How do I Crate-Train my Puppy?
A sturdy wire mesh dog crate can be the best friend you and you dog will ever have. To you, a crate may seem to be a "cage". So you may object to the idea. However, the dog regards his crate as a handy indoor dog house - a "security blanket" to which he can retreat to rest, escape confusion, or adjust to strange surroundings.

If you should travel with him or leave him in someone else's care, to him it spells "home" wherever it is set up. For the puppy, the crate is an invaluable training aid. Confined to his crate while his owner is out of the house, he can't destroy or soil anything or hurt himself. He really welcomes this sort of security when alone.

How to use the Dog Crate Correctly
Start your puppy in it as soon as possible, the younger the better. Set it up in a comer, wherever you plan to keep him. Put in a blanket, old rug, or soft towel. Don't attempt to use the cushions made to fit the crate until your puppy is over the chewing phase.

Further security is gained by placing a blanket or other covering over the top and sides of the crate - making it a real "dog house", especially at night. Put in toys for him to play with. To avoid crate soiling, do not leave food or water in the crate. Don't force your puppy into the crate or use it for punishment. If your puppy falls asleep elsewhere, gently pick him up and place him in the crate. Soon, he will seek it out automatically when he is tired.

Don't be afraid to crate your puppy for short intervals several times daily, especially when you are too busy to watch him. This is important for housebreaking purposes and also for his safety. Puppies like and need to chew, but they lack the knowledge of what is dangerous.

Always confine your puppy when you leave the house. He may howl with resentment at first; this is not a resentment of the crate, it is because you are leaving him behind. Give him a rawhide bone or toy to keep him occupied while you are away. Don't weaken, he will settle down once you leave.

Learning this type of discipline is a vital part of your puppy's development. The puppy's brain is fully developed by the time he reaches seven weeks of age and he is going to learn with or without your guidance. Your puppy may as well learn what you want rather than picking up bad habits in the process.

Always remember to remove his collar when crating him as a collar can become caught in the mesh and badly frighten or injure your dog. Confine your puppy to his crate all night to prevent destructiveness or house soiling. Remember to taper off food and water several hours before bedtime to prevent crate soiling over night.

Remember crating your puppy is best for his safety and it is a natural place for him to rest.

What are ear mites, and how can I treat them? What are ear mites?
Ear mites (Otodectes cyanotis) are tiny parasites that live on the skin and in the ear canals of dogs and cats.

How do pets become infested with ear mites?
The parasites are transferred easily from one animal to another by direct contact.

What are the signs of infestation?
Mites are extremely irritating to pets. Vigorous scratching at the ears and shaking of the head are common signs of infestation. A build-up of dark, waxy material is evident in the ear canals.

How is infestation diagnosed?
Ear mite infestation is diagnosed by examination of the ear canal with an otoscope, an instrument consisting of a lighted funnel that is inserted in the ear canal, and by microscopic examination of ear wax and debris to detect the presence of mites.

What problems do ear mites cause?
Ear mites survive by feeding off the lining of the ear canal. This activity causes inflammation and the build-up of waxy debris. Ears infested with mites are susceptible to bacterial infections. A hematoma (a bruise or blood-clot under the skin) may also develop on the ear flap as a result of the scratching and head shaking. Surgery is often required to correct hematomas.

What is the treatment?
In the past, ear mite treatment involved two weeks of treatments to eliminate eggs, larvae and adults. Today, longer lasting insecticides allows for only a one time treatment of mites. The ear irritation and secondary bacterial infection caused by mites usually needs about seven days of medication to resolve. Excess debris accumulation may require anesthetic for complete treatment (because mites are most common in puppies, this usually can be done with the spay or neuter).