Q:
How soon should I start training my puppy?
A:
Whether your dog is eight weeks old or much
older, begin teaching your dog appropriate behaviors immediately.
Education begins as soon as you bring your dog into your home.
 Always keep in mind the
3 points of the learning triangle to
form a happy, healthy relationship with your dog. The top of the
triangle is setting up your environment for safety and success. The
next point of the triangle is forming positive associations with the
environment (classical conditioning). And the last point is training
behaviors and shaping reliability.
Training should be included in the overall process that is called
socialization. We ask our dogs to live with us under our terms and
conditions. Therefore, it’s important to socialize them so they can
more easily adapt to their human family, neighbors, and other
animals.
Socialization deals with stimulating the five senses. It is
the exposure to sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch.
Socialization is interaction with life and all it has to offer, and
being able to adapt to its challenges. “It’s all about surviving
errors,” as leading veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall puts
it.
The first 12-14 weeks of a dog’s life are the most influential in
shaping the adult dog’s temperament and behavior. Pups should be
handled as soon as they’re born to get them used to human touch and
start the socialization process. In addition to puppy kindergarten
classes, include environmental enrichment exercises in your puppy’s
routine.
Let her explore safe surroundings, both inside and outside;
put toys and novel stimuli on the living room floor and in the yard
without you. These items can include balls of different sizes
(baseballs, basketballs, beach balls), stuffed animals, and lawn
tools. Introduce other animals with strict supervision.
For more specific tips, see our
Puppy Sections | |
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