Puppy kisses are wonderful. Puppy kisses that lead to puppy nipping, however, are not. Your new puppy has a whole new world to explore! Unfortunately, many puppies try to test the waters of their new boundaries with their mouths. Today we will explore the reason why puppies get mouthy and how to discourage him/her from that nasty nipping behavior.

Why Puppies Nip

There are a handful of reasons why your puppy might be mouthy. One of which is teething. Like babies, your puppy will go through a teething stage. They will want to chew and bite to reduce the pressure in their mouths. Puppies should always have an assortment of chew toys to keep them from chewing on you or your furniture.

Another thing to keep in mind is that puppies use their mouths as their main mode of exploration. Puppies don’t have hands to move or manipulate objects, so they use their mouths to handle things they are interested in. Unfortunately for us, sometimes that interesting object might be our hands.

Finally, dogs play with their mouths. Watch the way two puppies interact. They will mouth or grab at one another with their teeth. So when your puppy wants to play with you, they resort to using their mouths to get your attention.

You have to understand WHY your puppy begins to nip before you can understand HOW to prevent these undesired behaviors.

Mimic Play Behavior

If you observe dogs playing with one another, you will notice that when one dog yelps, the other tends to let go. You can mimic this behavior with your puppy as he/she develops their own understanding of right and wrong.

If your puppy grabs your hand and applies pressure with their teeth, you can let out a yelp to signal to him/her that it hurts. Do not yank your hand away, however, as this can lead to you getting hurt and can trigger your puppies “chase” instinct.

If your puppies respects this cue and resorts to licking you or backs away from you, praise them! This is a positive change in behavior. If they continue to chew on you, however, it is time for puppy time out and a re-evaluation.

Give Them A Distraction

If your puppy is keen on chewing on fingers or toes, it could be because they are teething. When they go to chew on you, redirect their attention towards a chew toy or puppy-safe bone. The Kong toys are great for teething Labradoodles as they are durable and certain toys can have treats hidden inside for enrichment!

Puppies who like to mouth or nip may need some supplemental activity to distract them. Games like fetch or tug-of-war are a really great way to allow the puppy to use their mouth in a positive manner. These games are counter-productive, however, if the game gets too aggressive or the puppy doesn’t understand the “leave it” command.

Things to Avoid

Nipping is frustrating, but there are some things you want to avoid when training your puppy not to nip.

• Never yell at or hit your puppy when they do bite. This can make your puppy afraid and can lead to stress-induced aggressive behaviors later in life.
• Do not use your hands or fingers to work your puppy up for play time. They will be the first thing your puppy will want to grab with his/her teeth.
• Your children should not be the ones teaching your puppy anti-nipping behaviors without an adult in the room. Interactions between puppies and children should always be observed. Even older children need to be monitored to ensure that your puppy is being educated consistently and fairly.

Nipping is a natural behavior, but luckily it is an easy one to curb. With proper instruction and a consistent learning environment, your puppy will learn the proper way to play and you will have a forever friend. Ready to add a four-legged addition to your family? We strive to pair the perfect puppy with each family, every time. Check out our available and upcoming litters and submit your adoption application today!

 

Australian Labradoodles are known for their beautiful coats! The majority of the dogs bred in our program have what we call a “fleece” coat. This means they have a soft-textured coat that is either straight, wavy or has a soft spiral appearance. Fleece coats are very popular as they are easy to manage and very allergy-friendly. They will, however, require some upkeep to make sure your dog’s coat stays in good condition. Here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your puppy’s coat at home and preparing them for the groomer.

Your At-Home Grooming Guide

It is important to maintain your dog’s upkeep at home between grooming visits. When you first bring your puppy home, you should work on desensitizing them to basic grooming behavior such as having their paws handled.

Brushing your puppy at home should be done regularly to keep the coat from becoming matted. Do not be surprised if your puppy is startled when you brush them for the first time, this is an unusual experience for them! Start with a few gentle strokes and reward your puppy for positive behavior. Do the same with the idea of combs or nail clippers.

WARNING: Unless you are an experienced dog groomer, never clip your puppy’s nails on your own. It is very easy to cut the nail into the quick which is painful and traumatic for your new puppy. Once your puppy has been “quicked” it is very hard for them to gain their confidence back when having their paws handled.

Keep your grooming sessions short, but frequent. Make time to brush them every day so they grow used to the feeling!

Regular Care Checklist

Your puppy will need at-home grooming in between professional grooming sessions. Here is a list of the things you should do on a regular basis, plus the tools necessary to complete them:

• Bathe your puppy with a dog-friendly shampoo. Be careful not to over bathe your new puppy, especially in the colder months, as this can lead to dry uncomfortable skin. Bathe as needed between groomings.
  • Archview tip of the day: If your puppy has dandruff, try a tea-tree oil infused shampoo to soothe itchy skin!
• Brushing your dog for a few minutes a day is advisable, especially if you intend on keeping your dog’s coat on the longer side. We LOVE the Greyhound Comb from Pet Edge for daily grooming.
  • Note: Always brush your dog before you bathe them to remove any mats.
• When bathing your puppy, be on the lookout for cuts, ticks or unusual skin irritations.

Grooming at Home

Interested in doing your Australian Labradoodles grooming on your own? The ALAA put out this wonderful video that demonstrates a good routine for basic doodle grooming practices:

 

First Trip to the Groomer

Once your puppy is appropriately vaccinated, it is time for them to go to the groomer! Your puppy should go to the groomer as soon as safely possible so they adjust to the experience at a young age. Be careful when selecting a groomer. Do your research! Vets, fellow dog owners or, if you are local, the Archview team can help recommend one to you. Always select a licensed groomer. One bad experience at the groomer can scar your puppy for life.

Most groomers are more than happy to have short introductory grooming sessions with your new puppy. Even if you don’t want their coat fully trimmed, we recommend taking them for a bath and blowout while they are young and easy to train.

We recommend that you take your Australian Labradoodle to the groomer every three-four weeks for a bath and blow dry. The recommended schedule for a haircut is every other visit to the groomer.

Just like when you go to the hair salon, it is always a good idea to go to the groomer with a photo of how you want your puppy to look when they get their first haircut. Your groomer will be able to suggest cuts that are best for the level of upkeep you are comfortable with and for your puppy’s lifestyle. No matter what cut you choose, always make sure the hair is trimmed from your dog’s eyes, the ears are groomed to the “leather” and that they receive a sanitary trim.

Take a look at some of these dashing cuts that our Archview graduates recently shared for some puppy cut inspiration!

Ready to add an Archview Australian Labradoodle to your family? All of our available puppies can be found here. Be sure to fill out your adoption application in order to be approved!

One of the most important things to research prior to bringing your puppy home is the diet that you want them to follow. Essential nutrition is crucial during your puppy’s developmental stages so that they grow up strong and healthy. We’ve broken down some of our top tips and tricks for evaluating your dog’s diet and how to safely switch them to the food of your choice.

What’s Good for Growing Pups?

With so many different options to choose from, it is easy to get overwhelmed when selecting a dog food. First things first, your new addition needs to consume a diet of puppy food for the first several months of their life. Puppy food is high in nutrients necessary to help your puppy develop properly. Adult dog food is lower in these nutritional qualities as adult dogs have already grown through the developmental stages.

Your new puppy has a small belly, therefore it is important to feed them four small meals a day to meet their nutritional needs. When your puppy has reached four to five months in age, you can decrease these feedings to three times a day. Depending on your puppy’s size, they can make the transition to adult dog food between six and twelve months. Small dogs can make the switch earlier, but bigger dogs who have more growing to do should continue to be fed puppy food until they are nearly grown. It is better to feed puppy food longer than to make the switch to adult food too soon!

But Which Food is Best?

Before you even pick a brand, you have to choose between canned food or kibbles. Here is a breakdown of what to expect with each of these options:

• Canned food is the most expensive, but is easier for teething puppies or older dogs to eat. Make sure that your canned food options meet all of your puppy’s nutritional requirements.
• Kibbles, depending on the brand, are more likely offer diverse diet options and are more budget friendly. If your dog has a hard time chewing on kibble, you can always moisten them with water or chicken broth!

Now you have to decide which brand is best for your new best friend. We recommend using Dog Food Advisor to compare the many different options you can choose from. You can read honest reviews, sign up for free recall alerts and use their dog food calculator to determine the quantity of food you should be feeding your pet daily.

Your vet is also an important resource when determining the diet for your dog. Your vet knows your dog’s medical history and what options will be best suited for them. Always consult with your vet prior to making a diet switch.

The Big Switch

Puppies have sensitive bellies and a dramatic switch in diet change can make them ill. Always gradually transition your puppy from one food to the next to prevent digestive upset. A seven day transition period is the easiest for your new friend to adjust to.

Start by introducing small quantities of the new food to their current diet. By the third or fourth day, your puppy should be getting half and half. Continue to reduce the amount of the old food that your puppy gets at each feeding and by day seven they can receive solely the new food.

Some things to keep in mind when switching foods:

• Pick a food that is easy for your dog to digest. You wouldn’t want to get your miniature Labradoodle large breed dog food as the kibbles will be too large for them to comfortably chew.
• Pick a dog food that is easy for you grab in a pinch if you run out. Purchasing a food that is a great distance from your home is not practical for last minute dog food runs.
• If your puppy hesitates to try their new food, consider soaking it in warm water or in chicken broth to entice them the first few feedings. Always discard wet, uneaten food at the end of the day.

And always be careful on the treats, especially human foods. There are many foods that could be toxic to your pet or lead to them becoming overweight.

If you are ready to add your new furry friend to your family, you are in luck! We have a variety of little bundles of joy who are almost ready to go to their new homes. Check out all of our available puppies here!

Earlier this week we discussed how to monitor your child’s interactions with your new puppy. Today we are going to expand on that thought process, particularly pertaining to puppy playtime! Some of my best memories as a child are of playing with my dog in the backyard, there truly is no better way for a child to grow up. That being said, sometimes it is harder for younger children to determine the appropriate way to play with their four-legged friend. We have compiled a few of our favorite tips to keep in mind when encouraging playtime between your child and your new addition.

The Differences in Playtime

Puppy playtime looks a lot different than children’s play time. Puppies naturally do not understand the behaviors of people. It is a learned skill that they pick up on after spending time with their two-legged family. Puppies are easily stimulated by the way in which children play. Their natural reaction to this type of playtime is to jump up on the person exciting them or possibly even to grab onto their clothing with their teeth. Watch two puppies playing together and see the way they interact and you will see this is natural behavior brought out by the excited screams and antics of small children.

When children play, they often scream and jump around in excitement. This can over-stimulate your puppy or frighten them. It is not your child’s intention to scare your puppy, but this type of playtime can bring out the worst in your new puppy. It is important to teach your child the right way to play with your new puppy and to monitor their playtime closely.

The Right Way to Play

So what should playtime between your child and your puppy look like? You need to have clear and specific boundaries for both your child and your puppy such as:

• No teeth on the children.
• Dropping a toy when told to do so.
• Your puppy should obey your child.
• Use positive reinforcement during play.
• Supervise games of “tug of war.”
• Do not chase the puppy.
• Do not play keep away with the puppy.
• Do not tackle or wrestle with the puppy.

Remember, your puppy probably does not begin playing with your child with the intention of hurting or scaring them. Unfortunately, accidents can happen when playtime gets out of hand. As your puppy grows and matures, he or she will learn the rules of the household. Until then, however, you should always monitor the way your child and puppy play.

Knowing When to Interrupt Playtime

Sometimes you have to decide that playtime is over when things get out of hand. Here is a list of times that is imperative that you call it a day for puppy playtime:

• The puppy is mouthing, jumping, grabbing or nipping at your child.
• The puppy is barking excessively.
• Your puppy does not appear to be tiring out after a lengthy play session.
• You child or your puppy does not appear to be enjoying themselves.
• Your child or your puppy appears frightened.
• The puppy begins to sniff the ground or attempts to move away from your child and onto a new activity.
• The puppy grows overprotective of a toy or will not give a toy up when your child asks for it.
• Or your puppy is running away looking for a place to hide.

Your puppy and your child should be best friends! Watching for these warning signs help keep your puppy confident and keep your children safe. We always recommend working with a licensed professional as your puppy matures so that he/she learns the lay of the land in a safe, structured environment.

Step one to making your child’s wildest dreams come true is picking out a puppy for them! At Archview, we pride ourselves on picking the perfect match for each family, each time. If you are interested in adding an Archview Australian Labradoodle to your family, check out our available puppies page HERE.

 

Puppies and children are a lot alike! It takes the right foundation and lots of patience to raise both the way you see fit. Raising a puppy and a child together can be very rewarding! But for the safety of both your child and your puppy, you must carefully monitor their interactions. In today’s Archview How To, we give you some guidelines on the right way for your children to interact with their new best friend!

Children Can Be Scary

Remember, your new puppy is in the developmental stages of their life when they join your family. Sights, sounds, new people can all be a bit intimidating. Like we spoke about in an previous blog, controlled socialization is imperative for your new puppy.

Children by nature can be a bit scary to your new puppy. Think about how your children spend their playtime. It isn’t uncommon for them to run around, scream in excitement, toss or kick toys and they lack a general understanding of personal space that comes with age. For your new puppy, this can be very disconcerting. As a new puppy parent, it is important that you facilitate structured puppy play time with your child.

Petting the Puppy

The biggest concern many puppy parents have is how mouthy some puppies may be, especially with young children. But, there is more going on behind the scenes that leads to this behavior. In their book Raising Puppies & Kids Together, authors Pia Silvani and Lynn Eckhardt dive into why puppies tend to be more mouthy when children pet them.

“When adults pet a puppy, they calmly put their hand out for the puppy to sniff, and then touch the puppy. When children attempt to pet puppies, typically their hands start off very high up in the air and move downward, cautiously and slowly, almost dangling over the op of the puppy’s head. There may even be a slight hesitation on the approach of the hand toward the puppy, as if they are thinking, ‘ I want to pet the puppy, but I am a bit unsure.’ The slow, hesitant hand motion causes most puppies to reach their heads up to meet the hand. AS soon as children see the puppy’s head and mouth coming toward their hand, they immediately pull their hand higher away, sometimes making a screeching noise. This now excites the puppy and turns the petting attempt into a fun game.”

While some puppies think this is child’s play, others may grow fearful or anxious about these repeated interactions, especially if your child pets the puppy roughly. Your puppy is trying to decide if they like the tiny human or if they are afraid of them. The only way to foster a positive environment is by playing a key role in your puppy’s and child’s life together.

The Difference Between Petting and Patting

Spend time teaching your child how to interact with your puppy in the appropriate manner. Instruct them to keep their hands low and to move towards the puppy at a normal pace: not too fast, not too slow. Teach them WHERE to pet the puppy. For example, safe spots to start are the side of the puppy’s face, the neck, beneath the chin or along the back.

Show your child how to softly stroke the puppy in a petting motion. Younger children tend to resort to patting or whacking the puppy. You can teach your child first how to pet on a stuffed animal and then move on to the puppy once they understand the idea.

Another important lesson to teach your children is to never poke or pull on the puppy. For young toddlers, tails are the perfect opportunity to grab a hold of the puppy and try to drag it into their space. This is an obviously frightening experience for your puppy and can lead to them being wary of your children. As we learned earlier, wary puppies can react out of fear or anxiety. Always supervise your child’s interactions with your puppy for both of their well-being.

Later this week we will expand on the topic of children and puppies even further, so stay tuned. There is no better way for a child to grow up then with a puppy in the household! Just monitor their playtime together closely to make sure their involvement with one another is appropriate. We want to make sure that your puppy grows up with a deep love and respect for your child. If you are interested in adding a new puppy to your family, we have several waiting to join your family. Check them out on our available puppies page and fill out your adoption application today!

A puppy is a lifelong commitment. With that in mind, we do our best to make sure that each family goes home with the right puppy for their lifestyle. For that reason, our puppies are hand-selected for each adopter based off of several tried and true methods which we endorse. One of those methods is the Wendy Volhard Temperament Test. Learn all about this personality assessment and how it helps us guide you in the right direction with your puppy purchase in today’s blog!

What is Personality Testing?

Just like humans, each puppy is unique and has their own little personality. Picking the right puppy for your lifestyle is a lot like picking the right piece of the puzzle! The personalities of the dog and his owner must mesh well to have a long-lasting relationship. As soon as our puppies begin to come into their own, we start analyzing each one for certain aptitude traits that will make them a good fit for individual adopters. We put our puppies through a series of ten tests throughout our evaluation process. Those ten steps are:

• Social Attraction
• Following
• Restraint
• Social Dominance
• Elevation
• Retrieving
• Touch Sensitivity
• Sound Sensitivity
• Sight Sensitivity
• and Stability

But What Do Those Things Mean?

Each of those categories has a specific set of guidelines that we follow when measuring their response rate. For social attraction, we are looking at the dog’s degree of attraction or desire to interact with people. If you are wanting a family friendly puppy, you do not want a dog with a low social attraction who is more frightened by people than excited by them. When looking at following we are gauging the dog’s willingness to follow a person and be alongside them.

When testing restraint we are evaluating how a dog might handle a stressful situation and where they fall in the social hierarchy. Are they the top of the pack and eager to assert their authority or are they content with being in the middle and get along with everyone? Social dominance follows in that same vein in that we are looking to see if a dog is willing to accept a human as the authority figure or if they are set on establishing their own dominance. Elevation, on the other hand, is the measure of how a puppy reacts in a situation where he has no authority.

Retreiving is exactly what it sounds like: how willing your dog is to do something for you. We also measure the dog’s stability which is how each puppy reacts when startled.

The three sensitivities are pretty self-explanatory. We observe each puppy to see how they react to unusual touches, sights and sounds. These three are especially important when evaluating what type of dog your puppy will grow up to be!

A Scientific Approach

Testing our puppies for each of these personality indicators is done in a quiet, controlled environment that is new to the puppies. We work with each puppy one-at-a-time so there are no distractions that could alter the results of the test. We also utilize a tester who is new to the puppy. By using a stranger, we are able to see the puppy’s true confidence shine through, or lack thereof.

Each test has its own method. For example, when testing following, the tester will stand up and walk away from the puppy while gently encouraging the puppy to follow. We measure the puppy’s response time to our leaving them. A puppy who wants to stay by your side is a more people-oriented puppy, while one that is more content to hang back may be more independent.

When we test touch sensitivity we press lightly on the webbing between each puppies’ toes and document how they react. The tester will count to ten, while gradually increasing gentle pressure and take note when the puppy begins to react.

Scoring Each Puppy

Each test has a scale that we score our puppies on. We have included a snippet of the chart below for your reference:

Puppies whose scores are mostly 1’s are very dominant and will require a lot of training. These puppies are not well-suited for inexperienced homes and will require a strict regimen to keep them on their best behaviors.

If a puppy’s score is mostly 2’s, they are very self-confident and desire to be the leader. These puppies will not be a good fit for families with children or other animals. Again, an experienced home is best for these puppies.

Puppies who fall into the category of mostly 3’s are high-energy who will need lots of exercise, but overall are great dogs if you have had a dog before. They might be a bit difficult to begin with, but can become awesome working companions for second-time dog owners.

The perfect family pet will score mostly 4’s on his temperament test. They are easy to train and relatively quiet. These puppies are ideal for first-time dog owners, families with children or elderly people.

If your puppy falls into the 5 range they are going to be more on the timid side and will require special handling. They will be afraid of loud noises, new environments and unusual people. These puppies thrive in quiet homes, especially with older couples.

Last, but not least, are those puppies who score in the high 6’s. You will find that these puppies are so independent that it will be difficult to bond with them. They do not crave human attention like a dog in the 3 or 4 range would. You cannot force a puppy to be cuddly and these puppies will never be the cuddle on the couch type. The best careers for these dogs are as guardians.

What Does All of This Mean?

At Archview, we would never allow you to pick a puppy based on looks only that would be a horrible fit for your family. This is doing you and the puppy a disservice. We pride ourselves on evaluating each application to the smallest detail and pairing them with the appropriate puppy that will fulfill all of their desires. We have an outstanding success rate and are so happy to see our puppies thriving in wonderful homes!

So if you are ready to start your journey into pet-ownership start off by checking out our available puppies and decide which litter fits your personal preferences. From there, you will fit out an application that helps us to get to know your family better and we will help you determine which puppy is the perfect fit for you.

 

Part of being a responsible pet owner includes keeping your dog up-to-date on the appropriate vaccinations and medications to keep them happy and healthy. But what happens when your attempts to bring your dog peace actually causes more harm than good? Recently, the FDA has released warnings regarding certain flea and tick medications which can cause “neurological adverse events” in your pooch. We have summarized what you need to know regarding these warnings and how you can properly protect your pup.

What is Isoxazoline?

According to the FDA, the medications which are causing these negative symptoms in dogs and cats belong to the isoxazoline family. However, despite these reports, drugs that fall within the isoxazoline family are still considered safe to use on your pets. Adverse reactions which have been reported to the FDA include muscle tremors, ataxia and even seizures.

Flea and tick medications that fall within the isoxazoline family include Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica. All of these medications are chewable tablets. Topical medications do not fall within this class and are still a favorite amongst pet owners.

Isoxazoline was created with the intention of having negative effects on the insect nervous system. It was not originally believed to affect the nervous system of mammals. Statistics show that the majority of dogs and cats do not experience these neurological side-effects, but it is your duty as a pet owner to do your research! Determine which method of treatment you are comfortable using on your dog or cat.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

If your pet has been introduced to isoxazoline flea and tick preventatives, watch your pet for unusual activity closely. Any signs of neurological distress should be reported to your vet and the FDA immediately. Things to look for include:

• Weakness of limbs
• Excessive head tilting
• Stumbling or dizziness
• Tremors
• Out of character behavior
• Loss of appetite or nausea
• Localized or generalized muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Unusual neurological reactions

Where You Should Go From Here

It is imperative that your four-legged friend stay on flea and tick preventative. Many dangerous illnesses can be transferred to your dog or cat through bug bites. If your dog is on an isoxazoline medication and you are uncomfortable with continuing treatment, speak to your vet about your alternatives. You can choose from oral preventatives, collars, topicals or powders.

Whichever option you choose, it is important your remain vigilant. For example, never give flea and tick treatment designed for dogs to your cats as it can be deadly. Always administer the correct dosage for your pet’s weight and age. Follow the proper storage instructions to ensure your medications are safe and remain effective throughout their shelf-life.

And as always, feel free to reach out to us for our recommendations regarding flea and tick control. Being a lifelong resource for our adopters is one of our top priorities at Archview Labradoodles! If you are ready to add a new puppy to your family, please check out our available puppies here.

Earlier this week we talked about the different ways your new puppy might try to tell you how they’re feeling. Now that you have a basic understanding of dog body language, it is time to put that to good use. Most dog owners and trainers would agree that most behavioral issues are the result of fear. It is vital that you handle fear in the appropriate way while your puppy is young to boost his or her confidence. In today’s Archview How To, we will walk you through some some tips and tricks to use when greeting a nervous puppy.

Fear Leads to Aggression

In order to understand what is going on in your puppy’s head, you have to put yourself in their state of mind. Let’s say you went to a new doctor. The waiting area was cold with hard metal chairs and the receptionist did not greet you kindly upon check-in. Then the nurse had to stick you three or four times to get a good blood draw. And to wrap it all up, the doctor only spent a few minutes with you even though your visit lasted several hours.

Would you want to go back to that doctor?

Probably not. In fact, most of us would probably be hesitant to return for fear of being poked and prodded excessively again. Any time you think about that doctor, you probably have a sinking feeling in the back of your stomach. It is not a good feeling, is it?

This is how your puppy might feel when you force him into an uncomfortable situation. If we repeatedly give our puppies reason to fear something, they could later lash out in an attempt to protect themselves or out of worry. It is important to take your time when working with your new puppy in order to have a happy, confident dog.

Keep It Simple

If your puppy is afraid of someone or something, remember to keep it simple. Puppies who are afraid might back away from the stimuli that frightens them. Look for round eyes, a tucked tail and yawning when you know your puppy isn’t sleepy. These all are signs of worry.

If your puppy is naturally shy, they will probably be more wary around men, people who are taller than the person they are comfortable with or people wearing hats or jackets. If you notice your puppy is afraid of one of these things, introduce them slowly. Ask the person who frightens your puppy to keep a respectable distance and to toss their favorite treat or toy to them. Do not allow them to loom over your new addition or pick them up abruptly.

Never over expose your puppy to what bothers them in hopes of “flooding” the fear out of them. This will lead to sensory overload in your puppy and will ultimately make the situation worse. If you know your puppy is shy around strangers, don’t take them to a crowded park or shopping area. Take baby steps and watch their confidence rise before exposing them to bigger stimuli.

Step by Step

1. Advance towards the puppy slowly and from the side. Dogs cannot see straight in front of them and fast movements in their blind zone will heighten their anxiety.
2. Avoid direct eye contact. In the wild, this is seen as a threat from other pack members and will not lead towards a trusting relationship between you and your puppy.
3. Treats are your friend! Use treats as a means to gain the puppy’s trust.
4. Use your knowledge of body language. If the puppy is asking you to back away, be respectful of their wishes and keep working towards building their confidence before approaching.
5. Do not loom over the puppy. Instead, you should crouch to reach the dog’s height level. This will be a lot less intimidating.
6. Use your voice in a calm, smooth manner. High pitched “puppy voices” are no good in this scenario. Rather, it will make the puppy even more nervous.

We highly recommend that all of our new families utilize the expertise of a licensed dog trainer, especially if your puppy is a little more on the shy side. Learning these methods in a controlled environment not only makes you a better dog parent, but sets your new addition up for success as they develop!

If you are in need of some further resources for your new puppy, check out our list of suggested products and literature here!

Have you ever looked at your dog and thought, “I wonder what he is thinking?” If only our four-legged friends could speak to us! While they may not speak our language, your dog has a unique way of communicating with you. From the twitch of the tail to the raising of an ear, understanding your dog’s body language is the key to knowing what they are feeling. This skill is especially important when bringing home a new puppy. New environments can often bring out countless emotions for your puppy to process. Here are some ways to listen to your dog, even though they aren’t able to speak for themselves.

A Happy Hound

A happy dog is easy to read! Look for perked ears, a slightly open mouth (some dogs even appear to smile!), normal eyes and a relaxed body posture. If your puppy is eager to play their tail might be up and wagging excitedly. Your puppy may crouch down in a pouncing position before running off in an attempt to get you to play with them!

Happy dogs will be eager to approach you and will not hunker down to the ground in your presence. Happy dogs may be “alert” as they check out something that intrigues them. He or she will stand at attention and carefully observe the point of interest for a period of time. Once they have deemed that scenario safe, they will resume their happy-go-lucky demeanor we described earlier.

If you stop petting your puppy and they approach you again or nudge you, they are wanting your attention! This means they are enjoying being around you and want your attention. A dog that exhibits these signs is safe to approach and play with. Let the games begin!

A Nervous Nelly

A nervous dog is a dog you want to treat with sensitivity. Rushing a worried dog into a situation can result in the manifestation of aggression if the dog is pushed too far. If your puppy is stressed, he or she will hunker down in a submissive stance. Their ears will most likely be back flat against their head and their pupils will be dilated. The tell-tale sign of a nervous dog is one whose tail is tucked between their legs. You will most likely see this behavior if you rush your puppy into a new environment they find worrisome.

The more fearful your dog is, the more obvious the signals become. In a total state of fear, your dog may lie on his back, averting his gaze as to not make eye contact with you.  This is a response indicative of your dog’s ancestry. In the wild, dogs would assume this stance to avoid physical confrontation with other pack members.

Dogs show stress signals in many ways. Some of the easiest signals to pick up on are excessive movement such as pacing. Another sign is heavy panting when they have not been playing rigorously. Dogs who are extremely lethargic and appear to tuck themselves away in a corner are also showing signs of stress.

If your dog is showing any of these signs, try to calm their nerves with a soft, reassuring voice. A cowering dog should never be forced into an uncomfortable situation. Be their sign of comfort and show them that whatever is distressing them is nothing to fear!

Acknowledging Aggression

The thing about aggressive dogs is that they give you all the warning signals you need before they break. There are two types of aggression in dogs: fearful aggression and dominant aggression.

Fearful aggression stems from anxiety and uncertainty around certain stimuli. In this case, your dog may feel threatened but does not intend on backing down. The hair will be raised on the back of your dog’s neck, their nose will be wrinkled, the body will be lowered and they will show some of their teeth. Dogs who exhibit this behavior should be approached with caution.

Dominant aggression results from a dog thinking they are the top of the pack. These dogs are not afraid when they exhibit signs of aggression, they are asserting themselves as the “alpha.” The dominant aggressive dog will stand erect with a straight tail and pointed ears. They will appear to be “facing off” to whatever they are showing their assertiveness to. The mouth will be open and curled up, exposing some teeth. This will usually be accompanied by a deep, throaty growl.

Always remember that while bringing your new puppy home is extremely exciting for you, it can be stressful for your new addition. The first step to making this a smooth transition is understanding the cues your puppy is giving you and how to address them. Ready to take the leap into puppy ownership? We have several puppies waiting for their new families to claim them! Give them a look and fill out our application online. We promise to provide you with tons of resources, such as this blog, to help you in your journey of puppy ownership.

Bringing home your new puppy is so exciting, and we know there are so many things you will want to do with your new pal! One iconic image we all think of when we think of our dogs is taking a long walk in the park. What we don’t think of in that daydream is how ornery your dog might be if he/she has not been leash trained properly. In today’s blog, we have broken down some tips and tricks for teaching your puppy to enjoy his/her leash time.

Introducing the “Heel”

Before you begin leash training, your puppy needs to want to walk alongside you. In the book The Puppy Primer, the authors give you many exercises to transition your puppy through the “heeling” process. Remember, puppies much like children have a short attention span. Teaching them to heel or walk alongside you might be a bit boring to them. Remain patient and only reward good behavior. We highly encourage all of our new puppy parents to pick up a copy of The Puppy Primer and incorporate their “follow me” exercise in your daily routine.

A Gentle Introduction

Now that your puppy wants to be beside you, it is time to introduce to collar/harness and leash.  Let your puppy wear their collar around the house for short periods of time. Once your puppy has adjusted to wearing their collar, you can introduce the leash. Allow your puppy to drag the leash around so they grow accustomed to its presence. Keep treats on you and encourage your puppy to walk forward while wearing their leash.

Once your puppy isn’t bothered by the idea of a collar and leash, begin walking him/her for a few steps inside the comfort of your home. Your puppy will not automatically walk in the “heel” position and that is okay! As your puppy grows more comfortable on a leash, you can begin to incorporate those “follow me” exercises into your regular leash training.

Be sure to offer lots of treats and praise when your puppy willingly walks alongside you. Remember, always bring the treat to your puppy and never allow your puppy to jump up on you in an attempt to get the treat. Treats should always be given while the puppy is sitting so they don’t pick up the bad habit of jumping up for food.

When your puppy is used to walking on a leash in the comfort of their home, you can take these exercises outside! There will be loads of new stimuli for your puppy to check out. Remain patient and focused on the task at hand, then you can enjoy tons of playtime in the yard!

Encountering Hiccups

Practice makes perfect, but you never want to practice incorrect habits when teaching them to be respectful on the leash. You want to correctly curb these bad behaviors early on so that your puppy becomes respectful while on the leash.

For example, your puppy may want to pull against the leash. When your puppy is small it isn’t hard to pull your puppy back to you, but that isn’t such a simple task when they are fully grown! When your puppy wants to pull against the leash, you want to remain stationary until they come back to you. Jerking on the leash can be harmful to small puppies, but allowing them to get away with such behavior while they are small only sets you up for bigger issues down the road.

We highly recommend you find a well-respected and certified dog trainer in your area for your new puppy. Not only is this a great opportunity for socialization when your puppy is older, but these trainers can help you navigate the highs and lows of working with your puppy.

If you are still on the hunt for your perfect puppy, look no further! Your future best friend is waiting for you here at Archview Labradoodles. Take a look at our available puppies page and fill out your adoption application today!