Top tips to creating happy dogs from playful puppies

So you have made the big step of getting a new puppy, then it’s very important that you devote time to socialising and habituating them. 

The RVC VetCompass project, has discovered that in the UK, behavioural issues are one of the three biggest causes of deaths in dogs under 3 years old, with huge numbers of young dogs euthanized due to unacceptable aggression. So what you do now matters- it will influence what your dog is like for the rest of their life. 

The ‘sensitive’ period: 

During the first few months of their life puppies soak up experiences and new things – they become the norm. After around 14-16 weeks of age they stop becoming so receptive to new things and may not become accepting of them. This means that new things experienced after this time can cause fear, and possibly aggression, in your puppy. 

That’s why this period should be focused on socialising (getting to know other dogs) and habituating (getting used to things in the environment around them). 

This time is of critical importance for development and your dog’s long term health and happiness. 

Habituation and socialisation: 

The process covers a huge range of things and experiences, from encountering other animals to the sound of the vacuum cleaner to being cuddled by somebody with a beard. Try and make an ordered and systematic plan of how and when to introduce things. Be aware that you may have to repeat some new things or introduce them gradually. 

Here is a fairly comprehensive checklist for habituation and socialising. 

There are other things not on the above list that it’s a very good idea to tackle at this time too – they may not need it, but bath your pet, clip their nails, etc. to help them get used to these tasks. It will make your life easier in the long run! 

It may be difficult to arrange certain experiences – how can you expose your puppy to fireworks, for example, if it’s not fireworks season? There are audio desensitisation programs available which offer the opportunity for you to habituate your puppy to fireworks and other potentially frightening noises (such as gunfire) during the right time period. 

The mother dog and your puppy’s littermates will be instrumental in providing early socialisation (yet another reason why puppy farms, where puppies are removed very early from their mother, are bad for the dog’s welfare), but it is also important for your puppy to meet new dogs of various size and shape. Puppy parties are an ideal way to do this, as it involves your puppy meeting others in a controlled situation. 

If you acquire a puppy from a breeder then they will already be halfway through their sensitive period by the time they become your pet. Make sure you check with the breeder what they have already covered and repeat elements if in doubt. 

Never punish your puppy for their reaction to a new stimulus as this will just reinforce any initial fear. 

Top tips for training: 

• Just like us, some puppies may be smarter than others! Be prepared to be patient if yours is struggling to pick things up. 
• Don't overwhelm your puppy with too much stimulation at once as this can be counter-productive. Leave them time to recuperate between new experiences. 
• Remember that some things may be limited to when your puppy is fully vaccinated and allowed out – do not risk compromising their health. Get people to come to you and do not expose your puppy to other, possibly unvaccinated, dogs. 
• Pop by to see your local vet whilst you're out on a walk with your puppy. It can be very helpful if they can drop by for a cuddle and a treat and remember the vets as a good place rather than just associate them with nasty needles! 
• It’s also important to start obedience training at this stage too. 
• Remember that just because your pet seems to be used to something- such as young children or cats- that doesn't mean the behaviour has been generalised. Even if they are happy with your children, this may not be the case for strangers! 

 This article may have focused on dogs, but the same theory of habituating goes for all pets. A kitten that is not exposed to the sound of the hoover will be frightened of them as an adult. A rabbit that isn't handled as a baby (also known confusingly as a kitten) will struggle and possibly kick if you try to handle them as an adult. It’s worthwhile making up your own checklists to help you habituate your new pet. 

Try thinking like an animal – even if you're not bothered by something they still might be!