Fetch my slippers, not eat them!

By Erica Pytlovany & Laura Sharkey

Ligio, 10 weeks old

"Now what do you have"!?!  Despite the fact that we puppy proofed the house, this comment kept coming out of our mouths. The puppy had yet another item of contraband. A shoe, a sock, a bag of chips. The items just kept coming. It was time to play "Whatcha Got"?

Young puppies explore the world with their mouth.  It is totally normal for them to pick up and chew on pretty much everything within reach. In our house, we turn this into the "Whatcha Got?" game.  This game is much more fun and effective than the Steal It & Run Game.  You know the Steal It & Run Game, right?  It's where your puppy steals an item and you get upset and chase after him while he tries to escape with his prize.

WARNING: the "Whatcha Got?" game is going to seem totally WRONG. It goes against what we instinctively want to do, which is to scold and punish. But the science tells us that scolding and punishing is not teaching -- and what we really want to to do is teach.

Race to Your Space!

By Erica Pytlovany

Does your puppy go to his crate at nap time?  When visitors arrive?  When you need to leave for work, or when it's time for bed?  The crate provides a safe, quiet space for your puppy.  But does he run into the crate with wild abandon, at your request?  If he doesn't, why not?  Here's how to teach your dog to run to his crate on cue.

Puppy Olympics, and the Importance of Early Socialization

By Laura Sharkey

The Puppy Olympics are almost here! 

8 weeks ago, on April 1st 2016, our foster dog Harlie gave birth to 11 tiny puppies. WOOFS! has fostered many pregnant moms and their puppies over the past 13 years, but this time we decided to do something different. We assigned each puppy a WOOFS! trainer. Each trainer was responsible for their pups early socialization and training. The results of these efforts will be on display at the Puppy Olympics on June 3rd. The puppies will be 9 weeks old.

Puppy Challenge #1: House Training

By Laura Sharkey
Originally Published on ArlNow.com

So you have a cute new puppy? Congratulations! But now what?

Puppies naturally bite, cry, poop and pee. Then we get them in the house and immediately want them NOT to bite, cry, poop or pee. It’s a pretty tall order for an 8 week old. So here are a few tips on how to gently mold your tiny new best friend into the awesome dog you know she can be.

New! Puppy Prep School

By Laura Sharkey

You have GOT to meet Lucy.  Lucy is our first Puppy Prep School student and she is adorable. Lucy is an 8 week old mini dachshund who started Prep School on April 5th. I will be chronicling her progress here. We have a lot planned for this little girl.

We immediately started working on Lucy's crate training. Her owners reported some seriously pitiful crying when she was crated, including an episode of getting her teeth stuck on the crate bars which was terrifying for everyone. Our goal is to have her willingly crating without protest by the time she goes home so today we started to teach her to go into her crate on cue.

Puppy Love or Running With the Big Dogs?

By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com 

There are several avenues you can use to get a dog. Dogs are available through breeders, rescue groups and animal shelters. All of these options have good dogs available. But before you go to get a dog, you will need to have an idea of what you are looking for.

What you Should Really be Teaching Your Puppy

By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com 

Whenever someone gets a new puppy or dog, they are often eager to teach “the basics.”  So everyone starts in on the same things; sit, lie down, shake, stay in front of the food bowl, etc. While these are all valuable skills for your new puppy or dog to know, they definitely do not need to be at the top of the list.

Teaching your dogs cues like sit or down, are obedience skills. The premise being that whenever you give a specific cue, your dog responds with the correct position. Responding to cues is important, but what is more important is your dogs general behavior.

What is Socialization?

By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com 

Socialization is the process of positively introducing your puppy to new things so that as they grow into adulthood, they are able to adapt to new situations without fear or anxiety.

The most important thing to know is that most puppies are only open to the socialization process between the ages of 3 to 16 weeks. This is called the socialization window. During this time, the pup’s brain and sympathetic nervous system is programmed to accept new experiences with less fear and anxiety than normal. As the pup gets older, their neurobiology changes and it becomes more and more difficult to teach your dog to tolerate new things.

Conference Presentation by Ariana Kincaid

As well as being a WOOFS! trainer, Ariana Kincaid, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP is the founder and owner of Operation Socialization, an organization to promote the importance of early, positive puppy socialization.  Ariana recently spoke at two big events.

The Why and Why Not of the Dog Park

By Laura Sharkey

So I have been talking a lot about puppy socialization and exercise, and how to accomplish those intertwined goals. Both are critical for the health and well being of your pup and the exercise part can be essential for your sanity!

The dog park seems to be the go-to answer for a lot of people, and in general I am a fan of some dog parks, however if you have a young pup, you may want to finish reading before you leash up and head out.