23 Days and Learning (2014 Sky x Benny)

   From the beginning we have daily handled the puppies, but now we are beginning more focused touch desensitization. Handling the head, mouth, paws, tails and everywhere keeps them used to and tolerant of being groomed, and touched. Later mature dogs who are well desensitized to touch do not startle as easily when bumped by things, people, and other dogs. They are more tolerant when handled by strangers and usually value human contact as a reward. If you have ever worked with under socialized or shy dogs you know that being petted by people, even trusted people, is not innately rewarding, and often can cause shy dogs to be nervous or fearful. And of course nail trims and ear cleaning are much easier when dogs tolerate having their feet and ears touched!

    They also are clearly responding to sound and exploring and practicing with their own vocalizations now. When startled several will make puppy barks, and they play growl and yip with each other. Now is the time to start teaching them what we sound like and condition them to coming when called. Yep this early! I start simply by talking to them when I walk up to the box and saying "Hello Pup Pup Pup." And "Here Here Here Puppies," conditioning them to the staccato of 3 short words followed by gentle pleasant interaction and now sometimes FOOD too! They quickly begin pricking their ears and looking for me when I call. They are too clumsy still to make much progress towards me, but for now just recognition is plenty. 

We've started introducing a marker word as well, but I'll cover that in the next post.