Reading your new puppy

Topic: Introductions 

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how dogs and humans first meet each other. Sundance will ask a series of relevant questions, and James and Alexia will provide answers.

Sundance: On that first day we met, I had no idea who you and Mama were. You were just a couple of humans visiting who I thought only wanted to play and pick me up, like all the others that came before you. My birth-momma was slowly separating herself from us pups, and no longer wanted to nurse us. We had started eating from a large bowl, chomping away at puppy kibble. You and Mama approached me slowly and did not overwhelm me with excitement, exuberance, and joy. Instead you allowed me to come to you, and you let me watch as you and my my birth mom played fetch.

James: I remember that day well. Your brother and sister were more  interested in me than you were. We knew we wanted a dog who maintained a calm energy and was laid back. You were exactly what we wanted! Sundance, you were not my first golden retriever, so I knew what we were getting into and how to approach the situation. Your Mama and I were committed to being informed about your needs, and understanding the type of energy you shared, and chose you based on our needs and preferences as committed owners. 

Sundance: So if I had been more like my brother and sister, you may not have wanted me? 

James: If you were more like your brother and sister, we would have watched a bit more closely and observed the kind of conversation you were sharing with them. It was important for us to see your birth-mama and look at her temperment with humans and other dogs. We wanted to see the kind of stock you came from and if there were any warning behavior signs like growling, barking, and fighting. Often, bad behaviors like this can transfer over to the puppies. But your Mama was an angel, a perfect golden retriever. 

Sundance: So, first introductions must remain calm and steady, not overbearing and dominant?

James: Most new owners are excited to get a new puppy, and then they read each other incorrectly. Your mama and I wanted to be certain the match was perfect and our union would be long lasting, with room for improvement.

Sundance: I'm so glad I'm the puppy you chose. I can't think of a better Momma and Daddy to have, or a better living situation than ours. 

Puppy Control

Committing to a puppy is a very precious thing and a valuable lesson in self-control. We want them to experience everything, and at the same time keep them safe from danger. We want them to be part of our pack, and we do not want them to misbehave. We want them to be dogs, but we want them to understand human rules. Puppies are a blessing. Puppies are a true work in progress. We want them to trust us as providers, and at the same time respect us as leaders.

When confronted with a crying puppy, less is more. The less you nurture an unstable (crying) mind, the more it has to work to figure out how to get what it wants. Do this enough, and the dog will find that being quiet and calm gets it attention, affection, and other good things. The less you provide emotion and exited energy, you will find his crying will subside. As with anything that involves training the mind and body, taking baby (puppy) steps is needed. The goal is to provide training/structure in moderation and with positive reinforcement. Not over stimulation & negative reinforcement.

Dogs do not care if we are students, old, young, rich, poor, have a BMW, or drive a shopping cart. They read our energy from that very first moment, and moment-to-moment after. They know whether we are excited, dominant, loud, calm, passive, or assertive. In the dog world you are energy. Pretty simple. If you give loving energy, you are loved. If you reward calm behavior, you will have a calm dog.

Socialization for puppies is a very important part in their overall balance and maturation. If your puppy has not had all of his shots, you can still take him to places where there are humans, children, and sounds. Share with him, and those with you, that you are able to control the environment, and you will find him trusting and respecting you more. Do not allow unstable people to approach your puppy until they are calm. Always approach with a calm and assertive energy. Practicing this will aid you with training people in how you would like them to interact with your puppy.

A training suggestion: Find his threshold, and work on expanding it by baby steps. If walking out of the room triggers a negative behavior, then walk almost out of the room (or however far you can go without him leaving his post, crying, or barking) and then give a reward. If it's out of site, then walk almost out of site, then give a reward. If it's five minutes, then leave for four minutes, and if he's not crying, give a reward. Whatever it is, during trianing sessions don't push him beyond his threshold, and when you do, don't reward it, just take a step back, or "go back to kindergarden." It's all happening in grades.

I hope this helps.

LIVE HAPPY!

Alexia, James, and Sundance