Thursday Puppy Fix

Puppies are absolutely adorable, I promise this will brighten up your day.

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Puppy Profile: Siberian Husky

So cute, I had to post double the pictures. More pictures at DailyPuppy.com

Unfortunately, they don't stay puppies long but they do grow up to be gorgeous dogs. Huskies are known to be masterful escape artists, although I've never witnessed such an escape attempt, crate training early with a proper exercise routine can help ease Huskies into your lifestyle as long as you stay active.

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Siberian Husky is 21 to 23.5 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 45 to 60 pounds. The female ranges from 20 to 22 inches to the withers and 35 to 50 pounds. (Mitch Endick, PetPages.com)

Huskies aren't a particularly large breed but have a heavier coat and if not exercised properly, can put on some weight. There needs to be quite a large amount of exercise for them to be healthy. Leaving such an energetic breed in a crate for more than 8 hours a day can be harmful as huskies will grow more and more anxious. Schedule a good exercise routine that involves at least a full hour before and after crating to ensure that your Husky will get all that pent up energy out.

Check out our tips on crate training or consult with a professional trainer. Crate training is a task that requires a lot of time and patience and our store can provide you with the materials.

• iCrate (36" L x 23" W x 25" H)


• Lifestages 2 Door (36" L x 23" W x 25" H)


• Precision Pet 2 Door (36" L x 23" W x 25" H)

*Pictures from DailyPuppy.com

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Pet Adoption: Randy (Australian Cattle Dog)

My first instinct was that this pup looks exactly like Nelly! Here are pictures of Nelly as a puppy for comparison...





It does make me want to drive all the way up to Modesto to meet this adorable pup who is available for adoption.

For more information, please visit his PetFinder Page.

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Puppy Profile: Rottweilers

Rottweiler puppies grow rapidly, with their weight doubling from ~30lbs at 3 months to ~60 pounds at 6 months. Some new puppy owners decide that it's easiest to go without a crate at first, until the puppy "grows big enough," which can hinder house training and potty training.

Starting your puppy early with crate training is a major advantage to the growth and wellbeing of your puppy. Crates do come with a divider panel so you do not have to buy separate sizes and retrain with a different crate. The general rule for picking the right size crate for your puppy is, picking one that is just big enough for your pup to go in comfortably, turn around, and lay down. Anything larger can create potty training issues.

Rottie puppies do reach a full size at over 90 pounds around 13 months so you want to make sure to invest in a crate that is strong enough to support their strength and crate train early to prevent any problems like chewing. Typically, 48" long crates are about 33" in height which will support your full grown Rottie's size.

In our store, we have the right size crates for your pup as well as a crate cover and pad set that will help create a cozy environment for your Rottweiler. Unlike blankets, the pads are fastened securely onto the crate itself and is water-resistant so it doesn't soak up any potty accidents and trap odors in.

See our selection of 48" Crate with the Crate Cover and Pad Set:

• iCrate (48" L x 30" W x 33" H)


• Lifestages 2 Door (48"L x 30” W x 33” H)


• Precision Pet 2 Door (48" L X 30" W X 33" H)

Source: Von Keiser Wappen - Rottweiler Growth Chart

Picture: Rottweiler Puppies Blog

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spcaLA: Sassy (Shiba Inu Mix)

I have a soft spot for Shiba Inus. It's the ears. And the face.

Sassy is a young pup. Don't know about her history yet, but you can meet her at the spcLA in Long Beach. For more contact information, see the PetFinder page.

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Puppy Training: Pads vs Crates?

No matter how you train your dog, the inevitable fact remains that you will have to clean up after them when they go potty. Some pet owners are immediately drawn to using puppy pads or training pads because it seems like an appropriate target that will teach a new puppy to go potty. However, puppies can very easily "miss" the pad or mistake a rug for a pad.

Properly house training a puppy extends beyond just your own home. What if you bring your puppy over to another home? A puppy pad trained pup may find a rug or a piece of furniture so exciting that it will soon be too late to catch him and stop him before it's too late. Overall, the puppy pad becomes a very confusing mechanism since it makes it okay for the puppy to go potty indoors. After learning how to go potty inside, it is difficult to correct if you ultimately want to teach your puppy to go outside for potty.

Training pads are appropriate to use as an aid for puppies if they haven't completed their shots yet, or for dogs who are ill or in recovery who aren't able to go outside. For training purposes, pads are of great use, but if your goal is to properly housebreak your puppy, it is best to ditch the pads for crate training.

The crate provides more than a durable and environmentally friendly alternative, it is also something that dogs are intrinsically drawn to: a den-like environment. They want to be in their own sheltered space when they are winding down and catching a snooze.

The crate can be also be used as an aid in potty training. Quickly, your puppy can learn where each appropriate potty spot is. A crate where your pup sleeps, eats, and plays would not be as enticing to soil. By creating these associations, your puppy can understand the message you are sending to them.

Overall, puppy pads can have a negative affect if used as a crutch in potty training. Pads should only be used when there is a vulnerability involved and your dog cannot be let out to go potty. Crates not only double as a cozy den for your dog, but it can also be a positive association in properly potty training and housebreaking your dog.

Whichever method you choose, it is important to stick with it. Most dog owners have a difficult time because they try too many methods, take too much unsolicited advice, and end up with a confused dog who doesn't know any better. Remain consistent and use positive reinforcement.

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Adopt a Dog Month

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month to encourage adoptions not just this month, but throughout the year and to raise awareness on shelters which are filled with homeless pets with uncertain fates.

In struggling economic times, people are on tighter budgets. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many people giving up their pets, not realizing that pets are an essential part of their family. Pets do not care whether you are rich or poor. Their needs are simple yet they become such an integral part of who you are as a human. Compassion and loyalty are just a few of the many gifts a pet can give to you that unfortunately in this day and age, we lose touch with.

PetFinder is an excellent source to start looking for your pet. You can search by breed, size, and age to narrow down the search results. You can also visit your local shelters and rescue organizations and meet your potential new companions.

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FOCHP: Bull Terrier/Terrier/Shepherd

BT is an 8 week old little boy - he and his siblings were abandoned at the shelter covered in filth. They are now happy, fat and healthy little pups. They love other dogs as well as cats. BT is a very mellow little pup, he is almost potty trained and extremely sweet and affectionate, he loves belly rubs. We are guessing on the breed - you can see he resembles a Bull Terrier but is small.

Please contact friends@fochp.org or leave us a voice mail at (714) 280-4993 to meet BT and other pups rescued by Friends of Orange County Homeless Pets.

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Famous People Lookalike: Jo-Jo and Mark Twain

My initial reaction was Jo-Jo looks more like Albert Einstein, and then I found that picture of Mark Twain. The resemblance is uncanny!

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Next Top Doggy Models

Here are some test shots from our latest volunteer models! They don't look too happy. I guess they weren't paid enough treats for the photo shoot.

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Corgi Puppies

A friend's Corgi just had a litter of puppies. I imagine her house is going to turn out a little like this...

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Question of the Week: What size crate should I get for my dog? What if I have a growing puppy?

When it comes to crates, most pet owners need suggestions on how to pick the right crate for their dogs and what type, size, or even brand to choose.

Each type of crate has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to portability, security, and long-term use. If you plan to travel with your pet, plastic carriers are widely used because they are airline approved for pet travel. Plastic carriers offer more portability, especially for smaller pets. However for long-term use as a crating device, wire crates offer more protection and can allow enough room for your pet to create a den-like environment. Wire crates are also perfect for larger and stronger dogs since they offer the most protection for your pet and are generally less expensive than plastic and tent alternatives.

When it comes to the size of the crate, bigger is not always better. It is best to choose a crate that gives your pet room to be comfortable enough to turn around and lay down. Your dog should also be able to enter and exit the crate in the upright position without having to crouch or crawl through. Crates should be cozy and enclosed to give your dog a safe and comfortable environment that recreates a den-like ambiance suitable for their natural needs.

Extra space is not always a good idea as dogs may begin to section off areas to relieve themselves since there is extra room to lie around away from their new "bathroom" area. AnimatedPet offers a guide for selecting the best dog crates for your pet.

Growing puppies will also need a crate that can accommodate their growth. Dividers are available for the iCrate, LifeStages, and Ultima crates by Midwest which offers your growing puppy room to grow into their full-size without having to change into a different crate.

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