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Between the ages of 4 and 12 weeks puppies are
particularly amenable to training. This is a vital period of development when
the puppy is learning about the world for the very first time. Impressions and
habits formed during this period form the basis of a dog's character and habits
for the rest of it's life. Behaviour can be learnt very much easier at this
young age than
later - because this is what the brain is doing at this age, and because old
patterns of behaviour do not have to be unlearnt. Clearly this a golden
opportunity for some basic training, especially housetraining and socialisation.
Socialisation
| The term socialisation
is used to describe a process whereby a puppy learns how to interact with
everything from other pets to farm animals, from seagulls and waves to the
town centre traffic, from the vet to members of your family. Good manners
start being learnt at this age. |
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Exposure to all these potentially frightening stimuli
at this early age allows the puppy to learn that these things aren't threatening
(fear in later life can lead to aggression). In addition appropriate responses
are learnt; chasing wildlife or nibbling the vet can be reprimanded, whilst good
manners with the family cat can be praised.
Vaccination courses are not
complete at this age, so when out of the house puppies should be carried
as necessary to prevent contact with dogs whose vaccination status is not known
and with areas of ground where parvovirus or leptospirosis organisms may be
present.
Housetraining
Patience is the key to housetraining. Never punish a puppy for
soiling inside - the puppy may learn to get attention in this inappropriate way.
Here are some basic points.
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Puppies instinctively
urinate and defecate away from the nest. Make a nest from a box or dog
basket to take advantage of this fact.
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In general, take
the puppy outside every 1-2 hours, preferably to the same
place set aside for toileting. Do this
immediately.....
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....after
a meal. Eating stimulates the gastro-intestinal tract and
puppies will often defecate just afterwards. (For this reason don't
feed after 6pm or night time accidents are more likely).
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....if
the puppy shows signs of wanting to go
- whimpering, restlessness, sniffing the floor, going to the
door. Don't make a fuss of the pup, just put it straight out and
ignore it or it may learn to do this behaviour just to gain
attention.
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....first
thing in the morning. |
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Once outside ignore the
pup and be patient!
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If successful use a
password immediately such as 'busy' - once associated by the puppy with
urination / defecation this word will then stimulate
the action. Then lots of reward and praise with fuss / a titbit / a game
etc.
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If unsuccessful return
quietly inside and be extra vigilant! |
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| New Pet Health Pages
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