Category: For puppies

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Puppy separation anxiety

puppy separation anxiety

Puppy separation anxiety can develop because your new pet gets used to having you around and they develop a bond. Many puppies can get separation anxiety because they don’t fully understand why you leave them.

To help prevent puppy separation anxiety, it’s important for your puppy to be comfortable when left alone. Four hours is the longest that a dog should be left alone for, but it can depend on their age. An active young puppy may get bored after four hours, but a senior dog may be ok to be left for longer.

Most puppies will whine or cry a little when left alone. True separation anxiety is defined as destructive or disruptive behaviour, including constant barking and whining.

Why does my puppy have separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety can happen for many reasons, such as when your dog isn’t used to being left alone or is scared of something in the home.

Other things that can lead to puppy separation anxiety include:

  • Poor socialisation
  • Not being used to being alone
  • Changes in the home
  • Boredom

How to help reduce puppy separation anxiety

There are many positive things you can do, which include:

Don’t make a fuss

When leaving them alone, don’t make a fuss – this can increase your puppy’s anxiety levels. Leave them with a treat or a toy so they can associate their dog crate or bed with something positive.

Leave the TV or radio on

Leaving the TV or radio on when you go out can help to keep your puppy company and also drown out any external noise which may make them anxious or bark constantly.

Stay calm when returning

Try not to get overly excited when you return home or in the morning when waking up. Just let your puppy out of his crate and take them outside to go to the toilet. Once they have relieved themselves you can make a fuss as a reward.

Crate train your puppy

When this is done properly, the use of a crate is a great way to help your puppy remain calm and stay out of trouble.

Get them used to being alone

Leave your puppy alone in their crate or a safe and secure room (you could use a baby gate to prevent escape) for short periods of time. Gradually increase the time you leave them and reward good behaviour with praise.

Ask someone to check on them

If you know you’re going to be out for a long period, ask a neighbour or family friend to check in on your puppy. This will allow them some time out of their crate and give them a chance to go to the toilet if they need too.

Ask your vet about Nutracalm

Nutracalm is a fast-acting supplement for reducing stress and anxiety. It has been developed to help stressed and fretful pets without any sedative effect and can be used to help calm puppy separation anxiety.

Nutracalm is recommended by thousands of vets throughout the UK and Ireland.

 

 

 

 

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Supplements for puppies

Supplements for puppies

Making sure that your new pet enjoys a happy and healthy life with you is vital and natural supplements for puppies can support their health.

It’s an absolute delight to see young puppies play fighting and gambolling around in the garden, park or in the house. In fact, this ‘play is an important part of your pet’s development both mentally and personality wise, in terms of strengthening and developing bones and other body tissues to be fit for purpose.

To further support your puppy during their early years, pet supplements can be a vital part of their diet and training. Many people are aware of the benefits of supplementation for general health and wellbeing, for example fish oils to support children’s brain development, and cognitive function and joint support supplementation in pets is no exception to this.

Supplements for puppies can help to support your pet’s joint health, brain health and reduce stress during their early years with you.

Joint care supplements

A joint supplement for dogs can aid optimum joint health during your pet’s growth. Glucosamine and chondroitin are often key ingredients found in pet joint supplements. Chondroitin sulphate combined with glucosamine can help to give extra joint protection and is also an important building block for cartilage, as well as supporting joint structure.

If you’re looking for a joint supplement for your puppy, then Nutraquin is recommended by vets throughout the UK. Nutraquin is a high strength structural support product, which contains the necessary high-quality ingredients that help to maintain healthy joint function in dogs.

Brain health supplements for puppies

When your new puppy arrives home, it’s important to start their puppy training straight away. This will help them to settle into the new environment and get used to a new routine. Diet can play an important role in puppy training. Ensuring they get the right nutrients can help their brain development and support brain health.

Omega 3s have been shown to aid learning abilities in young puppies. Other studies have linked low blood Omega 3 with dog aggression, indicating beneficial applications of Omega 3s throughout the entire life of your pet, which can help to maintain brain health. Read our top tips for puppy training to help settle your new puppy. Nutramind contains highly refined Omega 3 from ocean sardines. It is recommended by vets throughout the UK and has been developed to provide high strength support for healthy brain function in dogs and benefit younger pets in training and learning.

Calming supplements

New pets might be anxious as they settle into their new home. New sounds and smells could all be stressful for your puppy. It’s important to ensure your puppy has time to settle and get used to its new home in its own time. Puppy separation anxiety is common when your new pet is getting used to their new environment. To help reduce stress for your pup you could introduce a calming supplement along with behavioural techniques. If you are looking for a calming supplement for your puppy, Nutracalm is specifically formulated to calm anxious pets and reduce unwanted to unruly behaviour.

Digestive health supplements for puppies

When puppies first go out on walks they may be especially curious and pick up objects in their mouth that they shouldn’t. Maintaining healthy digestive function for your puppy helps them to lead a happy and healthy life. There are many reasons that your puppy may suffer from digestive imbalance, which includes, scavenging, stress, food intolerance, changes in diet or eating spoiled food. Nutrabio is a naturally formulated paste for dogs in need of digestive support.

 

 

 

 

 

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Top tips for puppy training

puppy training

Puppy training can be extremely beneficial if started as soon as you bring them home. It not only helps to introduce good behaviour, but also allows you to spend quality time with your new pet.

Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time, but training will help them to settle and get used to their new environment. Most dogs love learning new tricks as they get lots of praise and attention.

Whether you decide to do the puppy training yourself or classes, there are still positive things you can do to help your puppy get used to their new routine.

Here are some top tips to help get your puppy training under way:

Be prepared

Make sure that you have everything you need for your puppy training, for example, toys and treats. You may use a crate for him to sleep in, or where he goes whilst you are out of the house.

Be consistent

Make sure that all family members understand the rules and do not deviate from the puppy training. It will confuse your puppy if the routine is broken. Be sure to decide the rules before your puppy comes home.

Be patient during puppy training

If you stay calm then your puppy will stay calm and be less excitable. Don’t let your puppy get bored – keep training sessions positive and short.

Set up a den

Give your puppy a den to sleep in which is not used by another pet. This will help to develop a routine for sleeping and any short periods that they are on their own. Use rewards to encourage your puppy to use the den, as well as when they are relaxed and quiet.

Don’t punish your puppy

They are still learning and it’s important to be patient with your puppy. Don’t shout at them if they get something wrong. Instead, show them how they should behave with rewards and give extra attention for good behaviour. Your puppy does not know what they should or shouldn’t do until they are told.

Speak to your vet

Your vet is best placed to monitor your new puppy’s health. They will be able to offer training advice and discuss your puppy’s vaccination schedule. Your vet will also be able to suggest when your puppy is able to go outside. Regular health checks with your local vet are important to ensure your puppy is receiving the best possible care.

Sign up to puppy training classes

These can be a great way to socialise your new puppy to help get them used to other dogs and people. It will also help them to learn certain attributes and how to behave around other dogs.

Walks

When your puppy has had their vaccinations and is allowed to venture outside, make sure you take your puppy on plenty of short mild walks to release extra energy. In their early stages, long walks or runs should be avoided.  During walks ensure that your puppy always walks by your side or behind you, as his pack leader you should always be ahead.

House training

Be consistent when house-training your puppy. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning and then once every thirty minutes to an hour. Always be sure to take them out after meals and they wake from a nap. Always reward your puppy when they go outside to help them understand that is where they should relieve themselves. Take your puppy to the same spot each time to do their business, as their scent will help to prompt them to go. Stay outside with your puppy until they go and reward them, so they understand this is what they need to do.

 

Speak to your vet about any of the above as they will be able to offer the best advice with regards to your puppy’s health needs. Speak to your vet about Nutramind, which is a high strength nutritional support product for brain and mental function and can aid training and learning.

Nutravet have a number of natural puppy supplements that can support your new pet during their early years, including Nutraquin, to aid optimum joint health during growth and Nutracalm to reduce stress and anxiety.

 

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Puppy care tips for new owners

Puppy care

Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time in any home. Caring for your puppy comes with the responsibility to ensure your puppy has the best start in their new environment.

Puppy care is an important aspect of getting a new pet. Although they can be excitable and full on additions to your home, training your new puppy requires full commitment that can take time, but it is also very rewarding.

There are many things to consider when you bring your new puppy home. To help make the process stress free, here are some puppy care tips for new owners:

Work with your vet

Be sure to register your new puppy with a vet to ensure it receives the best care during their early stages. Working in partnership with your vet is also important, as they are able to cast their expert eye over your new pet during regular check-ups. Regular check-ups help with the rest of your puppy’s development, making sure they receive the essential vaccinations. Be sure to get your puppy micro-chipped at the earliest opportunity. This is now mandatory and could be essential if your puppy ever escapes or runs off when out on a walk.

Puppy interaction

If you have a medium or large breed puppy, it’s important during the development stage (when bones are developing and articular cartilage surfaces are fragile), that all members of the family are aware not to over exercise your new puppy or play too boisterously with them. It’s also best to avoid encouraging your puppy to jump up at you on his/her hind legs as this can put uneven stress on both hind and front legs at a young age.

In the home

To help your puppy become used to their new home, create designated eating and sleeping areas for them. Choose an appropriate sleeping area, which is safe and has suitable bedding and still in view of the family, so that they feel safe. Always make sure that your puppy has a fresh supply of water. Stair gates can be a great addition to prevent your puppy from climbing the stairs and injuring themselves, as well as keeping them away from ‘out of bounds’ areas around the home.

Diet

Your new puppy will probably eat three to four times a day, but you could reduce this to two to fit with your daily routine. If unsure, you should consult your vet to find out what is best for your particular breed of dog. Puppy food is higher in protein and enriched with vitamins, minerals and fats, which are essential for the growth of your new puppy. You can usually switch to adult food at around six months, but your vet will be able to advise on this as certain breeds mature quicker than others.

Training

It’s important to start your puppy training as soon as you bring your new pet home, whether it’s toilet or behavioural training. Building up a routine with your puppy will help them to get used to associating the garden with going to the toilet. Be sure to take your puppy outside frequently during the day, as soon as they wake-up and after meals. Always go outside with your puppy and don’t leave them on their own in the garden in case they escape or eat something that might make them ill.

Socialising can be an important part of puppy training. This can include, introducing your new puppy to other people, as well as other dogs. Taking your new dog to puppy classes can help get them used to other dogs to reduce unruly behaviour whilst out walking.

Leaving your puppy alone

Although it’s not advised to leave dogs alone for more than 4 hours, sometimes this cannot be helped. If you have to leave your puppy on their own for a few hours a day, it is important to get them used to this as soon as possible. Start with short periods of time and work up to longer spells. Be sure to leave them with toys to distract them whilst you are gone.

Exercise

It is recommended that you wait one to two weeks before starting to walk your puppy. This ensures that they have had their last vaccination booster. In the early stages, long walks or runs should be avoided. Mild exercise routines together with a balanced healthy diet are part of a sensible and responsible way to care for your dog as they begin their lives with you.

These are all areas that can be discussed with your vet as they are best placed to understand particular needs of your pet. Ask your vet for more information on additional puppy care tips and how Nutraquin can help with your puppy’s joint development. Find out how Nutramind can also help to support cognitive function for training and learning.