Set Goals • Track Training • Have Fun!

Socialization means helping a puppy become comfortable with things that they are likely to experience as an adult dog. It implies that by making sure a puppy has wide range of positive experiences, the puppy will have a more stable adult temperament. Use this chart to track play dates, introduction to new things, new people and new canine friends.

Social Life

  • Dogs are social creatures. That’s what we love about them! To help them get along in our people world, we need to gradually introduce them to new things when they are young. It is also important that they understand some basic rules. It helps us to communicate with them and keeps them safe.
  • Meeting new friends and experiences: Make sure to introduce your puppy to anything they may be expected to tolerate as an adult dog. Boats, if you are a sailor, elevators if you visit someone in a condo, horses, if you like to ride. The list is endless.
Social Development

Training

  • Track your training and see how well your puppy is advancing.
  • House training can be complicated. Like all dog training it is about timing and observation. Follow these steps to be successful and get your puppy house trained quickly and efficiently
Training & Skills Tracker

Manners

Manners

Building relationship with my family: Puppies are learning what it means to live in your family. Use a gentle touch and lots of treats to help your puppy love being handled.

Nipping

Puppies jump and nip…it is a fact that all new puppy owners learn quickly. The good news is that there are strategies to help stop these behaviours. Neither jumping up nor nipping are signs of aggression. They are simply a puppy’s way of getting your attention, playing or greeting.

To curb nipping there are several things you can do.

  • If your puppy is nipping or mouthing use a loud, high pitched “OUCH”. Puppies do not understand how sensitive their humans are and the “OUCH” lets them know that they are hurting you. Most pups will respond with a lick or by turning their heads away. PRAISE this behaviour immediately.
  • Once a day for a week feed one meal a day to your puppy by hand. If a tooth so much as touches you use your “OUCH” and you and the food go away for a few minutes before trying again. By the end of the week most puppies will be taking food gently from their owners.

Jumping

Jumping up is a self rewarding behaviour. Your puppy gets to touch you and look in your eyes.

To help with jumping up try the following

  • When your puppy jumps up turn your back on them and ignore. When your puppy offers a sit praise and reward with a yummy treat. It may take a while but your puppy will eventually offer a sit upon greeting people.
  • Leash grounding is a great option – especially when your puppy meets new or exciting people. Stand on your leash allowing enough leash for your puppy to sit or stand. This gives you control of your puppy and teaches them that jumping is not an option.
  • Teach your puppy to shake a paw when greeting new people. I call it “Say Hi”. Have your puppy sit, hold a treat on their nose and pick up a paw, saying “Say Hi”. Reward when you are holding the paw. This greeting gives your puppy the same thing as jumping up..they get to touch you and look you in the eye.
Training & Skills Tracker