Puppy Socialization from home: polite greetings
Most dogs are social animals, which is why teaching puppies the appropriate way to greet other dogs is a critical skill. A dog that greets other dogs politely can make your walks less stressful and prevent conflicts that often result from overzealous (or rude) greeting behavior. However, teaching puppies how to socialize appropriately can be challenging, especially if you don’t have other pets. Fortunately, you can begin teaching your puppy how to interact with other dogs in a positive and safe way from the comfort of your home—using stuffed animals!
In this video, Puppy Start Right instructor Debbie Martin is using a stuffed dog to begin teaching her puppy polite greetings. Debbie uses hand targets to ensure that her puppy is paying attention to her before giving the puppy permission to “check out” the stuffed dog. Debbie rewards calm and relaxed behavior consistently, while gradually increasing the duration of the exposure sessions. Soon, the puppy is fully greeting his new stuffed friend in a calm and confident manner!
Interested in growing your business by offering puppy classes and consultations? Karen Pryor Academy’s (KPA) Puppy Start Right for Instructors (PSRI) course provides trainers with a complete class curriculum packed with training exercises, essential tips on class organization, consultation formats, and management techniques.
If you are a pet guardian with a puppy or are thinking of getting a puppy, you can find a Puppy Start Right class near you here or pick up your copy of Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog here.
Happy Training!
GET PUPPIES AND GUARDIANS OFF TO THE RIGHT START
Our Puppy Start Right for Instructors course will provide the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a puppy socialization class instructor!