Early Puppy Behavior: Tools for Later Success

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2023 Sep;53(5):1195-1207. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.05.009. Epub 2023 Jul 1.

Abstract

Breeders have a unique ability to positively impact the lives of puppies. Veterinarians have the opportunity to educate breeders on the importance of implementing early behavior strategies, including bite prevention in the form of early body handling, socialization, food bowl exercises, and object exchange exercises, and emotional resilience training, early house training, and early life skill training such as crate training, recall, and sit to say please. New puppy owners should be encouraged and educated on how to safely continue this training and socialization after they pick up their puppy and guided to enroll in a well-run puppy class.

Keywords: Aggression; Anxiety; Behavior; Bite prevention; Housetraining; Puppy; Socialization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Dogs