Guest Article - The Importance of Puppy Training

Puppy training and socialization are extremely important, since the puppy stage is the most critical time in the development of the dog.  The training that is done (or not done) during this stage of development will forever affect the behavior of the dog.

A puppy that is well adjusted and properly socialized will make a good companion. It will be neither aggressive to nor frightened of anything or anyone it would typically encounter in day-to-day life. A dog that is not properly socialized will be untrustworthy and possibly even a liability, because it could become a fear-biter and get into fights with other dogs. Unsociable dogs have difficulty adapting to new environments, and a routine visit to a veterinary clinic could turn into a nightmare for everyone involved. Avoid the hassles by starting puppy training right away.

The period of socialization lasts until the puppy is approximately 12 weeks old. However, at that three-month mark, the socialization process does not end, as it is important that your dog’s socialization skilled continue to be refined. It is easiest to socialize the puppy before it is three months old. Any later and it becomes a time-consuming process that few owners will have the patience, energy or money for.

Puppy training can assist you in creating and maintaining a balanced and healthy state of mind in the growing pup, since you will understand how it operates and might react in different situations. Being aware of the personality of the puppy enables the owner to step in to correct possible behavioral issues prior to them becoming problematic. 

Teaching the puppy how to sit, come, stay, drop it and not to bite could prevent the pup from eating something it shouldn't, save some fingers, or just make life less hectic when the puppy listens from the start.

Bear in mind the importance of remaining patient at all times. Training assists the pup in learning confidence and feeling good about itself. Gain its respect and trust by showing respect, and an unbreakable bond will be formed.

Calming Signals

This article was inspired from the book by Turid Rugaas “On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals”.

We know dogs speak a different language then us. And the more we understand that language, the better relationship we will have with them.

Dogs use calming signals in order to maintain good social relationships with each other. These signals help them keep the peace when meeting new dogs, playing and in stressful situations.

Some common calming signals include:

• Licking/Smacking the lips – dogs that are uncomfortable with a situation, for example having a camera too close to their face will often start licking or smacking their lips.

• Yawning – many people assume a dog yawning means he is tired. He might be but more likely he is feeling stressed for some reason and trying to calm himself. Or he is yawning to reduce the stress of another dog, or even you. In turn you can do the same for your dog. And you can even fake it.

• Averting eyes/Blinking/Turning Away – staring is often considered a challenge in a dog’s world. A confident dog can help an insecure dog by deliberately avoiding direct eye contact by blinking, averting the eyes or even turning away.

• Sniffing the Ground – this can be easy to miss since dogs spend half their lives with their nose to the ground. Dogs will sometimes sniff the ground when first meeting a dog or if a human is walking straight towards them. It’s like he’s minding his own business or at least wanting to look that way.

• Lifting a Paw – dogs may lift a paw if they are unsure and nervous or if they are trying to calm down another dog.

• Sitting/Lying Down – dogs will often sit or lie down to diffuse a potential fight. This is also a common way of trying to calm down an angry human. If you ever approach your dog with an aggressive energy, your dog might just spontaneously sit or lie down.

• Freezing – it’s not uncommon for smaller dogs to freeze when bigger dogs approach and sniff them, or if they feel threatened by a human yelling at them.

• Moving Slowly – have you ever noticed your dog move toward you slowly when you call him with either frustration or anger in your voice? Moving slowly helps calm dogs down. They may also calm down another dog by approaching them slowly.

• Moving in an Arc – this is considered a more polite way for dogs to meet as opposed to face to face. This approach allows both dogs to sniff each other at the same time. You can also help a nervous dog by approaching him the same way.

• Splitting – often misread by humans as a dog being jealous by getting in between two dogs or a dog and person. You may see dogs do this when play gets a little rough or when dogs are fighting. Getting in between fighting dogs can be a more effective way of diffusing the situation as opposed to when we pull them apart which often increases their intensity.

If you start paying more attention to your dog, you will likely notice him using the various calming signals in different situations. Once you do, it can open up a whole new world for you and your dog.