Your Lockdown Puppy: Three Things You Need to Know
2020 has been a year like no other, there’s no denying it. Never before have we spent so much time at home – so much time without excursions, visitors, errands or distractions. It’s no surprise that the price of a puppy has more than doubled since lockdown began, as record numbers of us took the plunge and added a canine addition to the family this year. But what effects has raising a puppy in these unusual circumstances had on the process, and what do you need to know to ensure you raise a well-adjusted, happy and healthy dog, long-term?
The first few months of your puppy’s life play a big part in how he’ll view the world as he grows up, and ensuring that he has a variety of experiences that are positive, is key in helping your puppy pal grow into a confident, relaxed adult. Whilst many of us are dealing with working from home, and prolonged bouts of isolation, it can be easy to forget about the fact that when you are isolated, your puppy is too – only you already know what goes on in the big wide world… but he has very little idea!
Confidence is Key
Dogs are more likely to worry about things as adults, if they weren’t given the opportunity to learn about them as a puppy – for example, a puppy who does not get used to busy roads, noisy children, lorries, house guests and other stimuli might end up fearful of them later on. Of course, during a pandemic-induced lockdown, we need to keep it real about how much you can expose your puppy to – you can’t invite the neighbours’ kids over to play, because it’s against the rules, so how do we acclimatize our pups to all the hustle and bustle of normal life?
The good news is, you can get creative with this.
Grow flexibility and confidence in your pup by creating novelty experiences in the home – You could create a noise box (fill a size-appropriate box with items that will make noise when moved, such a bottle full of coins, tin foil, a jar of rice, etc.) then sprinkle his kibble into it to encourage him to explore. Here we are doing two important things – creating a novelty experience AND ensuring your puppy experiences it in a positive way. The strange noises are rewarding, not scary, because he finds food when they happen!
One thing to remember with socialization and habituation is that it’s not just a case of exposing your puppy to everything, and then ticking it off. You need to ensure the experiences are positive. Dragging a reluctant puppy towards noisy children / busy roads / a noise box will do more harm than good! Go at your pup’s pace, and if he seems worried, do what you can to take the situation down a level. Empty the noise box, or move further from the stimulus, and up the reward! For more ideas on creative ways you can grow your pup’s confidence during lockdown, check out six quick and easy games you can play whilst locked down at home, right here.
Essential Downtime
Remember also, that as well as needing all that interesting variety and experience, puppies need just the opposite in good measure… plenty of downtime! Think of your puppy like a a toddler who, without their nap, will soon become agitated and overtired.
Whilst your pup may appear to be enjoying the hustle and bustle of family life, sometimes behaviours we can mistake for excitability or a desire to play – like hyperactivity and excessive nipping – are actually indicators that your lockdown puppy needs to take a break. Ensure there is always a safe space he or she can take himself to, to escape children and other pets. A crate is ideal, with a blanket draped over it to block out excessive light and movement, in a lighter-traffic area of your home.
Encouraging Independence
Another important thing to keep on top of, is providing your puppy with plenty of independent and self-reinforcing activities that will help to grow his confidence and happiness in his own company. Be sure to provide enrichment activities such as stuffed Kongs, cardboard boxes and toilet rolls that are safe to chew, plus other activity feeders like snuffle mats and kibble puzzles, to ensure that your puppy doesn’t come to see you, or other human members of the household, as his only form of entertainment or comfort… this will only store up problems for the future!
A safe and stress-free way to grow this independence is to utilize a crate or a baby gate to control your pup’s access to you, and to carefully coordinate his access to these highly rewarding self-reinforcers, with times when you are not nearby. For example, fill a Kong with delicious chicken and xylitol-free peanut butter, and place it on your puppy’s crate for him to find. Once he discovers it, close the crate door and leave the room whilst he is engrossed in the treat. Be sure to always return to him before the treat is completed, so he does not have time to develop anxiety about your absence. Over time you can gradually increase the length of these periods of time, so that your puppy grows more and more comfortable with his own company.
The companionship and joy that dogs bring to our lives is like none other, and it’s no surprise that so many of us have turned to these fantastic animals during one of the hardest and loneliest years we’ve all been forced to endure. As long as you use your time during lockdown with your new puppy to ensure he experiences plenty of novelty in a positive way, and he learns to value and utilise time alone, then you’ll forge a friendship that will provide you with years of joy!
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