About Penny DiLoreto Expertise As a certified veterinary assistant and a dog breeder, with over 16 years of hands on experience, I am qualified to answer questions in the following categories; General pet health issues, dog grooming, puppy socialization, dog breeding, and basic dog training
Experience In accordance with the Veterinary Assistant program requirmements, I completed 200 hours of intern work under the supervision of a licensed Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, and volunteered the Escondido Humane Society.
Organizations AKC, ACA, and ABA
Publications I have several articles related to; dog grooming, dog behavior issues, and medical topics, printed on various computer websites and free article content sites. If you would like to preview my articles, links to those sites, and articles, are posted on my website located at www.puppies-dot-com.com
Education/Credentials I have a Certificate of Competency from the San Diego Country Regional Occupational Veterinary Assistant Program, and attained Occupational Competencies in the following categories: Animal Handling and Restraint, Vaccines and Injections, Health and safety, Veterinary Laws/Ethics/Industry Data, Biohazard Waste Disposal Laws, Medicating and Grooming Procedures, Medical Math, Breed Identification, and Parasitological studies. I also received an Outstanding Student Award for my accomplishments in these studies from the ROP program.
Awards and Honors I received an, "Outstanding Student Award", from the San Diego ROP Veterinary Assistant program.
Past/Present Clients A partial listing of my past and current clients can be viewed on my website www.puppies-dot-com.com by clicking on the Testimonial Page.
Expert: Penny DiLoreto Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: Boston Baby
Question Hello again Penny I belive I asked you a question before,
I have found the perfect puppy! And I can bring her home around the end of June. I have other dogs and know the basics but have a few questions I need answers to and am hoping you can help...
Firstly I work 9-5 5 days a week with an occasional weekend here and there, I raised my last Boston with the same workshift without any problems can I assume this puppy will be fine with the same schedule? I am planning to put the puppy in a puppy exercise pen(metal panels) indoors with food/water/bedding/toys and newspaper or pee pads within view of my crated dogs would this work or is she better in a crate? (24" or 36 "?) I have someone at home to let my adult dogs out during the day for me and feed them but I know a puppies schedule is a bit more hectic with potty breaks so I don't want to bother anyone with the chore.
Can I indoor potty train the puppy until she is old enough to hold it for at lest half a day?(someone would let her out half way through the day once she is older) I would like to paper train train her for the first few months with some outdoor potty breaks so she can relieve herself when I'm not at home since I know puppies can not hold it very long.
If the puppy whines when I leave(my other Boston never did... but did give me the saddest look ever!) how can I stop this behavior, would it take long for the puppy to outgrow it? This is the main thing that worries me... as I live with several roommates one of which has two small children who take 'naps' during the daytime, Any tips or advice on keeping my new baby quiet(no screaming/howling) when im off at work would be very much appreciated.
Thank you ever so much for any information/advice you can give me.
Answer Hi Tara. Crating your new puppy for a few hours per day is good, but I do not suggest this for extended periods of time.
I normally recommend that my puppy buyers do the following: select an area of your home that has floors that can be easily cleaned such as a kitchen or a laundry room – carpets and new puppies do not go well together. Section off the room using a puppy play pen or a child proof gate. This way your puppy can see out and you can see in. Place your puppy in the room with the following;
A place to sleep – this can be a crate (with the door removed) an 8 week old puppy does not have the bladder control to be locked inside a create while you are at work. If you prefer, until he is potty trained, you can use a bath towel for a bed, or purchase a dog bed from your local pet supply store. Personally, I like using the crate with the door off. This way the puppy gets use to the crate, and the door can be put back on when he is older and capable of holding his bladder longer.
Water – NO FOOD (unless its feeding time)
Toys – The fleese or rope type. No rawhide, greenies, pig ears, plastic toys.
Place to Pee - Pee pads or newspapers.
If possible you can also turn on your favorite music station. I have music playing in the kennels all the time. This helps the puppies to remain calm, and drowns out any noises that might cause them to bark, such door bells, telephones, etc.
Good luck with your new puppy, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions. Sincerely, Penny D.
