HOW TO POTTY TRAIN YOUR PUPPY

By Buck Russell

Bringing a new puppy into your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with many responsibilities, including potty training. Potty training your puppy is an essential part of their development, and it can be a challenging task, but with patience, consistency and positive reinforcement, it can be achieved successfully. In this article, we will discuss some tips and tricks on how to potty train your puppy effectively.

Start Early

Potty training should begin as early as possible, preferably when the puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old. At this age, puppies have a shorter attention span, and they are less likely to have developed bad habits. They are also more receptive to learning and training. Starting early will also help your puppy learn the rules of your home and establish a routine.

Establish A Routine

Establishing a routine is essential in potty training your puppy. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, before bedtime and after playtime. Puppies have small bladders, and they need to go out frequently, especially when they are younger. Consistency is key in establishing a routine, so stick to the same schedule every day.

Choose A Designated Potty Area

Choosing a designated potty area will help your puppy learn where to go. Take your puppy to the same spot every time you take them out. This will help them recognize the smell of their urine or feces and associate it with going potty. Make sure the designated potty area is away from any distractions and is easily accessible.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a crucial aspect of potty training your puppy. Praise and reward your puppy every time they go potty in the designated area. Use treats, verbal praise and physical affection to reinforce good behavior. Avoid punishment or scolding your puppy if they have an accident. Punishing your puppy will only make them scared and confused, making the potty training process longer.

Monitor Your Puppy

Monitoring your puppy is essential in potty training. Keep a close eye on your puppy, especially during the early stages of training. If you notice any signs of your puppy needing to go potty, such as sniffing around, circling, or whining, take them out immediately to the designated potty area. If your puppy has an accident inside, clean it up immediately, and do not scold or punish them.

Use A Crate

Using a crate can be a useful tool in potty training your puppy. Dogs are naturally clean animals, and they do not like to eliminate where they sleep. Crate training can help your puppy learn to hold their bladder for longer periods. Make sure the crate is the right size for your puppy, and never leave your puppy in the crate for too long.

Potty training your puppy can be a challenging task, but it is an essential part of their development. Starting early, establishing a routine, choosing a designated potty area, using positive reinforcement, monitoring your puppy, and using a crate can all be useful tools in potty training. Remember to be patient, consistent, and positive, and with time, your puppy will learn to potty outside like a pro!

Facts You Should Know About Shingles & the Shingles Vaccine

By Jay Lang

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same pathogen that causes chicken pox. Infection causes a rash that can be long lasting and very painful. Early treatment can help to reduce discomfort from the infection, and a vaccine is available to prevent infection. A few facts can help you determine if the shingles vaccine is right for you.

Who Gets Shingles?

If you have had chicken pox in the past, the varicella-zoster virus may be lying dormant in the tissues of your body. Years later, this virus can become active again, causing the infection and resulting in uncomfortable symptoms. People over the age of 50 are more prone to get the infection. If you are taking steroid medications for a period of time, you are more susceptible to shingles infection. People who are under treatment for cancer are more vulnerable. Some immune system diseases can increase your risk of infection.

Symptoms of the Shingles infection may appear as a patch of blisters that wraps around the trunk of the body, usually on just one side. Some people may get the rash on the face, neck, or near the eyes. Itching, tingling and sensitivity to touch may occur at the site. Fatigue, headache and fever can sometimes occur. Other people may never get the rash but experience pain that is often confused with other medical problems. Most people will develop the infection only once, but repeated infection is possible.

Complications From Shingles

Because shingles affects the nerves, severe pain can occur, which may be lasting. If the infection occurs near the eyes, vision loss can result. Pneumonia, hearing loss and brain infection can occur as a result of the infection. Contact with open sores can lead to infection in other people who have not had chicken pox.

Diagnosing Shingles Infection

Your doctor may be able to diagnose the infection based on the appearance of the rash and symptoms of pain. However, if there is a question about the diagnosis, fluid from the blisters may be taken for laboratory examination.

Treatment of Shingles Infection

Although there is no cure for shingles, your healthcare provider can offer a number of medications to relieve itching and discomfort from the infection, as well as to shorten the duration. Your doctor may prescribe topical lotions to relieve itching, antiviral drugs, steroid medications and antidepressants or anticonvulsants to help manage pain.

Preventing Shingles With the Shingles Vaccine

A new vaccine is available to prevent severe shingles infection that will reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. It is administered in two separate injections. This current vaccine, which offers 90 percent effectiveness against the virus, is an improvement over the older vaccines, which only provided 70 percent effectiveness. This vaccine is available through your physician and from large pharmacies. Individuals who have received the older vaccine given several years ago are not fully protected from the virus and should receive the new vaccine.

Side Effects From the Shingles Vaccine

Most people will only experience soreness in the arm at the site of the injection. However, others may experience fatigue, headache, muscle pain, nausea or stomach pain for 2 to 3 days after injection. You should always notify your physician of any severe reactions from a vaccine. Acquiring a shingles infection is a very real health issue because it can cause severe discomfort and medical complications in some people. Today's safe and effective vaccines are the best way to avoid serious effects from shingles.