with. All canids live naturally in packs and with the domestic dog, this means that they will treat those humans with whom they live as fellow pack members. Requirements of Puppies Young puppies require plenty of sleep and should have several naps a day. The puppy's first experience at the vet hospital is important. Schedule an appointment just for an exma with no shots etc.. Ask the doctor and staff to make a bit of a fuss over your puppy. This is money well spent. Dogs are creatures of habit and quickly adapt to schedules. Young puppies have to be watched constantly when they are not confined. Intorduce your puppy to friends in a relaxed manner. At 13 weeks a mor pronounced period of independence is seen. Bad habits develop quickly during this time. a puppy may go through a second fear period at 16 to 24 weeks.
	Crate Training All canines are den animals and they naturally seek out spots for rest that are sheltered and secure. His crate is his den. A puppy kept in his crate for 3-4 hours will refrain from soiling and will learn to hold himself utnil you let him out. Crates,also, prevent young puppies from getting into mischief when they cannot be properly supervised. Introduce your puppy to his crate gradually. When you take your puppy out to eliminate use key words and praise,praise, praise. Crate training is the easiest way to house train your puppy. The crate will become your puppy's den. Fleece bedding is best. Keep toys in the crate. The crate door should be open when you are home. Do not get one that is too large for the puppy or he will soil in it. Never leave your puppy in the crate for more than 6 hours. Less is better. The puppy should sleep in his crate until he is old enough to sleep through the nights without accidents. During the house training period, plan on taking your puppy out every 2 hours. When you take him out go with him and really praise him when he eliminates. Never punish your puppy at his crate this is his safe house and should never be associated with punishment. Puppies live entirely in the moment and so if you do not catch the puppy in the act of housesoiling, it will damage your relationship with the puppy to reprimand him. If you are going to use a crate when your puppy is an adult. It should be big enough for him to stand up and turn around. Feeding The initial 3 meals a day can be reduced to 2 meals by 4 months. The last meal and water should be 2 hours before bedtime. The last play period and potty break should be just beforeee going to bed. Puppies need to potty after a nap, after eating and after a good round of play. Danes should eat twice a day it's entire life. Please look at my feeding program. Do not feed free choice ever. Give your puppies 15 min to eat and then pick up the food. Chew Toys Do not give pig ears, rawhide chews, hooves, booda bones or tennis balls to a dane. The large kongs are a good toy and you can fill them with peanut butter. White knuckle bones, bully sticks, and very large gumma bones are also good. Fleece ropes are wonderfuland the dogs really love to play with them. My Danes seem to love soft toys and infact mine prefer them.
	OBEDIENCE AND TRAINING Please take your puppy to obedience class when they are old enough. You may take your puppy to puppy classes before 16 weeks but make sure they are at a private residence. Most formal obedience starts at 6 months. NO rowdy behavior is allowed in the house. Do not let your Dane jump up and put their feet on your shoulder as this can cause orthopedic problems. Do not play tug a war, chasing, or wrestling games with your puppy as these are all dominance games. DOG PARKS Do not take your puppy to dog parks,PetsMart or to the Mall etc. utill he is 4 months old. He is not protected from Parvo till then. After that you can take him everywhere with you. Danes like to be with their people and will enjoy riding in the car if you start them early. My guys go on 6 or 8 hour drives with no problem. Danes love to walk but should not jog or run until 2 years of age.