Introduction
Physically caring for a puppy or adult dog requires a little bit of grooming, claw-clipping, vet visits and tooth-brushing as a minimum. If you have a puppy of less than 16 weeks it’s critical that they get used to (socialised to) being handled as well as the use of different bits of equipment. It’s not just a matter of whipping out the blow dryer and blasting them as they’d likely be terrified, while they are young it’s all about giving them an incrementally increasing but positive exposure to each aspect of their care.
Adult dogs can learn how to give you certain behaviours that make their care much easier.
Claw clipping with consent
Claw clipping with consent requires:
1. your dog to know how to lay still and settle on a mat
2. positive introduction to the clippers
3. very gradually introduction to each part of the process of having their claws clipped.
Using distractions is rarely successful in the longer term. Instead you can teach them to lay still while they are happy and then if they move away from you it is a clear signal you’ve gone too far.
Look at the difference in energy between the beginning and end of this video. The first part clearly look like I’m in battle with my dog!
If you have a young puppy less than 16 weeks then it’s really important to introduce this idea of consent to them and start to build their confidence in the process of having their claws clipped. Remember though that while they are so young that any fear trauma can stay with them a lifetime so unless it’s critical you may be better off delaying any actual clipping until after the 16 week point.
Teeth brushing ?
Yes, that’s right. Dog’s teeth need brushing and it really helps if you can introduce them to this when they are young too.
Stationing Behaviours
Teaching your dog to settle into a specific position and then stay there can be really helpful for veterinary care as well as basic care at home.
I’ve used the side lay with both Lawrence and Brandon so that I can treat ear infections as well as check for lumps and bumps.
Another great stationing behaviour is to teach them to put their chin on a cushion or on your lap and to keep it there.