| Diet
Awangarda PON puppies are fed Eukanuba Puppy, Small Breed puppy food. The pups
have had dry food available, and are fed food softened with hot water twice a
day. PONs love to eat. They will eat anything; but not everything
agrees with them. It is recommended that PONs diet contain more than 19% crude
fat. If their diet is too high in fat, they will develop diarrhea. DO NOT
OVER-FEED!! The dog should be maintained at a weight of 30 to 45 pounds max,
depending on body size. To do this, I have found that feeding approximately 2
cups of food per day in two separate feedings is a good maintenance feeding.
Increase or decrease in small increments to maintain control. Control of diet is
the best key to maintaining health. I feed adult PONs with weight control
problems Eukanuba Reduced-Fat.
Maintaining Health
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Your vet will be your best advisor on
your dog’s health maintenance. Schedule shots and routine veterinary
checks. |
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Diarrhea: If your PON develops diarrhea, discontinue
normal food and give them canned pumpkin (no sugar added) This will
allow them to stabilize, and then slowly introduce their normal diet.
Generally if this occurs, there are two causes: first is if they ate
something they should not have, second is anxiety can sometimes cause
diarrhea. |
Grooming needs
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Check the ears regularly (at least weekly). Use a
good ear wash recommended by your vet. Remove hairs from the ear canal
by pulling out. Use of Otomax after pulling hairs from the ear canal
will avoid an infection. This must be obtained from your vet.
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Regular
brushing is required to keep the coat from becoming matted. An
undercoat rake and dematting rake will be required to maintain the
coat. Failure to keep up on the coat could result in the need to clip
it off and start over. |
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Bathing less than once a month is not sufficient. Optimally, twice a
month with weekly thorough brushing will help maintain the coat.
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Behavior Modification
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Dominance: PONs need structure in their lives. In the absence of
this, they will seek to impose their idea of structure. A good routine
is your best behavior management tool. It is a good practice to expect
compliance before rewards. This maintains your dominance. Example: I
make my PONs sit before they get their dinner. At first, it was hard for
them to sit still. Now, they have learned that as soon as they are
sitting, they get fed, and you would be amazed how quickly they sit
down!!! |
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Aggression: The pup must first learn that the teeth inflict pain.
After that, any sign of aggressive behavior should immediately have a
consequence. What I have found to work best is a soft muzzle. The dogs
hate it. When I put it on them in response to behavior, they get the
message. It is non-violent and gives a clear message. When my dogs get
too excitable and will not settle down, the muzzle gets everything into
perspective. If they are making too much racket, the same applies.
Interestingly after a few times of this restrictive approach, the word
"muzzle" will have the same impact.
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Safety: PONs are notorious for their incessant curiosity.
What has worked best for me is the motto: if a room is not in use, the
door is closed. Always protect your PON from getting into
something that can be harmful to it. This includes but is not
limited to hazardous substances. For example, PONs have been known
to consume human medication of they get at it... with disastrous
results. Do not leave your purse with such items within your dog's
reach. Remember, they consider themselves your equal... this means
that anything you do, they believe they should be able to do as well.
I once had a pup destroy my TV remote while I was at work. This
surprised me, because I could see nothing of interest about it... but of
course, I used it, and it had my smell on it...
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Equipment
I recommend a halter over a choker chain for leash. The Gentle
Leader
®
is also extremely effective in training as well as leash.
Kenneling your pup from the beginning overnight will be best for you and
your dog. DO NOT use the kennel as a discipline.
Training
I recommend a puppy class between 3-6 months of age, and at least beginning
obedience.
PONs are great at
agility. One of the top agility dogs is a PON. See APONC website for
details.
H erding: Try it, you might be amazed!!
Veterinary / Pet Supply outlets
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