i run puppy socialisation at my vets once a week and each group lasts for 4 weeks.
this is a pretty general question but i think we run a pretty good one but i was wondering if any experienced breeders would like any imput to help new owners of any breed get started with their pups and whether there was anything you felt we could do to help new puppies get the best start in life.
we include:
basic training - all reward based. (sit, down, heel, recal, settle, etc...)
information about worms, fleas, neutering
socialisation charts are given out (give details about what they need to socialise their pups with)
some controlled off lead play.

is there anything you think needs a bit more focus or anything extra to add.
also if you want to give me details about how your breeds should be handled that would be good as well
thanks Anna

I'm not a breeder but have some suggestions?

What about crate training - introducing the crate in a positive way.

Alone training - teaching pups to be alone from a young age to prevent the development of separation anxiety when they get older.

A talk about how to deal with other dogs when they're out - that it is polite not to let your dog run up to another dog, unless you have checked with the owner first that it's ok.

meant to add that we do crate training and teach the pup to be checked out by encouraging the owners to do health check (we also do it our self)
good idea about seperation anxiety and not letting dogs run up to others (i myself find it very annoying expecially as at the mo iam socialising my vizsla)

Handling every part of their dog's body - makes the dog's, owner's and Vet's life easier in the future.

How to give a tablet - so many owners don't have a clue.  It stresses both dog and owner when the dog isn't well.

Grooming!!!!!!  A good breeder will demonstrate correct grooming to their potential buyers, but there are so many puppies being bred by ignorant breeders these days who don't know themselves that  this doesn't always happen.  So to demonstrate grooming with a slicker brush and grooming down to the skin, would help the comfort of many dogs as they mature.  Using the dog's collar and lead to tie it to a door handle, or a hook on the wall if it's on a work top, makes the owner's life easier.  Regular grooming also help to 'know' your dog's body and spot the first signs of any physical changes, which can help your Vet later!

thanks about the grooming - never thought about that as i myself have two dogs that only need a quick wipe over with a zoom groom.
will teach owners to give tablets using treats as the tablet.
thanks agian

anyone with any other ideas or even the best way that you find your breeds work when training.

if you think everything is covered then that is good

anna

I wish someone told us about how to hamdle mouthing early on.

[link]http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/dogsocialization.pdf[link]

I think this article is excellent and something I have tried to follow with my most recent pup.

Excellent article Tohme, it's got some very good advice and information. I think that's going to be very useful at my DTC for new members.

I incidently will be taking on s 5 month old puppy at the end of Feb, so this article has refreshed my memory and will be very useful to refer to. :)

Thanks

Another good thing is regarding grooming is nails, teeth and ears, the simple but correct way to do it.
At our puppy socialisation we bought a very inexpensive play tunnel and had a little game. Good basic recall to owner and a bit of fun.

Advice on excercise. The amount of people that over exercise a young pup. Some are just not made aware how bad this can be. They think they're doing the best for their pup the longer walks they take it on.

Get one of those noise cds that are commonly available with fireworks and other noises on. It's a useful little exercise.

Remind people on the legal requirements of info needed on a dog disc.
The correct use of a flexi lead if used, ie, open spaces only, not for pavement walking

Basic first aid kit. What useful items should they keep in their cupboards

Can't think of anymore at the mo.

this is really good. there are some things already included it is just whenyou try to think of what they r they all run out of my brain.

excersise and flexi leads are ones we don't do so will add that in

first aid kit also good and we have used noise cd in the past but we always find the owners shout over it and the room gets really noisy will give it another go tho.

thanks for all the advise

Not a breeder but  I agree with everything said, esp. the grooming.
I once attended a class where the owner had previously just cut her Irish terrier's claws, all 4 paws were bleeding and she didn't seem to realise that cutting the quick is very painful!

Lindsay
x

Giving advice about grooming smaller dogs. i.e. westies not to groom them on the floor,, but put them either on a table or worktop this give you more control of the dog, and while dogs are on the table show them how to check mouth, clean eyes etc.  Also to go to other training classes once the 4wks are finished either obedience or ringcraft training and maybe encourage new owners to go to classes that do the "good citizen scheme". One of the vets in my area do the puppy classes and then I go to ringcraft.  If I think of anything else I will post another message. good luck with the classes they are really good especially for novice owners who maybe have never had a dog before.

thankyou again. it is nice to have some fresh ideas cos you kinda get stuck in a pattern - been doing it now for 2 yrs.
always reccomend extra training and alot of them take it up which is good.
thanks again, and the tip about small dogs is good (never thought about putting little wriglers up on the table)
anna