Puggle Love

Seeing my dog the day I got back from Afghanistan

This is'nt a Puggle, but a very happy dog!

Zoey Checking Out My Paint Job

Zoey checking out my paint job. She said I missed a spot! No matter where I go, Zoey is sure to be at my side.

Belly Bands For Your Male Dog

Is your unneutered dog making a habit of marking your home? Or perhaps he has lightening fast speed when he pees indoors so you just can't catch him in the act? If any of these scenarios sound familiar, maybe you will want to consider buying a belly band for your pooch to help you to house train him.

A belly band is a strip of fabric with Velcro on both ends. You insert a feminine pad inside and then wrap both around your dog's lower belly. If he raises his leg to pee indoors, he'll just pee in the pad and not your furniture!

They are machine washable and you replace the pads as needed. You can find these at some pet shops or online. Some come in variety of fabrics that will indulge your fashion sense. Belly bands will not house break your dog, but it is a good tool to help you reach your goal.

The Way Dogs Learn

"What am I teaching my dog?" That is the question you should ask yourself whenever you have any interaction with your dog. You may not think that you are teaching your dog, but believe it or not, you are!

When you catch your dog peeing inside the house and scold him, he will most likely associate your scolding with his behavior. But if you find the mess on the floor later and scold him, he will have no clue why you are scolding him. You can point all you want, but he will think you just have a problem with pee!

Now remember, elimination is a natural behavior. Dogs have to do it! It is hard for him to understand why you are having issues about it. What you actually have an issue with where he goes, but he can't understand that concept. You have to teach him what you mean.

Physical Punishment is NOT the answer. If you use physical punishment such as a rolled up newspaper, your hands to spank, or a scruff shake to punish your dog, you may get your message across, but more likely to create a new problem. The next day you may find the poop in a more hidden place such asunder the table or behind the couch. Didn't he understand you the day before? Yes he did! He learned you got angry when he pooped, then you frightened him with punishment. You taught him that you could be scary!

This is why the next day he hid when he pooped so you wouldn't catch him and scare him again. Did you teach your do to go outside? NO! Oops! You accidentally to hide when he pooped! Sometimes this can lead to bigger problems. Lets say you catch him again, but this time you use a rolled up newspaper and give him a light tap, enough to really startle him. The next day once more you catch and you reach for the rolled up newspaper and he snaps at you. Is he being defiant? Is he being stubborn? Not at all! He is in the middle of doing something natural and he don't understand what you want him to do. Now he is afraid and he is going to use dog communication to tell that you are scaring him and he wants you to stop.

If you escalate the punishment, your dog will think that you are not listening to him. Soon his snarls can become snaps, which can become bites. All because of a misunderstanding. Now in addition to house training problems, you got an aggressive problem!

Unfortunately, this is a common mistake people make. Remember, aggression begets aggression. When you use aggressive tactics, you are teaching him that it is how to solve the problem. There's a simpler way to teach your dog to eliminate outside, with out to have to resort to the old fashion physical discipline. It's effective and less stressful on the both of you!

It's A Natural Thing

Like all animals, your dog needs to rid their bodies of waste- it's a natural thing they have to do. Of course, from your dog's perspective, it's much nicer to do that on a nice soft carpet in your climate controlled home then outside in grass and rough weather!

When you think about it, dogs have all sorts of natural behaviors that we humans don't always enjoy. One example, they love to chew things to ease their gums when they are teething, to release stress, and because it is just a fun thing to do! As a result, it is perfectly natural to chew on furniture, your best pair of shoes, and whatever they can sink their teeth in!

Another example is, dogs like to dig. They will dig to make a cool hole when it's hot outside and make a hole when it is cold outside. They love to dig looking for critters underground. They love to dig because it is fun and they can excel at this activity too!

Chewing, digging, and eliminating are all natural dog behaviors. But when we bring dogs into our homes, we expect them to control their natural ways. If you think about it, we want a lot from our dog! We expect them to control their instincts and live by another species' rules.

Think about what it would feel like if you had to do the same. For example, have you ever met someone from another culture? What you may be accustomed to can be considered very rude by their standards.

It is important to understand the things that dogs do naturally so you can better understand your canine family member.Now this doesn't mean you have to allow natural dog behaviors in your home. But, what is does mean is that it is up to you to set your expectations and make sure your pet knows what they are.

You can teach your dog to live by your rules as long as they are fair and realistic. You just need to channel those behaviors into appropriate outlets: "pleas don't chew up my shoes. You can play with these dog toys outside." So take time to understand these natural behaviors and the both of you will have a wonderful relationship!

Accidents Do Happen!

Despite all your best efforts, it is most likely that your dog will have a few accidents! How you deal with them will definitely affect your success in house training your pooch.

The old-fashion training approach use to recommend rubbing your dog's nose in his mess or spanking your dog. However, these methods do not teach your dog to eliminate outside. Instead, they can teach him to be afraid of you! He'll probably think you lost some marbles too!

If you come upon an accident in the house, there is not much you can do but clean it up. Make sure that you use the proper cleanser so that he won't go back to the same spot to do his business. Think about your supervision technique and see how you can improve it. See where the mistake is and what you can do to fix it. For instance, does he have too much freedom in the house?

When training my Puggles, which is considered a hard breed to housebreak, soon as I caught one of them having an accident, I'd used a sharp voice saying, "No!" That is all you need. Then immediately, grab his leash, attach and whisk him outside.

Once outside, I would give him the cue to potty. If he finishes outside, nothing but praise and a treat. I know it is tempting to give him a stern lecture about peeing in the house, but this will only confuse him. The goal is to make it crystal clear what you want your dog to do.

For Puggles Who Chew Things

Being a domestic dog is much more stressful than their cousins the wolf.Domestic dogs spend most of their time indoors and need to find ways to keep busy, burn off steam.Chewing is a good why to keep busy and burn off steam. The advise I would give people for chewing problems are as follows:

1.Add an extra 30-60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day.
2.Start a bone ritual, hollow bones are perfect to stuff with yummy things and freeze them (yogurt, peanut butter or even Cheeze whiz) We want to imprint into the dogs brain that chewing the bone is enjoyable and rewarding.We do this by offering the bone everyday, for bone time.

After a few weeks, your dog will hopefully start to seek out the bone when they feel bored or stressed. I suggest providing a little toy box to store all your dogs chew toys(have a few different type of bones available in the box). You will see the dog actually go to the box and sort through the toys and make a selection, when he feels the need.

In the mean time, when you catch your dog chewing on something you don't want, don't scold the dog. Offer him something else that is appropriate(redirect him). When you visually see your dog chewing on the appropriate things, tell him what a good dog! and even give him a treat while hes chewing.

Between the ages of 4-6 months and 9-12 months. These are the times when your puppy is teething and they will chew on anything and everything. A good idea is to have safe chewing toys all over the house. Yes you may step on them and hurt your foot once in a while but it is better for them to chew on a toy than say your underwear or that work project that is do tomorrow.

New habits can take close to 6-8 weeks for some dogs, so get busy, good luck!

Puggle Puppy Afraid to go down steps

This is so much how my Puggles were as a pup!

Puggles Have a Great Temperment!

Puggles have a great temperament. They are very sweet, playful, affectionate and social. They have a lot of energy and absolutely love to play. However, they also love to have their downtime. The Puggle makes a great lap dog; it loves to cuddle up with people. It tends to enjoy playing for a bit, but it quickly tires for a nap. It also gets along great with children and other pets. This dog seems to take the best qualities from both the Beagle and the Pug. Furthermore, Puggles are very low maintenance. All they need is an occasional bath, nail clipping and ear cleaning.

Training Puggles can be a bit slow because they are so hyper and playful. However, these dogs are eager to please and will learn with consistent training. Some Puggles will howl occasionally; they get this from the Beagle side of them.

Puggles are mid-sized dogs which make great housepets. Their size makes them perfect for living in an apartment, but they do need more exercise than other apartment dogs. It is a very sweet tempered, playful dog and makes a great companion. This dog is recognized by the ACHC (American Canine Hybrid Club).

Is It True, All Puggles Want To Do Is Eat?

To answer your question....no. I have two Puggles. But they tend to eat as much as you give them, so be careful to not over feed them. Spread it out over the day. Puggles love to play and snuggle. They are the cutest things, fun and entertaining, loving and loyal, smart...I could go on and on!

Hungry Doggies - Morphing Breeds

Cool dog video I found!

Xtreme PUG SKYDIVING

Though this is a Pug, I'm putting this video on here. It is really cool! This guy really loves his dog!

Celebrities Like Puggles

One couple found their miraculous answer in a pug and a beagle rolled into one -- a puggle. Another relationship saved, thanks to modern canine breeding science.The puggle is, currently, the most popular of the new designer dog breeds that now number in the hundreds and can cost in the thousands. They're trendy and pricey.Like handbags and shoes, puggle sales boomed when word got out that celebrities were buying them -- a lot of them from David Deitz at Brooklyn's Puppy Paradise. Actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Sylvester Stallone have purchased designer dogs.Sly's puggle was bred at a remote Wisconsin kennel where proprietor Wallace Havens invented the breed.

Why Puggle Popularity?

Within the last five years a new hybrid dog breed has originated in the United States that is fondly referred to as a puggle. It is a cross between a beagle and a pug resulting in a loose-skinned, floppy-eared, wrinkly-faced, low maintenance dog. Their bodies are thick-set with short legs and often have a curled tail with a smooth coat of fawn, tan and black coloring. puggles are small in stature, generally ranging from 13-27 pounds while standing 13”-15” tall. This makes for a perfect motor-home lap dog or a well-mannered house dog. They are sweet tempered, affectionate, energetic, and intelligent dogs. They adapt well to children and other household pets. This hybrid is typically easy to train and can master basic commands. Some have even been taught to use a litter box! A mature puggle will look like a miniature mastiff and be almost maintenance free. Puggles will shed, however, their short hair and small size seem to minimize the problem.

Many experts believe crossbred dogs are healthier because they draw from a more varied genetic background than do purebreds. Owners are looking for animals that combine the best qualities of two breeds- the lap friendliness of pugs and the well-known loyalty of beagles. The puggle’s Hollywood movie star power doesn’t hurt, either. Jake Gyllenhaal, James Gandolfini, Sylvester Stallone, Uma Thurman, and Julianne Moore are just some of the newest ‘hot’ dog owners.

Zoey and Bailey

Zoey is always looking for a good hug wherever she can get one. Like most Puggles, these two dogs are very affectionate! I think that they get it from the Pug side. They enjoy being around people all the time. Another thing to remember is that Puggles for the most part, do not like to be left alone for long periods of time! This is when they will get bored and do some major chewing!

Bailey loves to watch TV and video games. I always wonder what is going on through her head!

Zoey The Spunky Dog

Hey, did you ever have a dog stick its tongue out at you? Well, our Zoey will! She is just so full of spunk! That is one of the characteristics that Puggles have. some say that they get it from the Pug side. We have countless hours playing with our two Puggles. They can be a lot of fun and entertainment for the whole family!

Playtime For Puggles

Fun with Your PuggleGames Both Dog and Owner Will Enjoy
Playtime is essential for every dog and master relationship. To ensure that playtime is safe for both your Puggle and you, invest some time in an obedience course first. The key factor is that your Puggle understands the words stop, go, sit, and stay before venturing out into a park of strangers. With a little patience, the two of you can enjoy hours of fun together.

Puggle's Favorite Game
Tug-of-war is the most common game played between dog and master. An old sock is often the choice of toy, rather than a rope. Some experts believe it’s the owner’s scent on the sock that makes it so appealing to a Puggle. Think about it! What other game allows your dog to steal something that is yours!
Veterinarians stress that playing tug-of-war with a sock presents a health risk. The sock loses small particles each time you play. These same particles can become lodged in your Puggle’s teeth or throat causing choking, irritation, and infection. Most veterinarians recommend playtime toys be purchased at your local pet store rather than home made.
At your local pet store, you can find a variety of toys. Some toys provide hours of chew time for your Puggle, while others are designed for training. Puggle pups love to play chase, hide and seek, and fetch. The more running and chasing you can introduce to the game the more excitement it creates.

New Puppy Information

Important New Puppy owner information

Here is a list to consider before your precious puppy comes home:

Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of his reach. Most are toxic.

Restrict access to plants that are dangerous to dogs: Amaryllis, Azaleas, Bleeding Heart, Caladium, Clematis, Daffodil, Daphne, Dumb Cane, English Ivy, Foxglove, Holly, Iris, Japanese Yew, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Narcissus, Oleander, Philodendron, Poinsettias, Potato, Rhododendrons, Rubber Plant, Tobacco, Tulip, Weeping Fig.

Store breakable items safely out of the way.

Hide or cover electrical cords so he won’t chew on them.

Safely store antifreeze, engine oil, laundry detergents and lawn chemicals.

Keep children's toys off of the floor-since some parts may be small enough for your puppy to swallow.

Use a cover and/or protective fencing if you have a pool or hot tub.

No chocolate or grapes. They can be toxic if consumed in large enough quantities.

Supervise puppy with small children.

If crating, leave a safe toy to chew on while you are gone--NOT rawhide,
use a kong toy from the pet store, they are safe to chew on.

If crating, leave a radio playing softly, the noise will be very soothing, they are used to this, my nursery has a radio playing for them.

If crating, wear an old t-shirt to bed and leave it in the crate or bed, they will be very comforted by your scent.

Please do not leave your puppy unsupervised. If you have to leave your puppy to work, leave them in a nice big crate, puppy play pen, baby play pen or a small puppy proofed room. Make sure it is big enough to leave water and food if you are going to be gone for a long period of time.

I do not recommend leaving collars or harnesses on them unattended, they could get caught on something and not be able to move or could hang themselves, these should only be used under supervision. I prefer harness rather than collar for puppies.

If you are shipping your puppy, you will need to bring along I.D. for pickup. I also suggest bringing a towel and or baby wipes in case they have an accident in their crate before arrival.

If shipping, you will need to bring a bottle of water, they have frozen ice which will thaw but they may drink it or all or it may spill, so please have fresh water for their arrival. I also suggest bringing nutri-cal , nutri-stat or mega-cal to give them after the flight and once daily for one week after arrival. This is a nutritional supplement that aids in stress and decreased appetite.

You can purchase it online or at your local pet store.
Please keep your puppy on Purine One which we currently feed. If you do decide to change do so very gradually by mixing with Purina. I also suggest for the first few daysif they are not eating well, to add chicken flavor baby food or cottage cheese to their food about a tablespoon per cup to give it flavor. If they are not eating well, you might also try plain fat free yogurt this may be more appetizing to them.

Of very most importance, make sure your puppy has fresh water at all times. You may want to mix your water with bottled water for the first few weeks because water is different in different parts of the country and the change of water may upset their stomachs.

In reference to potty training, I will start their housetraining and they have been on carpet in their nursery as well so they normally will not potty on the carpet. Being consistent is the key. They will need to potty after eating and sleeping. Take them out the same door to the same place, you might also want to try litter box training, bell training, or clicker training.

Included with your puppy will be his medical record and a vaccination schedule. Your puppy will be up to date on vaccinations and will have his vet check and certification which is required before shipping. Please keep your puppy vaccinated. Prevention is less costly than cure and is so very important for puppies.

Last but not least, give your puppy lots of T.L.C.,they have been very prespoiled for you and would like to continue receiving lots of love and attention.

Have Puggle, Will Travel

I have found that over the years, my Puggles love to go for a car ride. It makes their day when you say, "Lets go for a car ride!" It is on top of their list along with, DO YOU WANT A TREAT, and TIME FOR A WALK.

Breed Information

Breed Group: Not Akc Recognized

Weight: Male: 15-30; Female: 15-30 lbs

Height: Male: 13-15, Female: 13-15 inches

Color(s): Fawn and black, golden, black, white; may be tri-colored.

Coat: The coat of the Puggle is dense, short, and coarse in texture.

Overview: The Puggle is a cross of two breeds: Pug and Beagle. They are often referred to as a "designer dog" and have become popular companions.

Life Expectancy: Puggles life expectancy is 10 - 15 years with the average life span closer to 15 years.

Character: The appearance of the Puggle varies widely. An ideal Puggle possesses an athletic, slightly longer body like that of a Beagle. They also have a leaner and longer muzzle. Puggle's retain the large, round eyes, curled tail, and wrinkles of the Pug.

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Temperament: The Puggle is affectionate, active, fun-loving, and even-tempered. They thrive on attention and human interaction. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time. If bored or lonely they will become destructive and bark or bay incessantly. They do well with children, dogs, and other household pets and make suitable playmates. Puggle's are friendly toward strangers, but will bark to announce visitors or out of the ordinary sounds.

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Care: Occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is required for the Puggle. The wrinkles and ears must be cleansed daily and bathing should be done when necessary. They are prone to such health issues as heat intolerance, skin infections, eye infections, and respiratory problems.

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Training: The Puggle has a tendency to be stubborn and may be very difficult to housebreak. The crate training method works best. Early socialization and obedience is recommended. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with reward, firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency.

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Activity: The Puggle requires a high degree of physical exercise and mental stimulation. They will do okay in an apartment provided they are sufficiently exercised and have a wide variety of safe toys to play with. Puggle's must be taken on several securely leashed walks daily and enjoy off-lead play in a dog park. They do best with a securely fenced yard with ample room to romp and run.

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Barking: Puggles do bark. Some more than others. In our experience, though, the Puggle barks remarkably little, especially if discouraged early on.

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Howling: Some Puggles do howl on occasion. They can inherit this trait from the beagle genes. This is not common however and, as mentioned earlier, this can be minimized by discouraging the behavior early on.

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Health: The Puggle is not necessarily healthier than its parent breeds Both Beagles and Pugs can suffer from cherry eye, epilepsy, skin infections, luxating patellas, back ailments, and other genetic disorders that can be passed onto their puppies.
Puggles also occasionally inherit hip dysplasia from one of the parents. While these disorders can be avoided through careful selection of parents, they are common enough to warrant concern. In addition, Puggles can suffer from the respiratory ailments commonly found in Pugs, which might be problematic when combined with the Beagle's higher levels of energy. Because of many puggles' brachycephalic nature, like their pug ancestry, puggles are often intolerate of extreme temperatures, puggles are one of the hardest breeds to take care of.

Zoey

Puggles always are craving attention! Sorry Zoey! I didn't mean to ignore you! As I was saying, puggles crave attention. They love to be right along side of you and a good belly rub!