Body Handling

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Body handling is such a worthwhile exercise for both you and your puppy. It not only helps build the bond between you, it encourages your puppy to enjoy being handled, rather than learning to be fearful of it.

The ideal handling would be to practice all the patting and procedures that they are likely to experience in future life. 

· Restrained– being held in position for grooming, veterinary exams
· Being hugged and patted  – by adults and children 
· Brushing and bathing 
· Feet and nails – restraint, handling and claw clipping
· Teeth checking, eye and ear checking, and pill taking. 'Pill' them daily with a piece of cheese for two weeks, then for another two weeks pill them with a vitamin or supplement followed by a cheese chaser and you will have a 'pillable' dog for life 
· Facial proximity – include eyeball to eyeball contact followed by something tasty to proof against spooking and snapping when, inevitably, some person does one of these to your adult dog. 
 

Resource Guarding Prevention 

Dogs are the direct descendants of wolves – in fact, they are the same species – and many inherited a piece of behavioural 'software' that all wolves have: the tendency to guard scarce resources, such as food. Some dogs extend this to other prized possessions, such as toys, sleeping locations, the owner’s lap and so on. The best prevention exercise for food guarding is to approach the puppy while he’s eating and drop a bonus into the dish, something much tastier than his regular food. This way they learn to associate that the approach of the owner is a positive interaction as their is an improvement in the meal. Owners should also be advised to do variations such as touching the bowl or lifting it up before delivering the bonus. 
The same principle applies to toys. While the puppy is working on a chew-toy or bone, the owner should approach, take the toy away, give the puppy a fabulous-tasting treat, and then give the toy back. If repeated,  the puppy will learn to not only tolerate, but enjoy having  things taken away. 

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Early Obedience

While socialisation is the most time-sensitive, imperitive part of training for your young puppy, early learning also has its huge advantages.  For instance, very active and impulsive dogs such as labradors can be taught as young puppies to be polite. Our Puppy Class curriculum includes 'impulse control' exercises including stay, wait, loose lead walking and leave-it. These teach the impulsive breeds that 'direct access' strategies (re: helping themselves to things they find or barrelling out of doors with no manners) simply don’t work.   Most
dogs,  despite our greatest intentions, can learn that in fact rude, naughty behaviour does often work, which is disastrous! It gets our attention or they gain something by doing it.
Even small or less-impulsive breeds benefit from reward training.

The most efficient training sessions are short and sweet, with lots of treats and based on the level the puppy is ready for. If your puppy gets something 'right', reward, reward, reward. Let them know when they are getting it right. The more you reinforce a behaviour, the more likely it will be repeated.