Dogs are naturally social animals, but with the lockdown and on going social distancing, a lot of owners are feeling worried they are unable to do this.

For successful socialisation, dogs and in particular puppies, need to be exposed to lots of different experiences. It is essential that these experiences are done in a safe and positive way. Socialisation plays a huge part in helping prevent behavioural problems in their later life. Whilst the Covid-19 outbreak has made it very difficult to achieve the levels of socialisation we would hope for, there are still plenty of ways we can introduce your puppy to new experiences & development during this period.

One thing to always remember, is to take things gradually. At Eddies, we have a designated puppy area in which puppies are slowly introduced to new experiences. Some puppies are very confident whilst others might need to take things slightly slower, understanding your puppy is crucial. At Eddies we always pair a new experience with something positive, this might be a treat or a big WELL DONE. We call this positive associations. If they seem slightly concerned of the experience or scared, it is important to acknowledge these cues and to calmly take them away from the situation.