3 Topics:

1. What makes a good puppy carrier bag design?
2. What makes a good dog muzzle design.
3. Why the Maltese did not want to pee and poo inside the playpen on day 5 after purchase?


1. WHAT MAKES A GOOD PUPPY CARRIER DESIGN?

These are some of my ideas:

1. Visually, the carrier must capture the buyer's attention from its style to its colour.
A very good design is the most difficult part. I don't think the bag in the pictures below is attractive in design or has the "wow..where did you buy it?" factor.

2. It must be light-weight for Asians and carried on the shoulder. A shoulder strap may be incorporated in the design such that is is not a separate item as in the pictures below. Is this possible?

3. It must have pockets for food treats and a small water bottle and food container. In this way, the owner need not carry another bag to contain the items.

4. It must be collapsible to be folded into a small bag?

5. Puppy safety -- It must be safe for the puppy as all puppies like to chew.

6. The zip should not entangle the hairs of the active puppy or make the owner worry that the puppy's coat will be zipped up accidentally.
7. It should become a 'den' for the puppy at home. A den is like a hole with 3 walls. Most puppies instinctively want a corner or private safe area with walled side to rest.


2 pictures of a puppy carrier bag are shown here. The lady owner said that the puppy could chew the metallic lock. She did not know how to use the bag fully as there were no written instructions.


2. WHAT MAKES A DOG MUZZLE GOOD?

1. Design - The buyer must like it when he or she sees it. It must capture his attention from its style to its colour.

2. Comfort - The puppy or dog must feel comfortable wearing it. The owner must feel that the puppy or dog does not suffocate. Yet, it must not be able to bite anyone when muzzled.

3. Quality - The quality of the materials must be good. Colour fast and durable fabric or leather. This gives an idea of how long the muzzle will last and whether it makes a good investment.

4. Workmanship - The stitching of the fabric must be good to make it a good investment.

5. Price - If the muzzle passes all the above 4 tips, it is worth buying and last a long time.

The muzzle I use has visual appeal to dog owners. If it has better quality fabric and stitching, it will be good. The stitching is not good in this muzzle.
A fast clip or Velcro strip.

The main complaint is that it may suffocate the dog as it covers the nostrils.
So, a better design is urgently needed.




3. WHY THE MINI-MALTESE PEES AND POOS OUTSIDE THE PLAYPEN ON DAY 5 AFTER PURCHASE?

"Naughty boy," the lady owner in her thirties said as she came for the 3rd vaccination of her Mini-Maltese 5 days after purchase and just yesterday, he had blood in the stools.
A loud gassy sound crackled from the puppy's stomach as I pressed the abdomen's intestines. But she did not hear it. I asked her to lower her head closer to the puppy's abdomen. But I could not produce the abdominal sound. I put the puppy back into the carrier bag. He pooped a foul-smelly watery reddish stool onto the newspapers. The lady could smell it. We quickly changed papers.

"No vaccination till 2 weeks later. It is best for a Mini-Maltese to settle down for 10-20 days before vaccination." However, most owners are not aware of this. The puppy's vaccination date was due, so must vaccinate. Vaccination only can be done when the puppy is in perfect health.

"How's the puppy's toilet training? I asked. There was no crowd at the waiting room. It was better this way although not economically sound for a vet practice to be quielt.

"The Maltese will pee and poop in any room in the apartment. He must be urine marking. He prefers the corners. He does not pee and poop inside the playpen now unlike the first 2 days."

REASONS & SOLUTIONS

1. The whole apartment is like a gigantic football field for the puppy. He can't find his toilet location which is inside a playpen with NO doors.
Solution: Confine the puppy.

2. He prefers to sleep on the floor tile in the corner or in the playpen when put inside.
The plastic bed with cushion was not appreciated by him. He considers the playpen his "den". Puppies do not dirty their den. The whole apartment is his toilet area now.

3. The playpen also does NOT have a door for the puppy to use the newspapers as its toilet location.
Remove the panel of fences comprising the playpen. Use these panels to barricade the bathroom door. Put Aluminium Pan inside the bathroom. Newspapers with urine spray on the bathroom floor. Confine for 2 weeks or more, to paper-train.

4. Take puppy out only to one room e.g. kitchen. Under supervision.
"Watch for signs of the puppy wanting to pee and poo when you take him out of the bathroom," I said.
"What signs?" the lady owner was surprised.
"The puppy sniffs the floor, turns, squats....bring him back to the bathroom. Say "pee here, give food treats on success..."
"It is hard to take care of the puppy," she concluded.
"It is easier than to take care of toddlers and children," I said. "At least your puppy will not need to go to school and you need not worry about your children's academic performance and future."


5. Neutralise urine smell of puppy on all floors with white vinegar:water 1:3.


Will re-write later.
No more time. 7.36 am now. Got to go to work.