Puppy socialisation

  In this second article in a two-part series, Claire Hargrave, an ASAB certificated clinical animal behaviourist and a member of, and honorary secretary to, the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, explains how to help owners support the emotional and behavioural development of kittens and puppies.

Puppies born in commercial breeding establishments can be properly socialized and be less likely to develop behavioural problems through a simple training programme in their crucial early weeks, welfare researchers were told in a Universities Federation for Animal Welfare online seminar held on 30 June. John Bonner reports…

This chapter starts with a discussion of the main principles underlying the quality of life and behaviour of animals in the shelter environment. The second part of the chapter focuses on specific behavioural signs, issues and problems related to housing animals within shelters. Quick reference guides: Current thinking on dog behaviour; Current thinking on cat behaviour; Socialization of puppies; Socialization of kittens; Dealing with the aggressive dog; Dealing with the hard-to-handle cat; Environmental enrichment for dogs in shelters; Environmental enrichment for cats in shelters.

The importance of providing families with tools and information they need to raise their pets properly cannot be overemphasized. Puppies that are raised by educated owners are more likely to exhibit appropriate and acceptable behaviour, and less likely to develop behaviour problems. This chapter covers pre-selection advice, introducing the puppy into the household, preventing aggression, learning and rule setting, confinement training, housetraining, destructive behaviour, play-biting, jumping up, puppy socialization and training classes, veterinary visits.