Sonia Says 'Christmas puppies are more than a gift - they're for life'

By Sonia Gregson of Helensburgh business, Sonia Says Sit

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time regardless of the time of year.

Before you pick up your puppy questions to ask the breeder

• What vaccination and worming has the puppy had?
• What is supplied? Collar, sample of food (use the same kind so as not to upset the stomach), a blanket that has been with litter mates? It smells like the puppy’s family.
• Has the puppy been onto grass? To help toilet training.
• What other dogs, people and children has the puppy met?
• Has the puppy been in a crate or car yet?

Bringing your puppy home

Set up a Safe Space or “Zen Den”.

When family or visitors come over for Christmas Celebrations your puppy will need a safe space. It also helps with reducing toileting accidents, chewing on inappropriate items and a place to rest away from the party.

This can be a Crate, Bed, or Kennel.

Train your puppy to enjoy being in this safe space. Never use this space as a “time out” or for any negative consequences.

• Add a source of warmth (warm not hot) – be careful of puppies who chew through anything. Wheat or barley bags are safest.
• Create a surrogate sibling using a soft toy (sometimes with a heartbeat) – again if this has batteries be mindful of dogs who chew through anything.
• When using a crate cover one end so it is dark.
• Add an old t-shirt that has been worn by a family member.
• Smells that soothe dogs – vanilla, ginger, coconut, and valerian.
• Adaptil spray – a synthetic pheromone www.adaptil.com/au
• Play some sleepy classical music on low volume.

Training your puppy

Puppies should start Puppy Preschool as soon as they come home at 8 weeks of age. One vaccination is all that is needed.

There have been several studies that looked at the long-term consequences of attending well-managed puppy classes. Here’s what they found.

1. Improved ability to learn and remember
2. More emotional stability
3. Better resilience to stress
4. Reduced aggression to strangers
5. Reduced touch sensitivity
6. Reduced Non-Social Fear
7. Reduced aggression to other dogs.

Nature vs Nurture - a dog’s behavioural makeup is 35 percent genetic and 65 percent due to socialisation.

The purpose of puppy school is two-fold: to help pups grow into confident, sociable, and well-mannered dogs, and to help owners improve their relationship with their pups. Give them the best start through learning to understand and responsibly manage puppy behaviour. Classes provide puppies the opportunity to socialise with other dogs and with new people in a safe, controlled environment.

Not only is Puppy Preschool fun for your puppy but gives you the opportunity to ask questions and know you are not alone with the common puppy challenges you may face.

If your lucky enough to be getting a Christmas pup enjoy what is a very special time bonding with your new family member.

Sonia Says Sit offers puppy preschool, puppy playgroup, group lessons for teenage, adult and older dogs, behaviour consultations and in-home lessons.
Training classes are force free and contain up to date science based, positive training methods. Training has been shown to be the single most important thing that keeps dogs with their original family for life.

Sonia Says Sit has a Training Centre in Helensburgh and teaches puppy preschool at local Veterinary hospitals in Austinmer and Bulli.