DOGO CARE & TRAINING


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Exercise

Dogos need lots of exercise! They are very active, playful dogs and regular exercise is of vital importance in order for them to preserve their famous muscle.
Argentine Dogos MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Dogos can make a shambles of your house and yard.

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Coat Care


Since the coat is short and has no undercoat, it is quite easy to maintain. Brushing the coat once or twice a week is basically enough. However, one should be aware of that Dogos have sensitive skin and are prone to skin irritations and allergies. When bathing your Dogo, always use a gentle dog shampoo. Dogos are also sensitive to sunlight and can easily get sunburn, so never ever leave them outside in the sun for an extended period of time. Last but not least, for being such a shorthaired breed; Dogos tend to shed more than one might think.
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Trimming the Nails

A Dogo´s nails grow relatively fast, so they should be trimmed regularly, every two weeks or so. If the nails get too long they can easily get caught in blankets and other things. Also, too long nails can make it painful for your Dogo to walk. If you don’t feel like cutting the nails yourself, there are plenty of vets and grooming places out there that can do it for you!

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Cleaning the Ears

If your Dogo´s ears are cropped, you will soon notice that they tend to collect a lot of dirt. It is very important to keep your dog’s ears nice, dry and clean. Use a soft tissue or a cotton ball (never a Q-Tip) to wipe the ears clean. If your Dogo starts shaking his head a lot or scratching his ears, it is time to give the ears some extra attention. Also, if your dog’s ears start to smell funny, you should talk to your vet since this often is a sign of some kind of fungus or infection.
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Giving your Dogo a bath


Dogos tend to love a good bath, but it is not necessary to bath them unless they are actually dirty. Since their skin is sensitive, you should choose a mild shampoo for your four-legged friend.

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Ear cropping

Different types of crops for your Dogo

1. Battle Crop- You can get this crop if you like the look, however if you are planning on getting your dogo to fight other dogs that is illegal.

2. Short Crop- This is generally used if you plan to big game hunt with your Dogo Argentino.

3. Show Crop- This is the standard ear crop for showing Dogo Argentinos

4. Long Crop-  A longer crop is mostly preference, if you like the longer cut rather than the shorter.




If your thinking about getting your Dogos ears cropped then the average age to do it is 10-12 weeks old. During the surgery your puppy will be put under general anesthesia. The veterinarian will then mark where the cuts will be made. Once the surgery has started 2/3 of the Dogos earflap will be removed. What the veterinarian is removing from your Dogo is many of their nerve ending in the ears and acupuncture zones.
After, the part of the ear is removed the veterinarian will then close the raw edges starting at the bottom of the ear and stitch it up. This is a painful operation for your puppy, so do consider that when making your decision.

Once the operation is complete your Dogo Argentinos puppy will then have an aluminum rack or inverted paper cap is attached to the ears to make them stand straight up. This will stay on your dogs head for about 21 days. During the duration of the cap you will need to clean your Dogos ears 2 times a day. To clean them I recommend diluted betadine.

If your Dogos ears develop heavy scrabbling then I would also recommend using an antibiotic ointment. You should apply this to the edges only and avoid the taped areas. Your veterinarian will also recommend pain medication to help with the pain from the operation.

After your Dogo has had his or her surgery I would recommend avoiding re-wrapping the ears because the less disturbance the better the outcome. Suture removal is done after 7 days to avoid scarring of the ears. When having the ears cropped for a great outcome you must keep very good care of the ears.
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Training your puppy

Begin training as soon as you bring your Dogo Argentino puppy home, while he is still at a manageable size. That 20-pound ball of white satin will quickly grow. Try a nothing-in-life-is-free program, requiring puppies to “work” for everything they get by performing a command before receiving meals, toys, treats, or play. It’s always a good idea to take a Dogo to puppy kindergarten followed by basic obedience classes, especially if you are working with a trainer who understands the Dogo Argentino mindset.

Like any dog, Dogo Argentino puppies are inveterate chewers and because of their size can do a lot of damage. Don’t give them the run of the house until they’ve reached trustworthy maturity. And keep your Dogo Argentino puppy busy with training, play, and socialization experiences. A bored Dogo Argentino is a destructive Dogo Argentino.

Because the Dogo Argentino is a pack animal, this dog will want to become a part of your family and you have to train your Dogo that you are the pack leader. If you don't, this could lead to behavioral problem - if you don't assume the leadership role, your dog will. You need to assert yourself as the leader as early as possible through positive reinforcement, and firm but loving correction. Never use forceful punishment - you'll get much better results if your dog is happy. Like humans, Dogo Argentinos have its own distinct personalities, so some may be more willing to accept correction than others. It may not be easy to correct your dog, but it's in its best interest - if you don't, it can make life confusing if it doesn't know who is in charge.

Housetraining your Dogo Argentino should start young. Like all the training steps, housetraining goes smoother if you build a good foundation. Watch for signs such as sniffing or circling that indicate that your puppy is ready to do its business. Take your Dogo out to the same place (if possible) as soon as it wakes, about five minutes after eating and just before bed. When you puppy is young, you should take it outside every hour. After your Dogo Argentino has gone outside, be sure to praise it and leave the area, so it knows the reason for the trips outside. If your dog has an accident, only correct if you catch it in the act.

Leash training is important, as the Dogo Argentino is a big, strong breed. Start with a lightweight collar and lead for your puppy . Begin by holding the lead and letting your puppy explore. Next, get your Dogo to follow you with gentle grab-release tugs - never drag your puppy to get it to follow you. While it is important that this needs to be a pleasurable experience for both you and the dog, don't use this as a play time.

You may also want to get your Dogo Argentino into Schutzhund training. Schutzhund is a sport that combines tracking, obedience, and protection. Schutzhund training lets you control how your dog reacts to certain situations and teach you how to control your dog if it gets too excited. Not only will you have a well-balanced, well-behaved dog, but the training process will establish a close bond between you and your Dogo Argentino.

1 comment:

  1. Great information... thanks

    Can you recommend any training in the New York Long Island area for the Dogo

    ReplyDelete