PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

UNIT5:COORDINATEPUPPYACTIVITIESANDWORKINGWITHPROBLEMPUPPIES

Objective This unit is aimed at providing information on all aspects of socialisation and exposure for young

puppies as well as providing suggestions for socialisation and exposure activities, and the applications of those activities, to ensure a the sessions are successful and safety for all puppies and their owners.

Learningoutcomes

After you have completed this unit you will be able to: • Set up different enrichment activities for puppies • Coordinate and run puppy socialisation and exposure activities • Know how to best deal with problem puppies in your class

Areastobecovered

Common Problem Behaviours

§ The differences between o Socialisation o Exposure o Experiences

§ Setting up of activities for each § Problem puppies in your class

o Rough and bullying puppies o Shy and fearful puppies

Knowledge checklist A knowledge check which will enable the learner to self assess their learning and understanding of the unit contents which may include setting of tasks, reporting writing or quizzes.

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSEUNIT5:COORDINATEPUPPYACTIVITIES

Socialisation,ExposureandExperiencesThere are 4 main types of activities that must be included in a puppy preschool course; they aresocialisation,exposure,experiencesandbasictrainingactivities. Eachhasaspecificfunctiontowardsthedevelopmentofapuppyandeachmustbeplannedandexecutedcarefullyandsafely.

Socialisation‘Providinganindividualwiththeskillsandhabitsnecessaryforparticipatingwithinhisorherownsocietyorkind’Socialisationisinteractionwithotherdogsinordertolearntheintegrationandparticipatoryskillstowardsdogs.

Socialisationideas

OffleadplaytimeTakeintoconsideration:• Sizeandlayoutofarea• Numberofpuppies• Sizeandtemperamentsofpuppies• Safety,safety,safety• Playtimeisfun,butmustbecontrolledandMUSThavealearningslant.• Onlypart,notall,ofthepuppyschoolcurriculumshouldbededicatedtopuppyplaytime.Haveaplaypenhandyasyoumayneedit!

Rulesforoffleadplay:• Forsafetyandcontrolwerecommendonly2puppiesoffleadatatime!• Ifyouhavealargersizedarea,thenyoucanletallow4,butmustmaintaincontrol• Pairuppuppiesbasedonsize,temperamentandplayingstyles• Gentle,largerpuppiescanplaywithsmallerpuppies• Keepboisterousawayfromshy/fearfulpuppies• Createplaypausesevery30-40secondsorsoifnotoccurringnaturally• Usedistracterslikesqueakytoys,whistles,Kongs,ballsetctointerruptplayorgetpuppy’s

attentionawayfromanother• Allowplayfor1–2minsthenputbackonleadandallowanotherlotofpuppies• ThosenotplayingshouldbeengagingineithertrainingorotheractivitylikeMotivational

playwiththeirowners.

Playtimewithdistracters/interrupters• Focustowardsotherpuppiescanbeminimisedwiththeuseofdistractors/interrupterssuchas:• Poolofballs• Recallexercises• Playtimewithowners• ToyslikeKongsoranyotherfooddispensingitems• Obedienceexercises

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

PoolandBallsorotherobstacles• Clamshell children’s pools filled with plastic, coloured balls or empty water bottles makes an

excellentdistracterduringplaytime.• Allowonly2puppiesoff leadatatimeandplaceimmediatelyintoeachpool. Dropinhandfulof

dry treats so that the puppies become interesting in foraging around the balls to find the foodtreats

• Teachingpuppies touse theirnoses to searchand find items isoneof thebest formsofmentalstimulationyoucanprovideadogwith.

• Continuetodroptreatsintothepoolsasthepuppiesforagearound.• Keepthesessionshort,callpuppiesbacktotheirownersandchooseanother2puppies.• Dependingonspace,youcanalsouseagilitytunnels,differentsurfaces(rough,smoothandwonky)

andyoucanevenintroducesmallobstacles,hollowedboxesorpuppysee-sawsetctotheequation.Thiswillenticeownerstointeractwiththeirpuppiesbymeansofluring/enticingpuppiesoverandthroughtheobstacles.

RecallexercisesDependingonthesizeofthearea,youcanuseanobedienceexercisesuchasaRecall(comewhencalled) as an interrupter during playtime. This is a great way of teaching puppies to recall toownersforahighreward…butthebestrewardofallistogobacktoplayingwiththeotherpuppies.

Howtoexecute:• Allpuppiesmustremainonleadandaresplitintogroupsaccordingtotemperamentandsize• Instructortogivealltherulesofplaytotheownersbeforecommencing:• Puppiesnowallowedtoplayandinvestigateeachotherforshortbursts• Arecall (cometoowner) followedbya funmotivationalgameegtugtobeusedto interrupt

theplayandfocusthepup’sattentionbackontheownerforashortwhile.• Afterabriefplaysessionwithowner,pupscanbeallowedbacktoplaywiththegroup• Constantinterruptersensurethatplaydoesnotbecomeover-excitableand/ortoorough.• Itkeepsagoodbalanceofinterestbetweentheownerandtheotherpuppiesandcanassistso

thatthepuppydoesnotplacethehighervaluesolelyonbeingwiththeotherpuppies.

Rulesü Bulliesgetpromptlyremoved immediatelywithoutanynegotiation. Timeoutfor5orso

seconds.Thishappenseachtime.ü FearfulpuppiesshouldNEVERbeforcedtomingleifitdoesn’twantto.Ownertostandto

the outer and allow puppy to watch. Reward puppy only for showing interest andinquisitiveness

ü Watchleadsdonotgettangledü Notensiononleads…tensiononleadscreateaggressionü Noliftingpuppieswiththeleads–canbeseenasthreateningbehaviourtoothers

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

MeetnGreetsAllowingpuppiestobrieflymeetandplayisveryimportant.MeetnGreetsareagreatwaytoallowcontrolledmeetingandsafeinteraction.Howtoexecute….

• Splitthepuppiesupinto2groupsandlineeachgroupatoppositeendsfacingeachother• Puppiesshouldbeheldinacontrolledsitinfrontofthehandler.Eghandingholdingonto

puppyandnotallowingthemattheendofthelead• Eachhandlermustwaituntiltheirpuppyiscalmandsittingthentheycanaskeachotherif

theirpuppiesareokaytomeet• Handlers calmly release the puppies where they can have some time playing and

interactingtogether• Afterafewseconds(say15to20secs),handlersrecallthepuppiesaway• Exerciseisrepeatedandyoucanevenswapthepuppiesaroundsothattheygettomeet

andplaywithotherpuppies.Rulesü Bulliesgetpromptlyremoved immediatelywithoutanynegotiation. Timeoutfor5orso

seconds.Thishappenseachtime.ü FearfulpuppiesshouldNEVERbeforcedtomingleifitdoesn’twantto.Ownertostandto

the outer and allow puppy to watch. Reward puppy only for showing interest andinquisitiveness

ü Watchleadsdonotgettangledü Notensiononleads…tensiononleadscreateaggressionü Noliftingpuppieswiththeleads–canbeseenasthreateningbehaviourtoothers

Motivationalplay• Puppyplacesahighervalueonplayingwiththeirowners,ratherthanfocussingonwhateveris

goingonaroundthem• Greattechniqueforpuppiestoconditiontheeventofthunderstormstomeanagreatgameis

coming• Ensurepuppiesarekeptoccupiedbythetuggameandownersmakeitreallyfun• Tugisateamsportandpuppiesloveit• Channelshighpredatorydriveintotuggame,givesthedriveanoutlet• Use Motivational Play and other games to make the item or sound you are exposing the

puppiestoinconsequentialtothem.• It’sinthebackgroundandthereforenothingtoworryabout!

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

Exposure‘Theactofsubjecting,oraninstanceofbeingsubjectedto,anactionoraninfluence.’Exposure is to introducenewandnovel items, situationsor items to thedogso that itbecomes familiarwiththem.Thereare3waystoexposepuppiestovariousitems:

1. Mildflooding2. Gradualintroductionwhilstdistracted3. Inconsequentialandinthebackground

MildFlooding• Mild flooding requires the item to be presented to the puppies so that they can see it and

investigateitiftheywish.• Theitemdoesnotgoawayandthereforethepuppiesmustlearntocopewithit’spresence• Floodingshouldnotbedonewithitemsthatsuddenlymoveormakeloudnoises• Okaytousewiththingslikenewfurniture,astationaryitemofanysort

Gradualintroductionwhilstdistracted1. In this occasionwe place the item away from the puppies so they can see it/hear it from a

distanceonly2. Goodideatodistractpuppieswithanactivityortoyetc3. Graduallybringtheitemclosertothegroup,preferablytotheoutsideofthegroupfirst.4. Allowpuppiestoadjusttotheitembehindthem,thenagaingraduallybringtheitemintothe

group.Turnoffanymotorsatthisstageifanypuppyisshowingsomesignsoffear.5. Allowpuppiestoinvestigatetheitem.Placefoodaroundorontheitemifsafetodoso(watch

forhotmotorsetc)

Inconsequentialandinthebackground• Idealifyouhavealargeareatoworkwith• Puppywon’tnecessarilyengagewiththeitem• Startwithownersengaginginagamewiththeirpuppies.MotivationalPlay(tug)isagoodone,

ifno,thenjustplayingisokay• Itemsmovedaroundandthroughthepuppiesastheirattentioniskeptawayfromtheitems.• Keepanymotoriseditemsatadistanceinitially,especiallyifturnedon• Puppiesarekeptdistractedbytheirownersorplayingwithotherpuppies• Youcanthenlayallitemsdownforpuppiestoinvestigateifyouwantbutnotnecessary

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

Experiences‘Activeparticipationineventsoractivities,leadingtoaccumulationofknowledgeorskill”Experienceisallowingthedogtoparticipateinvariousnegotiatingandproblemsolvingactivitiestoaidinknowledgeandskilldevelopment.Experiencesalsoaidsinconfidencebuildingandtrainability.Differenttypesofexperiencesyoucansetup

• Walkingondifferentsurfaceso Purchasesomeplanksofwoodandcover themwithdifferentsurfaces to includecarpet,

rubber,non-slippaintandanyvariationofsurfaceyoucanfind

• Negotiatinganobstaclecourseo Small size agility equipment is excellent. Can include steps, ramps, small jumps, tunnels,

sandpits,unsteadysurfaces

• Poolofballso Findingthefoodandhavingtheplasticballsaroundtheirpaws

• Crates

o Encouragepuppiestogointoacrate.Explainthebenefitsofcratetraininganduseafunactivitytoencouragelearning.

• Heights

o Use ramps or other elevated areas and encourage the pup towalk up (must be safe ofcourse)

• Tactile(touch)

o Puppiesshouldbeusedtotouchandbodyexaminations.Setupamockvetvisitcompletedwithstethoscope,and/orencourageownerstoexamineandtouchtheirownpuppies.

Snuffleareas:Snuffleareasaresetupareasthatcontainaheapofinterestingandinteractiveitemsforpuppiestosmell,investigateandplaywith.Researchshowsthatdogsthatareallowedtoinvestigatetheenvironmenttendtocalmdowneasier.Snuffleareasarealsogreatforcreatingamilddistractionforthepuppyanddecreasethehighlevelsofarousalassociatedwithenteringthepuppytrainingarea.WehighlyrecommendedsettingupaSnuffleareaaroundthemainpuppyclassareaandalsosomeitemsaroundtheentrance.Dependingonwhereyourunyourclasses,theseareascanbebothinsideandoutsidethetrainingarea.Awakenthepup’ssensorycapacityandinvestigativenaturebyprovidingthingslike:

• Snufflemats• Puppypuzzlegames(afewNinaOttossonpuzzlesscatteredaroundtheplace,closetoentrance)• Itemswithscent(toys,shoes,emptybottles,clothing,Kongtoys,anythingwithasmell)• Playpens(withanyoftheaboveinside)forshyorfearfulpuppies• Poolofballs(moreonthislater)• Differentsurfacesandlittleobstacles• Playsoundsinthebackground

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSEThosethathaveusedthisapproachreportthatpuppiesaremuchcalmerwhentheyenterthetrainingarea,pulling/straining to get to theotherpuppy is reducedandevenpuppies thatwere a little reactivewerenoticedtobecalmer.

Encourage owners to download a sounds and noises app that can be used at home to help desensitise the puppies to various sounds

Sound Proof Puppy Training Or

Soundscary www.dogstrust.org.uk

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

ManagingProblemPuppiesAnypuppypreschoolclasswillalwayshaveoneormorepuppiesthatmayexhibitproblematicbehavioursorevenbehaviouralproblemsinyourclass.A‘problem’puppyisonethatshowsanyofthefollowingbehaviours:• “Overthetop”playingexample:veryrough,almostfranticplay• Growly,barkingand/oraggression• Predatorybehaviours• ExtremelyshyandfearfulThisiswhenyouwillneedtoadjustyourcurriculumtoensurethesafetyofallyourclassparticipantsatalltimes.Earlyandcorrectinterventioniscrucialtohelpthispuppylearnwhatisacceptableandwhatisnot,afterallthisisnodifferenttopre-schoolforahumanchild.

UnderstandplayingstylesNotallpuppiesplayinthesamemannerwithdifferentbreedshavingdifferentstylesofplayingwhichmayclash.Someexamplesof‘breedspecific’playingstylesmaybe:

• Labradors–usuallyverybouncyand‘inyourface’whenplaying• Workingdogs–maystalk,chaseand‘roundup’otherpuppies• Bullbreeds–mayplayrough(lotsofhip/shouldersandmouthing)• PoodlesandMaltese–maybealittleneuroticduringplay–lotsofrollingaroundandchasing

Roughplayingstylesofsomepuppies:Somebreeds (Bullbreeds,Labradors)andalso individualpersonality typesmaynaturallyplayveryroughcomparedtootherbreedsorindividuals.Mis-matchedplayingstylescancauseinjuriesandfearissuestootherpuppiesduetotraumaifcareisnottaken tomatch themcorrectly. The roughplayingpuppies shouldonlyplaywithotherpuppiesof sameplaying style, but ideally theplay among thesepuppies should includean interrupter item suchasballs,toysand/orobedienceexercises.

BullyingoraggressivepuppiesThere are a number of reasons why some puppies can bully other puppies or even become aggressivetowardsthem.Someofthereasonsmaybe:• Roughplaywithotherolderdogsathomeoratthepark–pupmimicsolderdog’sactionsandplaying

style• Badexperiencewithotherdogs• Genetics• Breedrelated• Puppyhasneverbeendisciplinedforthistypeofplaybymother,littermatesorotherdogs• Puppydoesnot taketodisciplinewell ifbeingreprimandedbyanotherdog– thiscansometimesbe

duetobeingtakenawayfromlittertooearly• Puppylearnedthatbullyingworks

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

Managingbullyingoraggressivepuppiesinclass:Keepingallpuppiessafeinyourclassisparamount,thereforeagoodpuppyinstructorwillunderstandtheneedforpropermanagementofpuppiesthatarebulliesoraggressive.• Keepextremelyaggressivepuppiesonlead

o Forthesafetyofalloftheotherpuppies,keepthesepuppiesontheleadandgivetheownerssomeotherexercisestokeepthepupsdistracted.

• Givethepuppyachance

o Givetheproblempuppytheopportunityof learningcorrectplaybyallowing it toplaywitharelaxed/confidenttypeofpuppyandonlyifsafetodoso!

When a pup’s behaviour becomes unacceptable it must be removed from the play immediately andwithoutnegotiation. It’sadvisabletosetandadvisetherulesclearlytotheownersbeforeyouallowthepupstoplay.Thefollowingbehavioursshouldnotbetolerated:

• Standingoveranotherpuppy• Eyeballing(coldstare)• Humping• Growling• Bitinghard

Once removed thepupcaneitherbeplaced inaplaypenor returned toowner toallow to calmdown.Oncepuphascalmeddown,youcanreinstateintotheplaybutwatchintentlyforrecurringbehaviour.Thisprocesswillneedtoberepeatedanumberoftimesforthepuptobecomeawareoftheconsequencesofhisroughplay.Puppiesthatareeithertooroughinplay,aggressiveorhavebeenremovedfromthegroupastimeoutcanbekeptbusybyanyofthefollowingmeans:

o Kongsorfooddispensingtoyso Obedienceexerciseso Snuffleareas

Useanadultdog!Thebestdogtrainersareotherdogssoifpossibleusingwelltrainedandwellsocialisedadultdoginyourclasscangreatlyassistwithproblempups.Ifyouareusinganadultdoginyourclassit’simperativetoonlyallow1puptointeractwiththeadultdogatatimesoyoudon’toverwhelmtheadultdog.Mostadultdogsareverygoodatteachingobnoxiouspuppiessomemannersbutonlyusesafe,welltrainedandsocialisedadultdogsthathaveagoodtrackrecordwithpuppies.Ifindoubt,donotuse!For extremely aggressive puppies,we highly recommend the owner seeks the assistance of a reputabletrainerasap!

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

Fearful/shypuppiesWhetherduetogenetics,badbreedingandnerves,badexperienceorineffectivehandlingbytheowners,thesefearful/shypuppiesarethetickingtimebombsofyourclass.A fearful puppy can very quickly turn into an aggression puppy if cornered or pushed to far. Fearaggressionisalmostalwayscreatedwhensituationswiththesepuppiesarenotmanagedwellbythepuppyschoolinstructorandcanbethe‘makeorbreak’forthatpuppy,sometimesforthetermofitslife.Fearfulpuppies:

• Willavoidinteractionwithotherpuppiesandsometimespeopleaswell• Willnotinstigateinteractionwithotherpuppiesorpeople• Usuallyalwaysremainclosetotheirownersevenwhenofflead• Willnotshowanyinvestigativebehaviours• Maynottakefoodtreats,makingteachingofobedienceverydifficult• Shownointerestinplayingwithtoysoritems• Mayhideunderchairsortablesduringpuppyplaytimeorifotherpuppiescomeupclose• Maygrowlifitfeelscornered/trapped

Howtohandleafearfulpuppy?Youmusttakeimmediateactionstohelpbuildthepuppy’sconfidenceby:• Onlyallowingonegentlepuppytobeoffleadatthesametime,ORforseverefear,allowthepuppyoff

theleadbyhimself.Allotherpuppiestoremainrestrainedonleads.• Donotallowpuppytohideunderchairsortablesasthiscausesmoreissues.Encouragethepuppyto

stayout• Keepotherpuppiesawayfromthefearfulpuppy• Useaplaypentokeepthispuppyinduringplaytimesessions• Reward any inquisitive behaviours like “sniffing the air” or reaching forward to investigate another

puppy.Thisisacrucialsteptoconfidencebuilding!A fearful puppy requires loads of very controlled exposure and careful interaction beyond a puppypreschool,thereforedoencourageownerstocontinuewiththeexposureandtrainingafterpuppyschoolends.Alsorecommendtheownersseekaqualifiedtrainerorbehaviouristtoassistwiththis.SetupsnuffleareaandencourageinvestigationEncouragingandallowing investigationisagreatwayof increasingafearfulpup’sconfidencelevelanditalsoopensupthepup’smindtoinquisitivenessandlearningwhichareallveryhelpfultobuildconfidence.Foranyfearfulorshypup,thefollowingscenarioshouldbesetupjustbeforetheendoftheclasswhenalloftheotherpuppiesaretiredandaremucheasilyrelaxedandcontrolledbytheirowners.

Soleinvestigationusingsnufflearea

• Setupthesnuffleareaasdiscussedearlierinthemiddleoftheroom• Allotherownersmusthavetheirpuppiesonleadandinacontrolledhold,nolungingforward• When all other pups are safely under control, allow the fearful pup off lead on its own to

investigatethesnuffleareaifitwantsto• Iffearfulpupgoesupforasniffofanotherpuppy,thisshouldbeencouragedandtheotherpuppy

mustbeheldsecurelyatthistimesothefearfulpuppycancomeawayquicklyifitwantsto• Thisonlyworksifallotherpuppiesareundertightestofcontrol• Allowthefearfulpuppytoinvestigateforafewminutesthenbacktotheowner

Repeatthisscenarioeachweekbutmustbedonepriortoendoftheclass

PUPPYSCHOOLINSTRUCTOR’SCOURSE

Ifapuppybecomesfrightenedbyanythingintheclass,orifanotherpuppyhastrampledthepup,pleaseinstructtheownerstodothefollowing:

1. FirstlySTAYCALM!!2. Pickupthepuppyandcheckforwounds3. Ifpuppyiscrying,ownercancontinuetocalmlyholdandgentlymassagethepuppyuntil itcalms

down.T/touchormassageisagreatwayforhelpingpupcalmdown4. Thereshouldbenopanicactionfromanyone• Instructormusttakeimmediatecontroloftheclassbyaskingthatallpuppiesareputbackonlead

andhaveotherownersworkonanobedienceexercisewiththeirpups• Oncethefrightenedpuppyhascalmeddown,ownermustputitbackdownagain• Ifpossible,trytohavethepuppyinteractwithacalmpuppyimmediately,butdon’tpushiteither

Thefirst,andverynaturalreactionofanypuppyownerwhosepuppyhasjustbeenfrightenedistopickitupandconsoleit.Thereisnothingwrongwiththisasit’sthemammalianway…andwearemammalsafterall.Themostimportantaspecthereisthetypeofconsolingthatisundertakenandit’srecommendedthata calm approach, alongwith gentle and reassuring touch or hold is the best approach in this situation,whichassistsincalmingbothpuppyandowneratthesametime.WerecommendlearningtheTellingtonTouch(T-Touch)techniquewhich isgreatforrelaxingdogsand isinstrumentalinassistingstressedoranxiousdog.Websiteis:www.ttouchaustralia.com.au