Page 80 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

Pupp
Puppy Socialisationy Socialisation

during Corona
during Coronavirus lockdownvirus lockdown

The latest lockdown advice from the Government is no harm, he does not have the right to interact
not easy for any of us. Nevertheless, we must all do with them nor them him! Social distancing will
as asked so that as a nation we can overcome the automatically build in a distance at which a more
problems that we are faced with. nervous puppy will feel able to cope. Never be
Owners of new puppies may be worried and thinking tempted to try to force a puppy closer to a person
that they are unable to socialise their puppies during or object that he does not feel happy with.
the lockdown period. Not necessarily so. • If you have a front garden, then spend time there
Let us first decide what we mean by socialisation. with the puppy. Let him see the world pass by at a
safe distance.
Socialising a young puppy is a process of teaching
the puppy how to interact with people, dogs, other • Explore different parts of the house with the puppy.
livestock and the world at large. These interactions Introduce different surfaces and different areas.
must be positive so that we are building the correct • Move furniture around and put household items
foundation for the puppy to build on. in different places. This will introduce the puppy
We must habituate the puppy with everyday things to differing surroundings. Introduce anything that
such as vehicles, vacuum cleaners, televisions, moves such as washing on the line or a bouncy
machinery and the general hubbub of life, so that ball.
these things hold no fear for the puppy. • At his mealtimes teach him to sit and wait before
Socialisation is far more than letting a group of young feeding. The same policy can be adopted when
puppies play with each other as so often happens at giving him treats.
so called “Puppy parties” • Download various noises from the internet and play
Initial vaccinations may be delayed but advice from them quietly in the background, especially at meal
your local vet should be sought. Keep as near as times. Anything from a brass band to a steam train.
possible to the normal vaccine schedule. All will widen the puppy’s range of experience.
Normal puppy socialisation should include • Encourage all members of the household to handle
interactions with people and dogs, albeit under the puppy. Let him get used to being touched all
controlled conditions. Some of these interactions over by various people. Apart from the practical
may be limited during the lockdown period and times benefits, this is also good practice for the Kennel
of social distancing. However, there is still much that Club Good Citizen assessments that all owners
can be done. should be encouraged to take part in with their
dogs.
The following advice may be useful:
Regardless of the Lockdown period that we find
• Get the puppy outside as much as possible. If
ourselves in, the process of puppy socialisation is
necessary, carry him if he has not completed
his vaccination course. If each family member is a slow process. Let the puppy see as much of the
world as possible within the constraints of Lockdown
allowed one period of exercise per day, then each
and social distancing. When things return to
member can take the puppy with them so that he
normal slowly introduce experiences that he may
goes out several times per day.
have missed out on. Puppies are very resilient and
• Whilst on these exercise periods stop and talk with
hopefully if we apply ourselves to a slightly different
friends and neighbours. While maintaining the safe
socialisation regime no lasting harm will have been
distance the puppy can still see, hear and smell
done.
this new person. Introduce control into the meeting
We must all do the best we can in these difficult times.
by sitting the puppy and reward him for this correct
behaviour. This is excellent practise for teaching Bob Haynes, Delta One Canines
the puppy that whilst people he meets will do him
80 - K9 NEWS DIGITAL