Kismet's Puppies
A Cavalier puppy has a trusting disposition and will soon settle into his new home, but for the first few days he may be lonely for his litter mates and original family.
Place the crate in the room you and your puppy spend most of your time. Leave the crate open so he can go in and out freely. You want him to like his crate and think of it as a safe place. At bedtime, take the crate and place it by your bed, at least at first.
Place the puppy in the crate with a treat (biscuit). If he fusses, comfort him with your hand though the kennel door. Sometimes a radio on low, or a clock in his bed helps to comfort a young puppy. If he won’t settle down and continues to cry, he may need another trip outside.
Take your puppy out on a leash, or put him in a potty area or pen, when he first wakes up, after he has eaten, and frequently during the day. Never just turn him loose outside, for a Cavalier will have no fear of danger and will be distracted easily. He will run right up to a big dog, or out in front of a car, and won’t respond when you call. Use a fenced - in yard or leash for exercise.
While house - training, your puppy needs to be watched carefully. If he starts sniffing the floor and turning in circles, he might quickly squat to go. Take him outside immediately, even if he’s in mid - stream. If you catch him in the act, (even if he has just come in from outside), say “no”, and take him out to where you want him to go. Use the same word, “outside” when it’s time to go out, or “go potty” while waiting for him to go. Then praise him for being successful. If you weren’t watching close enough, and you find a pile or puddle, don’t get upset and scold or rub his nose in it. Puppies cannot reason or understand something that happened before. To harshly scold your puppy will only make him afraid and confused.
Puppies need something to chew on. Give him “chew” bones, not real bones, and safe toys so your puppy has something to chew on besides you and the furniture. If he chews on something you don’t want him to, try to distract him with something else rather than using harsh correction. Cavaliers are sensitive, and will respond better to love, consistency, and praise rather than scolding. So instead, just offer him something that it’s okay to chew on.
Puppies should be fed twice a day, morning and early evening. (three times a day at first to get them eating good while adjusting to being away from their mother.) Feed them the amount they will clean up at one time, about a third to a half of a cup, increase, as they get older. Adding some boiling water to the feed will warm and soften it, and will make the puppy like it better, but be sure to test it with your finger to make sure it isn’t to hot before you give it to the puppy. Have water available with his meal, and daytime just before he goes out for exercise. Restrict the water about two hours before bedtime. It’s not unusual for puppies to go off feed the first few days adjusting to a new home and routine. For treats, puppy biscuits small carrots, and jerky strips are good. NEVER FEED CHOCOLATE, it is very toxic to dogs, even fatal to small puppies. Some house plants are also poisonous.
Don’t let him beg for table scraps while you’re eating. Feed him in his own place, or put him in a different room with something to chew on. Spaniel dishes help keep their ears clean, or some people have them wear a little bonnet to keep their ears up out of the food.
Groom two or three times a week. A slicker brush gently removes knots and tangles. Many hair mats can be removed by holding the mat in your hand and gently pulling and freeing a few hairs from the mat at a time. However if the mat is stubborn it is kinder to simply cut it off with your blunt nosed scissors. Being careful of course to not catch any of your puppy’s skin in the scissors. A bristle brush works well on the body. You can use cotton balls with warm water to gently wipe the tear stains and residue by the eyes. Trimming the nails every couple weeks helps your puppy know it’s just part of the grooming routine. You can see thru the white nails, just nip of the end (not into the quick) use the white nails as a guild, when cutting the black nails.
Cavaliers love to go with you in the car. Puppy obedience classes build confidence in new situations, and provide exposure to other dogs and people. Remember, for their own protection, Cavaliers should always be kept on a leash during outings.
