The Puppy Associates

22/08/2024

We are soooo excited to officially share our handout on the Stages of Training. Thank you Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin for bringing this to life! This handout is used for clients to follow their dog's training progress!
It goes through all the stages of learning:
1. Acquisition (get the behavior)
2. Fluency (add the cue)
3. Generalization (proof the behavior)
4. Maintenance (maintain the behavior)

Edit to clarify:
1. This is FREE for you to use/make copies of for clients, but not the edit.
2. “As taught by Jean Donaldson” refers to Push, Stick, Drop

Thanks for all the support! 🐾💙🐾

21/08/2024

Dogs are allowed to say 'No'*.

No to interacting with strange people. No to interacting with strange dogs. No to being petted. No to interacting with or approaching things which worry them. And when they do they aren't being dominant or disobedient or stubborn. They are saying 'no' because that makes them feel safe. In many cases it's not so much the 'no' which is problematic...it's the way the dog says it.

So if your dog does say 'no' to something what should our goal be? To teach them to say 'yes' to it? Possibly...in an ideal world it would be wonderful if we could make everything our dog finds worrying wonderful instead. But that might not always be a realistic goal.

In some situations teaching them a better way to say 'no' might be a more realistic first step.

Sawyer can be wary of new people which can express itself as barking or growling. We don't need to teach him to interact with all & sundry. We don't need to encourage him to interact with strange people. Instead we can teach him that if he focuses on his human good things happen. If he keeps his distance good things happen. If he is calm good things happen. That his human will advocate for him around strangers so that he doesn't have to. That a stranger in his home can be cue for good things to happen. That he will be given the space he needs to feel safe. That no-one will invade his space. That there is as little pressure on him as possible.

Allowing your dog to say 'no' is the first step towards making them feel safer. And it might also be the first step in helping them to say 'yes'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* clearly, there are exceptions. Sometimes, just like us, there are things they have no choice in. This post is about areas where they 𝘤𝘢𝘯 be given choice.

15/08/2024

If you want to know why a dog humps, pay close attention to context—who the dogs are and when it's happening.

11/08/2024

Nice play with good friends is a very important part of puppy development. Many new puppy caregivers are unsure of what nice play looks like, so Pickle Poppet and Harvey would like to show you a demo. Look carefully at the wiggly bodies flopping around, side to side, the modification of body positions lying on the grass and carefully managed (inhibited) soft mouthing between Poppet and Harvey.
Harvey is a mature experienced socially appropriate gentle dog.

03/08/2024

27/07/2024

Hooray for Hersey 🐾

18/07/2024

14/07/2024

🙌 🐾👋🐾

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/LjBmwPxG26Wk3681/?mibextid=ox5AEW

10/07/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iVhX7JW3eBeEF9Do/?mibextid=ox5AEW

🗣️ One common frustration voiced by puppy parents is the repetitive cycle of saying "no" to their biting puppy, only to find the behavior persisting despite being told “NO!” a thousand times.

🤔 It's not surprising, considering that "no" is not a behavior itself. When your puppy jumps, bites your hands, scratches you, and you suddenly utter "NO," your puppy doesn’t understand what you want. Do you want them to stop biting, scratching, jumping, or tugging at your clothes?

No doesn’t tell your puppy what you want them to do.

🐶 Puppies don't comprehend English by default. Words hold no meaning for them unless we associate specific actions with those words through training. To them, it's merely sound.

🚫 "No" doesn't provide your puppy with clear guidance on what you desire. They might be just as puzzled about your intentions as you are about why they "aren't listening."

⚠️ And, if you say "NO" while your puppy is jumping and biting, you might unintentionally reinforce the behavior. Your attention becomes a form of reward when you engage with them (remember, they don't understand the word "no"). Your instinctive movements to protect yourself by shifting your hands, feet, arms, and legs can inadvertently encourage the jumping and biting—creating a super fun game for puppies.

🔄 Instead of tirelessly repeating "no," redirect your puppy's attention to an appropriate toy or chew.

🗨️ "You can't chew on me, but you can chew on this."

07/07/2024

Locket meets Poppet 🐾🐾, adult dog meets puppy for the first time.

Communication skills are extremely important for puppies as they develop, learning the rules, the silent language getting some help and guidance.

Puppies are learning all the time every interaction with every thing. Usually, pups only have experience reading their littermates and their mother, their communication skills are still developing and they don't know the 'rules' for interacting with new dogs.

There is a vast difference between adult dogs play to the way puppies play. Adult dogs share an adult dog language, puppies have lots to learn in the dog and human world as we all have rules and boundaries.

Number one rule is to set up for success for both puppy and dog, finding a kind adult dog you know well and trust you will have the dogs back, the dog should have good social skills and who has patience with puppies. Meeting in a safe mutual meeting area with choice to move away, having good skills or assistance with a professional dog trainer who has a good education of dog body language.

Number two supervision is essential, being around for all interactions between the pup and the adult dog, helping to guide the puppy with puppies social efforts and be an advocate for the adult dog. You want the adult dog to know you are there to help out when required. The close supervision will give less opportunities for things to get out of hand, puppies can be a nuisance to adult dogs, so your guidance will give the adult dog more help, which in turn avoids the adult dog having to snap or growl at the puppy. Do not expect the adult dog to tolerate the persistent and energetic puppy behaviour.

Number three, intermittent breaks, time to sniff, calm time in-between play, escape routes, end the session before its end in tears, verbal praise is also essential and lots of positive reinforcement.

Helping dogs and puppies develop their communication skills, can be the beginning of a great relationship.

05/07/2024

Join this channel for monthly member videos, by clicking below:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-qnqaajTk6bfs3UZuue6IQ/join

01/07/2024

Congratulations to Charlie, Zazu and their caregivers who attended Puppy Class at The Veterinary Hospital North in Clarkson.
Such a great graduation class, having fun whist learning, helping both puppies achieve in small increments.

09/06/2024

🚂 🐾🚉🐾👂🐶🐕🦴📢

08/06/2024

Perfect Fit harnesses come in many different sizes to fit your puppy perfectly.

Thank you 🙏 Auntie Sharon for my Rainbow 🌈 Harness it fits perfectly

https://perfect-fit-dog-harness.com/

08/06/2024

The Veternarian Hospital North in Clarkson Puppy Class starts Monday 10th June at 6:30pm.

Call The Puppy Associates to reserve your space 🐾🐾

https://puppyassociates.com.au/

04/06/2024

What is puppy socialisation?
Getting it right from the start, current best practice is to manage the environment to help set your puppy up for success 🐾🐾.

Puppies sit and lay down naturally, our puppy classes will help you and your puppy to learn about why puppies do what they do and what works 🐶.

Our classes are held in a safe space, whist your puppy experiences fun activities at the vet clinic, and socialising with other puppies.

This 30 minute video is a guide on how to socialize your puppy in a safe an easy way. The video begins with an introduction to explain the method. Then I b...

02/06/2024

https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/companion-animals-dog-behaviour/puppy-socialisation/

The City Beach Veterinary Clinic TPA Puppy Class begins week one next Sunday, sign up today don’t delay, spaces are limited.

22/05/2024

Loving 🥰 a crate 🐾
There are many advantages to using a safe secure space, den, bed what ever you wish to call it, its name is a crate.

21/05/2024

Socialisation and Puppies 🐾🐾
What does it mean?
Check out recent newsletter 🐾🐾

19/05/2024

Socialisation is so important from 8 weeks, it’s as important as keeping your puppy safe before they are fully vaccinated.
So how do we socialise puppies from eight weeks? Join one of our puppy classes, which are held at Veterinary Clinics in multiple locations around Perth.

A crucial early step in socialisation…

Is to take your dog out for some exposure before all the vaccines are completed, and let it see, smell, and observe the sights and sounds of the world around it.

That early exposure is a vital step at this early age while your pup’s brain is forming for early imprinting and it sets you up once you are ready for those first walks.

This young Labrador is enjoying and ‘feeling’ what is about to be his early life’s playground and learning environment.

Small steps, in the right order, make all the difference!

Who among you who have had puppies did this early and found it made a great difference in a pup’s social confidence?

Have a great day folks!

18/05/2024

Recall is this week’s topic 🐾🐾.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YiY3oTfiAB523whj/?
Credit to Canine Wellness Coach

Recall training doesn't just involve recall training. Every interaction you have with your dog will either help or hinder recall progress.

For example; your dog tells you no when you try to put their harness on. You ignore that and put it on anyway. This will hinder your recall progress.

Another example; your dog comes over to you by choice and you ignore them because you are on your phone. This will hinder your recall progress.

Last example; your dog hears a noise and doesn't bark when they usually would. You celebrate and run together to the bikkie container and have a bikkie party. This will HELP your recall progress 🌟

Consider that every interaction with your dog counts towards their learning. Try to create many opportunities for them to get it right! This will build their confidence and help your recall progress 🐾

16/05/2024

Do you have a puppy???🐾🐾

Great coffee table book every caregiver should have, a must have.

12/05/2024

Early puppy socialisation is vital to your 🐶 puppy 🐾 🐾.

The sensitive period for socialisation is from 3 to 12/14 weeks, it’s a crucial time in a puppy’s development because their brains are especially receptive to learning about the world.

It means puppies have to encounter and be comfortable with all of the things you wish them to accept and ‘at least cope’ as adults - all kinds of people, other dogs, other animals, noises, surfaces, sights, and smells etc.

Share this information as many caregivers are not aware of the importance.

Puppies are able to attended our puppy classes from eight weeks at The Veterinary Hospital North and multiple locations in Veterinarian Clinics in Perth Western Australia 🇦🇺.

Chanel and Rose (9 week old Maltese x Shihitizu and 16 week old Coco and Mimi) are preparing for life, getting the support and guidance from their caregivers to help set them up for success with their individual needs.