Chapter 4
Acclimating Your Dog to His New World

Discovery of new people, animals, objects, and experiences can be exciting and elating for a dog but can sometimes also be scary. Introduce these new things to your dog in a way that feels safe and controlled and gives him confidence to handle the situation.

Whether it be her first visit to the vet, first nail trimming, or first car ride, your dog will be anxious with these new experiences. Follow the steps in this chapter to introduce each new experience in a slow, controlled manner, which is associated with a positive outcome. A little extra time in the beginning will pave the way for a lifetime of confidence and healthy curiosity.

Set the tone for each new experience by portraying a calm confidence in your surroundings. Remember, your dog will do what you expect her to do, so control your thoughts and visualize the experience you wish to happen.

Socializing

TEACH IT:

Socializing means exposing your dog to new people, animals, objects, and experiences. Approach each new experience slowly, and give treats or praise and petting to give it a positive association. There are hundreds of new things you can expose your dog to, but listed here are a few examples.

 1  ELEVATORS. It will probably be a challenge to even get your dog to set foot inside an elevator, so practice just that first step with some treats.

2 CLOTHES. A veterinary cone is used to prevent the dog from fussing with a sore spot. Acclimate your dog to this tool by giving her treats when you put it briefly on her.

3 UNSTABLE SURFACES. Try something simple like laying a board on the ground on top of a tiny pebble. Can you tempt your dog to step on this unstable surface?

4 PEOPLE. This step is often underestimated, but a dog needs to be exposed to a wide variety of people.

5 LOUD SOUNDS. When you have a new puppy in the house, don’t be reluctant to make loud sounds. So long as your puppy is not too spooked, go ahead and slam those cupboard doors, rattle pots and pans, and ring the doorbell. This will desensitize your puppy to loud sounds.

6 ANIMALS. Horses, cats, reptiles, birds, and livestock will each present a novel experience for your dog.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Dogs vary widely in their confidence with new experiences. A lot of this variance is due to genetics. Socialization will have the greatest benefit to a dog during puppyhood, especially in their first four months of life.

BEFORE YOU START

Know the signs of stress: trembling, cowering, tucked tail, lowered head, lip licking, panting, scratching, hiding.

TROUBLESHOOTING

WHAT DO I DO IF MY DOG IS AFRAID OF SOMETHING?

Never push a dog toward a feared object, as it will increase his fear. See the chapter “Getting Braver”.

TIP! The more new experiences that your dog gets used to, the faster he will adjust to each new experience thereafter.

STEPS:

 1  Elevators: revolving doors, automatic doors

2 Clothes: cone, coat, booties

3 Unstable surfaces: wobble board

4 People: children, wheelchair, cane

5 Loud sounds: doorbell, doors slamming, siren

6 Animals: smell and movement

Car

TEACH IT:

Every dog should be accustomed to riding in a car. For the safety of your dog and of all the travelers on the road, restrain your dog inside a crate or with the use of a harness and seat belt.

 1  Put a secure harness on your dog (shown here). Test that he cannot slip out of it by walking backward.

2 Buckle the harness loop through the seat belt.

3 Or, put a crate inside your car. A squeak toy, chew toy, or peanut butter-filled toy will occupy your dog.

4 Commercial car ramps can help your dog walk into the car. If you lift your dog, gather her by her shoulders and rump to avoid putting pressure on her chest or stomach.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Introducing this experience to a puppy will be much easier than introducing it to a mature dog.

BEFORE YOU START

Research the applicable laws in your county and state. It is commonly unlawful to have a dog leashed in the back of a pickup and unlawful to have a dog alone in a car for any duration of time, in any temperature.

TROUBLESHOOTING

HELP, MY DOG GETS CAR SICK!

Dogs may drool or vomit due to anxiety or to motion sickness. Limit your dog’s food consumption before going on a car trip. Consider asking your veterinarian about an FDA-approved medication for canine motion sickness.

TIP! The first you time you introduce the car, just practice getting in, sitting there for a minute, and getting out (without ever moving the car).

STEPS:

 1  Attach and test the harness.

2 Buckle it through the seat belt.

3 Use a crate inside the car.

4 Lift your dog by avoiding pressure.

First Vet’s Office Visit

TEACH IT:

The vet’s office can be a scary place for a dog; it has slippery floors (see here), other dogs who may be in pain, and “fear pheromone” odors. Acclimate your dog to the vet’s office before he needs it, so he’ll start off with a positive association.

 1  Stop by the vet’s office on a random day, when you don’t have an appointment. Your dog will be anxious; take your time.

2 Give your dog treats to distract him from his anxiety.

3 There is often a biscuit jar on the reception desk. Let the staff person give your dog a treat.

4 Keep it short and upbeat. Leave the vet’s office on a high note. What fun that was!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Stop by the vet’s office a few times before the need arises. When it’s time for your dog’s first appointment, it will be “no big deal.”

BEFORE YOU START

It can be helpful to start with a pleasant pet store visit before you attempt the scarier vet’s office visit.

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY DOG REFUSES TO ENTER THE OFFICE.

Never force your dog toward a feared object, as it will only increase her fear. Use treats to coax your dog slowly (shown here).

MY DOG IS SHAKING AND PANTING EXCESSIVELY.

This is not uncommon. Don’t overly coddle your dog; instead portray confidence and calmness in the situation.

TIP! The grass surrounding the vet’s office has been pottied on by many sick animals. Avoid letting your dog step on those areas.

STEPS:

 1  Stop by the vet’s office when you don’t have an appointment.

2 Distract your dog with treats.

3 Get a biscuit from the reception desk.

4 Keep your first visit short.

Permitting Petting and Affection

TEACH IT:

Part of socializing your dog is helping her become comfortable with your touch and physical manipulation. Touch and petting are a bonding activity and will improve your overall relationship.

 1  Let your dog nibble a treat or lick some peanut butter from your hand as you gently stroke her. She will start to pair these two pleasant experiences together.

2 Rub her ears. This will be useful when you later clean her ears.

3 Pet her paws and gently rub your palm against her pads. This will also prepare her for nail trimming.

4 Briefly lift her lip to inspect her teeth. When she is more secure, we’ll begin brushing her teeth.

5 Practice the “settle” technique; ease your dog onto your outstretched legs and gently say “Settle … settle …”

WHAT TO EXPECT: Some dogs enjoy affection and others have to learn to love it. Try not to be offended if your dog is not a natural cuddler.

BEFORE YOU START

Attempt affection at the end of the day, when your dog is tired and there is less “interesting stuff” going on.

TROUBLESHOOTING

MY DOG FLATTENS HER EARS OR GROWLS AT ME!

Do not make this a battle. Your dog is telling you that she does not want to be touched. Let her go and attempt it again another day. Perseverance is the way to win her over.

TIP! Attempt affection in very short spurts. If your dog struggles to get away, release her immediately.

STEPS:

 1  Use peanut butter to introduce petting.

2 Rub your dog’s ears.

3 Smooth her paws.

4 Lift her gums.

5 Practice the “settle” technique.

Nail Trimming

TEACH IT:

When a dog’s nails are too long they prevent the dog from standing properly flat-footed, which can eventually lead to injury or arthritis. It is especially important to keep a puppy’s nails trimmed. Trimming your dog’s nails will be a lifelong task, so approach it slowly and correctly so your dog will not fear it. The following steps may take a week or more to work through.

 1  Gently pick up and handle your dog’s paw while giving her treats. If she struggles, release her paw (but she only gets treats while her paw is in your hand).

2 Touch each nail with the clippers.

3 While holding your dog’s paw, clip a wooden matchstick. This will accustom your dog to the sound of the clip.

4 After every matchstick clip, give your dog a treat.

5 When your dog is ready, clip the tiniest bit off one nail, and immediately praise and treat.

WHAT TO EXPECT: This will be a long, frustrating process but worth the work. Make it your goal to simply TOUCH each nail with the clippers.

BEFORE YOU START

You’ll need dog nail clippers, wooden matches, and small treats.

TROUBLESHOOTING

CAN I LEASH MY DOG? SHE IS TRYING TO RUN AWAY.

You can leash her on a long leash to prevent her from running off, but you must give her enough lead so she doesn’t feel trapped and resort to panic-biting.

TIP! Is your puppy biting your hand? Wear gloves.

STEPS:

 1  Give treats while holding her paw.

2 Touch each nail with the clippers.

3 Clip a matchstick to imitate the sound.

4 After every matchstick clip, give a treat.

5 Trim one nail and give a treat.