The new family member; the long awaited puppy is coming home.

 

Apart from the normal puppy issues, like feeding and toilet training, a lot of effort is needed to socialize the new puppy! What we do with him during the first months of his life will affect your life together, when he is older. Here some tips how to get your puppy brave and confident in all kinds of situations.

Some things we train the puppy already when he is born and together with his mother and siblings, but continue to expose the puppy to new things continuously. We don’t want a dog that is scared in everyday life situations.

1. NOISE IN THE HOUSE, for ex TV, vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, hair dryer, telephone, door bell, stammering pots

2. DIFFERENT PEOPLE, let the dog meet other people than his core family and have them to pet him, touch him, lift the tail, touch the ears, inspecting the teeth, touching the nails. Expose the puppy to people in wheel chair, trolley, on skate board, roller blades, bike, moped…

3. CHILDREN. If you don’t have young children, let the puppy meet them. Let them touch the puppy (with supervision of course, not alone). The high pitched noises of children and unexpected moves etc is a good training for the puppy.

4. DOGS. I think it is important for the puppy to see other dogs, not similar to themselves, other fur, size etc. Go to a dog playground, or take a course at the local dog schooling.

5. WALK ON DIFFERENT UNDERLAYS, grass, stones, ceramic tails, tails that are shiny, snow, wood, logs, metal, stair cases (normal and also the industrial/see through ones), lift, walking in tunnels or over a bridge etc

6. TRAVEL with car, bus, train, boat. Bike if you like.

7. CROWDS. Many people at ones can be scary for a little puppy. Expose him soonest. Go to a shopping mall (where allowed) or similar

8. TOWN AND COUNTRY SIDE. If you live in the town go to the country side to experience other animals and noises and if you live there go to visit a town, so the puppy can see many cars and buses, traffic lights and so on. Also by night! Go to have a coffee (and practice loooong waiting).

9. EXTREME NOISES. A puppy can get scared of thunder or shots (unhappy new year), if you get the chance for him to get used to it, take it, comfort him and don’t show that you are afraid.