Making positive experiences for your puppy

The key to a happy, well socialised adult dog is ensuring they have lots of positive experiences as a puppy. Laying the groundwork early on for a well behaved dog is essential for your puppy’s growth and development. However, the introduction of new experiences needs to be gradual and controlled. It must also be done when your puppy is relaxed and feels safe. It’s vital that puppies learn about everyday life in a positive way. Read our blog below on creating positive experiences for your pup.

How to introduce experiences

You should always try and introduce your puppy to things in stages and not overload them all at once; too much, too soon, can cause our pups a lot of stress and not do them any good in the long run.

This gives them a chance to be naturally apprehensive at first, to then feeling more comfortable once they realise it isn’t too scary, or it’s even fun. As they progress, make sure to use plenty of positive reinforcement such as treats and toys to develop your bond and help them build trust.

If you puppy is showing signs of stress or being frightened (tail between legs, ears tucked back) it’s important that you stop the interaction or activity straight away.

What things should I introduce to my puppy?

Introducing new experiences and objects should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. This includes new people, objects that make loud noises such as the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, or drills, and other pets.

It is important that puppies don’t go out walking in public before they are fully vaccinated, as certain potentially serious diseases can be picked up from the environment and other dogs. Your dog should also start an anti-parasite routine before going outside.

Puppies can, however, be carried outside – perhaps in a carrier or sling – so you can begin to introduce them to the world around them. This will enable you to begin the socialisation process without them going on the ground. Then, once they can venture out on their own four paws, you can continue to give them new experiences further from home.

Habituation

Habituation is how a puppy becomes accustomed to different environments. Get your puppy used to a wide variety of sights, sounds, noises, smells, and tastes at a very early age, and they’ll be less fearful and jumpy when they encounter them as an adult.

Check our socialisation and habituation checklist below. Try to run your pup through them as early on as you can!

• Being touched/petted by strangers

• Meeting young children (always supervise)

• Meeting a dog-friendly cat

• Meeting vaccinated adult dogs

• Experiencing visitors arriving and leaving your home

• Visiting other people’s homes

• Traveling in a car

• Hearing the phone ring, loud music, and the noises from television

• Hearing the washing machine, dryer, and vacuum

• Hearing thunder, fireworks, and sirens

• Getting their paws wet, taking baths, and becoming accustomed to water

• Having their coat brushed and their nails touched

Puppy’s First Visit

A puppy’s first trip to the grooming studio can be scary; for both puppy and puppy-parent. Our Puppy’s First Visit is designed to make this trip easier and will introduce your puppy to the sights, sounds and scents of our grooming studio.

Recommended for all puppies once they have completed their vaccination schedule.