Puppy Homes

When puppies go to their new families, they are in the last part of the critical Socialization period (9-12 weeks, sometimes up to 16 weeks old). During this time, puppies are quick learners, easy to socialize,  and it is an optimal time for them to develop strong emotional bonds. However, they can also be hypersensitive to social engagements and agonistic experiences. Puppies can imprint on negative events that frighten them. Social interactions must be in a controlled environment to ensure a positive and enriching outcome. We recommend a slow introduction to other household pets in an open, neutral area. You may introduce your puppy to new people and things, but do so gradually as they acclimate to their new home. Be aware of your puppy’s body language while monitoring for signs of fear, and use treats and praise to create positive associations.

Late Sensitive Period Socialization: 9 - 16 Weeks Old

Puppy socialization for owners focuses on building trust in your puppy through introductions, developmental experiences and teaching manners. Our goal is to establish your new puppy’s trust in four key things - with you and other people, the world around them including other dogs, owner expectations, and themselves. When you bring your puppy home, you should start handling them everyday. Touch the paws, ears, stomach and rub their nose. Use rewards as you teach them to tolerate something that might be uncomfortable. Transition them to being touched by other caregivers such as your vet, groomer, pet sitter, and trainers.

Sensitive period socialization involves building your puppy’s trust in the world around them, specifically new places, things, sounds, sights, touch, and animals. But remember, it is about the quality of these interactions, not the quantity. Your puppy does not need exposure to hundreds of things, but a few really important things in a safe environment. Now is the optimal time to take your puppy to what you hope to do with them in the future. This may include camping, hiking in the mountains, boating on lake, short walks around your neighborhood, exploring in urban environments, and swimming.

Listed below are some ideas for Socialization

• Places - home improvement stores, children’s daycare or school, senior center, walks on city streets and out in rural/suburban areas, coffee shops, restaurant with a patio, house basement, garage, stairs, puppy kindergarten classes

• Sights & Sounds - boxes, balloons, mobiles or hanging items, recorded sounds, music, home appliances such as a vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, broom, fans, umbrella, trash can, lawn mower, TV, bicycle, cars

• Touch & Texture - tile, wood floors, play mats, toys with different textures and sounds, gravel, grass, fabrics, grooming tools - nail clipper, dremel, blow dryer, brush, trimming shears

• Animals - cats, farm animals, other puppies or littermates, adult dogs who you trust

Socialization Precautions

Socializing your puppy is essential to their development, but it is important to take precautions against disease and negative experiences.

1. Bring your puppy to new places with limited or no dogs - Puppy Kindergarten and AKC S.T.A.R Puppy class is okay and highly encouraged!

2. Never let your puppy interact with a strange dog. Puppy to puppy interactions are best - or a playdate with an adult dog that you know well.

3. When introducing your puppy to new things, always give them time to observe, listen and process the situation. If they are exhibiting signs of fear, remain calm, reassure them that it is okay but do not push them to interact. Let your puppy explore at their own pace.

4. Avoid grass that is a frequent bathroom spot of other dogs.

5. Your puppy will be at risk for Parvovirus and Distemper from the time you bring them home until two weeks after their final vaccination, usually around 18 - 20 weeks old. Socialize your puppy only in safe places (no dog parks). If needed, use a pet carrier/stroller or carry your puppy.

Sensitive Period Puppy Training

Sensitive period training consists of age-appropriate goals and practical skills. Make sure to bee consistent with your expectations. Puppies learn best what they learn first, so set your house rules with your future adult dog in mind. Remember that training takes time. If your puppy doesn’t catch on right away, take a break and try again later. A few short training sessions everyday (1 - 3 minutes long) is very effective during this stage in their development. Avoid the use of the word “No” and redirect to what you want them to do. Focus on basic behaviors and commands - their name, come when called, stay, greeting politely without jumping, down, being quiet when asked, and leave it alone.

Recall

We have used a unique “puppy call” with the puppies for food. It is a conditioned reinforcer that when heard, they anticipate they will be given something great! This call is the foundation for teaching a solid recall command. Start by saying '“come” in an excitable tone. When your puppy comes running towards you, give them lots of praise and a treat.

Crate Training

Puppies need A LOT of sleep! Their rest periods should be structured in between playtime, training sessions, and social outings. Puppies learn to love their crates, as it is a safe and quiet space for them. It teaches them to calm down and be comfortable with being left alone. Start with leaving their crate open in their designated puppy area for them to check out. Put your puppy in the crate with a bone or toy and leave them for a short period of time. Slowly work up to longer periods in the crate until they get fully accustomed to it.

Leash Walking

Puppies follow motion. Start by teaching your puppy to follow you off leash. You can do so by walking in a circle in an open space - indoors or outdoors. When your puppy begins to follow you closely on your left side, press the clicker or use the verbal marker, “Yes,” and immediately give a treat. Gradually increase the distance of your circle and continue to mark and give treats. Transition to using a collar and leash. If your puppy strays away from you, avoid tugging on the leash. Allow them to come back to you and when they do, click and give a treat.

Manding

Manding is the behavior of automatic sitting as a means to ask for something. We teach manding by giving treats to the puppies who are sitting and being attentive. The puppies who are jumping on us or barking do not get a treat until they sit. This teaches them that jumping and climbing all over us is not an acceptable way to interact with us. You can practice manding with your new puppy in the same way. Wait for your puppy to offer a behavior and sit patiently, before giving them a treat or attention.

By giving our puppies a way to communicate with us, it strengthens the human-animal bond. We are able to shape their attention to want to look us and feel safe doing so because it is a rewarding experience. When our dogs choose to look at us, the very act of exchanging gazes raises pituitary oxytocin levels, also known as “the love hormone,” which further deepens our relationship with them, (Attention is the Mother of All Behaviors, Puppy Culture, 2014).

Potty Training

For puppies under 16 weeks old, you must anticipate when they need to go out. Be sure to withhold food and water for 1-2 hours before bed. If you are unable to attend to your puppy, you must put them in their crate. Never scold your puppy for going potty in the house. This does not teach them to not go in the house, it only teaches them to be scared of going potty and will make them more likely to find inconspicuous places to do so, like behind the couch. If they do go potty in the house, use vinegar to remove the scent from the floor and prevent future accidents in that spot.

Puppy Area instructions - Set up a puppy play pen that includes an small crate with the door left open and a potty area (litter box, puppy pads, or fake grass). As your puppy learns to hold their bladder for longer, you can close the crate and remove the potty area.

When to take your puppy out:

• Every few hours

• After a play session

• 15 - 30 minutes after eating or drinking

• Immediately upon waking up

• Before bedtime

• Abrupt cessation in activity or starting to sniff

• Going to the door or looking outside