This time last year, the internet was full of articles on why grain-free dog food was the best thing for your pet. Fast-forward to this year and everywhere you look you find horror stories about the after-effects of a grain-free diet for dogs. What is right and what is wrong? We did our research and are happy to share with you facts from reputable sources that we trust. Remember: the first place you should always start when considering a food change is with your veterinarian. Your doctor will be able to tell you if a food choice is good for your four-legged friend or not.

What is Grain-Free Dog Food?

Grain-free dog food is considered a bit of a “boutique” trend in regards to canine diets. The main argument supporting these grain-free diets is that it was more “natural” for your dog. While that may be true that our dogs’ ancestors didn’t go around snacking on wheat for fun, it doesn’t mean our dogs cannot consume grains. In fact, modern day animals such as dogs, cats, cattle and horses have all adapted to balanced diets composed of protein, carbohydrates and grains.

Some dog foods are entirely grain-free, while others offer reduced grain contents. If your dog has been tested for and is truly sensitive to grain consumption, perhaps one of the reduced grain food options would work best for his/her digestive system.

The Facts

The hype over grain-free diets began a few years back when some pet parents felt that grain-free diets would reduce skin-related allergies in their pets. However, Veterinary Practice News interviewed four top board-certified veterinarians over this topic and felt the opposite.

“I honestly don’t know where that got started. It’s not based on any data, and there are excellent foods that contain one or more of those items,” commented Cailin Heinze, MS, VMD.

In response, Veterinary Dermatology conducted an evaluation of 278 dogs with food allergies to find the source of their allergic responses. Beef allergens were the source of 95 of the cases, dairy for 55. Meanwhile, corn was only responsible for 7 cases of allergic reactions in the study.

Earlier this month the FDA launched an investigation into grain-free dog food and its correlation with canine heart disease. This investigation was instigated by an unusually high report of dog breeds not typically prone to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (a type of heart disease in canine that affects the heart muscle). Upon further research, it was found that these dogs had been consuming a grain-free diet for a period of time.

In a statement made to the American Kennel Club, Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC, stated, “At this time, there is no proof that these ingredients are the cause of DCM in a broader range of dogs, but dog owners should be aware of this alert from the FDA. The FDA continues to work with veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the effect, if any, of grain-free diets on dogs.”

Dr. Lisa M Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN commented in the December 1 version of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that it isn’t necessarily the grain-free aspect of these diets that is harmful to dogs. She wrote, “the apparent link between BEG (boutique companies, exotic ingredients or grain-free dients) diets and DCM may be due to ingredients used to replace grains in grain-free diets, such as lentils or chickpeas, but also may be due to other common ingredients commonly found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits.”

The Presence on Social Media

Pet-owners, pet professionals and veterinarians alike have been speaking out on social media in regards to grain-free diets. Here are a few of the most popular posts you may have seen!

As a Pet Parent, What Should You Do?

While there is no undeniable proof that grain-free diets lead to DCM at this point, there is enough reason for the FDA to launch an investigation. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes. If you do feel as though grains are causing your dog some sensitivity, talk to your vet about an allergy test to find the true source of your dogs discomfort.

Long story short, if your dog doesn’t NEED a grain-free diet, it is probably not a fad you want to jump on until further scientific results are confirmed by the FDA. If you need a starting point to help you find a diet that is good for your pet, check out this blog post and always consult your veterinarian.

As the weather starts to transition from winter to spring, you are bound to spend more time enjoying outdoor activities with your puppy! One of the most fun things you can do with your pooch is to spend an afternoon at your local dog park. If this is your dog’s first time to the dog park, there are some considerations you should keep in mind so that they have just as much fun as you do!

Safety First

Your puppy should never venture to the dog park (or any other high-dog-traffic areas) until they have received all of their vaccinations. Your vet will let you know when it is a-okay to take your puppy to local pet stores or dog parks. Remember, dangerous diseases such as Parvo are not just transmitted from dog to dog. You can carry these infections into your home on the bottom of your shoes as well! Take all necessary precautions to protect your new family member while they are in this vulnerable stage.

Dog parks can be super fun, but they can also be very overwhelming! If your dog is not around other dogs at home, they can quickly become over-stimulated when surrounded by multiple other dogs, especially dogs that are larger than they are. We highly recommend working on your dog’s socialization skills before placing them in this environment. Over-stimulation can lead to fear or fear-induced aggression. The last thing you want is your puppy becoming anxious early on in life because they felt overwhelmed from one experience.

Introduce your dog to other dogs in a controlled environment. Allow your puppy to grow comfortable with the thought of meeting and greeting new friends on their own time. Never force your puppy into a situation that they are clearly uncomfortable with.

Archview tip of the day: Many training facilities will offer meet-and-greet days where your new pooch can get to know some friendly faces in a controlled setting! Ask your dog trainer to see if this is something they offer!

Understand What Your Pup is Telling You

While your new puppy can’t speak your language, they often tell us how they feel about certain situations. Understanding your puppy’s body language will help make this first trip to the dog park a successful one.

A happy puppy will be alert and have a wagging tail, but a scared puppy will tuck his/her tail and often stay close by your side. Aggressive dogs or over-excited dogs at the dog park can be scary. Let your puppy watch what the other dogs are doing from outside the fence. See how your puppy reacts to multiple dogs running, barking and playing together. Sometimes your puppy can even sniff and greet other dogs through the fence, which may make them more confident when you do enter the park.

As your puppy begins to warm up to the idea of play-time in the park, don’t lose your focus on his/her body language. It is imperative for the safety of your dog and the other dogs in the park that you keep a close eye on your puppy. If other dogs are being a little too rough or if your dog looks genuinely uncomfortable, it is 100% okay to cut the trip short. As your puppy learns about life and forms his/her opinions on different scenarios, it is super important to listen to and appreciate what they have to say.

Dog Park Etiquette

Your puppy isn’t the only one who needs to follow a set of “rules” while at the dog park! Many parks will have their own rules posted outside of the front gate, but here are some common best-practices to keep in mind:

• Never open the gate to the park if dogs are crowding around!
• Always pick up after your pup relieves him/herself.
• Supervise your dog at all times.
• If your dog part has separate sections for large and small dogs, honor those rules! Many small dogs can accidentally get hurt when playing with larger dogs.
• If your dog is sick, NEVER take him/her to the dog park where they can expose other dogs to illness.
• Always keep your dog on-leash when you enter or exit the park gate.

Another thing to keep in mind is that as much as we all may love a trip to the dog park, some dogs just aren’t comfortable in that environment. Your pup may be more comfortable on a walk around the neighborhood or playing with his/her best pal at the house next-door, and that’s okay!

Does your pup enjoy a day at the park? Share your photos in the comments!

Ohhhh the joy of potty training! One of the most essential things you could ever teach your puppy and oftentimes one of the most frustrating as well. Some puppies potty train easily while others just can’t seem to get the hang of the idea. Here are a few tips and tricks for potty training those “problem” puppies so you can put away the cleaning supplies and enjoy time with your pup!

Intake= Output

The most frustrating part of potty training is definitely those “unforeseen” accidents. For a chronic piddler, it is important that you monitor them very closely. Every time your puppy drinks, a potty break is going to be necessary in a few minutes. Remember, your puppy’s bladder just isn’t equipped yet to hold it for long periods of time. Most likely, your puppy still doesn’t know ahead of time to warn you that an accident is going to occur. We have all seen a puppy happily walking along and suddenly they squat to pee out of nowhere. Puppy bladders don’t come with warning signs. When they have to go, they have to go.

Keep your puppy within your line of sight at all times. Follow up every drink or snack with a potty break and reward positive behavior with a treat and lots of love.

Monitor at ALL Times

Most people feel that letting their puppy outside to potty is enough and then get frustrated when they come back in and have accidents in the house. The truth is, you need to go outside with your puppy EVERY time.

Puppies get easily distracted in the great outdoors. They may get to playing with a leaf in the backyard or find themselves busy following an interesting scent. Sometimes, they get so caught up that they forget they have to use the restroom while other times they just sit and wait by the backdoor to come back inside to be with you. When they hear your voice calling at the backdoor, they get so excited to see you again that they come romping up without having done their business!

Like we said earlier, watch your puppy’s intake and plan on when bathroom breaks may be needed. Always go outside with your puppy and give him/her plenty of time to get the job done. Playtime should only come after potty time, the fun should be the reward. And remember, rushing a puppy will only leave you with messes to clean up later!

Proper Sanitation Procedures

If your puppy has an accident inside (which lets face it, it will happen) the most important thing you can do is clean the area thoroughly! If you watch your puppy closely as they meander around the yard, they will typically sniff around until they find a spot where they have previously used the restroom before they do their business. If there is a spot on your floor that smells familiar to them, they will be more likely to associate that as a good place to relieve themselves!

We love Nature’s Miracle products for cleaning up those unexpected messes around the house. Their advanced stain and odor eliminator products truly work, and will not only help keep your house smelling fresh but will also keep your pup from thinking your plush carpet is a great place to pee (although we highly recommend keeping puppies away from carpeted areas for the first few months of potty training!).

Eyes on the Prize

Several months have gone by and your puppy seems to have a good understanding of potty training when suddenly: potty accidents begin to reoccur!

Puppies, no matter how well trained, have to be monitored. Never take your eye off the prize! Keep in mind that the weather outside, the amount of time your puppy has been in a crate, the excitement level in your house and much more can all lead to the re-occurrence of potty mishaps.

Potty training isn’t always the easiest, but it doesn’t have to be a monumental challenge for your family! Keep a close eye on your pup, allow plenty of time for potty breaks and reward good behavior with lots of love. With plenty of repetition and consistency, your puppy will pick up on the process sooner than you think!

Winter has hit us in the Midwest and she isn’t being kind. Wind chills are reducing temperatures to the negative numbers, resulting in frigid conditions not suitable for a human, let alone your dog. It is important to know what signs to watch for that may indicate your dog is too cold and how to warm them up!

How Cold is Too Cold?

The easiest way to determine if it might be too cold for your pooch to handle is to take a walk outside. If it is cold enough that you are uncomfortable, consider how your dog might feel. Sure, many of them have long, curly coats to keep them warm, but their ears, noses and the pads on their paws are very susceptible to frostbite.

The age of your dog, the length of their coat, their body condition and much more will all factor into how much cool weather your pooch can handle. Older dogs and younger puppies are at high risk of cold intolerance. Check out this chart for a quick guideline as to what temperatures may affect your dog.

Just like with your dog, not every cold day is created equal. Things to keep in mind are wind chill, precipitation, cloud cover and your dogs activity level while in all of these conditions. If you are outside for a short period of time playing with your pet, they will stay warmer by running around. But if they are outside waiting for you to get home by the backdoor all day, they are not working up as much body heat to keep them warm. This can be very dangerous in poor weather!

Studies show that temperatures below 45 degrees F can begin to become uncomfortable for some dogs. Once the temps begin to drop below 32 degrees, those of you with smaller dogs, older or younger dogs, or dogs with shorter coats need to take notice! Temperatures below 20 degrees can lead to hypothermia and frostbite.

Signs of a Frozen Furbaby

What should you keep an eye out for when your pet is outside in colder temperatures? Like humans, shivering is a tell-tale sign that your furry friend may be a bit chilly.

If your dog is normally active and seems to have slowed down some after spending a large amount of time outdoors, they may be suffering from cold-related injury or illness. Excessive whining or anxiety are also signs of discomfort.

Frostbite and hypothermia are big concerns in cold weather, so it important that you know the signs of these issues. Hypothermia in dogs will display as a variety of symptoms such as weakness, shivering, inaudible heartbeat and difficulty breathing. If you fear your dog may be suffering from hypothermia, you need to transfer them to a warm area and cover them with lots of warm blankets.

Frostbite will most likely affect your pup’s paws, ears and tail, so be watchful for any signs. Your pup will be sensitive to the affected areas, which will have discoloration or blisters. If you fear your dog is suffering from frostbite, do not rub or massage the area. Move your dog to a warm, dry area and use warm (not hot) water on the affected area.

The best thing to do when the temperatures are chilly is to monitor your pet closely. Make sure they have a warm, dry place to escape winter weather and bring them inside when inclement weather will be present. As silly as it may seem, your pooch may appreciate a coat or boots to wear outside, especially in snow. And remember, if you are cold, so is your dog!

Australian Labradoodles are cute, cuddly and can be a tad tough on toys. Regular dog toys don’t stand a chance against these playful pups! Thankfully, we have the toy expert on hand at Archview Labradoodles. The founding momma of our program, Taylor, has shared a list of her favorite toys and treats that are Australian Labradoodle approved!

Chomp and Chew

Odorless Bully Sticks– These chew sticks are GREAT, especially for your teething pups. We prefer the odor free type (some of the others can get a bit stinky!) They come in all sizes, but Taylor wanted us to share that bigger is always better so that the chews last longer. For your smaller pups, we recommend you start with the smaller ones and work up as they age!

Antlers All Day Long– Deer antlers make a wonderful chew toy! We get ours from a friend in Michigan, but you can find them in most stores or even in your backyard! Taylor loves to spend all day chewing on her favorite elk or deer antler.

Build Your Brain

A Kong with a Cool Treat– Need to keep your pooch occupied? Invest in some trickier toys such as Kongs! Kongs are built to last against avid chewers like the Australian Labradoodle and many of them can be interactive. Taylor LOVES when we fill her favorite Kong with frozen peanut butter. Not only does this treat satisfy Taylor’s sweet tooth, but it also gets her wheels turning and keeps her entertained throughout the day.

Playing with Puzzles– Interactive toys are fantastic for your furry friend and Taylor LOVES the Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Dog Puzzle. These squeaky and sneaky squirrels can hide inside of the plush tree trunk and make for a super fun afternoon for your dog.

Taylor-Approved Toys

Score with Squeaky Toys- If it has a squeaker, Taylor is down to play! She is a big fan of the squeaky plastic pigs at Walmart. Some of your pups may enjoy ripping the toy up to make way for the squeaker in the middle, so stock up on the cheaper toys and always have a stash on hand!

A Cute Caterpillar– Taylor ADORES her ZippyPaws Caterpillar Plush Toy (size large) and carries it all around the house. This cute and colorful little toy has squeakers all throughout, making it a fun little plush for your pet to play with.

Tasty Treats

Zukes Training Treats– Peanut Butter and Oats may not sound like the tastiest recipe, but Taylor LOVES her PB&O training treats from Zukes! These tender treats are perfect for pups with tender teeth during the teething stage or for older pooches who chew up the harder treats.

Happier with Hot Dogs– When we need a high reward treat, we just resort to our fridge. Taylor LOVES to work for little bits of cooked hot dogs. These simple snacks won’t break the bank and are great for dogs of all ages!

What do your pooches prefer? Each pup has their own preferences, but these are tried and true recommendations straight from the expert herself!

Earlier this week we began explaining the stage of puppy development from birth. We highlighted the neonatal stage, the transitional stage and the socialization stage. Today we are going to expand on the later stages of life and what to expect from your pup as he/she matures.

The Ranking Stage

If your pup was previously an infant, then a toddler, then this is the “elementary school” period of your pup’s life. This period can be a little testy at times, depending on your pooch’s personality. From three to six months of age, your pup is deciding where the hierarchy in your household lies and what buttons they can push.

Your puppy will have grown into his/her own stage of independence and may even feel a bit bratty at times during the ranking stage. This is where structured training will keep the household at peace. Your pup will be heavily influenced by his playmates, both two and four-legged. If you have other dogs in the house, this is when your pup will learn about pack hierarchy and where they fall in the family line-up. Don’t be surprised if your other dogs start to put your pup in his/her place.

As you are also seen as a member of your puppy’s pack, you need to also reaffirm to your canine that you are the pack leader. Obedience training is necessary to maintain your pup’s confidence in you as their leader.

This is also the stage where teething is usually at it’s worst. We recommend keeping tons of Kongs on-hand to prevent the destruction of things you might love.

The Adolescent Stage

We broke down the adolescent stage in-depth in a previous blog, so we will share the highlights of this stage below:

• This is the teenager phase– ick!
• This phase is one of the longest, running from six months of age to eighteen months of age.
• Your pup may appear gawky as they grow into all of their limbs.
• Set clear boundaries at home to curb stubborn behavior.
• This is the critical bonding time with your pooch. So while they might test you, always be patient and fair with them.
• Basic obedience skills are necessary during this time.
• Teething isn’t quite over yet, but we are getting close to the end!
• Socialization is still very critical during this stage of life.

Congratulations! You have survived puppyhood!

From eighteen months on, your puppy is now into adulthood. Whew… are you exhausted yet? Puppyhood is tons of fun, but definitely requires some work on the behalf of the puppy parents. From eighteen to twenty-four months, your dog may still exhibit some awkward teenager like behavior, but for the most part they are all grown up.

The way you handle each of these super important stages of life will impact the dog your pup will grow up to be. We cannot stress enough the importance of being firm, but fair and always kind. Never resort to fear-based training practices as it can lead to anxiety-induced aggression behaviors later in life. We feel it is very important that each of our adopters utilize the help of a licensed dog trainer to help guide them towards proper training practices. Each pup is different, just like humans, therefore a one-size fits all approach to training just won’t work.

As always, we are here as an added resource for all of our adoptive families. There is no such thing as a dumb question and we love to help you walk through these fun, but sometimes challenging, phases of puppy ownership. For tons more information on our program and puppy tips and tricks, be sure to check out all of our other blogs.

Just like with kids, your puppy goes through development stages as they mature. These stages are similar to the ones you may already be familiar with such an infant, toddler or teenager. Today we are going to outline the different stages of puppy development and what your future pup is up to during each stage of his/her life.

The Neonatal Period

From birth to two weeks of age, your puppy is in their neonatal period. Like a newborn child, this is the stage where your pup is most reliant on their momma. They can touch and they can taste, but their eyes and ears are still sealed closed.

During this phase, your pup will resembled a waddling potato a little bit… but a cute potato! While it might not seem that your puppy is getting much done during this phase of their life, they are actually picking up on crucial social and survival skills during these first few weeks of life.

But… mostly they are just eating and sleeping!

The Transitional Period

From weeks two to four, your puppy transitions into a toddler! They can walk, they can talk (and boy oh boy are those puppy chirps cute!) and they even start wagging their tail. Your puppy will begin to get his/her first teeth and begins seeing, hearing and developing their sense of smell.

At this point in their life, your puppy will begin interacting with his brothers/sisters and his momma. Around three weeks of age, your puppy will be introduced to solid food for the first time. This is the start of the weaning process! Puppy chow is soaked in warm water to make it more appealing and palatable for your pooch.

The Socialization Period

We have talked a lot about this critical stage in your puppy’s development in prior blogs. From weeks four to twelve is when your puppy’s personality begins to blossom. We take every step possible to socialize your puppy during this phase of their life. We highly encourage you to do the same once your puppy has joined your family.

Your puppy will remain with his/her momma until eight weeks of age. While your puppy is weaned at this time, they are still learning ever-important socialization skills from their momma. If mom is wary or fearful of people, your puppy might be as well. However, if mom is openly excited about spending time with her two-legged friends, the puppies are going to want to be friends with them too.

During weeks nine to twelve you enter what some refer to as the “golden time” for training opportunities. This is the perfect time to set ground rules for potty-training! This is the point in your pup’s life where they are paying close attention to their pack around them. As their new family, you will be part of your pup’s pack and can influence their ability to learn new skills heavily during this time.

In part two of this series, we will spend ample time breaking down the final stages of your puppies development throughout his/her life. If you haven’t added a four-legged friend to your family yet, check out our available or upcoming litters to join the Archview family. We have tons of resources like this blog and more to help make puppy ownership a smooth transition.

Investing in a puppy is a huge decision! We totally understand you may have a ton of questions before the big day. We love helping you navigate the waters of puppy-ownership. That being said, we have put together a list of resources to help simplify the process. From the history of the Australian Labradoodle to understanding our adoption process, you can find answers to almost all of your questions on our easy to navigate website! We even have a very simple FAQ tab dedicated to our most common inquiries. We decided to take some time and flesh out some of our most frequently asked questions in today’s blog to help make your decision making process easier!

Question: Can we visit your puppies and pick out our own?

Answer: All of our puppies are allocated based off of your responses on our in-depth adoption application. You can read more about our allocation process HERE. For the health and safety of our puppies, we have established a very strict bio-hazard prevention plan. In simpler terms, do not allow families to visit their puppies prior to their reaching seven weeks of age. Please understand that the well-being of our puppies is our main priority. It is easy for visitors to accidentally expose our puppies to deadly diseases, such as parvo, which can be devastating to young growing pups. Did you know that parvo can be tracked around by the soles of your shoes? Because of that, we cannot allow visitors as your puppy matures. We are more than happy to send you updated photos of your baby throughout the process, however!

Question: How do you take care of more than one litter at a time?

Answer: Taking care of our dogs and puppies is our full-time job! In our program, there are no shortcuts, which requires a little outside help to make sure that our time is allocated to the proper places. We are proud to share this special experience with our children who also pitch in with the workload that comes with running a high-quality breeding operation. We are very blessed to have a great team of folks around us such as a phenomenal photographer, an administrative assistant and many more.

Plus, many of our dogs reside in guardian homes full-time when they are not raising their babies! This allows our dogs to have the freedom and comfort of a normal life while keeping our energy focused on raising happy, healthy puppies!

Question: But what if I can’t pick my puppy up?

Answer: We offer a variety of transportation options if you are unable to pick your puppy up in person. If you are in close proximity of our home base near St. Louis, then we can drive your puppy to your home or a halfway point. For adopters who live further away, we do offer flight transportation options. Please note we NEVER ship our puppies in cargo! We or one of our designated puppy flight nannies will hand-deliver your puppy to you at the nearest airport. Additional fees do come with these transport options, but we do our best to make it as affordable and painless as possible. After all, picking up your pup should be an exciting experience!

If you wish to pick your puppy up but cannot do so by their pickup date, we do offer an “extended stay” program for a fee of $30 per day.

Question: Do you have any available puppies at this time?

Answer: All of our available or upcoming litters are listed out on our Puppy Availability page. Each litter will have listed how many reservations are currently being accepted on that litter. We try and keep our website as updated as possible! That being said, if we are unable to provide you with a puppy from your preferred litter, we will help you find your dream puppy from an upcoming litter that meets your requirements!

Question: Can we pick our puppy up on the weekend?

Answer: While we wish we could be available at all times, we have opted to set our weekends aside as family time. Outside of Archview Labradoodles, we are very active in our children’s’ extracurricular activities, community and church. For your convenience, we have designated pickup hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

For more details about our program, we encourage you to take an in-depth look at our website and Facebook page! And if you can’t find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

It is time to deck the halls and hang the stockings with care, but do you know how to keep Christmas safe for your four-legged friend? Check out these crucial decorating tips this Christmas season to keep your puppy safe and sound come Christmas morning.

Trimming the Tree

Decorating the tree is an iconic Christmas tradition, but keep in mind that your pup might think your tree is one big chew-toy. Real trees might feel like a great place for your pup to “do his business,” especially if he is in the marking state. Artificial trees don’t feel so outdoorsy and make prevent any unwanted accidents. If you do opt for a real tree, be sure to sweep the area once a day. While pine needles are not toxic, they are sharp and can lead to serious stomach upset if ingested.

Either way, it is important to invest in a secure base to keep your pooch from accidentally tipping the tree over out of curiosity. It is always wise to place your tree in the corner to limit their access to the tree!

You can set up “doggy-deterrents” around your tree by hanging noisy ornaments, cans full of beans or aluminum foil from the tree’s bottom branches. These things will make noise and alert you to your puppy’s presence and may keep them from playing around your tree. Be warned though, if you have a kitten they may LOVE these objects!

Be Delicate with Decor

When hanging your lights, make sure that extension cords are out of reach. You never know if they might become tempting to chew on. Hide your cords beneath the tree skirt or have them up and out of reach for your pup’s safety. Tinsel is also very enticing to your dog and, if ingested, can cause a stomach blockage. Hang it high to keep your pup safe this holiday season!

If you have ornaments that hold special meaning or are especially fragile, be sure to hang those higher up on the tree. Low hanging ornaments can fall victim to happy, wagging tails or curious minds. Ornaments that might shatter could cause injury if your pup decides to snack on one!

Beware of toxic plants that often come out around the holidays. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias can all be potentially toxic to your dog.

Ground Rules with Guests

Your house is bound to be busy with friends and family coming around. Keep your puppy stress-free by wearing them out about before your visitors come over. Take them for a long walk or enjoy some games in the backyard. A tired dog is less likely to get excited or anxious as your house fills up with strangers!

Be sure to set some ground rules around the house for your pooch. These rules should not deviate from your normal schedule. If you do not feed your pup around the table, make sure that all of your guests understand that to prevent the development of naughty behavior. It may even be wise to put your pup in his/her crate in a separate room to eliminate the temptation to beg! Your pet may actually love a quiet place to retreat to among all the hustle and bustle. Lastly, remember what foods are hazardous to your pet (we previously outlined this in another blog!) and keep them far away.

It is fun to celebrate this special time of year with your pet! Sneak a little extra something special for them in a stocking and be watchful at all times and you are bound to have a happy holiday season.

From what shampoos to use to how to prepare your puppy for their first bath, it is important to take bathing your pooch seriously! There are so many tips and tricks to keep in mind in order to make bath-time a pleasant experience for everyone involved. We are going to share some of our favorite bath-time hacks with you in today’s bog.

When to Bathe?

While some of us might like the smell of puppy breath, none of us like the smell of a stinky puppy! Once your puppy has reached eight weeks of age, he/she can now self-regulate their temperature more effectively. Archview puppies will be introduced to the idea of bathing, but we encourage you to continue teaching your puppy the rules of bath-time.

Once a month is a good rule of thumb, but of course, if your puppy manages to make a mess of himself before then you may need to bathe more frequently. The more you bathe, however, the dryer your puppy’s skin will get. This can lead to some discomfort for your furry friend, so try not to over-bathe.

Bonding Over Bathtime

Pick a safe, quiet space to introduce your baby to bathing. Kitchen sinks are great for smaller puppies, but as your puppy grows you may need to transition to the bathtub. Either way, place a rubber mat at the bottom of the basin. Your puppy will feel a lot more secure if they are not slipping and sliding around your tub. We recommend having the water run prior to putting your puppy in the sink/tub. The sound of the running water is very loud and can be intimidating to your four-legged friend! If your puppy looks especially worried, toss their favorite toy in the bath with them as well!

Reassure your puppy in a soft, soothing voice. Remember, you are your puppy’s comfort zone and protector! As you shampoo, take that as an opportunity to massage your puppy. They will LOVE that they are the center of attention which will make bathtime even more fun!

What You Need

There aren’t a ton of items you will need, but we do suggest keeping this is of essentials on-hand for for your pooch’s bath:

• Puppy-proof, tear-free shampoo (We like Puppy Tears by Telco)
• Conditioner
• Tangle-free comb
• Dog approved hair-dryer (human hair-dryers can often get too hot and dry out your pup’s skin)
• Plenty of toys, treats and kisses!

Make sure you have all the essentials nearby during bath-time. The last thing you want is to be searching for the shampoo when your dog is mid-bath in the tub!

Tips and Tricks

Bathing doesn’t have to be complex, follow these simple tips to make the most of bath time:

• Always brush your dog PRIOR to bathing them.
• Make sure all of the shampoo is out of your dog’s coat. Leftover shampoo residue to lead to dry, scratchy skin.
• If you can, use a retractable shower head attachment to make bathing easier.
• Keep moisture out of the ear canal. Many dogs can get ear infections from excess moisture in their ears. You can pop some cotton in your dogs ears if they are extremely susceptible.
• Monitor the water temperature.

Make bath-time as positive as possible and treat your puppy with care. If you don’t enjoy giving your pup a bath, there are plenty of places or services that you can use to simplify bath-time, such as mobile bath services or bath bars in dog stores. A clean pooch is a happy pooch!