Mutt Manners Puppy and Dog Training

16/01/2025

Cannot repeat this enough...

PUPPY SOCIALIZATION - IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!!

I don't know how to say this more clearly and emphatically: Please DO NOT wait until your puppy has had all his or her vaccinations before beginning socialization. The socialization period is finite, limited, of short duration, ending at 14 weeks for the average puppy. This is a non-negotiable fact of nature and cannot be changed! 80% of the problems we deal with in adult dogs could have been avoided with timely socialization. You have a few weeks to get this right - your puppy will not wait until the holidays are over, you finish your overseas trip or your kids finish their exams. They will not wait until the weather is cooler (or hotter ) or you are less busy and they will NOT wait until all the vaccinations are done. They will continue to grow and develop emotionally, regardless of whether you are prepared or not. Those first 6 weeks when you have your puppy within that impressionable period will be gone in a flash, DO NOT waste them!

An absolutely miniscule TINY proportion of healthy, well cared for pups contract diseases and die - on the other hand, a huge proportion of dogs are euthanized or end up living severely limited lives due to serious social problems.

Yes, there are horror stories of puppies dying of parvo, but in some of those cases the pups had all their vaccinations and still contracted the disease, because there was a failure to immunize due to an inherent problem in the dog - so waiting for all the vaccinations before socialization made zero difference!

PLEASE also DO NOT wait for us to socialise your puppy for you. We also need a holiday! We worked right up until Christmas this year to accommodate new pups as far as possible, but for our own mental health we also need just a couple of weeks off. There are PLENTY of excellent articles on socialization DO's and DON'T 's. Start googling! Get proactive! I have shared numerous of these articles on this page previously and here is one I have written myself: https://www.tarynblyth.co.za/what-is-the-socialisation-period

Please note that what has been done cannot be undone! We are not running Hogwart's School of Magic - we cannot undo the damage caused by lack of early socialization, we can only help you manage it and try to do some form of damage control - there will always be scars. So, choose wisely how to spend those first few weeks with your puppy!

13/01/2025

The 2025 year has officially begun! And look at these cuties!

28/12/2024

27/12/2024

During your New Year celebration next week, please remember that we CANNOT bring ALL animals, birds and insects inside our home and medicate them to help them cope with scary, loud fireworks.

We need to stop being selfish and remember ALL those voiceless creatures (not just our domestic animals) who will be harmed by our few hours of pleasure and fun.

Let's reject fireworks. Let's say no to fireworks for ALL occasions (New Year, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Guy Fawkes and Diwali).

Johannesburg SPCA

📸 Animal Ethics

23/12/2024

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ….

Not just for Christmas, but every day of a dog’s life – these are some of the things I believe dogs would want -

Gifts of love, kindness, compassion, understanding and knowledge.

Gifts of helping them feel safe, secure and protected in their environment

Gifts of unconditional love, second chances and a forever home

Gifts of allowing appropriate choices

Gifts of mental and physical stimulation.

Gifts of proper nutrition and health care.

Gifts of never using punishment, force, fear, intimidation or tools that cause pain.

Gifts of acceptance for the dog that they are.

Wishing you and dog’s everywhere a very Happy Christmas filled with the gifts that really matter!

10/12/2024

So often, social media and popular culture try to draw you in on an emotional level to internalize your dog’s behaviour.

Why?

Because you hold the credit card.

Now, I’m not saying that our behaviour and interactions don’t impact our dog’s, because they do. What I am saying is that the more you believe that your dog’s behaviour is your fault and there is something wrong with YOU, the more ideas, products and services can be sold to you because you are emotionally vulnerable.

The moral compass of right and wrong when it comes to behaviour is not helpful.
Shift the perspective to “is this healthy?”

Emotions run high when it comes to our dogs. They are family. This is understandable.

When you can start to look at behaviour as a function you will have a clearer understanding of how to help your dog.

10/12/2024

DAY 11 December Games

08/12/2024

DAY 8 !