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Why socializing your puppy is essential for long-term happiness
Why socializing your puppy is essential for long-term happiness
Puppy Socialization!
(Yes, that’s a Great Dane in a backpack )
Socialization and desensitization for puppies in the juvenile stage is imperative to their ability to live, and furthermore thrive in the developed world.
When you get your young puppy, begin introducing them to the world right away! A common misconception is that you should keep your puppy home for the first few months so they can adjust to their new environment.
That is quite possibly the worst thing you could do for your new puppy! Between 12-14 weeks, your puppy should be having positive interactions with places, people, and other dogs. This is a crucial developmental period that so many pet owners neglect, and the repercussions are paramount. They are quickly left with fearful, anxious dogs that are afraid of the world. This is a huge contributing factor to shelter surrenders in young dogs.
So, what should you do?
Our best advice? Puppy backpack!!! Wear your puppy everywhere with you! Allow them to interact with new people and expose them to public spaces. The backpack allows you to bring your puppy places without worrying about them not having all of their vaccines.
Begin early with outings, car rides, social visits to your vet office just to say hello, allowing your puppy to meet (fully vaccinated, dog social) dogs you know and trust, and get all the pets from strangers. Also, beginning early with grooming and nail trimming practices will save you a lot of grief!
Beginning early with your puppy with games teaching them their name, basic obedience commands, and the art of negotiation with humans and other dogs is also crucial.
Lots of information, right? If you have a new puppy or are thinking of adding to your family, reach out to us! We are always here to answer questions, help with selecting a breeder, helping you select a breed that fits your lifestyle, and of course, with early training and socializing!
Shoot us a message or visit our website!
Heat Stroke in pets -- What to know
Heat Stroke in pets -- What to know
10 reasons why you should teach your dog the art of doing nothing
10 reasons why you should teach your dog the art of doing nothing
10 reasons why you should teach your dog the art of doing nothing in public spaces.
1. Reduces Anxiety: training your dog to relax can help reduce their overall anxiety and stress levels, making them feel more secure in various environments.
2. Improves Behavior: a well-trained and relaxed dog is less likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors, such as barking or being overly energetic in public spaces.
3. Enhances Bonding: spending time teaching your dog how to relax strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend, fostering trust and understanding.
4. Easier Outings: a dog that knows how to relax is easier to take out in public places like cafes, parks, or during travels. It makes the experience more enjoyable for both of you!
5. Promotes Health: just like humans, dogs benefit from downtime. It can help mitigate stress-related health issues, keeping them happy and healthy.
6. Improves Focus: teaching relaxation can enhance your dog’s ability to focus and listen to commands, making training sessions more productive.
7. Prepares for New Situations: calmness in various environments can help dogs adapt better to new experiences, reducing fear or overstimulation.
8. Cultivates Independence: teaching your dog to relax helps them feel comfortable being alone in a safe environment, which is important for their confidence.
9. Creates Peaceful Home Life: a relaxed dog contributes to a serene atmosphere in your home, benefiting both humans and pets alike.
10. Enjoyment of Quiet Times: while dogs love to play, teaching them to enjoy downtime will enhance their quality of life and provide a balance between activity and relaxation.
Encouraging relaxation in your dog is a rewarding process that offers benefits for both you and your furry companion!
Can’t get your dog to relax? Ask me how!
Fear Periods in Adolescent Dogs
Fear Periods in Adolescent Dogs
Have you ever heard of fear periods in dogs? Well, now you have!
Fear periods are the the most common reason adolescent dogs are surrendered to shelters nationwide.
What IS a fear period? A completely normal, critical period in a domesticated dog’s development where he will become suddenly fearful of stimuli he has been previously exposed to. A radical, critical reorganization of information in your dog’s brain.
In a nutshell, your dog is re-learning what is safe and what is not.
It is imperative that you handle these periods with grace and poise. Do not give up on your dog during these crucial developmental periods! We are here to help you not only navigate, but support your dog through these periods of seemingly irrational fear responses in a way that will leave them far more confident on the other side. After all, that’s what these developmental stages are all about: growth!
When do fear periods occur?
It depends! The first period occurs before adolescence, before the puppy is weaned from the litter. Then another, when the puppy is weaned and enters a new environment. The next period most commonly occurs somewhere between 6-14 months, depending on breed and other environmental factors. (Some dogs experience many fear periods in their adolescence!)
What does a fear period LOOK like?
Your dog will begin exhibiting fear responses in reaction to things they were previously never phased by: A trash can you pass daily on your typical route for your daily walks. A neighbor that your dog sees on a regular basis. Other dogs. Loud or percussive noises. Sudden movement. Touching of sensitive areas such as the paws and ears. Crate anxiety. There are endless possibilities!
This period can be extremely defeating and confusing for us as owners. We do everything right: early socialization, desensitization exercises, confidence building. And yet, we find ourselves having an embarrassing leash tug-of-war battle with our previously confident dog over a trash can we’ve passed every day for the last 3 months.
Guide your dog through this period! One way you can do this is bringing those tasty treats out and using them to create a positive association between the stimuli and something your dog enjoys. Begin working at the low end of your dogs threshold where they are exhibiting minimal stress and discomfort. Don’t throw them in head first! Work slowly, building closer and closer to reaching your end goal: a consistently positive reaction to the stimuli.
If you are struggling to navigate these challenging periods with your pup, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. We know how challenging this can be for both members of your dog/handler team. We are an evidence based practice with science on our side!
Fourth of July safety for dogs
Fourth of July safety for dogs
Did you know more dogs are lost on the Fourth of July than ANY other day of the year?
Here’s some facts:
• Animal controls reports over a 50% increase in the amount of lost pets between July 4-6 annually.
• Less than 14% of lost pets are successfully reunited with their owners.
• 30-60% of lost pets are euthanized when they cannot be identified.
• More dog bites occur on 4th of July than any other day of the year.
Keep your pup safe and at home this year. Don’t let your best friend become part of a statistic.
We are offering boarding for the weekend of the Fourth if needed!
Message us to learn more!
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