Handle your puppy

Part of socializing is the ability to handle your puppy all over.  Pretend you are a vet.  Can you pick up your puppy's paw and look for a broken nail or a thorn?  Can you look deep into his ear to check for foreign objects?  How about pull his tail like a 2 year old might?  Does he react by biting your hand?  Can you grab her collar without her objecting and fighting to get away?

All these things and more need to be done almost on a daily basis.  If you are having difficulty, pull out the treat bag!  The timing here is critical.  Unlike clicker training where you click and THEN deliver the treat, you must treat at the same time as you grab the collar, hold the paw, or pull (gently) on the tail.  What you are doing is PAIRING the two events.  Pairing something that you pup might find undesirable with something desirable.  It should only take a few days before your puppy is looking forward to being handled.  Both your vet and your puppy will appreciate  this training!

Mary Ann