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Puppy Behaviour Right from the Start!

Puppy Behaviour Right from the Start!

Breed Selection

Breeds have been developed over hundreds of years for specific purposes.  It is important to consider what a breed has been developed for when choosing a puppy.  Sporting breeds are often high energy and require a lot of mental stimulation, while toy breeds require a less active fitness regime! Consider why you are getting a dog - is it for companionship, exercise, or another purpose?  If your lifestyle is very active, you should look at dog breeds that need a lot of activity, while if you think that 30 minutes of walks a day is all you can commit to, a lower energy dog would be a better choice.

Importance of Parental Temperament

There are some behaviours that are genetically influenced, so an idea of the parents’ nature will give you a clue towards what their offspring will be like. Therefore, it is important to meet the mother of any new puppy, and helpful to meet the father too! It also reduces the risk that the new puppy has originated from a puppy farm, where health and welfare levels are highly questionable.

Behaviour Effects of Early Rearing Environment

The most important period for puppies to learn social skills and how to interact with others (including other dogs, cats and humans) is between 3 and 12 weeks of age. This early stage is when they should be exposed to normal sights and noises within a household. New experiences allow them to be better prepared for living in a home, and without a wide variety of stimulation during this time frame, they can struggle to learn to cope with things that we take for granted (for example vacuum cleaners and approaching other pets) later in life.

Socialisation and habituation

A dog should be able to meet and interact with other dogs and people positively, and to do that, the dog should learn how early on in life. This is best done by keeping it with its mother and littermates until 8 weeks’ old, and ideally in a normal home environment, with children, and possibly cats. Young puppies should be handled regularly, including gentle examinations of ears and feet to reduce sensitivities when they get older. In the early stages of ownership, this can begin with puppy classes, which are often held at local veterinary practices. This is also beneficial as it means that a puppy will associate positive experiences within a clinical setting, and not be fearful of attending routine veterinary consultations. 

Training

Dog training is an important aspect of dog ownership, learning basic commands (such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’) is useful for developing a well-mannered pet, while teaching a dog more complex tricks can be very rewarding for both owner and canine! Getting a dog used to walking with a lead is a basic skill that can often be a challenge. The best way to avoid problems is to start work when they are young - building behaviours early is helpful. Begin with slow walks around a private enclosed area with minimal distractions and encourage the pup to stay by your side and reward them with a treat. This positively reinforces them to stay close. Then gradually add the lead. Training courses when dogs are young can be useful to not only reinforce good socialisation skills, but also can give top tips for a well-mannered dog, especially for new owners.

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