I am counting down the days until my new puppy comes to live at my house. Fourteen days from today. I am so excited. I will be a new puppy parent again.
I have the new puppy crate prepared with newspaper inside and a few puppy chew toys. I bought a new collar with an ID tag and leash. I am beginning to purchase the other things --- enzymatic cleanser, puppy shampoo, etc. And of course I have my clickers and some small, soft bite treats.
It has been nine years since we had a puppy in the house and so much has changed about early puppy training and socialization since that time. Back then, it was suggested that we put our puppy in a puppy class at 12 weeks, after the second series of shots. Now, training and socialization experiences begin almost from the time the puppies are born.
When Poppy arrives at 8 weeks old, she will already have a couple of weeks of litter clicker training and a vast repertoire of new experiences. I will be expected to continue the clicker training and socialization experiences every day following her arrival.
Clicker training with my other two dogs was a much more formal affair with specific goals and objectives. Clicker training the new puppy will be more relaxed, spontaneous and a part of play. I guess this new attitude comes with experience and being more relaxed and comfortable with it.
I am reading everything I can get my hands on. The Karen Pryor website has been invaluable as have been the Puppy Prodigy videos.
