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Animal behaviour expert Karen Wild discusses dogs in lockdown in her latest column




We weren’t expecting this, and many clients have come to me with worries about their new puppy.

How do we socialise our pup when there isn’t any way we can have contact?

You could check the law if you’re doubtful, but at present we are not supposed to be meeting in groups, our puppy classes cannot run in-person, and we are supposed to stay apart to a social distance meaning our dogs can not get close.

Karen Wild
Karen Wild

The good news is that puppies can take in a lot without needing to be up close and super-personal.

You as a family can make certain you exercise them so that they see and experience the world. They don’t need to be petted to get used to people they may see around them, and they really need to learn how to walk past other dogs without being able to meet every single one.

You have family members, or if not then your dog has you, to handle them all over and get them used to the having their ears and eyes looked at (paired with a nice treat), have their paws examined (and let them give you a paw rather than you grabbing it, and again, pair with a tasty bit of food).

Olive the cockapoo
Olive the cockapoo

Why not make their mealtimes into ‘happy handling’ sessions so that you can both spend some time bonding and teaching?

Pups do need to meet people but they don’t need to have everyone flooding them with cuddles and touching. In fact this can scare a puppy.

Instead, people can talk to your pup from a social distance away but your pup stays nice and safe (and so do you) without risk of
infection.

My goal here is for you to recognise that for a lot of dogs, social distancing and lockdown can be a good thing. Most pups like to play with people and other dogs that they actually know well, and you can make sure they learn lessons such as not jumping up (no - don’t shout at them - teach them to sit!)

Work on some training too - teach your pup to go to their bed, to come when you call them, to be patient around food. Use positive reward-based training and don’t follow TV dog bully tactics. Sensible owners teach their dogs carefully and kindly. Even though you’ll probably be keeping your pup on a lead when out, you can get a longer lead or extender (only use well away from roads and be careful not to get tangled with it). You can get your pup to chase you in a fun game ending with a steady, calm sit, to make sure you remain the centre of the world. Just be sure to take them out into it as much as you
can.



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