POOCH PALACE KENNELS LTD.

Breeders of Bichon /Shih Tzu and

Bichon /Shih Tzu /Yorkie Cross puppies

Box 249    Linden Alberta (Canada)

(formerly of Balzac, AB relocated in 2009)

Serving Calgary and Area since 1982   

Product Information:

Bichon/Shih Tzu/ Yorkie Information, Bichon/Shih Tzu/Yorkie Puppies for Sale

Bichon/ Shih Tzu Information, Bichon/Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale

    Our "adult dog placement program" (available in Canada only) involves dogs of all ages, backgrounds, and needs. These dogs are secured from one of three areas in our breeding program:

•  Stock raised - for assessment to see if they will continue in our breeding program and will be commonly 6 months to 2 years of age when their final assessment is complete and they are released for placement.

•  Retired - they have played an active part in our breeding program and are now ready to enter "private life". They are 3 - 4 years of age.

•  Returned - because of our lifetime buy back return policy on all of our puppies and adults, we see all ages, for various reasons, returning for placement.

    Potential buyers can be assured that "problem dogs" will not enter into our adoption program and all dogs will have shots up to date and are altered. We will work with you to assess your needs and to place the proper dog with you. All dogs go out on an initial 30 day trial, with a full money back guarantee during this time and a lifetime prorated money back guarantee beyond this period.

    Adoptive homes need to supply common needs such as a fully fenced yard, not leaving dogs alone for more than 6 hours at a time per day and having appropriate ages of children for the specific dog. Some dogs need a home with another companion dog and most adult dogs do not do well in condo settings, as an individual fenced yard is usually not available or is to small.

    Dogs departing directly from the breeding program of the kennel, will sometimes have little or no "house" exposure, but will be crate and leash trained, and have been going outside to eliminate since they were 10 weeks of age. The needs of these dogs vary from previous "house" dogs, but they can be a very successful companions for the right people.

    Purchase price is based on the age and training of the dog, starting at $200.00 plus G.S.T. for dogs 4 years of age and going up from there for younger dogs.

    Now that you have considered taking an adult dog into your home, here are some hints on what to expect from them and how you can help make the adjustments as easy as possible. There is a difference in their handling, depending on whether kennel raised or previously house raised.

PREVIOUSLY HOUSE RAISED

    These dogs usually adapt quite quickly to being in your home, as they will be familiar with being in a house - it's sounds, smells and objects.

•  The first day or two is when the adult dog is most likely to mark its territory, so expect and watch for a puddle or two, or stool to be left, usually on a rug or in the basement as these are popular marking areas. For this reason, it is advisable to keep your dog confined to the kitchen when you are not actually with him, and keep him out of the basement when not attended. Be quick to scold him if he does mark - if you don't, he will consider it positive affirmation of his action. Be firm, but not rough - shake your finger at him, lower your voice and gruffly tell him he is bad and escort him out side.

•  New dogs should be caged or at least confined to one room ( use a baby gate rather than closing the door) for the first month at least, when you leave him, just in case he experiences separation anxiety and causes damage while you are gone. As he settles in, you can give him more freedom as he earns it.

•  Be extra careful that yard gates are closed and doors (especially front door) are monitored as he could become frightened should he find himself outside your home, and not knowing where he is, could run away from you into traffic or get lost. 

•  Caution all visitors, especially children, not to force themselves on your new dog, by running up to him, trying to pick him up or squeezing him tightly, as he may act out of instinct and snap. The chances of this happening are considerably less after he has been with you a month.

•  Expect him not to eat for 1 - 3 days when he first comes home, but do not be concerned as long as he is drinking.  It is not advisable to switch to a different food as that could cause diarrhea.

•  Put him out often, every couple of hours the first week or so, until he is comfortable with your yard and goes to the bathroom regularly.

•  Always keep a leash on him outside your yard!

KENNEL RAISED

The handling and expectations of the kennel raised dog differ somewhat from the house raised dog, mainly in that the house, yard, car and all its sounds, smells and actions are very new to the kennel dog.  This is a completely new world to them and at first, it can be quite overwhelming, depending on the temperament and age of the dog. Most kennel raised dogs are used to being in a controlled situation, void of loud noises, sudden movements and new objects and people invading their personal territory. They also use a dog door to go outside to the bathroom and therefore, must learn to hold their eliminations and indicate their need to go outside. This all takes time and at first, because of all the sudden adjustments, the kennel raised dog may appear submissive, or "abused", simply because it is unsure of what is happening. It may ignore coming to or responding to you. The positive note to all this, is that by taking a kennel dog and making him a family pet, you are giving the dog attention and freedoms it hasn't experienced before. Once they understands what is happening, they will love it.

The best advice is to start slow, don't introduce all the kids, relatives you know, all the rooms in your house, etc to your dog at once. Keep a 6 foot leash on him at all times, inside and outside, until he responds to his name, as it gives you easy access to him if he should get scared or do something wrong. Use the same correction as in the care of house dogs previously written to instruct the dog in housetraining habits and follow all the same instructions as they apply to both types of adult dogs.

A new home to a kennel raised dog is a whole new world, compared to a house raised dog, where it is only new ownership and a location change they will be affected by. Watch in particular people approaching the new dog, especially children, as they act suddenly, and at times loudly. Kennel dogs are not used to people coming into their territory (their kennel run) except staff, and are sometimes frightened, especially when they have no dog buddies to back them up. Allow as much as possible for the dog to come to you with encouragement, until he feels secure. Car rides should be brief and often at first, until he feels safe.

All adult dogs of our breed have the following requirements:

•  They need to be brushed thoroughly once a week minimum, with a bi-weekly to monthly bath, crème rinse and blow dry to avoid matting. they should be clipped every 6 - 12 weeks depending on your preference of coat length.

•  Adult dogs can be free fed or given two meals a day, and should  be fed low calorie or low protein dry dog food. One tablespoon of vegetable oil to a cup of dry food will help keep his skin from drying out. This should be kept up every time you give him fresh food.

• This breed does not have to be walked, providing you have a large, fenced yard, but does enjoy an outing if you so wish. Give your new kennel raised dog  a week to get used to everything before attempting to take him for a walk, then take to a quiet park area for the first few weeks. DON'T TAKE OFF LEASH.

As with all our placements, access to additional help is available at all times.

        [ Home ] [ Puppy Information ] [ Bichon/Shih Tzu/Yorkie ] [ Bichon /Shih Tzu ] [ Older Puppies for Sale ] [ Adult  information ] [ Adult Dogs for Sale ] [ Grooming ] [ Warranty ]

       
        Last modified: 02/06/12