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We recommend handling and gentling exercises from the first day
you bring your pup home, and continue them throughout their life.
The first year is the most important. Puppies that have been regularly
handled are more likely to respect the leadership role of their
owners, and to be confident adult dogs. In addition, both owners
and veterinary staff will have an easier time working with dogs
(i.e. nail trims, giving medications, etc.) that have been handled
from early on.
As the leader, you have the right to touch your puppy or adult dog
all over his body without him resisting or complaining. In fact,
your dog should enjoy this attention from you. Touching your dog
all over is called handling. The kind of touching we suggest is:
touching paws and nails, lifting ears, lifting lips, examining teeth,
lifting and touching tail, touching stomach, looking in eyes.
When To Begin Handling
Ideally, handling exercises should begin the first day the pup
enters your home. Having said that, we wish to emphasize that it
is never too late to begin, even on an adult dog. Choose a time
when the puppy is relaxed, such as after a play session or during
a nap. It is best to handle puppies frequently in small sessions
every day for their first year. After your puppy reaches adulthood,
periodic handling should be second nature.
Getting Your Puppy to Accept Handling
Offer your pup a small food treat and calm gentle praise for accepting
handling. If the puppy resists or seems anxious (tight muscles,
widened eyes, mild struggle, vocalization) stop and repeat and touch
an area you know he will accept. For example, if your puppy resists
gentle pressure applied to his toes, but easily accepted his legs
being touched, calmly move your hands from his toes back to his
legs and offer praise for acceptance and reward him with a small
food treat. Be careful not to accidentally reward resistance, whining,
or mouthing by soothing or coddling your puppy.
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