DOG CARE
At Angell's Aussies we feed our dogs WHOLE EARTH FARMS dog food.
Daisy tends to be a picky eater and when she was a puppy I tried so many brands of dog food and she did not like any of them. Then I tried WOLE EARTH FARMS and she loved it! It is grain free and the first ingredient is meat. Whole Earth Farms is for all breeds and all life stages. It made it easier when we have puppies and adult dogs eating at the same time. |
HOW TO FEED YOUR DOG
When you bring your Aussie puppy home they need to eat about 3 times a day and need to be given 1/2 a cup of food per meal. I would mix a little canned food in with the kibble to make it softer for the puppy to chew or mix a little warm water in with the kibble to make it softer.
Adult Aussie's need at least 2 1/2 cups of food a day.
There are also some human foods dogs can and cannot eat.
Dogs CAN eat: apples, bananas, watermellon, strawberrys, oranges, blueberrys, pears, peaches, raspberries, carrots, brocoli, cucumber, cooked potatoes, cooked sweet potatoes, cooked yams, celery, cooked eggs, turkey meat, chicken meat, cheese, peanutbutter, popcorn, pork, ham, corn, salmon, bread, plain yogurt, tuna, honey, peanuts.
Dogs CAN NOT eat: grapes, avacado, tomatoes, garlic, onions, mushrooms, cherrys, chocolate, cinnamon, ice cream, macadamia nuts, sugar.
CRATE TRAINING
Before Daisy May came home I bought a dog crate. I wanted to crate train her so when I went to work (I worked 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon) I could put her in the crate and she would be safe and would not destroy anything in our home while I was gone. I also wanted her to sleep in the crate at night.
First, I put the crate in our bedroom and I kept the crate door open so she could come and go when she wanted. I put her food and water dish in the crate along with her toys. Every time she went into the crate to eat, drink and get her toys I would say "KENNEL UP!" and then praise her in a high pitched tone and lots of pets so she would know I was happy with her. I would always give her a special dog treat when she went in the crate. She learned really quickly that her crate was a fun place to be. The first couple nights in the crate was a little hard. When it was time for bed I took her food and water dish out and left her with some chew toys and shut the door. She cried and was not happy but after a few nights she was fine. It helped having her crate in our room. Puppy's hate to be alone. Daisy adjusted to the crate quickly knowing she could see and hear us since we were in the same room.
The first week we had her at home I took that week off from work. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could so she would adjust well to her new home. She learned the command "KENNEL UP!" so whenever I said it she would run as fast as she could to her crate and lay down inside waiting for a dog treat. When it was time to go to work and she went into her crate I would give her some chew toys to keep her busy and I would turn on the music so she wouldn't feel so alone. I only worked 2 hours at a time...
POTTY TRAINING
When I came home from being at work for 2 hours Daisy was usually sound asleep or chewing on her toy inside her crate. I would open the crate door and praise her with lots of hugs and pets. Then I would say "LETS GO OUT!" I would pick her up and take her outside and as soon as I put her in the grass I would say "GO POTTY!". She learned to "pee on command". Any time I say "GO POTTY!" she usually goes to the bathroom. It is important to take a puppy out to potty every hour to every 2 hours. Take them out to potty as soon as you wake up and right before bed. There were many times I got up in the middle of night and took Daisy outside to potty. Puppy's should NEVER be left alone outside. You should alwas put their leash on and take them out to potty so you can keep an eye on them. Daisy was fully potty trained by the time she was about 4 months. Yes, she had a few accidents in the house, usually it was becasue I was being a little lazy and I knew I should have taken her out sooner. NEVER reprimand and punish a puppy for going potty in the house. This can make the puppy afraid to go to the bathroom infront of you, even outside. Most accidents happen in the house becasue the owner should have taken the puppy outside sooner.
Eventually we put a bell on our back door and Daisy rings the bell whenever she wants to go outside. To train her to do this I hung the bell on the back door and every time she went outside I would say "LETS GO OUT!" and at the same time I said that I picked up her paw and hit the bell and made it ring. Daisy is so smart after a few times she got it and now when she wants to go outside she rings the bell on her own.
Now that Daisy May is older and I know I can trust her If she is left alone we don't use the crate anymore. At night she either sleeps on our bed with us or on the couch. Sometimes she even sleeps under our bed. A few times I had to run to town and I left her inside the house free to roam. She is such a good dog she didn't hurt anything. I would NEVER allow a puppy to roam free but since Daisy is older and has had lots of training I allow it.
OBEDIENCE CLASS
I think it is very important for dog owners to take an obedience class. It is fun for the dog and the owner and helps them bond.
I recommend Sunny Lane Canine Academywith trainer Carmen Williams. Visit www.sunnylanek9.com for more information.
Daisy had taken obedience training here and it was so much fun!