Preventing Joint Problems?
Puppy's growth plates at the end of their bones, are not mature until about one year of age. Some activities are known to possibly damage long term health with hips and elbows. Hip and elbow problems are primarily caused by environmental factors such as:
Long walks or runs with a young puppy (repetitive gait where they don’t control how far they go).
Slippery floors
Play involving sudden stops and turns, such as chasing balls and playing frisbee
Jumping up and down on their back legs
Climbing and coming down stairs
There is information on vet sites about age appropriate activity for pups. Please have a read.
Pet Insurance?
We self insure, so don’t have a company that we would recommend. However, find a company who insures dogs into old age, not just when they are young.
Recommended Dog Trainers?
The following trainers are ones our puppy families have reported good results with. If you are in other areas, look for a ‘balanced’ trainer, or one trained by the National Dog Trainers Federation (https://www.ndtf.net.au)
Animal Stars Dog Training, Gold Coast, 0419 032 996
If you find excellent trainers who are very effective, please email us their details and we will add them on.
How to buy or make a clip station
A clip station is simply a chew proof lead, such as the one to the left. Wants to be about 4 feet long, and dont use unsupervised. They need their bed underneath and it is a training aid. If you can’t find one on line a saddler or canvas maker can put one together easily. Use a heavy gauge plastic covered stainless wire. Once your pup has learnt not to chew leads (use Chew Stopper from woolies or a pet shop), you can just use a lead.
Keeping Puppy Entertained When You Are Not At Home
There are going to be times when you are at work or away, and puppy will be alone. It is very important that your pup learns to be comfortable by itself, as well as delighted when you are home. If puppy is with you all the time, and then you go away without any early training in this, you can end up with separation anxiety, and that is something to avoid.
From when puppy first arrives, make sure there are spaces in your togetherness.