1. Daily handling
Getting them used to being gently touched all over, wiping their paws when they come in from the garden and regularly examining their paws, eyes, ears and mouth examined will all help prepare them well for their first visit to the vets.
2. Introduction to the collar and lead
Associating the collar and lead to a positive experience is really important as early as possible. Even before you can go out for walks, teach your puppy to walk on a loose lead in and around your home and garden and have lots of fun in the process.
Never just put a collar and lead on your puppy and expect them to walk, build up gradually using lots of tasty treats for positive association. Frequent short sessions of 5/10 minutes throughout the day is enough to begin with.
Gradually increase as your puppy gains confidence and concentration then advance to walking near to your home once they are fully vaccinated. Learn more about teaching your puppy to walk to heel on our Welcome Home Puppy Course.
3. Daily walks around the neighbourhood
Get out and about each day with your puppy. Choose times when more traffic is likely to be passing. If your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated it is still important to get them out and about regularly but carry them or push them in a doggy pram if they are too heavy to carry. Always take a bag of high value treats with you (chicken, cheese, hotdogs etc) and reward them with a treat every time something passes and they remain calm. Every car, bike, motorbike, lorry, pram, jogger, cyclist, noisy child could be the first time your puppy has been exposed to that particular thing, and it is so important at a young age to make every experience a positive one. Bin day is another great opportunity to get outside with your puppy to expose them to some louder noises. Ignore startled behaviour and reward the calm.
4. Garden sounds desensitisation
You should find an abundance of new noises in the garden with many people out in the garden with lawn mowers, strimmer's, power tools, children shouting and playing and you may be able to hear traffic noises too. Remember every one of these is new to your puppy and be sure to reward them with yummy treats when they exhibit calm behaviour to strange sounds, try not to cuddle them and scoop them up when they are startled as this will reinforce their negative responses.
5. Sounds inside the home
There is an abundance of sounds inside the home to get them used to including appliances, boiling kettle, music, hoover, crying baby if you have one, the clatter of pots being emptied from the dishwasher. Remember, ignore scared behaviour, reward calm behaviour to new sounds. Take a look at Sarah Heaths Sound Therapy Training by downloading her Sound Scary Collection and following the guidance in her program.
More about sound therapy
Also take advantage of the TV and try and expose your puppy to the sights and sounds of other dogs and animals at every opportunity.
6. Preventing separation anxiety
Teaching your puppy how to be happy in their own company is so important. Many households have owners that are at home 24/7 causing the puppy to have constant interaction and no alone time. This could potentially be a big problem if all your puppy has known is to have you around the house all the time. This could lead to separation anxiety which is very difficult to undo once they have started with it.
It is therefore really important that for parts of each day, the puppy is left in the crate on their own or in a separate room. They will then realise whilst their brain is soft that being alone is OK and there is nothing to be scared of and it is a normal part of the day being on their own without you.