Puppy Care

I like to cook up some bacon and break it into little pieces to give as a training treat.  The dogs LOVE it and will pay close attention to whatever it takes to get a tasty tidbit!  You can use pretty much whatever your dogs really like, except for chocolate and cheese.  Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and has been the cause of many deaths in canines.  Cheese can sometimes melt in the dogs throat and make it difficult or impossible to breath.  You should be safe with standard doggie treats you can purchase just about anywhere.

The biggest tool in housebreaking (aside from treats!) is the crate.  This will be your puppy's home.  Even very young puppies will learn to keep their crate clean as it is viewed as their own 'room.'  Start by night training.  Put your puppy in at night, and the first thing in the morning take her out and praise her and give a treat when she relieves herself.  After she has gone, and you know she is 'empty' she is probably o.k. to be inside for an hour or so.  Then, take her out again and give a treat and praise when she goes.  Expect accidents.  They happen.  NEVER strike your puppy as this will confuse and prolong the housebreaking process.  It can also lead to excessive shyness, nervous wetting, and even random aggressiveness.  If you catch your puppy in the act of 'going' inside, clap your hands loudly and say 'no!' Then take her outside and let her finish there.  You can also put your puppy in the crate for a few hours, and wait until you are pretty sure she need to go, then take her outside and let her do her business.  She will eventually get the idea, and in the meantime, be patient, and consistent. 

Cavaliers are pretty easy to train as they love to please their "master."  The key with all training methods is consistency.  Use the same command every time for the same trick.  Try to keep training sessions "short and sweet" at about 15 minutes a piece.  Start with the basics: sit, stay, down, roll-over, etc.  Some key disciplinary ones for your pup to know are "off" or "no."  Say those with a firm and commanding tone every time your pup does something you don't want (jumping on guests, furniture, etc.)  Sometimes it helps to clap your hands loudly when your pup is doing something naughty, this will get her attention as you say 'no.'  As your pup grows and masters the basics, you can move on to other tricks - the sky is the limit here - just use your imagination!  Check out our "helpful websites" page for further training tricks and suggestions.

Cavaliers do not require intensive grooming, but a regular routine is necessary to keep the coat and skin healthy and shiny.  The ears in particular will need regular combing as they tend to get mats if left unattended.  I usually begin at the head, starting with the eyes.  Sometimes fluid leaks from the tear ducts and can stain under the eyes.  Simply wipe away with a saline solution (or other tear-stain removing product) as often as you groom your dog.  I You should never brush the coat dry.  Use a conditioning spray to lightly mist the coat to prevent damage.  Then, wipe out the inside of the ears with a cotton cloth (NOT Q-tip as this can damage the ear).  Then comb the coat with a wide-tooth comb, then a pin-brush, then a slicker brush, and finally, a bristle brush (this is the one that gives the coat that shiny look).  Take special care on the ears, tail, and other feathering.  Bathe only when absolutely necessary and use dog shampoos and conditioners ONLY because the ph levels in dogs are different than humans and using shampoo meant for human hair can dry out and irritate the skin and coat of your dog.  

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