FUNdamentals: Pups 2 to 5 Months of Age
What Do I Do First?
When you first bring home a brand new guide dog puppy, the journey from rolly-polly shark to upstanding member of society can seem a bit daunting!
To set our puppies up for success, we start by focusing on:
- Settling in your home
- Potty training
- A solid foundation of positive experiences for a lifetime of confidence, resilience, and love of learning!
Before Puppy Comes Home
- READING – Review Puppy Wellbeing and Health policies
- READING – Reading Dog Body Language
- READING – Verbal Cues
- Safe and Sound: A Guide to Puppy Proofing Your Home
First Few Days
- READING – Let’s Play!
- Don’t Mind Me! Using Your Puppy YES Space
- Do Your Business (Level 1 – Relieving Outside on a Hard Surface)
- Puppy Brain Games: Food Containing Toys
- What’s Your Name?
- Gimme Your Collar: Foundations for a Reliable Recall (Level 1 – Happy Collar Grabs)
- Walk with Me: Introducing the Leash & “Let’s Go”
Before Your First Vet Visit
- READING – Food Rewards: What Type Do I Choose?
- READING – Explore Together! Socialization to Build Confidence
- The Bucket Game (Level 1 – Food Comes to You)
- Puppy’s First Adventures: Happy Car Rides
Once Pup is Settling In
Before Your First Adventures
- Getting Dressed for Work: Introducing the Puppy Jacket and Head Collar (Level 1 – Introducing Equipment)
Ready for More?
- Welcome, Puppy! Teaching Good House Manners
- Calm and Settled: Introducing Tie-Down
- Puppy Basics: Learning Sit & Down
- The Bucket Game (Level 2 – Touch and Feed)
- Let’s Go Sightseeing
- Getting Dressed for Work: Introducing the Puppy Jacket and Head Collar (Level 2 – Guide Dog Puppy Uniform)
- Gimme Your Collar: Foundations for a Reliable Recall (Level 2 – Gimme Your Collar)
- READING – Puppy Socialization: Ideas to Spark Creativity
- READING – Socialization Guide: Puppy Slumber Party
- OPTIONAL Worksheet – Puppy Sleepover Notes (notes to share with your puppy sitter)
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