Training Your Puggle Begins Right Away 

Puggles are a Puzzlement!

Puggle puppies are amazingly complex, with powerful sense of family (pack dynamics) and their place in it. Interestingly, they are constantly testing and reaffirming their place in the pack and in your heart.

You are going to discover, early on, that Puggles are not easily left behind or caged, even for the night. Puggles frequently suffer from separation anxiety (to be covered soon). Puggles want to be next to, touching, engaged with, and, in a very literally sense, bound to their fellow members of the pack….you and your family.

Our Puggle, TuffGuy, is always within arm's reach of at least one family member! His favorite spot during the day is in my office...on the recliner, of course!

Puggles will give all the love, loyalty, and attention you can handle consistently, constantly, and in rank order!

When TuffGuy was a puppy, he would travel through the night from one bed to the next, checking on everyone and getting to know everyone.

Let it happen!

Or, as the song goes: Let the love grow!

The bond created between you, your family, and your Puggle will improve your relationship with your puppy long term; and, it’ll make for a happy and healthy adult Puggle.

Finally, be consistently firm and positive with your newest family member.

Puggles will not back down! So don’t try to bully or intimidate; it doesn’t work. In fact, be excessively, even effusively positive whenever you have a success (i.e., housebreaking, training moment, etc.).

We will get into the actually training of your Puggle puppy next.

For now, learn to enjoy and love. Be consistent and be affirming. Reaffirm your approval and your love constantly…Puggles return love unconditionally!

Ultimately, this is not rocket science. However, raising and training a happy and healthy Puggle can and will test your resolve and your patience. Be positive in all things related to raising and training your Puggle puppy.

Puggle Training Note – Housebreaking (potty training) your Puggle:

Make sure you start taking your Puggle puppy out every hour or so; and, immediately before and soon after they eat or drink. Start this as soon as you get him or her home. Puggles are very smart and if you reinforce their successes with effusive praise and treats, they will get the idea and be housebroken in no time at all. Females faster than males…to be sure!

Good Luck and God Bless You and Your New Family Member in the New Year!

Jack and TuffGuy (friend, constant companion, and mascot)
The Ultimate Internet Image – A Full Service Inbound Marketing Consultancy
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
216-712-7004 (office)

NOTE: You may have noticed that I capitalize Puggle and Puggles. It’s a personal thing. I know it is grammatically incorrect to capitalize Puggle and Puggles. That said, TuffGuy is just too important in our family to be a small “p!” Okay?

Puppies and Christmas Go Hand-in-Hand

Puggle Puppies and Christmas are a Real Treat!

Today and tomorrow, in households all over America and perhaps around the world, little Puggle puppies are going to be introduced to their new families.

Puggles can be an incredibly wonderful addition to your family, if they are treated and trained properly from Day One.

Over the next few days and weeks, I will provide insights and training strategies that will help you integrate your Puggle into your family…even if it’s just the two of you!

The Christmas Puggle May Grow into a Treasured Companion

Puggles Traits May Include:

• Stubborn
• Relentless
• Loud
• Affectionate
• Stubborn
• Intelligent
• Loving
• Stubborn
• Social

Did I say stubborn?

Don’t let me scare you. The Puggle stubbornness comes from similar traits in both Beagles and Pugs. However, the stubbornness is also a sign of their intelligence. Puggles are very smart!

Over the Next Few Days and Weeks You MUST Be:

• Positive
• Patient
• Reassuring
• Loving
• Patient
• Consistent
• Patient

Did I say patient?

Your little one’s stubbornness should be matched with a heavy does of love and patience!

If you react accordingly, you will have one of the best experiences you can have with a dog. If you are short tempered and terse?

You may have a long road ahead!

Puggles love to touch, to be in the middle of things, and to snuggle…particularly under the covers.

Yes, under the covers and/or at your feet!

They have this thing about touching and TuffGuy is not unique in this regard. I have heard this from many Puggle owners…here and on YouTube. Puggles need to connect in a very real sense.

Finally, at least for today anyway, Puggles often think they are Bull Mastiffs! They can be fierce and will bark back if you or anyone else threatens them…or yells at them. Puggles will also defend you and your family members without thinking about size, so to care to protect them, as well.

So, enjoy, have fun, and Merry Christmas!

John and TuffGuy

From Our Family to Your’s…

…we would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season!

Regardless of where you are in the world…or what your beliefs may be…we appreciate every one of you and wish you a happy and prosperous 2012!

Over the past 3 years we have shared quite a bit of ourselves with you, our subscribers and friends. So, from the subscribers of Puggle Place to those of The Ultimate Internet Image, we appreciate each and every one of you.

Once again, from The Entire Zajaros Family:

• Merry Christmas
• Happy Hanukkah
• Happy Kwanzaa
• Joyeux Noel
• Feliz Navidad
• Feliz Natal
• Frohe Weihnachten

And, above all, Peace on Earth in the New Year!

The Zajaros Family — Jack Sr, Connie, Allie, Kayleigh, Emily, Kailyn (Purdy), Brynn (Purdy)…and “The Boys!” Bart and TuffGuy…in the shades!

From our family to your's, we wish you a very happy holiday season and the happiest new year!

NOTE: Watch for a series on how to properly break in your Christmas Puggle!
 

TuffGuy is a Hit Online

Find Out Why Puggles are a Hit with Dog Owners!

It funny how things work out, isn’t it? Of all the websites and blogs I own, Puggle Place is the most popular…by an incredibly large margin and in spite of my neglect.

I sincerely regret the latter and hope to make it up to everyone beginning right now!

The fact is, Puggles are amazing big dogs trapped in little dog bodies!

I often tell people that we have a Bull Mastiff trapped in a Puggle’s body. I’m sure you can relate to that sort of behavior. Interestingly, these little balls of energy are fierce, loyal, social, and lovable.

I hear stories almost every day about Puggles who snuggle, snore, and then snuggle some more. Interestingly, Puggles like to sleep as much as they like to play; and, settle rather nicely into a routine that includes plenty of naptime, almost always curled up in a little ball.

Additionally, Puggles seem to have this thing about being close enough to touch…at all times!

If that isn’t possible?

Then they will be as close as “humanly possible,” inserting themselves into the middle of whatever’s going on at the moment.

To the right (see the image), you will notice TuffGuy’s in one of his favorite spots.

He loves to curl up in a ball and wait for me!

The spot?

A recliner right behind my desk chair…toys and all!

TuffGuy has as many toys as my two granddaughters combined and has always had a particular affinity for squeaky toys.

If it squeaks?

TuffGuy will play with it until I ceases to squeak. Again, I’ve heard from other Puggle owners who have told me their little Puggles do the same thing.

The Puggle traits I hear about most often are:

• Stubborn
• Protective
• Stubborn
• Relentless
• Loyal
• Loving
• Affectionate
• Loving
• Dominant
• Anxious
• Stubborn
• Smart
• Faithful
• Easy to train
• Hard to train
• Stubbornly Loving
• Great with kids

Did I say loving?

If you have a Puggle and are having trouble training it? Contact me.

Let’s talk!

Puggle training can be difficult because they are very intelligent and can be quite stubborn. I did mention stubborn, didn’t I?

However, if you are consistent, positive, and loving, your Puggle will be one of the best, if not the best, pet you have ever owned.

Stay tuned for a lot more in 2012 and thanks for hanging around…it’ll be worth it!

John & TuffGuy
216-712-7018  (unblock your ID or leave a message)
Puggle Place (a.k.a., TuffGuy’s Place)
Lakewood, Ohio 44107

NOTE: I know, I know! Puggle is not capitalized. You know what? In our house, it is!

Barking, Ankle Biting, Chewing, and Digging: Assertive Behavior in Puggles and the Puggle Head Tilt!

Puggles can be quite assertive, even aggressive at times, and particularly if not handled and trained properly!

Puggles tend to exhibit certain traits peculiar to the Beagles and Pug hybrid, to include:

1) Barking incessantly

2) Ankle biting

3) Chewing

4) Digging

5) Aggressive behavior, particularly among males and between males of different species

If handled properly, Puggles are a joy. TuffGuy is one of the most enjoyable dogs we have owned, personality plus!

However, if Puggles are not trained properly, if clear boundaries are not established early, they can be little monsters, pound for pound, a dog devoted to one thing, making your life a living nightmare…or so it will seem!

With respect to all of the above behaviors, there are clear and concise strategies for dealing with them effectively. Here are some of them:

Barking: Do not bark back!

Simply stop what you are doing and turn to the little devil and put up one finger and in a small, still voice (SSV) say, “Stop!” Then, look at them closely, even matching their gaze eye to eye, generally a sign of aggression but if you use a small, still voice (SSV) you can often get away with it, and say “Stop!” again. Be firm and, when the behavior stops praise them, pet them, and make a big deal out of the behavior.

Then, turn and walk away. If it starts again, repeat the behavior and make sure to reinforce the positive behavior. Before long he or she will get the idea and it will stop completely with just a finger pointed up.

Note: Some “doggy gurus” have suggested that ignoring will work, it may in some cases but I have also heard Puggles bark for hours nonstop. The finger point and the SSV always work!

Ankle biting: Usually when someone is leaving the house or apartment and your little one doesn’t want you to go!

In this case use the exact same strategy as you would for barking, I find that works best. However, once in a while you have to do something different. I often change my routine before leaving. You see, when you get ready to leave, they sense that and start undergoing separation anxiety. In order to break the pattern, simply alter the routine you use before leaving. This is quite effective and before you know it, the behavior goes extinct!

Chewing: Dogs chew and Puggles chew a lot!

Get plenty of chew toys and make sure you get chew toys they like. They will punish you for purchasing toys they don’t like, they will find something of yours that they do like! Bones are best, and I am talking about cow femurs! Have your grover or butcher cut the cow upper leg bones, the femur, into 6 inch pieces and then bake them until hard, usually 350 degrees for about an hour. Then, let them cool and ration them, watching that they don’t get worked down or your little buddy will revert to old habits…like your shoes!

They will love the bones and will carry them everywhere…problem solved!

BTW, it doesn’t hurt to puppy proof the house, you expect a 2 year old child to get into things…your Puggle is said to have the intelligence of a smart 2 year old, so they get into things!

Digging: Like chewing, this is something Puggles do!

First and foremost, keep their nails short and rounded. If you take your Puggle on regular walks you will never have an issue with sharp nails. Additionally, make sure your Puggle has his or her own space, including a blanket. Digging is due to a combination of behaviors, so it takes effort to extinguish it…but it can be done. Watch closely and when your Puggle begins to dig, stop then with a sharp “No!” or a loud clap of your hand! Either one will interrupt the pattern long enough for you to involve them in some other behavior, then praise your Puggle lavishly and consistently!

Aggressive intra or interspecies behavior: Puggles are assertive and it does no good to try to be the alpha yourself!

You must to watch for aggressive behavior and separate your Puggle immediately, without rewarding the Puggle for aberrant behavior. If you can find a balance between intervening and rewarding the behavior, and intervening and ignoring the behavior, you will be on the road to balance.

Remember, you are talking about dogs and they will work things out in the pack, so don’t micro manage; and, as much as possible, let them work it out…as difficult as this may be for you!

All in all, Puggles are an intelligent and loving breed and, if trained properly, they will provide you with years of delightful companionship. You must be consistent and your must be kind. If you can be consistent and lovingly respectful, they will, return the love and respect; and, training your Puggle will get a easier and the experience more enjoyable!

Best wishes for a long and happy relationship!

John and TuffGuy

John Zajaros and TufGuy
216-539-7412
Skype: johnzajaros1
tuffguy@PugglePlace.com

PS, If these Puggle training problems continue to be an issue, go to Puggle Place Dog Training Course for more information, at once!

TuffGuy was easy to train! I had heard that training Puggles to walk on a leash would be difficult. It was anything but! In fact, leash training my little Puggle was a breeze!

Well, it’s been 4 and 1/2 months since I announced that I was going to teach TuffGuy, my little Puggle, how to walk on a leash, and do so without a choker chain or harsh tactics. In the past few months, my little guy has come around splendidly! If all Puggle training was this easy, and most is actually quite easy if you apply a steady hand and a lot of praise and positive reinforcement, they would be the most popular new breed in the world. In fact, they have become remarkably popular in a short period of time for a number of reasons.

The Puggle can be a very stubborn breed and may also be quite vocal. They are also quite strong for their size and they will not back down if they want something. All that being said, they can be an amazingly affectionate, loyal, and obedient dog if properly trained.

TuffGuy is doing remarkably well in a relatively short period of time. In fact, TuffGuy was walking without any sort of reminder in just a few short weeks. Now, unless he has to “go,” he remains by my side, a wonderful walking companion.

Overall, TuffGuy has demonstrated, at least to me, that Puggles can be quite easy to train if you are firm yet gentle, lavishing praise and positive reinforcement for good behavior and issuing either a quick vocal reprimand or, in many instances, simply ignoring bad behavior. TuffGuy has been a joy to train and own. I wouldn’t hesistate to own another Puggle, and we are thinking about a little lady for our TuffGuy!

But we’ll see! That may be too many Puggles for our Sheltland Sheepdog, Bart, to handle!

John Zajaros (TuffGuy and Bart!)
216-712-6526
866-835-2913 (toll free)
Skype: johnzajaros1
TuffGuy@PugglePlace.com

PS, Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! You will receive 2 valuable resources for raising your Puggle!

PPS, If you are challenged and are having issues with your Puggle, try PugglePlace.info! It’s awesome and it delivers results!

I received another great question today from a new Puggle owner. He just loves his little guy and wants to know more about Puggles.

The new Puggle owner asked me about the difference between a mix and a hybrid. And, since this came up in another form recently, I thought it worth addressing. Many people do not understand genetics and even many breeders are misinformed when it comes to the whole issue of what is a hybrid or designer species and what is a purebred dog…and what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of each.

Many use the terms species and breed synonymously, and that is incorrect.

So, here goes:

“What is the difference between a mix and hybrid dog?”

My answer (expanded a bit for PugglePlace):

A mix is a mixture of many breeds, often affectionately referred to as a “mutt.” It is also used as a condescending or derogatory term by some, one meant to take something away from the dog as a mixture.

The fact is, some of the best dogs I have ever had have been “mutts!” In fact, most dogs are mutts…or mixtures.

The “designer” label is simply a new and/or fancy way of saying the dog is a mix, in this case a mix of two “purebred” dogs. The term is actually a bit of a misnomer, in that dogs are a single species. Purebred dogs are considered by some to be subspecies or even an artificially created subspecies, this is also pushing it more than a bit.

Here is a very short lesson on the Linnean Hierarchy

Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordata
Subphylum – Vertebrata
Class – Mammalia
Order – Carnivora
Suborder – Caniformia
Family – Canidae
Genus – Canis
Species – familiaris

All domesticated canines (dogs) are the same species, Canis familiaris. It makes absolutely no difference whether your pooch is a Pug, Beagle, Puggle, Poodle, Doberman, St. Bernard or any other breed of dog, they’re all just dogs. And yes, for all you English teachers out there, I know they are not capitalized. But I do, and that is a personal preference and decision.

So, Sister Mary will whack my hand with a ruler and we’ll move on!

There are a number of people who believe dogs are a subspecies of the grey wolf, Canis lupus. However, while dogs are descended from wolves, many scholars believe they’re different enough from wolves to deserve specific (meaning species) status. I tend to agree.

The use of hybrid is also incorrect, technically speaking.

In evolutionary terms, a hybrid usually refers to a the mix of two different species, like lions and tigers creating the “Tiglon!” Hybrids in nature are usually sterile, like the hybrid of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare), the mule is almost always sterile. The much rarer mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces what is called a hinny! If they are not sterile, there are significant evolutionary boundaries and obstacles prohibiting reproduction.

With dogs it is a lot different because dogs are all one species, so mating between breeds doesn’t raise the same issues or boundaries as mating between species does.

Mating between pure breed dogs, say German Shepherds and Labs, may be considered subspecies by some, but again this is a misinterpretation of the species concept and incorrect. They are not sterile and can mate, they are actually broadening the gene pool, usually a healthy thing.

Purebred dogs are the exception, they have been bred a certain way to create a certain look or a breed of dog that can perform a certain task. But they are all still just dogs.

Interestingly, the mutt has a better chance of survival…evolutionarily speaking. This is because they have a broader gene pool!

Dalmatians are an example of breeding gone awry. Dalmatians are susceptible to all kinds of problems, like blindness and mental retardation…all for a few more spots. As the evolutionary base becomes more restricted and restrictive, more genetic problems surface. Dominance and recessiveness, remember your high school genetics? English Bulldogs have the same sort of issues and must be delivered by Cesarean section because their heads are so big. While both are amazing dogs and have their fans, and I am not knocking the breeds, I love dogs, period, I am simply noting the consequences of genetics. Both of these breeds are in an evolutionary tunnel, a dead end of sorts.

In the wild, both of these breeds would simply have gone extinct by now!

So, hybrid is actually the wrong term to use and designer, while it may sound a bit snooty, is probably more accurate. Either way, Puggles can breed, they have a broader gene pool so may be healthier, and they are an awesome “mix” of two great dogs, Pugs and Beagles!

Anyone that tells you that a purebred has a better lineage and a better genetic base, simply does not understand evolutionary genetics. In evolutionary terms, in terms of reproductive fitness, the broader gene pool wins!

Therefore, in terms of evolutionary fitness:

The mix or “mutt” wins!

The “designer” dog comes in a close second!

And the purebred, depending on the level of genetic tinkering breeders have engaged in, comes in from third place on back!

With the ultra-purebred dogs coming in dead last and, from a reproductive and evolutionary sense, they are fading fast!

Hope that helps!

John Zajaros & TuffGuy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
TuffGuy@PugglePlace.com

John

Hello!

I am so pleased! Puggles are awesome dogs. Puggles can be very willful, so you have to be firm but loving. You can’t be harsh with them, they will rebel! You have to be gentle but firm. I find that when TuffGuy gets insistent and starts barking a lot, just ignoring him works best. Don’t reinforce the behavior. Because of the Beagle in them, Puggles can be loud…just ignore it, walk away, and when the behavior you want to stop ceases, then wait 3-5 seconds and then praise them and give them attention. Your new Puggle might get louder at first, that’s extinction behavior, they get louder before giving up.

Just be patient, be firm, praise them (Puggles love praise), and above all be gentle!

Puggles want to be in the middle of everything, so allow your new Puggle to become part of the family. Puggles will follow you everywhere and will be your shadow and your companion.

Puggles may demonstrate separation anxiety!

If you are leaving and they know it, they may try to grab your ankles or pants with their mouth to try to keep you from leaving. Just alter your routine, leave by a different door, get your keys way before leaving so they don’t connect any one behavior with your leaving and they will be fine in time.

Puggles, Walks, and Housebreaking

Take the time to take them for walks, particularly at first. Dogs are like humans, exercise helps the regularity and if you make a big deal out of their going “potty” while on the walk, they will make that part of the ritual. TuffGuy will only poop on our walks now, at midnight! he waits all day and won’t poop at any other time. At first make it a ritual to go out after the eat, then about a half an hour later. The watch them closely and when they begin to sniff, take him or her out right away and praise them when they go. They will make the connection fast.

Treats and Success

I always give TuffGuy and Bart (our Sheltie) a treat when they come back in after a successful outing. Now, they expect it. It works!

If you have any questions, just email or Skype me.

Good luck and have fun!

Puggles love walks, attention, praise, and consistency. Do those 4 things and you will have a great dog!

John (and TuffGuy)

John Zajaros
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
TuffGuy@PugglePlace.com

“Thank you John. I really needed some info about the species. I knew little. I was looking for a dog that was smart, loving, pretty easy to train, and a mix. I got the puggle. I got it yesterday it is a still a puppy. I think it is smart like a pug and it’s face is like a beagle. Thank you again.”

How cool is that!? I just know this new owner, and I am not posting his name because I respect his privacy and didn’t want to post his name without permission. But wow! Talk about the intangible rewards of blogging!

I read a post recently about Puggles that was highly critical and ill-informed. They are a super dog, a wonderful pet, and as a hybrid have qualities of both breeds. The post, which I will cover in an upcoming post, was wrong on almost every point…particularly with respect to genetics and dominance and recessiveness of traits.

The Puggle is an awesome breed, whether you call it a hybrid or a designer species, it is the ultimate dog and a wonderful companion.

I have owned only a couple of little dogs in my life and TuffGuy is one of the best…of any size, shape or breed!

If you ever want to talk about Puggles, just let me know via email or Skype IM and we will set up a time to talk!

John and TuffGuy

John Zajaros
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
TuffGuy@PugglePlace.com

Puggles want to be close, they will often be under foot, and are almost never out of ear shot or sight!

Raising and training Puggles can be a very pleasurable experience! It is very important that Puggles have their own spot and that they feel totally comfortable as a member of the family. If you make that sort of a connection, training your Puggle will be a pleasure!

Puggle training can be challenging, they are very strong-willed and can be very obstinate…particularly if you get into a personality conflict with him or her. Be firm yet soft spoken…don’t get into a barking contest with your Puggle, you will lose!

I see references to cages and crates and they infuriate me! How would you like to be put in a cage for hours at a time? It is not only inhumane, it is counterproductive. In the end, they will rebel, hating the cage and very possibly the person or persons who put him or her in there!

Take the time, make the effort to raise and train your Puggle properly and a crate or cage will never be necessary.

You can see where TuffGuy sleeps, unless we are in bed; and then he either sleeps at the foot of the bed, in between Connie and I, or with Emily and at the foot of her bed.

We do not use a cage or a crate! And, in 37 years of adulthood, I have owned one dog after another and the cage or crate has never been part of my dog training routine, and I have had some amazing experiences with dogs!

Raise and train your Puggle properly and you will never even have to consider a crate or cage!

John Zajaros and TuffGuy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
TuffGuy@PugglePlace.com

PS, If you are having issues with training your Puggle, go to http://PugglePlace.info They have an awesome program and they can help you wityh anything you can think of!