The first 3 golden months of your dogs life

The reason the first 3 months of your dogs life is so important is that after this age a dog tends to be much more wary of things they have not yet encountered. The idea is to help them adjust into our world of very strange sights and sounds during this period by exposing them to a range of things they may encounter through the remainder of their life.  Care needs to be taken that exposure to the above is done in a fashion as not to overwhelm them.  We want pups to be curious but able to build confidence. Meanwhile we need to create opportunities for a pup to have exposure to people of varying ages and races, crowds, umbrellas, cats, the sound of crying babies, the benchtop blender, rainy days, motorcycles…get the picture?

Folks concerned with taking their dog out whilst still awaiting their final vaccinations, speak to your vet. Puppies don’t do long walks like adult dogs do so you may wish to carry your pup down the street in order to keep up some of his education minus the exposure to infection.

The definition of socializating your dog is not just to be social around other dogs and humans, but being able to live in comfort around a human environment and all those things which it involves.

Puppy classes are a wonderful way to help your pup ease into the world and a great way for him to be handled by a number of different people and to practice all important play with similar aged dogs. He needs repeated practice play-fighting with puppy buddies so he can learn how to adjust his bite pressure.  Speak to the hosts early on to determine any vaccines or worming required prior to joining a class.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)