Cozmo’s 5 Month Progress Report:

• Crate trained
• Potty trained
• Both testicles present and accounted for
• Shots and vaccinations completed
• Preventative treatment for heartworm and fleas/ticks started
• Some basic manners
• Enrolled and attending Doggie Daycare
• Teething – still teething but the end is near
• Ears – ears are still wild and crazy

We are in the very beginning stages of obedience on leash and have yet to start protection work.

Cozmo is confident and very much an alpha male yet his dispostion is also sweet and loving. He has a calmness about him, is a bit of a thinker, has displayed a sense of humor and has definitely bonded with his household pack members.

Today is Cozmo’s third session in doggie daycare and he already loves it.  I drop him off twice a week for supervised play and socialization. Socialization and exposure to other dogs and people is a must with any dog and especially a large breed dog. I do not believe in dog parks so for me, doggie day care is an alternative solution that I am comfortable with.

On “play days” (a.k.a. doggie daycare) my little big dog comes home tired and hungry and continues to be mellow into the following day. As far as I’m concerned, this is a win-win situation for everyone in my household.

• The more I feed Baby Bigfoot, the more he eats
• The more squeaky toys I purchase the more Cozmo prefers to chew on me
• Anyone who has a puppy and does not crate train, is truly insane
• Anyone who has small children, is even more insane
• Anyone with small children AND a puppy = showoff

The first thing you need to identify is why your dog barks so much.  Is it a constant behavior, or is it only brought on by certain events?  Your dog could be barking because of another dog, a cat, strangers at the door, or even because it’s being left at home alone.  Knowing why your dog barks will allow you to specifically target the problem.

The number one cause of a barking dog is boredom.  You must provide your dog with items to play with and chew on to prevent boredom.  Your dog must learn to play on their own.  Well intended owners who constantly entertain their dogs have dogs that quickly become bored anytime they are left alone.  When you do leave your dog alone be sure the essentials are taken care of. Plenty of food and water are obviously essential, but so are play toys, chew toys, rawhides, bones, etc.   

You need to check yourself and to see if you are unknowingly rewarding your dog’s unmerited barking.  If your dog is outside barking because you are inside, letting your dog in to quiet them down has just sent your dog the message that barking leads to what they want.  When your dog barks for no desired reasons, you must ignore the barking and lavishly reward and praise your dog when the barking has ceased.

Incorporate a, “No Barking” or, “Quiet” command into your dog’s vocabulary.  Calmly and quietly tell your dog “No Barking.”  When your dog stops barking use the phrase, “Good No Barking” and immediately reward them with food/toys or lavish praise and attention.

My last bit of advice is very simple and basic; a well exercised dog is a well behaved dog.  In other words, a tired dog does not have the energy to bark excessively at nothing. 

Dogs will never be completely bark-free, and most people do not want them to be.  With some proper training you can make sure your dog is not an excessive barker.  Ignoring unwanted behavior and rewarding desired behavior will successfully help you get your dog’s barking under control.

Over the past month we have mastered crate training and done a couple of upgrades in crate size.  From the crate to the backyard is no longer a “mad dash” to make it to the lawn for a potty break.  Cozmo has learned from the crate we go to the door and from the door we go to the lawn for potty relief. 

Cozmo and I successfully spent our first day together driving eight hours to get home so traveling in the vehicle is no biggie.  He came with a good foundation of being environmentally exposed to people and noises from the breeder.  At eight weeks of age Cozmo arrived at my house curious and confident and is now wavering between confident and cocky. 

Little man has a solid sit, understands that really good things come from the refrigerator and has the attention span of well…a puppy!

Thank you Chickie Bunny (Yellow Lab) and the Hendricks clan (Chickie’s Guardians) for hosting the play date.

A  big shout out for the puppy fruit platter.  It has provided the kid with hours of squeaky fun!!!

Cozmo's Fruit Platter

 The two essential things that all living things need in order to survive are food and water.  Be sure that you establish a feeding routine so your dog can predict meal times.  It is also a good idea to monitor how much food your dog eats so you can control your dog’s weight.  Also if your dog loses their appetite it could indicate that something is wrong.  It is vital to your dog’s health to make sure your dog has free access to water throughout the day.  If your dog is outside on a hot day be sure to keep it well-hydrated, and use a plastic water dish instead of a metal one to prevent the bowl from becoming too hot.  Keeping your dog well fed and properly hydrated will help to keep your pooch happy and healthy.

It is important that your dog has adequate shelter.  Although most people allow their dogs to live in the house like members of the family, some people prefer to have their dogs live outside.  Many dog breeds do fine living outdoors but need to be protected from the elements.  Providing a doghouse will protect your dog from rain, heat, wind, and snow.  Make sure the dog house is not too big so it can retain some heat when the temperature drops and keep your dog warm.  A doghouse will provide your dog with shelter and will also double as a safe haven that pets will happily retreat to for safety and security. 

Dogs need daily exercise to remain healthy and help burn off pent-up energy.  Play in the yard, play at the park, or long walks are good fresh air activities for dogs and their human chaperones.  A tired dog is a better behaved dog.  Dogs that get regular exercise are less likely to display destructive behaviors.

Dogs require a lot of attention, some breeds more than others, so be sure that you have the time to give to them.  Dogs are social pack animals and do not like being left alone for long periods of time.  If you live a busy life and are never home, getting a dog is probably not a good fit for you. In contrast, if you are ready to bring a dog into your life, make sure to give it the love and attention it will crave.  Dogs want to play, interact and bond with their owners so try to include your dog in your activities and lifestyle as much as possible.  A happy, stimulated, active dog is less likely to engage in unwanted behaviors.

The trip home was approximately 500 miles and almost an eight hour drive.  Inside his crate, Cozmo had no potty accidents, no tummy issues, and experienced no car sickness.  A lot of people are amazed by this but I confidently had expected to have no issues.  My confidence level was based on the following factors:

• German shepherd’s are smart
• I paid extra for the alpha male in the litter
• I was placing my puppy into an appropriate sized crate
• I planned on making frequent stops

Along the way we made four stops for potty, play and water – no food until we made it home.  After each stop Cozmo was placed back into his puppy crate and each time he fussed something fierce before settling down and taking a snooze.

From the start, when placing Cozmo into his crate, I have been consistent with the commands “kennel” and “good kennel” and always given a food treat once inside.  I have also ignored barking, howling and whining fits when first placed into the crate.  Barking, howling and whining in the crate during the middle of the night, early morning hours, or after a nap initiates a swift trip outdoors for a potty break.

The picture in this post illustrates Cozmo’s initial feelings towards crate training. 

Cozmo and I are three weeks into our journey together and his crate has been integrated into our daily routine.  Car rides are not an issue, he willingly enters the crate on his own in exchange for a yummy treat, and initial protests are becoming fewer and farther between.  Bedtime in the crate is a routine that has not been an issue from first night home.   

Until Cozmo is through the antics, energy and chewing phases of puppyhood, the trusty crate will keep the house intact and everyone safe and sane.

Cozmo’s first few days were spent adjusting to his new surroundings.  A feeding schedule was established, a zillion potty trips were made outside, the cat went missing, and a lot of visitors stopped by to check out my long awaited (and well researched) new addition.       

The normal everyday routine from a few days ago has been forever altered.  New energy is in the house and the new “routine” will be a work in progress over the next few years. 

The picture depicts my little guy with a full tummy and passed out after a busy afternoon of meet and greets and lots of fresh air.

The effects of dangerous foods for dogs range from short-term illness to irreversible, permanent damage, and in the worst cases, they can be fatal!

All pet owners should be aware of foods that can be toxic or fatal to pets.  The following list contains foods that can be dangerous to our beloved pets.

Alcoholic Beverages – Can Cause intoxication, coma and death.

Apple Seeds – Contains cyanogenic glycosides which result in cyanide poisoning.

Apricot Pits – Contains cyanogenic glycosides which result in cyanide poisoning.

Avacados – The fruit, pit, and plant can all cause difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation in chest, abdomen and heart.

Baby Food – Can contain onion powder which is toxic to dogs.

Broccoli in Large Amounts – Broccoli is very good for dogs but…if the daily intake exceeds more than 10% of your pet’s diet, problems can occur.  The toxic substance in Broccoli is isothiocyanate and can cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Cat Food – Generally too high in protein and fat and can cause diarrhea and/or Pancreatitis from the sudden change in diet.

Cherry Pits – Contains cyanogenic glycosides which result in cyanide poisoning.

Chocolate, Coffee, Tea and Caffeine Products – Caffeine, Theobromine, and Theophylline can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.

Citrus Oil Extracts – Can cause vomiting.

Fat Trimmings from Leftovers – High fat content can cause Pancreatitis — especially COOKED fats.

Grapes and Raisins – An unknown toxin can damage the Liver.

Hops – Causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temp, seizures and death.

Human Vitamin Supplements with Iron – Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to liver and kidneys as well.

Large Amounts of Liver – Can cause Vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia Nuts – Unknown toxin can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana – Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in heart rate.

Moldy or Spoiled Food – Can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and also affect other organs.

Mushrooms/Toadstools – Toxins may affect multiple systems, cause shock and result in death.

Mustard Seeds – Can have varied effects on pets.

Nutmeg – Is a hallucinogen in dogs and can cause tremors, seizure and death.

Onions and Garlic – Sulfoxides and Disulfides which can damage red blood cells causing Anemia.  Garlic is less toxic than Onions.

Persimmons – Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritus.

Pits from Peaches, Pears and Plums – Cause obstructions and contains cyanogenic glycosides which result in cyanide poisoning.

Potatoes and Tomatoe Leaves; Potatoe and Tomatoe Stems – Contain oxalates which can affect digestive, nervous and urinary systems.

Rhubarb - This plant (especially the leaves) also contain oxalates.

Salt – Can cause electrolyte imbalances when eaten in large amounts.

Sugary Foods – Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possible diabetes mellitus.

Tobacco – Nicotine affects digestive and nervous systems.  Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma and death.

Turkey Skin – Known to cause acute Pancreatitis in dogs.

Walnuts – Can cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as respiratory issues such as sneezing, breathing and coughing.

Xlitol – Xlitol is used as a sweetener in a lot of products including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste.  It can cause insulin release in a lot of species which can lead to liver failure.  Can cause elevated liver enzymes and liver failure and can occur within a few days.

Yeast Dough – Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of stomach or intestines.

Cozmo and I hit the road and spent the entire day driving. Nearly five hundred miles later, we reached home sweet home. No accidents in the crate and no major issues to speak of.

Once home, meet and greets were performed and we checked out the new pad. Cozmo inhaled some chow and we made several trips to the yard before retiring for the night.

I placed his crate on my bed and we both settled in after a very long and exciting day. Cozmo fussed only once during the night which resulted in a trip outside and some much needed puppy bladder relief.

No issues settling down once back inside and crated. I woke up two separate times during the night and heard Cozmo entertaining himself with a plush toy and rawhide I had placed in his crate and that had thankfully been given to us by the breeder.

When I began to stir Saturday morning I immediately heard the thump, thump, thump of a tail wagging inside of a crate. The day was off to a good start!