Quality Malshi Puppies
For The New Owner
Food: Your puppy has been eating Purina Pro Plan, chicken & rice Puppy. You will receive a bag of it to get you started for the first couple of days when you come to pick up your pup. If you choose to change the food it would be important to do so slowly, by mixing the two kinds of food until the pup is totally on the new type of food. This makes for an easy transition for their young digestion system. For their first year of rapid growth, it is important to keep them on a puppy formula.
A young puppy is spending a lot of energy by playing and growing. Having food and water continually available for them will keep them going strong. Be alert if your pup is having any trouble with the size of their food and choking could be a possibility.
Having a vitamin supplement on hand is a good idea. With all the excitement of a new home and family your pup may well benefit from the boost a supplement offers. Some pups may experience stress while traveling and having an additional nutritious supplement could assist them through these new adjustments in life. We recommend the supplement named Nutri-Cal. (http://www.tomlyn.com/products/dog/vitamins-high-calorie-supplements/high-calorie-nutritional-gel-nutri-cal%C2%AE-puppies). It is usually available at Petco or PetSmart.
Crate: Having a crate the appropriate size for a mature Malshi (about 19L x 13w x 16H) that they can retreat to for a little time to themselves is quite helpful. Dogs appreciate having a "den" where they can rest and know they are in a "safe spot" from anything they may be feeling intimidated by, such as other dogs, vaccuum, or over zealous children.
A crate is also very helpful during the process of housebreaking your puppy! A puppy has a natural instinct to keep his little "den" kept clean. He doesn't want to soil his area, but if left too long in a closed crate, especially as a young pup, accidents will be prone to happen. Your pup can be taught to "hold it" if frequently (every 1 -2 hours at first) let outside. And remember to reward your pup when he places his "chores" in the correct location. Upon releasing your pup from his crate, immediately and consistantly take him outdoors to the location of your choice to do his chores. In this training process, remember when they do make a mess where they shouldn't that the pup will only be able to associate the discipline with the action if done so immediately. Rewarding good behavior is far more influencial than the effects of discipline for misbehavior, because your dog will want to please you! Discipline is a good means of correction only after there is a certainty that your pup knows what he has done is unexceptable. With loving, patient, consistant training you should be rewarded with a happy dog with good manners.
Bedding: Not always will you wish your pup to go to his crate to rest. A comfortable, suitable size dog bed is nice to allow your pup to have a place to rest, yet remain with his new family. It also provides a designated place for them to know they can lay and keeps them from seeking a soft spot on your furniture to bed down on. The type of dog bed that is washable is very convenient for keeping things fresh. It is not especially necessary to get the thickest, fluffiest bed to be found, as the Malshi already has a warm, soft coat & if they get too hot, they may avoid using it
Training tips from personal experience:
The most rewarding results of good training skills derives from having a loving relationship with your dog! Being that your pup arrives with the desire to please you, make effort to let him know that you are especially pleased when he demonstrates good behavior. With consistant, patient, predictable, immediate discipline upon unacceptable behavior, your pup will learn to look up to you as the leader with trust and respect. Your pup will know you are pleased or not, first by the tone of your voice and then your body language. Having little treats to reward your pup with is effective, but don't think you need to give a treat to him every time he obeys a command. Your genuin praise and affection will be reward enough. Knowing you have clearly communicated what you want your pup to do or not do and he is not confused about it, is one of the most challenging aspects of good training. Only after you are certain he clearly understands what you are asking for, should you use a type of discipline he will choose to avoid in the future. Beware that you are not unconsciously encouraging your pup to do something that later you may regret. As cute as your puppy is when he licks you or nibbles on your ear, down the road you may wish he would not or your guest may wish he would not! Getting tangled in the laundry or attacking a sock may be very entertaining at first, however, approval of such behavior now sets him up to get into trouble later when he attacks the shoes you left on your closet floor! Show disapproval when he chews, barks or jumps up when he shouldn't. Be sure to offer him toys that he knows are his to play with. With time and patience your pup will more and more understand what is expected of him and where his boundries are, which in turn will keep him safe and you enjoying the sweetest little pet you could have!