The answer depends on why your dog is barking—is it in your presence or absence? Is it a sign of a behavioural problem? Many dogs will bark for attention, and if food or reward is given, the behavior is reinforced. Therefore, the first step is not to give attention to your barking dog. If the barking is caused by passing pedestrians or other stimuli, you may need to keep your dog in the backyard or inside.

Using a halter and lead, you can stop a dog barking by pulling on the lead which closes the mouth and distracts the dog. As he stops barking, give the ‘hush’ command. There are some anti-barking devices available, such as the Aboistop Collar that emits a spray of citronella each time the dog barks and is sufficiently unpleasant to deter most dogs. Some dogs only require the collar for a couple of weeks to stop barking, although others will require training as well since they learn when the collar is on or off. Distractions such as loud noises (loud whistles, stones in a can) that result in silence that is then rewarded.

New puppies can be housetrained within a few days with careful supervision, consistent commands and rewards. Puppies will go to the toilet after waking up and after eating. Give your puppy the positive reinforcement required by giving a reward in the form of food or lavish praise.

Even if he or she makes a mistake, never punish, as it will make the matter worse. The dog will likely become anxious and wait to go to the toilet when you are away. If a reprimand is needed, a loud ‘no’ is sufficient to distract the puppy so that you can then redirect it to the correct area. When you cannot supervise your puppy, such as during the night, confine him to a secure area that contains his bed and toys and an area covered with paper for his toilet.

Biting and mouthing are normal when puppies play with other dogs. However, biting humans should be discouraged as it can lead to bigger problems as your dog gets older. Male puppies are especially likely to use it to establish dominance over family members, so stop the behaviour before a real problem emerges. Try not to engage in rough play such as tug-of-war games as they can lead to dominance problems.

Transfer biting behaviour onto toys and chewing objects, and praise the puppy when he uses the toys. When puppies are small, their biting and mouthing isn’t painful, so owners tend to allow it. If a puppy is biting you, say ‘no’ once and withdraw play and attention. You and all members of the family need to be immediate and consistent for the training to work. If there continues to be a problem, you may need to leave the room in order to withdraw attention.

Punishment is often ineffective and can serve to reinforce the aggression or cause the puppy to become anxious, fearful or perhaps more excited. Distraction such as loud noises (a shake can be filled with pebbles, air horn, or loud whistle) can be effective. A head halter and lead is useful as pulling the lead closes the mouth while you say ‘no’. Withdraw play until the puppy has quietened down, then praise. As with other training lessons, control and leadership over your puppy make learning much faster and longer lasting. Establish dominance over the puppy and start obedience training early. Ensure all family members are consistent and assertive in their training.

Checking and cleaning your dog’s ears, preferably once a week, is an important part of the grooming routine and helps prevent excess wax build-up and ear infections. If you suspect your dog already has an ear problem, you should consult your veterinarian straight away for correct diagnosis and treatment. Any discharges, unpleasant smells, redness, pain, swelling, excess scratching or rubbing of the ears may indicate an ear infection or other problem.

Ears can be simply cleaned by using an ear cleaning solution provided by your vet. Ear cleaners remove excess moisture, wax and debris from the outer ear canal. Only use products specifically for dogs and avoid medicated products unless advised by your vet. Hold up the earflap and dribble a few drops into the ear canal. Massage gently at the base of the ear (you will hear a squelching sound as you do so) to work in the solution. Stop if this appears to be painful to your pet and consult your vet. Repeat with the other ear. Use cotton wool to wipe away any excess solution, and to clean out any wax or debris. Use your forefinger and only clean as far as it will naturally reach to avoid hurting the eardrum.

Never use cotton buds as they can damage the sensitive lining of the ear canal or perforate the eardrum.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems affecting dogs and cats today. In humans, tartar builds up if we do not remove it by brushing. Likewise in animals, tartar builds up if it is not removed by chewing on raw bones or other gnawing toys. Tartar then develops into a visible hard, yellow mineral build up. Then the gums recede from around the teeth, and other supporting structures for the teeth are weakened, leading to tooth infections, tooth loss and bad breath. This process is called periodontal disease.

Apart from tooth problems, periodontal disease can also affect general health as bacteria are released into the bloodstream through the inflamed gums and can lodge in places like the kidneys and heart valves, causing problems in these sites. Therefore, mouth health is important for your pet’s overall health and longevity. If there is a significant tartar build up or inflamed gums (gingivitis), your dog will need ultrasonic scaling by your vet, which needs to be performed under an anaesthetic.