Holidaze Pup?
No that’s not a typo. It’s probably how you are feeling if you brought a new dog or puppy into your life over the holidays. With everyone home, the celebrations in full swing and lots of people paying attention to your new addition, it was fairly easy. But now what? Once all of the guests are gone and the kids are getting ready to go back to school - what about the new addition? Holidays are not the ideal time to bring a new dog into the family but with a good plan in place for the transition it can work out just fine. In addition to having routines for feeding, exercise, and training, a key component in preventing problem behaviors and fearful reactions is proper socialization. Socialization is very important before the age of 3 months in order to expose puppies to many new objects & situations they may encounter throughout their lives. As you introduce your puppy to new situations you need to be calm, upbeat, and reassuring. Let them explore at their own pace and never force them into something if they are fearful. Let them retreat if they want to but praise and reward for exploring new things & places. If they are overly fearful of any situation, and praise and encouragement are not working, take them away from the situation and try again at another session. The types of new situation/things you will want to expose your pup to, will in part, be determined by where you live and your lifestyle, but listed below are some fairly common situations for all dogs.
All types of people: men, women, children, old, young, those in wheelchairs, using canes, walkers, different ethnicities, hats on, beards, carrying umbrellas, etc.
New dogs ( until they are fully vaccinated you’ll want to limit this to dogs you know who are vaccinated and puppy tolerant)
Riding in the car
Exposure to traffic, bikes, scooters, skateboards, motorcycles, etc.
Their dog crate
The veterinarian, groomer, pet store, park, etc.
Being touched all over - ears, paws, mouth, tail, etc.
Loud noises
These are just a few of the new things & situations your dog will come in contact with and learning how to cope with them in a calm but inquisitive manner is key to raising a confident dog who has the skills to deal with them in an appropriate manner. Although socialization is key for a puppy it is just as important to continue to socialize your dog throughout their lives. It is an ongoing process. Older dogs who are fearful of new situations benefit from this same type of training approach. Good luck!! By the way - anytime you bring a new dog into your family - it’s a holiday!!! 🐶