Socializing Your New Puppy
Your puppy will come to you with socialization started
Make sure you continue this by placing the puppy on different surfaces
Make sure you continue by having different noises that the puppy can hear
If your puppy acts scared, ignore it. Do not comfort your puppy or you are approvng the scared behavior
Puppies will go through fear periods and go backwards on many things as maturing (same as young children)
Do not over stimulate your puppy when you get them to a new home.
Remember, This is a PUPPY. Too Much Too Soon is not always a good thing.
Underbites in the Cockapoo
Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle have underbites in the bloodlines. You never know where in a pedigree of a Cocker Spaniel as many breeders would "band" the teeth so that they would grow correctly. There are approx 7 or 8 different genes that cause an underbite. YOU ONLY NEED ONE to have this issue. Most underbites are purely cosmetic meaning that they will NEVER have an effect on the lifestyle of your dog.
We, at OZ Cockapoos, are trying to elimiate this issue but we cannot "throw the baby out with the bath water" either. If it is as reported, and more than 50% of the Cockapoo population have this issue, we would be killing the gene pool of the Cockapoo and only be able to line breed.
Several breeds require that they have a squared off jaw (Boxer, Bulldog, etc.) and therefore an underbite is required. By getting a "more Cocker face" you do have a greater chance at an underbite as you want a squared off jawline. This in no way stops your puppy from being a fablous pet. It is not recommended that such a puppy be used for breeding.
Any puppy with an underbite present will say so under the picture when available.
Urinary Tract Infections
UTI (Urinary Tract Infections) are very common in mainly female puppies. Since we raised Cockers for so many years prior to breeding Cockapoos, we have had a lot of experience in this area. Many Cocker females have a tilted vulva. This causes bacteria to sit at the base and not be able to be flushed out with the passing of urine. Sometimes it would be best to wait until after the first heat cycle to spay as that will expand the vulva area. If not, then you can have your vet expand the vulva for you at the time of spay. UTI are easy to treat with antibotics but may continue on and off until such time as spay or first heat.
Giardia
Giardia are protozoans, tiny, one-celled parasitic life forms with the potential to cause serious illness. Some dogs are carriers who show no symptoms, but others get sick and need treatment.
If the dog has an immature (puppy) or overburdened immune system, the trophozoites continue to multiply by dividing and can cause loose stool.
Suffice to say, however, that Giardia is an equal opportunity disease that infects several species of animals. It is said to be a water based parasite.
Example: Your dog drinks from a puddle of rain water (oops, it now has Giardia)
Very common and DO NOT PANIC.
96% of the time your dog's immune system can fight it off. Sometimes not as puppies.
Symptoms: Produce feces that are soft, light-colored, and greasy.
Treatment: In a recent study, Panacur (Fenbendazole), which is approved for use in treating dogs with roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm, has been shown to be effective in treating canine giardiasis. Panacur is safe to use in puppies at least six weeks of age.
*We, at OZ Cockapoos, believe in prevention! We have all of our puppies on Panacur (small doses) for a 7-10 day period before going to new homes. This is an excellent source for worming as well as prevention of this issue. *
Does this mean your puppy will not get Giardia? No. It just means we have done everything in our power to prevent it.
Coccidia
Another of those fun parasites that puppies can get.
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).
As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia.
A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines.
What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases.
Most infected puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia.
What is the treatment of coccidiosis?
Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required.
Anywhere fecal matter is, Coccidia can be present. Vet Hospitals, Dog parks, Neighborhoods, etc.
Flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another.
The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.
Again DO NOT PANIC! This is something mainly due to the immune system of the puppy not being fully developed.
These are just some of the reasons we want our puppies on NuVet vitimans. NuVet helps the development of the immune system.
These are some, hopefully, helpful instructions for all of our puppy buyers.
Feeding and Watering
Puppy will eat around 6:30 - 7am EST
Add Vanilla Yogurt to the food mixing it in so every bite has some on it
put down for puppy or place in puppies crate
give puppy 15 minutes to eat
take up food and put unused protion in fridge
feed again at 1:30-2pm EST until 10 weeks
Feed last time about 5:30 -6 pm
Water should be made avb all day until four hours before bedtime for the humans
Behavior Issues
If puppy bites.....
Say NO very firmly if this does not work....
make a big deal of the bite by saying OUCH loudly. if this does not work....
Try a small scruff shake and say NO firmly
You can also try methods where you have puppy on its back and you hold the mouth firmly closed and say NO
Buy or Borrow "How to raise a puppy you can live with" a fablous book for ALL dog owners!
If puppy barks....
Water bottles are the best and least damaging form or training
If puppy cries in crate and will not be quiet...
does puppy have to eliminate?
if not then make sure crate is in quiet area
this prevents the puppy from thinking it is missing out on something
Then you can cover the crate like you would a bird if the puppy does not be quiet
If after this the puppy will still not be quiet, give me a call and we will discuss other options
If puppy tries to chew....
Say good "puppy" and tell the puppy to bring you the object
this will stop the puppy from chewing by positive means
you will get tired of your puppy bringing you everything but it will stop chewing up things
if puppy chews on furniture...
say no and give it a chew toy
NEVER use old shoes or socks for toys (puppies cannot determine which are used and which are new)
put bitter apple or hot sauce on object
crate puppy when you leave the house so both your puppy and your stuff is safe
If puppy runs after and bites at children....
by children running this makes the puppy think of a fun game
puppies will think of children as littermates
when children greet puppy make sure it is from above so the puppy sees them as alpha
For the first few weeks, until alpha positions are inforced, make sure children do not play with puppy on the floor
this will make the puppy not see the children as alpha and will think it can "boss" them around
Puppy kindergarden is a great way for the entire family to help in training the puppy
If you have any questions that are not covered please email at cockapoobabies@yahoo.com or 608-408-9077
House Breaking Tools 101
1. Rule out medical first. Some dogs have urinary tract infections and that is the cause of the constant urination. The medicine that they prescribe for a cure also will cause them to drink more water so you will have to be aware of that factor also.
2. Get a "clicker" or use the word "YES" when your dog is outside and has eliminated click and treat 3 times very quickly. You are trying to capture the timing to teach the dog outside is where to go. Do not let your dog run around or take more than 1 step before you click and treat 3 times with a higher treat than a training treat.
3. Pick up your dogs "ques" to what behavior/ritual they have right before they go potty. There is about 3-5 patterns they give you. You must find what they are. It could be a slight as a look in your direction. It could be that the dog starts to waddle before they eliminate. They could circle a few times. Some try and sneak off. You have to find the ques so if you see them inside you know exactly what to look for. Watch them every time they go to potty for about a week solid and you should have at least 3 of the 5 ques by then.
4. Know what they are consuming by charting the food and water for a week. Make a chart from Monday to Sunday and from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. Put a Symbol for pee and a symbol for poop. Chart the food and water intake of your dog for a week. You will start to see what their schedule is. You need to know what the intake to know when they will eliminate.
5. Make a line on the water bowl with a wax pencil or a crayon. Keep the water level the same always so if they drink a little or a lot you will know how many pee pees are expected from each time your dog drinks water.
6. Measure the food out exactly with a small measuring cup so you will know exactly what your dog has consumed. Do not mound the cup level it off every time.
7. There is an umbilical cord [the leash] between you and your dog if they are inside till your dog is house broken. You have to look at your dog as a 6 month old crawling baby with out a diaper on. You would never let a crawling baby out of your sight!!
8. Introduce the word that means go potty. Just one word for both functions. Since you will be watching your dog's rear for a week you will know what the ques are. As you see this behavior or ritual they do right before they eliminate you should start saying the word. I make the word sound exciting but not distracting. As they are eliminating I say with a monotone voice "good potty" then the second they are done I exp-lode in excitement. Remember dogs pair things together. We want them to pair the word with the desired behavior.
9. Only if you catch the dog in the act can you scold them. If they are going to the bathroom I say "NO" in a strong voice. Just loud enough to stop them from finishing. I scoop them up and take them outside and start saying the potty command. Remember Alphas do not hold anger!!
10. Changing the imprinting from a flat surface to a textured surface is difficult but can be done. At this point in house breaking you have to prevent the mistake from happening. You need to set a timer for every 20 minutes if your home and take the dog out. Remember you have to look at your puppy as a 6 month old crawling baby without a diaper on!!! So you would never let a baby out of your sight at that age so you do the same with a puppy.
11. After your dog has eliminated DO NOT bring them immediately back inside. Play with them for at least 5 minutes so they do not associate eliminating as the trigger that takes them away from being outside.
