04/05/2024
I've been resting up and contemplating... here's my thoughts on puppy rearing...
(I've raised a lot of puppies and a few children now and my feelings are the same)
I've come to realize the best balanced upbringing is not one based on complete routine, but rather dozens (if not more) of consistently inconsistent variable daily patterns that foster intuitiveness, flexibility, patience, impulse control, healthy reactions to novel experiences and a passion for exploration and adventure.
This is vital on all levels of puppy rearing, from basic life skills to sport or work specific training.
I truly believe that the more routine based upbringing is, the harder it can be for puppies adjusting to novel environmental, changes in daily activities and patterns, travel, etc. I also firmly believe routine interferes with fostering the intuitive level of communication we should have with our dogs. I've also seen routine create a lot of impulse control issues, reactivity issues, and dependency issues in young dogs when raising them to our strict standards.
I've raised a few puppies now with my life in turmoil, on the road traveling, working a lot of hours, etc - not ideal situations in many people's minds and those dogs are by far my most well adjusted, neutral, flexible, patient dogs with solid impulse control and a high level of intuitive relationship based understanding.
I've grown a lot in my life of dog ownership and with each new dog, my take on puppy rearing and trainin is a little more enlightened.
In 3 weeks my new puppy has called a trailer in 3 states home. As well as a new house and 40 acres home. He's seen a dozen dogs that are safe and good role models across 4 states. He's had to potty on grass, gravel, dirt, mud, snow, ice, and pavement (unfortunately). He's been in a wire crate, soft crate, vari kennel and xpen. He's slept on my trailer bed, on my house bed, in a crate, on the floor, outside in an xpen, loose in the trailer and house. His relaxation spot has been in the trailer, the kitchen, the mudroom, the bathroom, or the living room. He has relaxed on a towel, a comfy dog bed, a floor mat, a dog crate and my feet. He's eaten meals from my hand, from other's hands, from a bowl, on the grass, on the floor, in a crate, in my kitchen, in my trailer. He's seen livestock on 3 different properties. He's played in the heat, sun, rain, snow, hail, wind. He's eaten at every hour of the day and night already (there's been some late night travels). He's been with me 24/7 and away from me for 10+ hours in a day. He's been allowed to wrestle and bite me (gently) and been asked not to and play with a toy instead. He's been allowed to hang off my pants and shoes, and also walk alongside me without touching me. He's been allowed to jump up for attention, and also been expected to sit and wait patiently. He's been allowed to play with the rabbit, but also expected to rest quietly and ignore the rabbit. He has lounged on me to nap, but has also been expected to be able to fall asleep in a crate by himself. He might eat 5 times a day, or 2. He's gone on pack walks, walks alone with me, and any combination of 2-8 dogs. He might spend the whole day outside, or the whole day inside. The list goes on and on...
Puppies are sponges! And are capable of learning so much from context and varied expectations. We can help them hone their intuitive nature. Help them learn to read context. Help them become flexible, intelligent, patient and neutral adults.
The only routines we actually have are: wake up- go potty. Eat-go potty. Drink-go potty. And those obviously become looser as the puppy ages!
