What's Important For Puppies?

[Leema]

I've had Clover for a month now and I am very happy with her and what steps we've been taking. Clover will partake in conformation, obedience and aglity, assuming all goes to plan...

But there is 9999999 different opinions and articles on what I should be doing during this critical age. (She will be 12 weeks on Friday.) Consensus has been reached in regard to socialisation - exposure to as many things as possible!

So, I was wondering, what things YOU would make sure a new puppy into your house hold would be exposed to/taught very early on? Why?

[The Spotted Devil]

This is what I focussed on with my pup.....

1. People, people and more people - adults, kids, teens....with every look imaginable - just stand outside a supermarket with puppy in your arms

2. Friendly, well socialised puppies/dogs under control - my old dog was attacked as a puppy so I was extremely careful about this

3. Everyday items e.g. broom, vacuum cleaner, umbrella - I know some people think it's cute when puppy attacks/plays with the broom but it drives me nuts!

4. Traveling in the car.....just a minute or 2 to the corner shops to start with and we progressed from there.

5. Thunderstorms - I took Zig for a play out in a thunderstorm and it worked a treat....no problems with thunder or fireworks since

I'm sure there were lots of other things but they are the main ones that spring to mind....I'm really, really happy with my pup (he's now just gone one year) - very little phases him and even then it only takes a look from me and he's fine

[takeabreath_]

just stand outside a supermarket with puppy in your arms

Tell me about it. That's how Ben is getting most of his socialising.

[Leema]

Getting Clover used to people is easy! Stand anywhere in public and I get swarmed by people. Luckily Clover finds this exciting instead of daunting. We went to school today to get smothered by children. Next week I'm going to my mum's work with her, a nursing home, where she can see lots of funny-walking old people.

When we had fireworks and then a thunderstorm this month I was so excited! Just what I wanted for a puppy! Clover and Mac just slept through both, so I'm very to have that covered.

[Gottalovealab]

People and dogs are my two biggies. Your puppy will come into contact with these most times in their life, they need to be taught right from wrong from the start.

[Leema]

What kinds of things would individuals involved in conformation and/or obedience and/or agility recommend for a puppy? I.e. training exercises.

E.g. It has been suggested I get her used to mouthing metal objects. I'm working on the left and right circling (turn left/turn right) for agility using tug toys. Also highly rewarding freestacks when they occur for conformation.

[sidoney]

For agility, get the pup used to a variety of different surfaces, including unstable and raised surfaces. Playing with toys, tugging (gently with puppy teeth), recall. And all the other usual suspects.

[Leema]

Have been doing the different surfaces and tug games! Didn't think of unstable surfaces so thank-you for that.

[The Spotted Devil]

Although this applies to having a dog as a companion, if you want to trial/show I really think you have to train your pup to trust you - by being predictable in terms of corrections and rewards, by setting your pup up to succeed and by protecting your pup when necessary.

Just as an example, I take my year old Dal to the bay for a free run several times a week...usually early in the morning when it is quiet. He is very sociable with other dogs and can be a little over exuberant but I have taught him to "steady" as he approaches rather than galloping up rudely. He is very good with small dogs and old dogs too......his tail nearly falls off he wags it so hard

Yesterday a dog had a go at him (both were off leash) - I could see it coming in the dog's body language and tried to avoid the dog but to no avail. The first thing Ziggy did was look to me for guidance - and I immediately told him to "come" - it took him a couple of attempts as the dog would not let him pass but Zig got the biggest cuddle when he came back. Then a small terrier type dog in the same walking group decided to follow his mate's example and came tearing after us to have another go at Zig. Luckily I was close enough and I stood between Zig and the oncoming dog, telling it in no uncertain terms to bugger off. The little ratbag continued to bark and growl so I growled back - dog took off back to its owners and Ziggy was delighted!

Then there's the water - it has been too cold to swim for a while so Zig hadn't waded in the water since he was quite young. When I asked him to follow me into the water a few weeks back, you could see he was apprehensive but trusted me enough to have a splash. Then it only took a few enthusiastic sessions of "Good Boy!" before he now plunges in voluntarily to cool off (although he can't quite see the point of swimming yet).

Sorry for the ramble but I think it's an important aspect that gets forgotten sometimes.

[charli73]

hi! agree with all of the above, dont forget the tools at home like mower and vacuum so down track puppy doesn't freak out.. but from a distance at first...12-16wks being the important period you only get one shot. we took our pup near a train and traffic lights as know dogs who freak out down the street when they hear the tick,tick, tick of pedestrian lights.. car horns and all types of people especially as already suggested. only little things but im sure down the track you will be glad... good luck!