Puppy Training Tips : Pups and Pooches Dog Training.

Puppy Socialisation and Habituation: Mastering It for Your Puppy!

Indoors:

Habituation is all about gradually introducing your puppy to various objects and noises, starting right at home. If your puppy comes from a responsible and knowledgeable breeder, some of this work might already be underway. Begin with brief exposure periods from a distance, moving closer as your puppy remains calm with the noise. Picture your young pup being introduced to the grand orchestra of household sounds: the symphony of the vacuum cleaner, the melodious beep of the microwave, the chugging and glugging of the washing machine and dishwasher, and the dramatic crescendo of the doorbell. Initially, these sounds might make your puppy feel uneasy, but a little reassurance is perfectly fine—it's an old wives' tale that this will make your puppy more afraid. Take the humble vacuum cleaner, for example. Break it down to make it look smaller and less intimidating, and let your puppy explore this silent beast with its parts spread out on the floor. The next time you vacuum, start in the room furthest from your puppy so the sound is soft, and give your pup a long-lasting chew to occupy them and associate the noise with something enjoyable. With repeated exposure, your puppy will start to realize it's just the soundtrack of their life, not a thriller. Over time, your puppy will learn that the blender isn't a monster and the dishwasher isn't plotting against them. This gradual exposure helps them relax and embrace the household noises as the background tunes of everyday life.

Puppies Go Outdoors:

Get ready for an outdoor adventure which through your pups eyes could be bursting with excitement or extremely frightening! The great outdoors is calling, and it’s a challenge as you navigate the unpredictability the outside world with your puppy. Distance is your ally here—moving your puppy away from loud sounds diminishes their impact and makes them less intimidating, allowing puppy to accept them with calmness and with your reassurance.

A little at a time helps puppy to learn to accept the wild cacophony of the world: honking cars, barking dogs, hissing air brakes of buses and lorries, clanking dustbin trucks, ear piercing sirens and lively neighbourhood chatter. To ensure the outside world isn’t overwhelming, you can set the stage by playing recordings of these sounds at a low volume in the house paired with a long lasting chew, like a DJ creating the perfect party vibe. As your puppy becomes more at ease with each sound, turn up the volume and eventually take them on a field trip to safely experience the chaos, just like a tourist on an exhilarating safari. Remember, it’s all about taking baby steps, especially for young puppies who haven’t had their shots yet. This is the perfect time to start, with your puppy safely nestled in a sling or carrier, let them hear, smell, and see the sights and sounds from a safe distance. A trip to the vet, simply for hugs, strokes, and cuddles, helps to build relationships and confidence in this world of unfamiliar smells, noises, and experiences. This approach taken at your pups pace, boosts your pup’s confidence, supporting them to grow into their world with confidence.

Puppies Go Travelling:

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of pet socialisation with car confidence! Many pups initially think car rides are a reason to worry, but fear not! You can transform this experience into a delightful adventure that both you and pup will enjoy.

Creating a Positive Association with the Car, begins with introducing your puppy to their travel crate or harness, as with all things new, puppy needs a period of exploration. It's as simple as just leaving the equipment around for pup to explore at their leisure, reward investigation with a marker word and a treat. Introductions to your car should be invited, with car parked in a secure area allow puppy to investigate the car with engine off and doors closed, this makes the car as small as possible and silent. Let puppy explore if they wish, reward any movement towards the car. In your next car exploration session it may be that puppy is ready to retrieve treats from the car, leave the doors open this time and place treats on the entrance t the doors and a couple on the seats to encourage exploration. Placing treats out of sight encourages puppy to use their nose to sniff them out, remember that sniffing is calming and will help puppy keep their nerve and continue to explore. Use the irresistible allure of sniffing out treats and toys to create a positive association with the car environment.

Mastering Engine Meditation, once your puppy feels at ease with their travel setup, it's time to add the sound of the engine. Begin by calmly turning the car on and off while your pup relaxes inside. Having treats around to reward your puppy for calmness is a brilliant indicator of how they are coping, if puppy refuses a treat they are feeling stressed., it indicated that it's time to stop for now and try another day. Working at pups pace will help them acclimate to the sounds and sensations of the vehicle without the stress of actually going anywhere. Make sure to reward them with treats or praise to reinforce their calm behaviour.

Short Joyrides: next, take your pet on short drive to the end of your drive, then stop. Check in on how your puppy is feeling, still taking treats? These short trips should be fun-filled adventures allowing puppy to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world combined with the sensation of being in a moving car. Keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable, perhaps playing their favourite music or offering treats during the ride.

The Ultimate Goal: Your puppy to become a seasoned traveller, ready to tackle vet visits and other necessary trips like a pro. With consistent practice, your pup will lounge in their crate as if it's a luxurious first-class seat, feeling safe and secure. This new found confidence not only makes car rides more enjoyable but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry companion. With patience, positive reinforcement, and a focus on fun, you can turn car ride anxiety into car ride calmness. So buckle up, and get ready for many adventures ahead!

Check out Highway Code rule 56 and 57 to ensure that you are travelling and handling your dog safely on and around roads.

Puppies -Socialisation:

Introducing pets to other animals and humans is akin to organizing a mixer for introverts. Tackle this task with the skill of a party planner, allowing your pup to meet new friends from a safe distance. When your pet encounters other dogs for the first time, imagine it as a speed-dating scenario where they can observe from afar before engaging. Remember that if you allow your puppy to greet everyone and every dog you are setting them up to expect this every time you go out for a walk, they will become excited at seeing a person or dog and anticipate meeting them. So play it smart, select people and dogs who are calm in their demeanour, walk past several without interaction until YOU choose a dog or person to meet.

Puppies-Steps for Successful Introductions

• Observe from a Distance: Allow your puppy to watch other animals or humans from a safe distance to gauge their reactions. Top tip for reducing anxiety is to put more distance between puppy and the scary sound or object>

• Gradual Engagement: Slowly decrease the distance between your puppy and the new person or dog, observing body language to ensuring they your puppy and the approaching person or dog are feeling comfortable. Remember that socially aware dogs will meet with a side on approach then scoot to the back end to sniff, so encourage your puppy to do just this.

• Positive Reinforcement: Reward your pup for calm behaviour during introductions to create positive associations. What type of reward you use to reinforce desired behaviour from your puppy is totally up to pup. Yes, they are in charge of something in their life! Whatever puppy enjoys the most, frequently this is some type of food reward, generally high value treats include chicken, ham, sausage, and the like....no kibble will not cut it! Want to know how to carry out a treat test to find out what puppy likes best? Check out my FB private page Pups and Pooches Puppy Class. (20+) Facebook

• Keep a Close Eye on Proceedings: Keep an eye on the body language of all parties and ensure each meeting is as relaxing as a spa day.

• Encourage Exploration: Foster a sense of security by allowing your pup to explore new environments at their own pace.

By cultivating a sense of security during socialisation, your puppy will learn to navigate the world successfully, looking to you for permission to greet, ready to enjoy every moment. Positive interactions will not only enhance their confidence but also contribute to a well-adjusted and happy puppy.