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Basic Newf Know
How:
Grooming: Basic equipment is a slicker
brush, steel comb, rake and nail clippers. Be careful not to scratch the
skin. Keep nails cut back and the hair between the pads of the feet cut off
flush with the pads. Check inside the ears regularly and clean with cotton
pads as necessary. Use ear wash solution or a mild mixture of warm water and
white vinegar. Keep your Newf well groomed and free of all mats. There are
no excuses!! Bathe your Newf with a good dog shampoo on a regular basis. A
wonderful product for mats is Cowboy Magic Detangler which is available at
some feed stores that carry horse products. A canine dog dryer is a
wonderful investment along with a grooming table and grooming arm. Grooming
can be a pleasurable experience for you and your dog with considerable
bonding as your enjoy each other’s company.
Training: A trained dog is a happy dog. He knows what is expected of
him and is welcome almost anywhere. Your Newfoundland will be a magnet and
you want to be proud of him. Dogs are creatures of habit, be sure that your
pup develops good ones. Be consistent in your training. Obedience school is
essential for a giant breed. I will be glad to help you find a suitable
class for you to attend with your pup. Be sure that it’s one that is
comfortable for you. Training a dog is work, but time very well spent!!
Exercise: Your puppy should spend a
part of the day in his fenced yard. He will develop better if he has free
exercise. Pups that only have short leash walks or lay around all day will
not develop the strong muscles and healthy bones they need. Having said
this: NO FORCED EXERCISE FOR THE FIRST YEAR!! A puppy’s bones are soft and
cannot handle excessive exercise. Puppy will go till he can’t anymore to try
to please you. DO NOT ALLOW PUPPY WITH OLDER DOGS WHO WILL PLAY TOO ROUGH!!
All it takes is one bad spill and you could do permanent damage. Do not drag
him around for mile long walks when he’s still a baby. Use your judgment and
treat your puppy like the baby he is for the first year. Remember, puppy
will grow a big body but he’s still a youngster. Slippery floors are not
good for your puppy. Puppy needs a non-skid surface so he doesn’t slip and
injure himself. Excessive stair climbing is not good for a young dog and
that includes up and down. Try to keep your youngster from racing down
flights of stairs and landing with a jump at the bottom. Again, good
training will help.
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