Are you taking your young pup on the school run?
Have you considered the effects this could be having on your pup?
Have you weighed up the Pros and Cons?
Each pup is different and although it is often easier to kill two birds with one stone by doing the school run and walking a pup, will this benefit your puppy?
To gain positive socialisation with a pup, we must provide positive experiences that your puppy will enjoy. He shouldn’t not feel overwhelmed or frightened.
Let’s view the school run from your pup’s perspective. You are being carried in your caregivers arms and all of a sudden your view of the world is lots of well meaning arms and hands trying to touch you and eyes peering at you. You try to tell these people you aren’t comfortable through subtle signals like lip licking, yawning, repositioning yourself but the experience doesn’t stop. You can’t move away and your caregiver doesn’t seem to notice either.
Or maybe your pup is walking along the road and there are lots of cars coming to a stop, people jumping out of the vehicles, children rushing up behind you, strangers touching you and it’s all too much to take on board. You can’t escape, because you’re attached to a lead and again no one seems to recognise the subtle signals you are using.
It is important to understand that puppies need to be gradually exposed to various environments and situations. If a pup is overwhelmed, experiences aren’t managed correctly and we don’t listen to their body language it can have life long issues for your dog and for you.
And of course, taking your pup on the school run comes with responsibility. Puppies can be slow and tire quickly.
What happens if your child’s teacher wishes to speak with you? Where will you leave your pup? I certainly wouldn’t advise tying your pup up on the fence and leaving him unattended. There’s a risk of your pup being stolen, being treated unfairly or frightened by someone or a situation he can’t deal with leaving a negative impression with children, adult people or other dogs.
So if you are thinking of taking your new pup on the school run or you already do, think about the experience from your pup’s point of view. Are you definitely providing positive experiences? And is your pup having a good time?
If you would like some extra help with socialisation please contact me, Leah, by emailing info@positivetrainingforcanines.co.uk