This article focuses on socialization. What is puppy socialization? And, what it is not. There are three development stages. Each one requires different skills and tasks taught the puppy. Socializing 8 – 12 Weeks – Comfort The most important things to consider when socializing is that: a) A puppy should never be forced to encounter everything or everyone – especially in your home. b) A puppy should be allowed to investigate ‘everything’ it wants to….   Continue

Puppies are not born able to control their emotions. They are not born knowing how to communicate. They have no learning skills, or stress coping skills. In fact, puppies are born ‘clean slates.’ All they know is how to eat, sleep, and fear.  These are the skills Mother Nature endows them with so that they can survive. When a puppy is born their first imprint is from their mother. If she is calm, it will…   Continue

Author Mickey Stillwell Do you know that the reason your dog listens probably isn’t because he is stubborn, or dominant. It is because your dog really doesn’t understand what you want. Or, what you think you are saying, isn’t what the dog is hearing. 1- you don’t train often enough Sometimes once our dog has engagement and knows a behaviour we are asking we allow our dogs to go on auto pilot. So then sometimes…   Continue

Puppy socialization is the most misunderstood aspect of raising a puppy. We take a puppy on a play date with our neighbor’s dog, let 3 kids pet the puppy, and voila. We feel that we have socialized our puppy. The truth is, most of us don’t care until the puppy develops annoying behaviors, or even dangerous ones. You are ahead of the curve because you are here reading this blog. Remember that trainers do not…   Continue

One of the most misunderstood aspects of puppy raising is the socialization. Everyone knows about obedience training – but nothing else. Imprinting Behaviors You have the power to imprint good behaviors on your puppy until 13 weeks old. After that the door closes -forever. This isn’t the time to spoil your puppy. This is the time to teach your puppy the most important behaviors. The 3 C’s of Puppy Behavior Teach a Behavior – Then…   Continue