Confidence is a crucial part of your puppy’s development. A confident dog is more relaxed in new situations, easier to groom and handle, and better equipped to cope with everyday life. This week, we’ll focus on handling exercises, problem-solving enrichment, resilience in new environments, and recognising stress.
Desensitisation to Grooming & Vet Handling
Many dogs become nervous about being groomed or examined at the vet, but you can prevent this by gradually desensitising your puppy to handling.
🎯 How to Get Your Puppy Comfortable with Handling:
Start Slow: Gently touch their ears, paws, tail, and mouth for just a few seconds, then reward them.
Pair Touch with Treats: Every time you touch a sensitive area, give them a treat.
Introduce Tools Gradually: Let them sniff the brush, nail clippers, or ear cleaner before using them.
Mimic Vet Exams: Lift their tail, check their ears, and lightly hold their paws at home so they’re not startled at the vet.
Keep Sessions Short: Stop before they become frustrated or wriggly—lots of tiny positive sessions are better than one long one.
🐾 Handling Games to Try:
🖐 “Touch & Treat” – Gently touch a paw, ear, or tail, say “yes!”, and reward.
🛁 “Fake Bath Time” – Rub a damp cloth on them to get used to the feeling.
🐕 “Vet Check Game” – Have a friend gently check them like a vet would and reward them for staying calm.
🚫 What NOT to Do:
Don’t hold them down—this creates fear. Let them move away if they’re uncomfortable and build confidence slowly.
Avoid rushing the process—this is about creating positive associations over time.
📝 Tip: If your puppy is nervous, reward them just for staying still before you even start touching them!
Encouraging Problem-Solving Through Enrichment
Problem-solving builds confidence by teaching your puppy that they can figure things out on their own.
🎯 Simple Enrichment Activities:
🐾 Puzzle Toys – Use food puzzles or homemade versions (muffin tin + tennis balls covering treats).
🐾 Snuffle Mat – Hide treats in a snuffle mat to encourage sniffing and foraging.
🐾 Obstacle Course – Set up tunnels, boxes, and low jumps in your home or garden.
🐾 Scatter Feeding – Instead of a bowl, scatter kibble in the grass to encourage natural sniffing behaviour.
🚀 How Enrichment Helps:
✅ Increases independence
✅ Helps puppies problem-solve
✅ Prevents boredom and frustration
✅ Builds resilience in new situations
📝 Tip: Change up enrichment activities regularly to keep your puppy engaged!
Working on Resilience in New Environments
Your puppy will encounter new places, sounds, and experiences throughout life. The more positive exposure they have now, the more resilient they’ll be in the future.
🎯 How to Build Confidence in New Places:
Start Small: Begin with quiet environments before moving to busier ones.
Go at Their Pace: Let your puppy explore without forcing them.
Use Treats & Praise: Reward curiosity—if they sniff a new object, they get a treat!
Short & Positive Sessions: Avoid overwhelming them with too much at once.
🐾 New Experiences to Introduce Gradually:
🚗 Car rides
🚦 Busy streets
🚶♂️ Walking past bicycles, wheelchairs, and prams
🏥 Visiting the vet just for treats (no exam)
📦 Walking on different surfaces (gravel, grass, metal grates)
🚫 Signs of Overwhelm:
Tucked tail, yawning, or lip licking
Avoiding new things or trying to hide
Panting when not hot
Sudden loss of interest in treats
📝 Tip: If your puppy seems overwhelmed, take a step back and give them space. Never force them into a situation they’re scared of!
Signs of Stress & How to Help
Understanding stress signals can help you support your puppy before they become too anxious.
🐾 Common Stress Signals in Puppies:
⚠️ Yawning, lip licking, or excessive blinking
⚠️ Turning away or avoiding eye contact
⚠️ Sudden scratching or sniffing (displacement behaviours)
⚠️ Panting when not warm
⚠️ Tucked tail or lowered body posture
🎯 How to Help a Stressed Puppy:
✅ Remove them from the situation – If they’re overwhelmed, give them space.
✅ Use positive distractions – Offer a chew toy or snuffle mat.
✅ Keep your voice calm and happy – Your energy affects them.
✅ Avoid forcing interaction – Let them approach new experiences in their own time.
📝 Tip: If your puppy is unsure, be their safe place—stay calm, let them observe, and reward bravery!
What’s Next?
This week, you’ve built your puppy’s confidence with handling, problem-solving, new environments, and stress management.
In Week 10, we’ll focus on setting up for long-term success with ongoing training and behaviour shaping!
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