These hand-made crates let you show off your pooch’s play house.  They feature powder coated wire for easy cleaning and long-lasting looks.

Go!PetDesign also make accessories for the crate and toys. Their web site has helpful hints on crate training, and more. You can purchase it online or visit one of their retail stores.

Your puppy also needs to continue socializing with other dogs; so it can build on the doggie skills it learned while part of its birth pack. Enrolling in a well-run puppy kindergarten class with a qualified trainer is the best way to ensure your puppy acquires doggie socialization in a safe and supervised environment. Not only will your puppy have a chance to play with other puppies; but will start to learn some basic obedience commands as well.

Time spent training and socializing your puppy is the best investment you can make in its future.

Often we would just take them to any grass area with lots of people. Because they were white fluffy dogs, people would come over to admire and pet them.

Socializing your puppies today

More people, cars, dogs and laws have added a new dimension. With the coming of coffee houses and outside seating  it is easier to find places to go and bring your dog. Still there are guidelines and common sense involved.

• Be prepared to clean up after your puppy. Small plastic grocery bags and paper towels are a good way to start.
• Stay away from aggressive dogs and those that are too big for your puppy. This must be a good experience for both of you. Start out slow and work up to more complex situations.
• Wait until your puppy is at least 3 months old before visiting dog parks. Your puppy’s immune system needs to develop and an early introduction to a wide variety of dogs will encourages the spread of bordatella and other common ailments.

Areas to socialize your puppy in Encinitas

The first two places that come to mind are Critter’s Corner where the Bichon Bash was held. It is located off Requeza at 389 Requeza St. (From Alcala Pet Care, take El Camino Real to Encinitas Blvd. Left on Westpark. Head towards the freeway and immediately before you would go over the freeway go left at the signs.) Critter’s Corner is immediately behind the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

The second place is a park I have heard about but not gone to on Encinitas Blvd. west of the freeway and towards Vulcan Street and Pac. Coast Highway. I have forgotten the name but believe it is on the right hand side as you head west. Maybe someone can help us out here with more places, a good project for an adventurous pair.

Ben Hunkins, a friend, an up-and-coming golfer, and real estate person has
just met his new puppy. Ben selected him after making sure the breeder had taken all the
necessary precautions and tests before breeding her bitch. He will pickup the puppy at 8 weeks of age when it
is safe for a knowledgeable dog person to take a puppy home.

Ben’s Mother is a breeder of Bichon Frise and he has been around dogs all his life.

This will be a great home for this puppy. The puppy has no name as of yet.
When the puppy is in need of care Ben will bring him to Alcala Pet Care.

Help your mothers and others

About twenty years ago I was very concerned about the mother of a litter of six puppies. The puppies where healthy and eating extremely well; the poor mother was having a hard time to meet their needs.

Expressing my concerns to a fellow friend and dog breeder, Gertrude told me about a custard that she had success when helping feed a litter. I use this to help take some of the load off the mother so she remains in excellent condition and the puppies are quiet and healthy. When using this food the mothers continue to keep the babies clean.

Puppy Custard:

• 2 Qts. 1% milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup Cream of Wheat
• 1 large or 2 small eggs

In a double boiler add milk, sugar, and cream of wheat. Stir and cook until the sugar and cream of wheat are well dissolved and cooked. It takes about twenty minutes for this to take place.

In a small dish whisk eggs and slowly add small amounts of hot milk mixture to eggs. Add egg mixture slowly to milk in pan whisking during the process. After stirring well cover pan and turn the heat to low and cook for approximately 45 minutes.

Do not remove lid until finished. Remove from heat and cool.

Feeding

I use a large eye dropper to feed puppies; the mixture may be thinned with milk. Feed warm.

Good for more than puppies

When feeding puppies and dogs that are ill; use common sense. I have used this food when adult dogs are stressed and eating is an issue.

This custard is wonderful for people who are very ill and have a hard time eating and/or taking medicine. Many stories could be told on this subject.

Do to current dog food problems I wrote this very quickly. If you have any questions or suggestions please let us hear from you.

Jim
Alcala Pet Care