Five top training tips for socialising your puppy
May 21, 2019
Your puppy’s emotional and behavioural development is just as important as its physical health. Dogs are sociable creatures, so it comes as no surprise that providing contact with other dogs is a very important part of your pup’s development process.
Our head vet Albert has a few simple training tips that you and your puppy can practice at home. And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to register your new puppy with us here at The Vet Whetstone.
Our top five puppy training tactics
- Start socialising early
The first 12 weeks are the most vital in the development of a happy, healthy young dog, so as soon as your puppy has been fully vaccinated, pop it on a lead and take it for short walks so it can meet and greet other dogs safely.
- Supervise meetings with children
Children can’t resist puppies, and while it might enjoy the attention at first, too much at once can overwhelm your pup. Introduce children one at a time so it can gradually get used to being handled by different people.
- Introduce new noises slowly
Your puppy’s going to have to get used to a lot of household noises, but it’s best to start slowly. Once it begins to feel comfortable with everyday sounds like the TV, you can play special CDs to familiarise your puppy with scarier noises like fireworks and sirens.
- Don’t rush into car travel
Car travel can be stressful for puppies, so before you head out on any journeys, let it play in a stationary car a few times. Then, start with short trips before gradually building up journey lengths to get them used to traffic and noise.
- Use treats to reward relaxed behaviour
If your puppy responds calmly to a new situation, show it what a good job its doing by rewarding it with a treat. This is known as positive reinforcement and is a proven way to encourage good behaviour.
We’re here to help you with puppy socialising
The world can be a scary place for puppies, so don’t force them into situations they’re not comfortable with. Instead, it’s important to move at their pace and make training as enjoyable as possible – it’s well worth the hard work.
If you fancy a chat, our experienced nurses at The Vet Whetstone will be happy to answer your questions about this important stage in your dog’s life. There’s no need to make an appointment, but it’s a good idea to call us on 020 8368 9798 so we can make sure someone is about when you pop in.