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It is important to begin desensitising your puppy to human touch the moment you bring them home. Initially start by touching areas your puppy is comfortable with, slowly building up to common problem areas such as ears, paws and mouth. Use plenty of treats to reinforce positive associations. Progress at the pace of your puppy. If they move away whilst being touched, you should go back a step and take a slower approach. This theory can also be used to desensitise your puppy to teeth brushing or grooming. Introduce items and allow them to investigate whilst rewarding any engagement. Then start to touch your puppy with said item whilst continuing to reward them. Short but frequent bursts of training is recommended and remember not to rush the process.

Puppy Advice: Handling

Toileting It is important to make frequent trips to the toilet, especially after food and water. Reward and praise your puppy when they toilet in the desired area. Using a command like ‘toilet’ can teach them to understand what you are asking from them. It is important not to punish your puppy when they toilet in an undesired area. Punishment only harms their relationship with you, and they may begin to link toileting with punishment. It is a good idea to play or allow your puppy time to sniff after toileting outside, so they do not associate toileting with the end of outside time. Puppy pads can be very useful when house training. It uses the same technique as above and can avoid indoor accidents, however; it can delay training them to toilet outside. If your puppy is an aggressive chewer, it may be worth considering the use of vet bed material to line their cage as this is super absorbent and safer. If your puppy is urinating and defecating only when left alone regardless of frequent toilet breaks, they may be struggling with being alone and may benefit from seeking behaviourist advice. Some puppies eat their own stools (coprophagia), while this is unpleasant it is not uncommon and almost all puppies will grow out of it however if the behaviour persists, please consult your vet.

Puppy Advice: Toileting

Crate Having an indoor crate/ puppy pen is essential for keeping your puppy safe when you are unable to supervise them. It prevents unnecessary house damage from occurring and can help with toilet training as most pups rarely chose to mess in their bed. It can also help your puppy cope when left alone. Correct introduction of the crate is crucial. It must feel safe and include soft bedding, water, and enrichment toys. It is a good idea to attach the toys to their crate so that your puppy learns they can only have them whilst inside, creating positive associations. The crate must never be used as a way of punishment, and they must not be disturbed when inside as this creates negative associations. Ensure the crate is adequately sized and will be large enough for them in adulthood. They should be able to stand up and stretch whilst inside. Puppies should not be left crated for long periods, after this time they may toilet inside and create negative associations. Every time your puppy falls asleep or appears tired you should guide them inside the crate and leave the door open, this creates a familiar place to wake up in but not confined to. A common technique used is allowing them to cry it out, this works well for the more confident puppy that is comfortable being left alone. For the more shy/ nervous puppy this may not be the best technique and consideration for extra help in settling into their new routine should be given, blankets with your scent on or staying with them until they settle can work well. When crate training it is important to build up the length of time inside the crate. You can feed high value treats such as stuffed kongs inside, opening the door before they finish not giving them time to whine or get distressed. Remember to remove all collars when left alone as they pose risk to health if caught. Some puppies simply cannot cope with being left alone or put inside a crate, help from a recognised behaviourist should be sought.

Puppy Advice: Crates

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Puppy Advice: Diet