08/05/2020
This is a challenging time for new puppy owners. This is good information. Expose your pup to as much as possible in the first 16-20 weeks of their lives! Contact me if you have any queries or need help with your new puppy.
SOCIALISATION DURING LOCKDOWN:
What puppy parents can do
Socialisation is allowing the pup to interact and experience the world. All interactions should be positive ie puppy maintains a happy, relaxed disposition while being introduced to new experiences, other people, children, dogs & a range of environments & situations. These are difficult times as we are challenged to introduce our pups to other pups/dogs & to people they don't know. There is however a lot we can do!
The more the puppy is exposed to, while having a positive experience, especially in the critical period up to 16-20 weeks, the more likely we are have a happy, well balanced adult dog.
Here are some ideas that you can consider during lockdown:
1) Get the puppy used to being handled all over, be gentle & give the pups lots of treats for allowing you to run your hands over his body, ears, legs, paws, tail, lift his lips & look at his teeth etc
2) Expose your puppy to noise - there are several appropriate apps or noises that can be downloaded on your phone. Include thunder, fireworks, cars backfiring etc. Start on a low noise level and gradually increase while watching to make sure your pup is still comfortable
3) Take the pup in to the garden & expose to sounds of birds, your lawnmower, creepy crawly, use the rake, dig a hole with the spade.
4) Inside the house, expose the puppy to your vacuum cleaner working, the washing machine running a cycle etc. Take out your pots/pans/utensils & place them on the ground, sprinkle some treats around them and let your puppy find their way over the obstacles, get used to the noise some will make and the textures they will feel from others.
5) Use some chairs & encourage your pup to go under them etc. You can even move furniture to teach the pup to adapt behaviour ie move around something that was not there before.
6) Dress up, put on a big hat and glasses, open & close an umbrella, bounce an exercise ball, do some yoga moves.
Let the puppy get used to seeing people with masks on. Dress them up eg put a scarf on etc, make it fun.
7) Teach them to get in & out of the car, switch the car on, move the car up and down the driveway etc
8) Get them used to the collar/harness & lead
9) Once they can go for walks, let them sniff outside your garden & try and expose them to baby strollers, joggers, cyclists, buses, cars, barking dogs etc
10) Use your imagination. Push your wheelie bin up & down your driveway, drop a book on the ground, walk with crutches if you have them or push a wheelchair. If you have boxes, turn them on their side & let your pup explore inside etc
11) Expose the pup to different surfaces such as grass (wet & dry), tiles, stones, soil, soft & hard etc. If you have a metal surface that is also great as it prepares them for most vet examination tables
12) Don't forget to introduce other family members such as the cat, parrot, domestic workers etc
13) Teach your pup a self control exercise to help him, so when he sees another dog or person, he does not automatically lunge. The pup should sit next to you, let another family member approach, repeat your sit word if you think your pup starts getting up. Let the family member stop before the pup gets up & gradually move closer, each time you try the exercise, until they can shake your hand, while you pup sits quietly next to you. (remember to reward the pup, even if they can only hold a sit with someone a couple of meters away). If they really get good at this, then let your family member bring one of your other dogs approach with them, following the same as above. Lots of reward for holding position & try & set the pup up for success by starting with enough distance for the pup to hold the sit.
Don't ever force your puppy with any of above. Give them the time & distance they need to build confidence. As they move closer to that they are wary of, reward them, lots of treats & affection.
If your pup is surprised, a way to distract them is to drop some treats, this not only distracts but also teaches the pup that not all scary surprises are bad.
I hope these help! I would love you to add things to my list, as these are just some examples. Please add your ideas or questions in the comments. I am happy to help you and your pups.
Amanda
